Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 171 Series P, Hydrographic Progress Reports, 47

DEPAETMENT OF THE INTEEIOK

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

REPORT

PROGRESS OF STREAM MEASUREMENTS

THE CALENDAR YEAR 1905

PREPAEED TJNDEE THE DIEECTION OF F. H. NEWELL

PART YII. Hudson Bay and Upper Eastern and Western Mississippi River Drainages

BY

F. W. HANNA and JOHN C. HOYT

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1906
Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 171 Series P, Hydrographic Progress Reports, 47 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

REPORT

PROGRESS OF STREAM MEASUREMENTS

THE CALENDAR YEAR 1905

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF F. H. NEWELL

PART YII. Hudson Bay and Upper Eastern and Western Mississippi River Drainages

BY 

F. W. HANNA and JOHN C. HOYT

WASHINGTON

GOVEKNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1906
CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction............................................................... 5

Organization and scope of work. .......................................... 5

Definitions............................................................ 7

Explanation of tables................................................... 8

Convenient equivalents. ........*........................................ 9

Field methods of measuring stream flow................................... 10

Office methods of computing run-off...................................... 14

Cooperation and acknowledgments.........-..---............-.---....... 16

Hudson Bay drainage....................................................... 16

General features. .............................!~,....................... 16

St. Mary River drainage basin........................................... 16

Description of basin................................................ 16

St. Mary River near Babb, Mont. 1................................... 17

St. Mary River near Cardston, Alberta................................ 19

Swiftcurrent Creek near Babb, Mont.................................. 21

Kennedy Creek near Babb, Mont..................................... 24

Miscellaneous measurements......................................... 26

Red River drainage basin............................................... 27

Description of basin................................................ 27

Red River at Fargo, N. Dak......................................... 27

Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak................................... 29

Ottertail River near Fergus Falls, Minn............................... 33

Sheyenne River near Haggart, N. Dak................................ 35

Red Lake River at Crookston, Minn.................................. 37

Pembina River near Neche, N. Dak.................................. 40

Mouse River drainage basin............................................. 42

Description of basin................................................ 42

Mouse River near Foxholm, N. Dak................................... 42

Mouse River at Minot, N. Dak....................................... 45

Des Lacs River at Foxholm, N. Dak................................... 47

Upper Mississippi River drainage............................................. 49

General features....................................................... 49

Mississippi River....................................................... 51

Mississippi River near Sauk Rapids, Minn............................. 51

Mississippi River at Anoka, Minn.................................... 52

Rum River drainage basin.............................................. 54

Description of basin................................................ 54

Rum River near Anoka, Minn....'................................... 54

Minnesota River drainage basin.......................................... 56

Description of basin................................................ 56

Minnesota River near Mankato, Minn................................. 56

Chippewa River drainage basin.....'..................................... 59

Description of basin................................................ 59

Chippewa River near Eau Claire, Wis................................. 59

Flambeau River near Ladysmith, Wis................................ 62

3
4 CONTENTS.

Upper Mississippi River drainage Continued. Page.

Black River drainage basin................."...................._...-.-. 65

Description of basin................................................ 65

Black River at Neillsville, Wis....................................... 65

Wisconsin River drainage basin.......................................... 67

Description of basin................................................ 67

Wisconsin River at Merrill, Wis...................................... 68

Wisconsin River near Necedah, Wis.................................. 70

Wapsipinicon River drainage basin....................................... 73

Description of basin................................................ 73

Wapsipinicon River at Stone City, Iowa............................. 73

Rock River drainage basin.............................................. 75

Description of basin................................................ 75

Rock River at Rockton, 111.......................................... 76

Rock River at Sterling, 111.......................................... 78

Iowa River drainago basin.............................................. 82

Description of basin................................................ 82

Iowa River at Iowa City, Iowa...................................... 83

Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Iowa................................... 86

Red Cedar River at Janesville, Iowa.......................... ....... 88

DCS Moines River drainage basin............................ ^............ 90

Description of basin................................................ 90

Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, Iowa........ ...................... 90

Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa................................ 92

Des Moines River at Keosauqua, Iowa................................ 94

Miscellaneous measurements......................................... 96

Illinois River drainage basin............................................. 97

Description of basin................................................ 97

Illinois River near Peoria, 111.................. '. ..................... 97

Desplaines River near Channahon, 111................................. 100

Kankakee River at Davis, Ind....................................... 101

Kankakea River at Momence, 111..................................... 102

Yellow River at Knox, Ind.......................................... 104

Fox River at Sheridan, 111........................................... 105

Sangamon River at Decatur, 111...................................... 106

Index.........................-...-...:.--..-----------.---.---------.---. 109

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. Map of the United States, showing location of principal river stations

maintained during 1905............-.....-..-..-.-..-.-.----.--.- 6

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

2. Rating, area, and mean velocity curves for South Fork Skykomish River

near Index, Wash............................................... 15
PROGRESS REPORT OF STREAM MEASUREMENTS 

FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1905.

PART VII.

By F. W. HANNA and JOHN C. HOTT.

INTRODUCTION.

N AND SCOPE Or WORK.

The hydrographic work of the United States Geological Survey includes the collection of 

facts concerning and the study of conditions affecting the behavior of water from the time 

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

investigations became a distinct feature of the work of the Survey in the fall of 1888, when 

an instruction camp was established at Embudo, N. Mex. The first specific appropriation 

for gaging streams was made by the act of August 18, 1894, which contained an item of 

$12,500 " for gauging the streams and determining the water supply of the United States, 

including the investigation of underground currents and artesian wells in the arid and semiarid sections." (Stat. L., vol. 28, p. 398.)

Since that time appropriations have been gradually increased, as shown by the following 

table:

Annual appropriations for hydrographic surveys for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1895

to 1906.

1895........................... $12,500

1896........................... 20,000

1897........................... 50,000

1898........................... 50,000

1899........................... *50,000

1900........................... 50,000

1901...........................$100,000

1902..........--...--...-..-... 100,000

1903...--.---.,.-.,..."..--....- 200,000

1904........................... 200, 000

1905........................... 200,000

1906...-..--..---...----..-.... 200,000

As a result of the increased appropriations the work has been greatly extended, and at 

the same time it has been more thoroughly systemized by the adoption of standard methods and by grouping the States into districts, in each of which a district hydrographer and 

a corps of assistants carry on a comprehensive study of the hydrographic resources.

The chief features of the hydrographic work are the collection .of data relating to the flow 

of surface waters and the study of the conditions affecting this flow. There is also collected 

information concerning river profiles, duration and magnitude of floods, water power, etc., 

which may be of use in hydrographic studies. This work includes the study of the hydrography of every important river basin in the United States and is of direct value in* the commercial and agricultural development of the country.

In order to collect the material from which estimates of daily flow are made, gaging stations are established. The selection of a site for a gaging station and the length of time it 

is maintained depend largely upon the physical features and the needs of each locality.
6 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IK 1905, PART VII.

If the water is to be used for power, special effort is made to obtain information concerning 

the minimum flow; if water is to be stored, the maximum flow receives special attention. 

In all sections of the country permanent gaging stations are maintained for general statistical purposes to show the conditions existing through long periods. They are also used 

as primary stations, and their records, in connection with short series of measurements 

serve as bases for estimating the flow at other points in the drainage basin.

During the calendar year 1905 the division of hydrography has continued measuring 

the flow of streams on the same general lines as in previous years. Many new and improved 

methods have been introduced, by which the accuracy and value of the results have been 

increased. Approximately 800 regular gaging stations were maintained during the year, 

and an exceptionally large number of miscellaneous measurements and special investigations were made. "The Report of Progress of Stream Measurements," which contains 

the results of this work, is published in a series of fourteen Water-Supply and Irrigation 

Papers, Nos. 165 to 178, as follows:

No. 165. Atlantic coast of New England drainage.

No. 166. Hudson, Passaic, Raritan, and Delaware river drainages.

No. 167. Susquehanna, Gunpowder, Patapsco, Potomae, James, Roanoke, and Yadkin river

drainages. 

No. 168. Santee, Savannah, Ogeechee and Altamaha rivers and eastern Gulf of Mexico drainages.

No. 169. Ohio and lower eastern Mississippi river drainages. 

-No. 170. Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River drainages.

No. 171. Hudson Bay, and upper eastern and western Mississippi River drainages. 

No. 172. Missouri River drainage.

No. 173. Meramec, Arkansas, Red, and lower western Mississippi River drainages. 

No. 174. Western Gulf of Mexico and Rio Grande drainages. 

No. 175. Colorado River drainage. 

No. 176. The Great Basin drainage.

No. 177. The Great Basin and Pacific Ocean drainages in California. 

No. 178. Columbia River and Puget Sound .drainages.

These papers embody the data collected at the regular gaging stations, the results of the 

computations based upon the observations, and such other information as may have a 

direct bearing on the study of the subject, and include, as far as practicable, descriptions of 

the basins and the streams draining them.

For the purpose of introducing uniformity into the reports for the various years the drainages of the United States have been divided into eleven^gran4 divisions, which have been 

again divided into secondary divisions, as shown in the following list. The progress report 

has been made to «enjprm to this arrangement, each. part containing the data for one or 

more of the secondary divisions. The secondary divisions have in most cases been redivided, and the facts, have been arranged, as far as practicable, geographically.

>t KJ i a « t 

List of drainage Kdsms iri IJie United States.

St. John.

St. Croix.

Penobscot.

Kennebec.

Androscoggin.

Presumpscot.

Saco.

Merrimac.

Connecticut.

Blackstone.

James.

Chowan.

Roanoke.

Tar.

Neuse.

Cape Fear.

NORTHERN ATLANTIC DRAINAGE BASINS.

Thames.

Hudson.

Passaic. Raritan. ' ' ' '

Delaware.

Susquehanna.

Potomae.

Minor Chesapeake Bay.

Minor Northern Atlantic.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC DRAINAGE BASINS.

Great Pedee (Yadkin).

Santee.

Savannah.

Ogeechee.

Altamaha.

Minor Southern Atlantic.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 171 PL. i

127° 125 123 119" 117 116° 113 111 109" 107* 105° 103° 101° 99 8? 81" 79' 77° 75° 73° 71° 09° 67

119' 117 Hi 113° 111" 109 107 105" 103' 101 87 85° 83° 8f 79° 7

MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, SHOWING LOCATION OF PRINCIPAL RIVER STATIONS MAINTAINED DURING 1905.
Suwanee. 

Apalachicola.

ORGANIZATION AND SCOPE OF WORK.

i 

List of drainage basins in the United States Continued. -

EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO DRAINACfE BASINS.

Pearl.

Minor Eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Mobile.

EASTERN MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE BASINS.

Lower eastern Mississippi. Upper eastern Mississippi. 

Ohio.

Lake Superior. 

Lake Michigan. 

Lake Huron. 

Lake St. Clair.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER DRAINAGE JBASINS.

Niagara RiVer. 

Lake Ontario.

Lake Champlain (Richelieu River). 

Minor St. llawrence.

Lake Erie.

WESTERN MISSISSIPPI EIVER DRAINAGE BASINS.

Upper western Mississippi.

Missouri.

Meramec.

Sabine. 

Neches. 

Trinity. 

Brazos. 

Colorado (of Texas).

Wasatch Mountains. 

Humboldt.

Southern Pacific. 

San Francisco Bay.

Lower western Mississippi.

Arkansas.

Red.

WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO DRAINAGE BASINS.

Guadelupe.

San Ahtonip.

Nueces.

Rio Grande.

Minor Western Gulf of Mexico.

COLORADO EIVER DRAINAGE BjlsiN. 

THE GREAT BASIN. [

Sierra Nevada.

Minor streams in Great Basin.

PACIFIC COAST DRAINAGE BASINS.

Columbia. 

Puget Sound.

Northern Pacific.

HUDSON BAY DRAINAGE BASINS.

DEFINITIONS.

The volume of water flowing in a stream, the "run-off" or "discharge," is expressed in 

various terms, each of which has become associated with a certain class of work. These 

terms may be divided into two groups: (1) Those which represent a rate of flow, as secondfeet, gallons per minute, miner's inch, and run-off in second-feet per square mile; and (2) 

those which represent the actual quantity of water, as run-off in depth in inches and acrefoot. They may be denned as follows:

"Second-foot" is an abbreviation for cubic foot per second, and is the quantity of water 

flowing in a stream one foot wide, one foot deep, at a rate of one foot per second. It is generally used as a fundamental unit from which others are computed.

"Gallons per minute" is generally used in connection with pumping and city water 

supply.

The "miner's inch" is the quantity of water that passes through an orifice one inch 

square under a head which varies locally. It has beei^ commonly used by miners and 

irrigators throughout the^West, and is defined by statute in each State in which it is used. 

In most States the California miner's inch is used, which is the fiftieth part of a second-foot.

"Second-feet per square mile" is the average number of cubic feet of water flowing per 

second from each square mile of area drained, on the assumption that the run-off is distributed uniformly, both as regards time and area.

"Run-off in inches" is the depth to which the drainage area would be covered if all the 

water flowing from it in a given period were conserved and uniformly distributed on the
8 STREAM MEASUREMENTS I1ST 1905, PART VII.

surface. It is used for comparing run-off with rainfall, which is usually expressed in depth 

in inches.

"Acre-foot" is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet, and is the quantity required to cover an 

acre to the depth of one foot. It is commonly used in connection with storage for irrigation work. There'is a convenient relation between the second-foot and the acre-foot. 

One second-foot flowing for twenty-four hours will deliver 86,400 cubic feet, or approximately two acre-feet.

EXPLANATION OF TABLES.

For each regular gaging station are given as far as available the following data:

1. Description of station.

2. List of discharge measurements.

3. Gage-height table.

4. Rating table.

5. Table of estimated monthly and yearly discharges and run-off, based upon all the 

facts obtained to date.

The descriptions of stations give such general information about the locality and equipment as would enable the reader to find and use the station, and they also give, as far as 

possible, a complete history of all the changes that have occurred since the establishment 

of the station that would be factors in using the data collected.

The discharge-measurement table gives the results of the discharge measurements made 

during the year, including the date, the name of the hydrographer, the gage height, the 

area of cross section, the mean velocity, and the discharge in second-feet.

The table of daily gage heights gives the daily fluctuations of the surface of the river as 

found from the mean of the gage readings taken each day. The gage height given in the 

table represents the elevation of the surface of the water above the zero of the gage. At 

most stations the gage is read in the morning and in the evening.

The rating table gives discharges in second-feet corresponding to each stage of the river as 

given by the gage heights.

In the table of estimated monthly discharges the column headed "Maximum" gives 

the mean flow for the day when the mean gage height was highest, and it is the flow as given 

in the rating table for that mean gage height. As the gage height is the mean for the day, 

there might have been short periods when the water was higher and the corresponding 

discharge larger than given, in this column. Likewise in the column of " Minimum " the 

quantity given is the mean flow for the day when the mean gage height was lowest. The 

column headed "Mean" is the average flow for each second during the month. Upon 

this the computations for the three remaining columns, which are defined on page 8, are

In the computations for the tables of this report the following general and special rules 

have been used:

Fundamental rules for computation.

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

2. All items of computation should be expressed by at least two and not more than four significant 

figures.

3. Any measurement in a vertical velocity, mean velocity, or discharge curve whose per cent of error 

is 5 times the average per cent of error of all the other measurements should be rejected.

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

figure, the following rules apply:

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

figure. Example: 1,827.4 becomes 1,827.

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

figure by 1. Example: 1,827.6 becomes 1,828.

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

Example: 1,828.5 becomes 1,828.

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

increase the preceding figure by 1. Example: 1,827.5 becomes 1,828.
CONVENIENT EQUIVALENTS. 9

Special rules for computation.

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

No decimals are to be used when the discharge is over 50 second-feet.

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

3. Monthly means are to be carried out to one decimal place when the quantities are below 100 secondfeet. Between 100 and 10,000 second-feet the last figure in the monthly mean shall be a significant 

figure. This also applies to the yearly mean.

4. Second-feet per square mile and depth in inches for the individual months shall be carried out to at 

least three significant figures, except in the case of decimals where the first significant figure is preceded 

by one or more naughts (0), when the quantity shall be carried out to two significant figures. Example: 

1.25; 0.125; 0.012; 0.0012. The yearly means for these quantities are always to be expressed in three 

significant figures and at least two decimal places.

CONVENIENT EQUIVALENTS.

1 second-foot equals 50 California miner's inches. 

1 second-foot equals 38.4 Colorado miner's inches. 

1 second-foot equals 40 Arizona miner's inches.

1 second-foot equals 7.48 United States gallons per second; equals 448.8 gallons per minute; equals 

646,272 gallons for one day.

1 second-foot equals 6.23 British imperial gallons per second. 

1 second-foot for one year covers 1 square mile 1.131 feet deep, 13.572 inches deep. 

1 second-foot for one year equals 0.000214 cubic mile; equals 31,536,000 cubic feet. 

1 second-foot equals about 1 acre-inch per hour. 

1 second-foot falling 10 feet equals 1.136 horsepower. 

100 California miner's inches equal 15 United States gallons per second. 

100 California miner s inches equal 77 Colorado miner's inches. 

100 California miner's inches for one day equal 4 acre-feet. 

100 Colorado miner's inches equal 2.60 second-feet. 

100 Colorado miner's inches equal 19.5 United States gallons per second. 

100 Colorado miner's inches equal 130 California miner's inches. 

"100 Colorado miner's inches for one day equal 5.2 acre-feet. 

100 United States gallons per minute equal .223 second-foot. 

100 United States gallons per minute for one day equal 0.44 acre-foot. 

1,000,000 United States gallons per day equal 1.55 second-feet. 

1,000,000 United States gallons equal 3.07 acre feet. 

1,000,000 cubic feet equal 22.95 acre-feet. 

1 acre-foot equals 325,850 gallons.

1 inch deep on 1 square mile equals 2,323,200 cubic feet. 

1 inch deep on 1 square mile equals 0.0737 second-foot per year. 

1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters. 

1 foot equals 0.3048 meter. > 

1 yard equals 0.9144 meter. 

1 mile equals 1.60935 kilometers.

1 mile equals 1,760 yards; equals 5,280 feet; equals 63,360 inches. 

1 square yard equals 0.836 square meter. 

1 acre equals 0.4047 hectare.

1 acre equals 43,560 square feet; equals 4,840 square yards. 

1 acre equals 209 feet square, nearly. 

1 square mile equals 259 hectares. 

1 square mile equals 2.59 square kilometers. 

1 cubic foot equals 0.0283 cubic meter. 

1 cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons; equals 0.804 bushel. 

1 cubic foot of water weighs 62.5 pounds. 

1 cubic yard equals 0.7646 cubic meter. 

1 cubic mile equals 147,198,000,000 cubic feet. 

1 cubic mile equals 4,667 second-feet for one year. 

1 gallon equals 3.7854 liters. 

1 gallon equals 8.36 pounds of water. 

1 gallon equals 231 cubic inches (liquid measure). 

1 pound equals 0.4536 kilogram. 

1 avoirdupois pound equals 7,000 grains. 

1 troy pound equals 5,760 grams. 

1 meter equals 39.37 inches. Log. 1.5951654. 

1 meter equals 3.280833 feet. Log. 0.5159842. 

1 meter equals 1.093611 yards. Log. 0.0388629. 

1 kilometer equals 3,281 feet; equals five-eighths mile, nearly.
10 STEEAM MEASUEEMENTS IN 1905, PAET VII.

1 square meter equals 10,764 square feet; equals 1,196 square yards.

1 hectare equals 2.471 acres.

1 cub c meter equals 35.314 cubic feet; equals 1.308 cubic yards.

1 liter equals 1.0567 quarts.

1 gram equals 15.43 grains.

1 kilogram equals 2.2046 pounds.

1 tonneau equals 2,204.6 pounds.

1 foot per second equals 1.097 kilometers per hour.

1 foot per second equals 0.68 mile per hour.

1 cubic meter per minute equals 0.5886 second-foot.

1 atmosphere equals 15 pounds per square inch, equals 1 ton per square foot, equals 1 kilogram per 

square centimeter.

Acceleration of gravity equals 32.16 feet per second every second.

1 horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second.

1 horsepower equals 76 kilogram-meters per second.

1 horsepower equals 746 watts.

1 horsepower equals 1 second-foot falling 8.8 feet.

1§ horsepower equals about 1 kilowatt.

To calculate water power quickly: Sec, ft. x fall in feet =net horsepower on water wheel, realizing 80

11 

per cent of the theoretical power. _

Quick formula for computing discharge over weirs: Cubic feet per minute equal 0.4025 1 J/h3 ; 1= 

length of weir in inches; h=head in inches flowing over weir, measured from surface of still water.

To change miles to inches on map:

Scale 1 : 125000, 1 mile=0.50688 inch. 

Scale 1 : 90000, 1 mile=0.70400 inch. 

Scale 1 : 62500, 1 mile= 1.01376 inches. 

Scale 1 : 45000, 1 mile= 1.40800 inches.

FIELD METHODS OF MEASURING STREAM TT.OW.

The methods used in collecting these data and in preparing them for publication are given 

in detail in Water-Supply Papers No. 94 (Hydrographic Manual, U. S. Geological Survey) 

and No. 95 (Accuracy of Stream Measurements). In order that persons using this report 

may readily become acquainted with the general methods employed, the following brief 

description is given.

Streams may be divided, with respect to their physical conditions, into three classes: (1) 

Those with permanent beds; (2) those with beds which change only during extreme low or 

high water; (3) those with constantly shifting beds. In estimating the daily flow special 

methods are necessary for each class. The data upon which these estimates are based and the 

methods of collecting them are, however, in general the same.

There are three distinct methods of determining the flow of open-channel streams: (1) By 

measurements of slope and cross section and the use of Chezy's and Kutter's formulas; (2) 

by means of a weir; (3) by measurements of the velocity of the current and of the area of 

the cross section. The method chosen for any case depends upon the local physical conditions, the degree of accuracy desired, the funds available, and the length of time that the 

record is to be continued.

Slope method. Much information has been collected relative to the coefficients to be used 

in theChezy formula, v=c v/Bs. This has been utilized by Kutter, both in developing his 

formula for c and in determining the values of the coefficient n which appears therein. The 

results obtained by the slope method are in general only roughly approximate, owing to the 

difficulty in obtaining accurate data and the uncertainty of the value for n to be used in 

Kutter's formula. The most common use of this method is in estimating the flood discharge 

of a stream when the only data available are the cross section, the slope as shown by marks 

along the bank, and a knowledge of the general conditions.

Weir method. When funds are available and the conditions are such that sharp-crested 

weirs can be erected, these offer the best facilities for determining flow. If dams are suitably situated and constructed they may be utilized for obtaining reliable estimates of flow. 

The conditions necessary to insure good results may be divided into two classes: (1) Those 

relating to the physical characteristics of the dam itself, and (2) those relating to the diversion and use of the water around and through the dam.
FIELD METHODS OF MEASUBING FLOW. 11

The physical requirements are as follows: (a) Sufficient height of dam, so that backwater 

will not interfere with free fall over it; (b) absence of leaks of appreciable magnitude; (c) 

topography or abutments which confine the flow over the dam at high stages; (d) level 

crests, which are kept free from obstructions caused by floating logs or ice; (e) crests of a 

type for which the coefficients to be used in Q=c & 1$, or some similar standard weir formula 

are known (see Water-Supply Paper No. 150); (f) either no flashboards or exceptional 

care in reducing leakage through them and in recording their condition.

Preferably there should be no diversion of water through or around the dam. Generally, 

however, a dam i s built for purposes of power or navigation, and part or all of the water 

flowing past it is diverted for such uses. This water is measured and added to that passing 

over the dam. To insure accuracy in such estimates the amount of water diverted should 

be reasonably constant. Furthermore, it should be so diverted that it can be measured* 

either by a weir, a current meter, or a simple system of water wheels which are of standard 

make or which have been rated as meters under working conditions, and so installed that 

the gate openings, the heads under which they work, and their angular velocities may be 

accurately observed.

The combination of physical conditions and uses of the water should be such that the 

estimates of flow will not involve, for a critical stage of considerable duration, the use of a 

head, on a broad-crested dam, of less than 6 inches. Moreover, when all other conditions

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

are good, the cooperation of the owners or operators of the plant is still essential if reliable 

results are to be obtained.

A gaging station at a weir or dam has the general advantage of continuity of record 

through the periods of ice and floods, and the disadvantages of uncertainty of coefficient 

to be used in the weir formula and of complications in the diversion and use of the water.

Velocity method. The determination of the quantity of water flowing past a certain section of a stream at a given time is termed a discharge measurement. This quantity is the 

product of two factors the mean velocity and the area of the cross section. The mean 

velocity is a function of surface slope, wetted perimeter, roughness of bed, and the channel 

conditions at, above, and below the gaging section. The area depends on the contour 

of the bed and the fluctuations of the surface. The two principal ways of measuring the 

velocity of a stream are by floats and current meters.

Great care is taken in the selection and equipment of gaging stations for determining 

discharge by velocity measurements in order that the data may have the required degree 

of accuracy. Their essential requirements are practically the same whether the velocity 

is determined by meters or floats. They are located as far as possible where the channel 

is straight both above and below the gaging section; where there are no cross currents, 

backwater, or boils; where the bed of the stream is reasonably free from large projections 

of a permanent character, and where the banks are high and subject to overflow only at 

flood stages. The station must be so far removed from the effects of tributary streams
12 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

and dams or other artificial obstructions that the gage height shall be an index of the 

discharge.

There are generally pertinent to a gaging station certain permanent or semipermanent 

structures which are usually referred to as " equipment." These are a gage for determining 

the fluctuations of the water surface, bench marks to which the datum of the gage is referred, 

permanent marks on a bridge or tagged line indicating the points of measurement, and, 

where the current is swift, some appliance (generally a secondary cable) to hold the meter 

in position in the water. As a rule the stations are located at bridges if the channel conditions are satisfactory, as from them the observations can more readily be made and the 

cost of the equipment is small.

The floats in common use are the surface, subsurface, and tube or rod floats. A corked 

"bottle with a flag in the top and weighted at the bottom makes one of the most satisfactory 

surface floats, as it is affected but little by wind. In case of flood measurements good 

results can be obtained by observing the velocity of floating cakes of ice or debris. In 

case of all surface float measurements coefficients must be used to reduce the observed 

velocity to the mean velocity. The subsurface and tube or rod floats are intended to give 

directly the mean velocity in the vertical. Tubes give excellent results when the channel 

conditions are good, as in canals.

In measuring velocity by a float, observation is made of the time taken by the float to 

pass over the "run," a selected stretch of river from 50 to 200 feet long. In each discharge 

measurement a large number of velocity determinations are made at different points across 

the stream, and from these observations the mean velocity for the whole section is determined. This may be done by plotting the mean positions of the floats as indicated by the 

distances from the bank as ordinates, and the corresponding times as abscissas. A curve 

through these points shows the mean time of run at any point across the stream, and the 

mean time for the whole stream is obtained by dividing the area bounded by this curve 

and its axis by the width. The length of the run divided by the mean time gives the mean 

velocity.

The area used in float measurements is the mean of the areas at the two ends of the run 

and at several intermediate sections.

The essential parts of the current meters in use are a wheel of some type, so constructed 

that the impact of flowing water causes it to revolve, and a device for recording or indicating 

the number of revolutions. The relation between the velocity of the moving water and 

the revolutions of the wheel is determined for each meter. This rating is done by drawing 

the meter through still water for a given distance at different speeds and noting the number of revolutions for each run. From these data aerating table is prepared which gives 

the velocity per second for any number of revolutions.

Many kinds of current meters have been constructed. They may, however, be classed 

in two general types those in which the wheel is made up of a series of cups, as the Price, 

and those having a screw-propeller wheel, as the Haskell. Each meter has been developed 

for use under some special condition. In the case of the small Price meter, which has been 

largely developed and has been extensively used by the United States Geological Survey, 

an attempt has been made to get an instrument which could be used under practically all 

conditions.

Current-meter measurements may be made from a bridge, cable, a boat, or by wading, 

and gaging stations may be classified in accordance with such use. Figure 1 shows a 

typical cable station.

In making the measurement an arbitrary number of points are laid off on a line perpendicular to the thread of the stream. The points at which the velocity and depth are 

observed are known as measuring points, and are usually fixed at regular intervals varying 

from 2 to 20 feet, depending upon the size and conditions of the stream. Perpendiculars 

dropped from the measuring points divide the gaging section into strips. For each strip 

or pair of strips the mean velocity, area, and discharge are determined independently, so
FIELD METHODS OF MEASURING FLOW. 13

that conditions existing in one part of the stream may not be extended to parts where they 

do not apply.

There are in general use three classes of methods of measuring velocity with current 

meters multiple-point, single-point, and integration.

The three principal multiple-point methods in general use are the vertical velocity-curve, 

0.2 and 0.8 depth, and top, bottom, and mid-depth.

In the vertical velocity-curve method a series of velocity determinations are made in 

each vertical at regular intervals, usually from 0.5 to 1 foot apart. By plotting these 

velocities as abscissas and their depths as ordinates, and drawing a smooth curve among 

the resulting points, the vertical velocity curve is developed. This curve shows graphically the magnitude and changes in velocity from the surface to the bottom of the stream. 

The mean velocity in the vertical is then obtained by dividing the area bounded by this 

velocity curve and its axis by the depth. On account of the length of time required to 

make a complete measurement by this method, its use is limited to the determination of 

coefficients for purposes of comparison and to measurements under ice.

In the second multiple-point method the meter is held successively at 0.2 and 0.8 of the 

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

that vertical. Assuming that the vertical velocity-curve is a common parabola with 

horizontal axis, the mean of the velocities at 0.22 and 0.79 of the depth will give (closely) 

the mean velocity in the vertical. Actual observations under a wide range of conditions 

show that this second multiple-point method gives the mean velocity very closely for openwater conditions where the depth is over 5 feet and the bed comparatively smooth, and 

moreover the indications are that it will hold nearly as well for ice-covered rivers.

In the third multiple-point method the meter is held at mid-depth, at 0.5 foot below the 

surface, and at 0.5 foot above the bottom, and the mean velocity is determined by dividing 

by 6 the sum of the top velocity, four times the mid-depth velocity, and the bottom velocity. 

This method may be modified by observing at 0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 depth.

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

of mean velocity or at an arbitrary depth for which the coefficient for reducing to mean 

velocity has been determined.

Extensive experiments by vertical velocity-curves show that the thread of mean velocity 

generally occurs at from 0.5 to 0.7 of the total depth. In general practice the thread of 

mean velocity is considered to be at 0.6 depth, at which point the meter is held in the 

majority of measurements. A large number of vertical velocity-curve measurements taken 

on many streams and under varying conditions show that the average coefficient for reducing the velocity obtained at 0.6 depth to mean velocity is practically unity.

In the other principal single-point method the meter is held near the surface, usually 1 

foot below, or low enough to be out of the effect of wind or other disturbing influences. 

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

at the subsurface to the mean has been found to be from 0.85 to 0.95, depending upon the 

stage, velocity, and channel conditions. The higher the stage the larger the coefficient. 

This method is especially adapted for flood measurements, or when the velocity is so great 

that the meter can not be kept at 0.6 depth.

The vertical-integration method consists in moving the meter at a slow, uniform speed 

from the surface to the bottom and back again to the surface, and noting the number of 

revolutions and the time taken in the operation. This method has the advantage that 

the velocity at each point in the vertical is measured twice. It is well adapted for measurements under ice and as a check on the point methods.

The area, which is the other factor in the velocity method of determining the discharge 

of a stream, depends on the stage of the river, which is observed on the gage, and on the 

general contour of the bed of the stream, which is determined by soundings. The soundings 

are usually taken at each measuring point at the time of the discharge measurement, either 

by using the meter and cable or by a special sounding line or rod. For streams with permanent beds standard cross sections are usually taken during low water. These sections
14 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

serve to check the soundings which are taken at the time of the measurements, and from 

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

They are also of value in obtaining the area for use in computations of high-water measurements, as accurate soundings are hard to obtain at high stages.

In computing the discharge measurements from the observed velocities and depths at 

various points of measurement the measuring ssction is divided into elementary strips, as 

shown in fig. 1, and the mean velocity, area, and discharge are determined separately for 

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

for the various strips, and the mean velocity is obtained by dividing the total discharge by 

the total area.

The determination of the flow of an ice-covered stream is difficult, owing to diversity and 

instability of conditions during the winter period and also to lack of definite information in 

regard to the laws of flow of water under ice. The method now employed is to make frequent discharge measurements during the frozen periods by the vertical velocity-curve 

method, and to keep an accurate record of the conditions, such as the gage height to the surface of the water as it rises in a hole cut in the ice, the thickness and character of the ice, 

etc.

From these data an approximate estimate of the daily flow can be made by constructing 

a rating curve (really a series of curves) similar to that used for open channels, but considering in addition to gage heights and discharge varying thickness of tee. Such data as are 

available in regard to this subject are published in Water-Supply Paper No. 146, pp. 141-148.

OFFICE METHODS OF COMPUTING RUN-OFF.

There are two principal methods of estimating run-off, depending upon whether or not 

the bed of the stream is permanent.

For stations on streams with permanent beds the first step in computing the run-off is the 

construction of the rating table, which shows the discharge corresponding to any stage of 

the stream. This rating table is applied to the record of stage to determine the amount of 

water flowing. The construction of the rating table depends upon the method used in measuring flow.

For a station at a weir or dam the basis for the rating table is some standard weir formula. 

The coefficients to be used in its application depend upon the type of dam and other conditions near its crest. After inserting in the weir formula the measured length of crest and 

assumed coefficient, the discharge is computed for various heads, and the rating table constructed.

The data necessary for the construction of a rating table for a velocity-area station are the 

results of the discharge measurements, which include the record of stage of the river at the 

time of measurement, the area of the cross section, the mean velocity of the current, and the 

quantity of water flowing, and a thorough knowledge of the conditions at and in the vicinity 

of the station.

The construction of the rating table depends upon the following laws of flow for open permanent channels: (1) The discharge will remain constant so long as the conditions at or 

near the gaging station remain constant. (2) Neglecting the change of slope due to the 

rise and fall of the stream, the discharge will be the same whenever the stream is at a given 

stage. (3) The discharge is a function of and increases gradually with the stage.

The plotting of results of the various discharge measurements, using gage heights as ordinates, and discharge, mean velocity, and area as abscissas, will define curves which show the 

discharge, mean velocity, and area corresponding to any gage height. For the development 

of these curves there should be, therefore, a sufficient number of discharge measurements to 

cover the range of the stage of the stream. Fig. 2 shows a typical rating curve with its corresponding mean velocity and area curves.

As the discharge is the product of two factors, the area and the mean velocity, any change 

in either factor will produce a corresponding change in the discharge. Their curves are 

therefore constructed in order to study each independently of the other.
OFFICE METHODS OF COMPUTING RUN-OFF. 15

The area curve can bs definitely determined from accurate soundings extending to the 

limits of high water. It is always concave toward the horizontal axis or on a straight line, 

unless the banks of the stream are overhanging.

The form of the mean velocity curve depends chiefly upon the surface slope, the roughness of the bed, and the cross section of the stream. Of these the slope is the principal factor. In accordance with the relative change of these factors the curve may be either a 

straight line, convex or concave toward either axis, or a combination of the three. From a 

careful study of the conditions at any gaging station the form which the vertical velocitycurve will take can be predicted, and it may be extended with reasonable certainty to stages 

beyond the limits of actual measurements. Its principal use is in connection with the area 

curve in locating errors in discharge measurements and in constructing the rating table.

The discharge curve is defined primarily by the measurements of discharge, which are 

studied and weighted in accordance with the local conditions existing at the time of each 

measurement. The curve may, however, best be located between and beyond the measurements by means of curves of area and mean velocity. This curve under normal conditions 

is concave toward the horizontal axis and is generally parabolic in form.

In the preparation of the rating table the discharge for each tenth or half tenth on the 

gage is taken from the curve. The differences between successive discharges are then taken 

and adjusted according to the law that they shall either be constant or increasing.

8

7

i

Zfl

1*

a

2

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c

ME* SUHEME

7

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ME

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W VELC 

IISH Rl\

1902 !< 

1903

>

yos

\

CITY. AR 

EfHSO.

a i TO

a "

x

A

ELOCITY

!A AND -OR 

FORK1N

7 

12

JS

IEA4N

IN FEE

1AT1NOI 

 M\ INC

8^

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SQUARE

1 PER £

URVES

 y, w,

^

FEET 8C

LCOND .

^

0 81

/ t

/ /10

./

^r1

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x> A

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>- 

/

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)

$*

DO 16

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X '8

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X) 2C

1 -2

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BOO 1000 2000 3000 4000 9000 6OOO 7000 801

DISCHARGE IN SECOND-FEET

FIG. 2. Rating, area, and mean velocity Qurves for South Fork Skykomish Biver near Index, Wash.

The determination of daily discharge, of streams with changeable beds is a difficult problem. In case there is a weir or dam available, a condition which seldom exists on streams 

of this class, estimates can be obtained by its use. In case of velocity-area stations frequent 

discharge measurements must be made if the estimates are to be other than rough approximations. For stations with beds which shift slowly or are materially changed only during 

floods, rating'tables can be prepared for periods between such changes, and satisfactory 

results obtained with a limited number of measurements, provided that some of them are 

taken soon after the change occurs. For streams with continually shifting beds, such as the 

Colorado and Rio Grande, discharge measurements should be made every two or three days, 

and the discharges for intervening days obtained either by interpolation, modified by gage 

height, or by Professor Stout's method, which has been described in full in the Nineteenth 

Annual Report, Part IV, p. 323, and in the Engineering News of April 21, 1904. This 

method, or a graphical application of it, is also much used in estimating flow at stations 

where the bed shifts but slowly.
16 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII. 

COOPERATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Most of the measurements presented in this paper have been obtained through local 

hydrographers. Acknowledgment is extended to other persons and to corporations who 

have assisted the local hydrographers in any way, either by furnishing records of the height 

of water or by supplying transportation.

The following list, arranged alphabetically by States, gives the names of the district 

hydrographers and others who have aided in furnishing and preparing the data contained in 

this report:

Illinois. District hydrographer, F. W. Hanna," assisted by M. S. Brennan and Sidney K. Clapp. 

Acknowledgment is due to the Sterling Manufacturing Company for the establishment of two chain 

gages on the Avenue G Bridge, Sterling, 111.

Indiana. District hydrographer, F. W. Hanna, assisted by M. S. Brennan and Sidney K. Clapp.

Iowa. District hydrographer, F. W. Hanna, assisted by M. S. Brennan. Acknowledgment should 

be made to Frank Dearborn, of Stone City, Iowa, for voluntary gage readings for the station on Wapsipinicon River.

Minnesota. District hydrographer, F. W. Hanna, assisted by E. F. Chandler, of the engineering 

department of the University of North Dakota.

Montana. District hydrographer, C. C. Babb, assisted by L. R. Stockman, H. M. Morse, W. B. 

Freeman, and A. M. Grain.

North Dakota. District hydrographer, F. W. Hanna, assisted by E. F. Chandler, of the engineering 

department of the University of North Dakota.

Wisconsin. District hydrographer, F. W. Hanna, assisted by M. S. Brennan.

HUDSON BAY DRAINAGE.

GENERAL FEATURES.

All the waters that reach Hudson Bay from the United States pass through Lake Winnipeg and thence into the bay through Nelson River. The two principal tributaries of Lake 

Winnipeg, and thus, indirectly, of Nelson River, are the Saskatchewan and Red River. 

The Saskatchewan drains the major portions of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan 

and the northwestern part of Assiniboia, in the Dominion of Canada, and, through St. 

Mary River, a small area in northwestern Montana in the United States. Red River drains 

a large basin in the United States, covering portions of Minnesota and North and South 

Dakota. Both rivers are large and important.

ST. MARY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

St. Mary River heads in northern Montana, near the Canadian boundary line, on the 

eastern slope of the main range of the Rocky Mountains, in a region of perpetual snow and 

in the midst of numerous glaciers. It starts from the great Blackfoot Glacier, probably 

the largest in the Rocky Mountains within the United States, and receives affluents from 

at least a dozen lesser glaciers. These small streams unite within a short distance from 

their sources and flow into a lake hemmed in by high mountains, known as Upper St. Mary 

Lake. Below this lake, and separated from it by a narrow strip of land, is Lower St. Mary 

Lake. The aggregate length of these two lakes is about 22 miles. The river flows out of 

the lower lake, the elevation of which is 4,460 feet above sea level, and within 2 miles is 

joined by a stream nearly, if not quite, as large as itself, known as Swiftcurrent Creek, which 

is fed by the waters of Grinnell Glacier and four smaller glaciers. From the confluence of 

these streams to the international boundary, a distance of 12 miles, the St. Mary flows in a 

northerly direction, receiving Kennedy Creek a few miles before crossing the boundary. 

Entering the province of Alberta it empties into Belly River, its waters eventually finding 

their way through the Saskatchewan into Hudson Bay.

A canal has been constructed in Canada by the Canadian Northwest Irrigation Company 

to divert water from the right bank of St. Mary River about 5 miles below the international 

boundary line.

a Office of the district hydrographer for Mississippi Valley, 876-877 Federal Building, Chicago, 111.
ST. MAEY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

ST. MARY RIVER NEAR BABB, MONT.

17

This station was established April 9, 1902. It is located at Henry Henkel's ranch, about 

1 mile east of his house, and 35 miles northwest of Browning, Mont. It is also about 4,500 

feet below the foot of Lower St. Mary Lake.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and 200 feet below the station. The right bank 

is high and rocky and is not liable to overflow; the left bank is comparatively low and might 

be overflowed by extremely high water. The bed of the stream is covered with gravel and 

bowlders. The velocity of the current is moderate.

Discharge measurements are made by means of a cable, car, and tagged wire. The 

initial point for soundings is on the left bank at the middle of the cottonwood tree to which 

the cable is fastened.

The gage is read once daily by Henry Henkel. The original gage was of the wire type 

and was supported on a horizontal arm extending over the river and fastened to a cottonwopd stump about 1,000 feet above the cable from which measurements were made. The 

length of the wire from the marker to the bottom of the weight was 11.40 feet. This was 

replaced on August 23,1905, by a chain gage, 11.35 feet long. The gage is referred to bench 

marks as follows: (1) Spike in the foot of a cottonwood tree 30 feet north of the gage, 

marked "B. M. 9.24," the figures denoting elevation above gage datum. (2) A 60-penny 

spike in the base of a cottonwood tree 125 feet above the gage; elevation above gage datum, 

9.61 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 85, p 231; 100, pp 483-484; 130, pp 20-21. 

Discharge: 85, p 232; 100, p 484.

Discharge, monthly: 85, p 233; 100, p 486; 130, p 23-24. 

Gage heights: 85, p 232; 100, pp 484-485; 130, pp 21-22. 

Rating tables: 85, p 233; 100, p 485; 130, p 22.

Discharge measurements of St. Mary River near Babb, Mont., in 1905.

Date.

April 26.......

May 29........

July 18........ 

July 20........

Hydrographer.

IT. M. Morse ........................

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

A. M. Craiu ......................... 

H. M. Morse ........................

.....dO........--------.--.-.-----...

\V 13 Freem&n

Width.

Feet. 

56

96

100

97 

95 

94

81

68

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

79

212

269

219 

212 

163

109

95

80

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.51

3.96

5.44

4.86 

4.34 

4.07

3.14

2.45

2.15

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.85

3.32

4 01

3.48 

3.30 

2.92

2.11

1 98

1.85

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

194

840

1,458

1,047 

922 

666

344

233

172

IRE 171 06 2
18 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PAKT VII.

Daily gage height, in feet, of St. Mary Eiver near Babl, Mont., for 1905.

Day.

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

2......*........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

Feb.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1 ft

1 ft

1 S

1 ft

1 ft

1 ft

1 ft

1 ft

1.8

1.8

1 ft

1 ft

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

Mar.

1.8

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.4

 1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

Apr.

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1 9

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.4

. 2.3

May.

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.7

2 7

2.7

2.7

2.7

9 7

2.7

3.0

3

1

9 0

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3

0

June.

3.4

3.6

4.0

4.1

4.3

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.4

4 4

4 4

4.4

4 4

4 4

4.5

4.0

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.3

July.

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.5

3

r

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

Aug.

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

9 Q

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

9 H

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

Sept.

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2 1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

9 ft

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

Oct.

1.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.3

2.5

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

' 2.1

Nov.

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

Dec.

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

NOTE. River frozen and readings to top of ice January 1 to March 1, inclusive, and November 26 

to December 31, inclusive. Ice went out March 2.

Station rating table for St. Mary Eiver near Balib, Mont., from January 1 to December 31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

45

65

90

115

145

175

210

245

285

325

365

410

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00 '

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

455

505

555

610

665

725

790

855

925

995

1,070

1,145

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,220

1,300

1,380

1,460

1,545

1,630

1,715

1,800

1,890

1,980

2,070

2,160

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,255

2,350

2,450

2,550

2,650

2,760

2,870

2,980

3,100

3,220

3,340

3,460

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It Is based on nine discharge measurements made during 1905. It Is well defined between gage heights 1.8 feet and 4 feet. The table has 

been extended beyond these limits. Below 1.7 feet the table is uncertain.
ST. MARY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 19

Estimated monthly discharge of St. Mary River near Babb, Mont., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 177 square miles.]

Month.

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

145 

410 

925 

1,890 

1,220 

855 

325 

665 

285

Minimum.

45 

115 

365 

925 

855 

325 

210 

210 

175

Mean.

o45 

a 40 

79 

161 

625 

1,454 

1,0]5 

577 

270 

425 

o204 

«170

422

Total in 

acre-feet.

2,767 

2,221 

4,701 

9,580 

38,430 

86, 520 

62, 410 

35, 480 

16,070 

26, 130 

12, 140 

10, 450

306,900

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.254 

.226 

.446 

.910 

3.53 

8.21 

5.73 

3.26 

1.53 

2.40 

1.15 

.960

2.38

Depth in 

inches.

0.293 

.235 

.514 

1.02 

4.07 

9.16 

6.61 

3.76 

1.71 

2.77 

1.28 

1.11

32.53

o Frozen period estimated.

ST. MARY RIVER NEAR CARDSTON, ALBERTA.

This station was established September 4, 1902, near Shaw's ranch, one-fourth mile 

north of the boundary line between the United States and Canada and 17 miles south of 

Cardston, Alberta.

The channel is straight for 100 yards above and 50 yards below the station. The right 

bank is high and not liable to overflow; the left bank is sloping and the water has been 

known to rise to a level considerably above the foot of the cable support. The bed of the 

stream is of sand and gravel and is liable to slight changes. There is but one channel, 

and the current is swift near the right bank.

Discharge measurements are made -by means of a cable, car, and tagged wire. The 

initial point for soundings is the zero of the tagged wire at the left bank. .

The gage, which is read daily by Vernon Shaw, is located at an old crossing about 1,200 

feet above the cable. The gage first established was replaced in June, 1903, by the present 

gage. The length of the chain is 10.78 feet, and the datum is the same as that of the old 

gage. The gage bar is fastened to a tree and post on the left bank. The gage is referred 

to bench marks as follows: (1) A 6C-penny spike driven into a cotton wood tree located 

directly back of the gage rod; elevation, 12.92 feet above zero of gage. (2) A 60-penny 

spike driven into a post 1 foot in diameter and 2 feet high, which is set in the ground 92 

feet northeast of the gage rod; elevation, 17.56 feet above gage datum.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 85, p 225; 100, pp 476-477; 130, pp 24-25. 

Discharge: 85, p 225; 100, p 477; 130, p 25. 

Discharge, monthly: 100, p 479; 130, p 27. 

Gage heights: 85, p 226; 100, p 478; 130, pp 25-26. 

Rating table: 100, p 478; 130, p 26.
20 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of St. Mary River near Cardston, Alberta, in 1905.

Date.

May 30........

July 19........

Hydrographer.

H.M.Morse........................

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

A.M. Grain. ........................

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

Width.

Feet. 

127

136

148

136

132

114

108

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

263

348

444

324

281

197

166

160

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.48

4.26

5.54

4.39

3.62

2.11

1.96

1.59

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.40

5.11

5.60

4.96

4.59

3.71

3.53

3.30

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

918

1,480

2,460

1,420

1,017

416

324

255

a Made by wading. 

Daily gage height, in feet, of St. Mary River near Cardston, Alberta, for 1905.

Day.

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

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

6

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

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

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

10............:..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20. ....:........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

4.45

4.3

4.05

4.1

4.05

4.0

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3 9

4.55

4 45

4.45

4.35

4.25

4.25

4.15

4.0

4.0

4.15

4.15

4.2

4.2

4.15 

4.15

4.0

3.9

Feb.

3.9

3 9

4 15

4.15

4.25

4.55

4.55

4.55

4.55

4 ^

4.55

4.55

4.55

4.55

4.6

4.6

4.7

4.7

4.5

4.5

4.55

Mar.

4.7

3.95

3.0

3.0

3.05

3.05

3.0

3.0

3.0

a 3.0

i n

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.95

2.95

3.0

2.95

3.0

2.95

 2.95

3.0

o3.0

3.0 

3.0

2.95

2.95

Apr.

3.0

2.95

02.95

2.95

3.0

3.0

o3.05

3.1

3.1

a 3.1

3

1 C

3.15

3.15

3.1

3.1

3.15

3.2

Q OK

3.25

3.8

4.04

4.4 

4.3

o4.25

May.

4.2

4 15

4.15

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.6

4.7

4.65

4.65

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.65

4.8

c q

5

QC

5 q

5.1

5.1

5.05

5.05

5.1

5.2

June.

5.35

5.55

5.75

6.0

o6.0

6.05

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.85

5.85

5.75

5.7

5.6

o5.5

5.45

5.35

5.35

5.55

5.5

5.4

5.35

5.45

5.35

o5.3 

5.25

5.3

July.

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.3

o5.3

5.3

5.35

5.35

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.15

5.05

5.0

4.9

4.85

4.85

4.85

4.85

4.9

4 9

4.95

4.95 

4.9

4.85

4.85

Aug.

4.95

o4.9

4.8

04.6

4.6

4.6

4.55

4.6

04.6

4.59

4.5

4.45

4 4

4.3

4.25

4.15

4.05

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.95

3.95

o3.95

3.95 

3.95

3.9

3.9

Sept.

3.8

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.7

o3. 7

o3.7

o3.7

o3.65

o3.65

o3.65

3.65

3.65

3.6

3.6

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.6

3.55

3.4

3.5

3.5

o3.5

3.45

3.45 

3.5

3.5

Oct.

3.5

3.5

o4.0

4.6

4.7

4.85

4.9

4.9

4.85

4.75

4.65

4.5

o4.45

4.4

4.3

o4.3

4.25

4.1

4.0

3.9

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9 

3.9

3.95

o3.95

Nov.

3.95

3.85

3.7

3.7

o3.7

3.65

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

o3.5

3.4

3.35

3.3

3.25

3.3

3.2

3.15

3.15

3.15

3.2

3.2

o3.15

o3.2

o3.2

o3.2 

o3.2

3.2

Dec.

3.75

3.9

3.95

3.8

3.75

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.6

3.55

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.0

3.0

3.05

3.1

3.15

3.15

3.15 

3.15

3.25

3.25

o Interpolated gage height.

NOTE. River frozen during January, February, and December. Readings taken as follows: To 

water surface in a hole in the ice January 1-13, January 19 to February 7, and December 7-31. Water 

flowing over ice January 15-18, February 20 to March 1, December 2-4. River frozen solid to bottom at 

gage February 9-18. River open but partly gorged March 3-4. River clear March 5. Readings to ice 

December 1, 5, and 6.
ST. MAEY EIVEE DEAINAGE BASEST. 21

Station rating table for St. Mary River near Oardston, Alberta,, from September 13,1902, to

December 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.60

3.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

100

109

121

136

153

174

198 '

225

255

288

325

365

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

410

460

515

575

640

710

785

870

960

1,055

1,155

1,260

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

!

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,370

1,490

1,620

1,755

1,900

2,055

2,215

2,385

2,565

2,755

2,955

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00"

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,165

3,380

3,605

3,835

4,075

4,325

4,585

4,855

5,135

5,425

5,725

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 22 discharge measurements made during 1902-1905. It is well defined between gage heights 2.5 feet and 7 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of St. Mary River near Cardston, Alberta, for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 452 square miles.]

Month.

April...........................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

198 

870 

1,987 

3,272 

1,987 

1,430 

460 

1,370 

545

Minimum.

153 

163 

640 

1,832 

1,315 

515 

288 

325 

211

Mean.

a 90

a 75 

6171 

295 

1,215 

2,461 

1,642 

847 

371 

772 

298 

a 240

706

Total in 

acre-feet.

5,534 

4,165 

10,510 

17, 550 

74, 710 

146, 500 

101,000 

52, 080 

22, 080 

47, 470 

17, 730 

14, 760

514, 100

Kun-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile. .

0.199 

.166 

.378 

.653 

2.69 

5.44 

3.63 

1.87 

.821 

.171 

.659 

.531

1.43

Depth in 

inches.

0.229 

.173 

.436 

.729 

3.10 

6.07 

4.18 

2.16 

.916 

.197 

.735 

.612

19.54

a- Frozen period estimated.

& Mean for 27 days taken as mean for entire month.

SWIFTCTJRRENT CREEK NEAR BABB, MONT.

This station was established April 8, 1902. It is located one-half mile northwest of 

Henkel's ranch and 36 miles northwest of Browning, Mont., from which point it may be 

reached by regular stage. The nearest post-office is at Babb, Mont., 2 miles below.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and 200 feet below the station. The left bank 

is high and rocky and not liable to overflow, though at high stages some water may pass 

in a small overflow channel just back of the cable support; the right bank is low and may 

overflow in" a number of small channels which form a part of the old river bed. The bed of 

the stream is rocky, and the current is extremely swift during high water.
22 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PAET VII.

Discharge measurements are made by means of a cable, car and tagged wire, and lowwater measurements are made by wading. The initial point for soundings was formerly 

at the left bank, but since September 2,1904, when the cable was moved 50 yards upstream, 

it has been located on the right bank.

The gage is read once each day by Henry Henkel. The gage first established was washed 

away by high water in June, 1902, and the station was reestablished July 30, 1902. The 

new gage was located 1,800 feet above the first gage and above the cable station. It was 

again moved on September 27, 1902, to its present location, about 900 feet above the cable, 

as the second location was directly above a dam. The length of the wire from the marker 

to the end of the weight was 14.60 feet, .and the distance from the zero of the rod to the 

outside of the pulley was 2.15 feet. This gage was washed out June 10, 1903, and replaced 

June 17, 1903, in practically its original position, by a gage having the same length of wire 

and the same position of pulley with reference to the scale zero as the former one. The 

length of the gage wire for the first part of 1905 was 14.57 feet. August 23, 1905, the wire 

was replaced by a chain, and the present chain length is 14.64 feet. The gage is referred 

to bench marks as follows: (1) A point chipped on a large bowlder 32.4 feet south of the 

gage; elevation above zero of gage, 12.52 feet. (2) Head of a 20-penny nail driven into 

the foot of a cottonwood tree 64.4 feet east of the gage; elevation above gage zero, 12.86 

feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 85, p 229; 100, pp 479-480; 130, p 28. 

Discharge: 85, p. 229; 100, p 48Q; 130, p 29. 

Discharge, monthly: 85, p 231; 100, p 482; 130, pp 30-31. 

Gage heights: 85, p 230; 100, p 481; 130, p 29. 

Rating tables: 85, p 230; 100, p 481; 130, p 30.

Discharge measurements of Swiftcurrent Creek near Babb, Mont., in 1905.

Date.

April 26 ......

May 29... ......

July 18........

Hydrographer.

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

A. M. Grain .........................

H. M. Morse ........................

A. M. Grain .........................

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

H. M. Morse ........................

Width.

Feet. 

57

55

55

57

54

49

51

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

99

112

106

90

95

77

54

61

36

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

5.35

4.42

5.32

4.72

4.12

4.63

3.13

1.39

1.78

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.40

3.39

3.45

3.15

3.11

3.03

2.38

2.23

2.12

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

530

495

564

423

392

357

170

85

64
ST. MARY RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 23

Daily gage height, in feet, of Swiftcurrent Creek near Babb, Mont., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16.. I...........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

Feb.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

Mar.

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.1

2.1

2.1

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1 S

Apr.

1.8

1.9

1 9

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.3

3.4

3.6

3.4

3.1

3.0

2.9

May.

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.8

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3 4

June.

4.0

4 1

4 4

4 4

4 4

4 4

4.3'

4.3

4.2

4.1

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.7

3.8

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.4

July.

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3 n

Aug.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

2 9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

Sept.

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.0

2,0

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

Oct.

2.6

2.9

3.2

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.5

Nov.

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2-

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

Dec.

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

NOTE. River frozen and readings to top of ice January 1 to February 25, inclusive, and November 26 to December 31, inclusive. Ice went out February 26.

Station rating table for Swiftcurrent Greek near Babb, Mont., from January 1 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

18

30

44

60

80

105

130

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

160

190

225

260

300

340

385

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

435

485

540

600

665

730

800

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

875

950

1,025

1,100

1,175

1,255

1,335

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on nine discharge measurements made during 1905, and extended parallel to 1904 curve. No measurements in 1905 being above 

3.5 feet. It is well denned between gage heights 2.1 feet and 3.5 feet.
26 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Kennedy Creek near Babb, Mont., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 50 square miles.]

Month.

February ................... ...

March ............................... .

April................................. .

May ..................... ... ..... .

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

November. ..............

Mean discharge in secondfeet.

10 

10 

30 

75 

100 

320 

203 

58 

31 

30 

30

Total in 

acre-feet.

615 

555 

1,845 

4,463 

6,149 

19,040 

12, 480 

3,591 

1,827 

1,845 

1,785

54,200

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.200 

.200 

.600 

1.50 

2.00 

6.40 

4.06 

1.17 

.614 

.600 

.600

Depth, in 

inches.

0.231 

.208 

.692 

1.67 

2.31 

7.14 

4.68 

1.35 

.685 

.692 

.669

NOTE. By interpolating between known gage readings, monthly mean discharges have been obtained for June, July, August, and September. The monthly means for January, February, March, 

April, May, October, and November are estimated.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in the St. Mary River basin in 

1905 and show the seepage from St. Mary River.

Miscellaneous measurements in the St. Mary River drainage basin in 1905.

Date.

Sept. 23

July 20

Sept. 23

Sept. 24

Sept. 26

Stream.

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

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

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

.....do/...........

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

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

Kennedy Creek, Montana.

Creek, Montana.

tana.

International Line, 

Montana.

.....do.f...............

.... Adj.. .............

Width.

16

94

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.30

.87

3.35

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

11

311

138

129

251

170

127

413

65

97

82

98

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.00

4.23

2.30

2.66

1.39

2.24

2.61

3.41

1.62

2.97

3.78

2.84

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

22

1,316

317

343

349

381

332

1,408

105

289

311

278

a Measured above the head of the St. Mary canal at Canadian gaging station. 

!> Measured below the head of the St. Mary canal, 

c Measured 2 miles below the head-gates. 

d Measured 3 miles below the head-gates. 

e Measured 1 mile below the head-gates.
HUBSOTST BAY DRAINAGE. 27

RED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Red River rises in Lake Traverse, on the boundary line between South Dakota and Minnesota, and flows almost due north into Lake Winnipeg, its waters finally reaching Hudson 

Bay through Nelson River. It drains a large area in the United States, including portions 

of Minnesota and of South and North Dakota.

The basin is characterized by level topography, broken in places by moraines and other 

glacial deposits. The greater part of it is prairie land, and its eastern half comprises some 

woods and a great abundance of lakes. The main river has cut a deep channel in its 

broad, level valley, which includes about 9,000,000 acres of excellent agricultural land, 

still to a large extent awaiting settlement. The heavy spring rains cause sudden freshets, 

which frequently entail considerable loss of life and property. The principal tributaries 

of the stream from the United States are Cheyenne and Pembina rivers from the west 

and Ottertail and Red Lake rivers from the east. Mouse River drains into it through 

Assiniboine River. A number of water powers have been developed during recent years 

on tributaries from both sides.

BED RIVER AT FARGO, N. DAK.

This station was established May 27, 1901. It is located at the bridge connecting Front 

street, Fargo, N. Dak., with Main street, Moorhead, Minn.

The channel is straight for about 100 feet above and 150 feet below the station. The 

left bank is high and steep; the right bank is low and subject to overflow at times of high 

water. The bed of the stream is composed of silt and mud and is fairly permanent. There 

is but one channel at all stages.

Discharge measurements were originally made from the bridge to which the gage is 

attached, but owing to unfavorable conditions for accurate measurements the measuring 

section was changed June 10, 1904, to the footbridge at the Fargo waterworks, one-half 

mile upstream from the gage, except at unusually high stages, when measurements are 

made from the Northern Pacific Railway bridge, 15 rods below the gage. A movable 

timber and stay cable, enabling the meter to be held about 7 feet horizontally upstream 

from the footbridge, obviates the influence of the small piling piers. This equipment is 

stored in the pump house of the waterworks. The initial point for soundings at the 

footbridge is an electric-light pole on the right bank. The initial point at the railway 

bridge is the right end of the draw span.

The gage, which is read by H. R. Grasse, of the United States Weather Bureau, at 

Moorhead, Minn., is a vertical staff attached to the east side of the breakwater for the 

center pier of the bridge. The zero of the gage is 44.45 feet below the top of the plank 

walk of the bridge over the gage. The bench mark is a point on the extreme north end 

of the flat top of the concrete pier of the railway bridge at the initial point for soundings; 

elevation above zero of gage, 37.12 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following publications of the 

United States Geological Survey (WS=Water-Supply Paper; Bull=Bulletin):

Description: WS 85, p 237; 100, p 501; 130, pp 37-38. 

Discharge: Bull 131, p 92; WS 85, p 238; 100, p 501; 130, p 38. 

Discharge, monthly: WS 100, p 503; 130, p 40. 

Gage heights: WS 85, p. 238; 100, pp 501-502; 130, pp 38-39. 

Rating table: WS 100, p 502; 130, p 39.
28 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of Red River at Fargo, N. Dak., in 1905.

Date.

July 29........

August 22 .....

Hydrographer. Width.

Feet. 

67

108

110

114

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

319

535

563

650

Mean velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.68

1.95

1.98

2.02

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

9.86

9.84

10.19

10.90

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

855

1,044

1,115

1,317

Daily gage height in feet of Red River at Fargo, N. Dak., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

6

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

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

9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb.

7.6

7.6

7.6

Mar.

7.7

7.8

8.4

8.6

8.5

8.5

8.6

8.6

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.4

8.1

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.1

8.1

8.0

8.2

8.5

9 0

9.0

9.5

Apr.

9.1

8.3

8.6

8.3

8.3

8.5

8.5

8.4

8.3

8.3

8.2

8.1

8 A

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.9

7.9

7 9

7 9

7 9

7 9

7 9

7.9

7.8

May.

7.8

7.8

7 9

8:1

8.3

8.6

8.8

9 0

9.2

9.5

10.3

11.4

13.3

17.8

16.7

14.7

13.5

11.7

11.5

11.0

10.8

9.5

9.4

June.

9 4

9.4

9.3

9 q

9.5

9 7

9 8

9 9

9.8

9.8

9.7

9.8

9 9

9 9

9 9

9 9

9.8

9.7

9.8

9.9

9.9

9.9

10.0

10.0

9 9

9 9

9 9

10.0

July.

9 9

9.8

9 7

9 6

9 8

9 9

10.0

10.1

10.3

10.3

10.4

10.1

10.2

10.1

10.0

10.0

10.0

9 8

Aug.

10.1

9 9

9 8

9 9

9.8

9.7

9.8

9.9

10 9

11.5

11.4

11.2

11.1

11.0

10.8

10.8

10.6

10.1

Sept.

10.0

9.9

9.9

9 9

9.8

9.8

9.8

9.8

9.7

9.7

9.7

9.6

9.5

9.3

9.3

9.3

9.3

9.4

9.6

9.6

9.7

9.8

9 8

9.8

9.8

9.8

9.8

9.7

9.7

Oct.

9 6

9.5

9.4

9.2

9.2

9.1

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.1

9.2

9 9

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9 1

9 0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.9

Nov.

8 9

8.9

9.0

9.0

9.0

9 0

9 0

8 9

8 9

8.8

8.8

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.8

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.8

8.7

8.6

NOTE. River frozen January 1 to March 31; also November 30 to December 31. Gage heights are to 

water surface in a hole in the ice.
RED EIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 29

Station rating table for Bed River at Fargo, N. Dak., from January 1, to December 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.00

7.10

7.20

7.30

7.40

7.50

7.60

7.70

7.80

7.90

8.00

8.10

8.20

8.30

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

225

244

263

283

304

325

347

369

392

415

439

463

488

513

538

564

590

616

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

8.80

8.90

9.00

9.10

9.20

9.30

9.40

9.50

9.60

9.70

9.80

9.90

10.00

.10. 10

10.20

10.30

10.40

10.50

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

643

671

700

730 760~

790

820

850

880

910

940

970

1,000

1,035

1,070

1,105

1,140

1,175

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

10.60

10.70

10.80

10.90

11.00

11.10

11.20

11.30

11.40

11.50

11.60

11.70

11.80

11.90

12.00

12.10

12.20

12.30

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

1,210

1,245

1,280

1,315

1,350

1,385

1,420

1,455

1,490

1,525

1,560

1,595

1,630

1,665

1,700

1,735

1,770

1,810

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

12.40

12.50

12.60

12.70

12.80

12.90

13.00

13.10

13.20

13.30

13.40

13.50

13.60

13.70

13.80

13.90

14.00

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

1,850

1,890

1,930

1,970

2,010

2,050

2,090

2,130

2,170

2,210

2,250

2,290

2,330

2,370

2,410

2,450

2,490

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on discharge measurements made during 1901-1905. It is fairly well defined between gage heights 7.2 feet and 11 feet. The 

table has been extended beyond these limits, being based on one high-water measurement.

Estimated monthly discharge of Red River at Fargo, N. Dale., for 1905~. 

[Drainage area, 6,000 square miles.]

Month.

April...........................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

730 

4,250 

1,000 

1,140 

1,525 

1,000 

880 

700

Minimum.

392 

392 

790 

880 

910 

790 

671 

590

Mean.

480 

1,641 

937 

1,032 

1,131 

908 

751 

641

Total in 

acre-feet.

28, 560 

100, 900 

55, 760 

63,460 

69,540 

54, 030 

46,180 

36, 870

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.080 

.274 

.156 

.172 

.188 

.151 

.125 

.107

Depth in 

inches.

0.089 

.316 

.174 

.198 

.217 

.168 

.144 

.115

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

RED RIVER AT GRAND FORKS, N. DAK.

This station was established May 26, 1901. It is located at the Northern Pacific Railway bridge at Grand Forks, N. Dak.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and 150 feet below the Great Northern Railway bridge. The right bank is liable to overflow at high stages and is wooded; the left 

bank will overflow only at very high stages and for a short distance. The water at all 

stages will pass beneath the four-span bridge and its trestle approaches. The current has 

a moderate velocity. The bed of the stream is composed of sand and mud and is subject 

to some change. The water is usually heavily laden with sediment from Red Lakj River, 

which enters one-half mile above the station.
30 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements are made from the Great Northern Railway bridge, about 

one-fifth mile above the gage. The initial point for soundings is marked in red paint on 

the downstream guard rail at the left end of the left span.

The original gage is a vertical staff, attached to the north end of the breakwater of the 

middle bridge pier. The zero of this gage was placed 5.00 feet below the zero of the United. 

States Army Engineers' gage, which is attached to the same breakwater. A standard 

chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Philip Hayes, has been established with the 

same datum as the vertical gage and is attached to the downstream side of the bridge. 

The length of the chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 50.44 feet. The gage 

is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) North corner of iron plates of turntable near 

the center of the middle pier of the Northern Pacific Railway bridge, on the north side, 

about 1 inch above the surface of the stone pier; elevation above gage datum, 43.95 feet. 

(2) Spike in a telegraph pole in the lumber yard southwest of the left end of the bridge, 

from which it is 200 feet distant; elevation above gage datum, 48.50 feet. The top of 

the pulley of the chain gage is 53.12 feet above gage datum. Gage datum is 45.58 feet 

above the city datum of Grand Forks, and is 777.9 feet above sea level.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 66, pp 11-12; 85, pp 235-236; 100, pp 494-495; 130, pp 40-41.

Discharge: 66, p 12; 85, p 236; 100, pp 495, 504; 130, p 41.

Discharge, monthly: 100, p 498; 130, p 43.

Gage heights: 66, p 12; 85, p 236; 100, p 496; 130, p 41.

Rating table: 100, p 497; 130, p 42.

Discharge measurements of Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dale., in 1905.

Date.

April 8. ........

April 25. .......

May 16. ........

Hydrographer.

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

Width.

Feet. 

200

162

406

258

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

2,266

1,088

5,648

 3,702

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.69

2.01

2.98

2.96

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

14.55

7.93

26.11

20.04

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

6,097

2,183

16,850

10,970
BED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 31

Daily gage height, in feet, of Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak., for 1905.

Day.

1. .........

2..........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20. .........

21..........

22. .........

23. .........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27. .........

28. .........

29..........

30..........

31..........

Jan.

6.4

64

6.4

Feb.

6.4

........

6.5

7.0

Mar.

7.2

7.6

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.45

9.8

9.85

9 9

9.3

8.9

11.25

Apr.

12.4

13.0

14.2

16.2

15.8

17.5

16.2

14.8

13.6

12 9

12.3

11.6

11.0

10.4

9.9

9.6

9 3

8.8

8.4

8.25

8.0

8.0

7.9

7.75

7.7

7.9

7.6

7.5

7.7

May.

7.4

7.8

7.6

7.75

7.9

8.45

9.1

10.0

10.7

11.2

11.8

13.9

18.4

22.7

25.2

26.0

25.9

25.6

25.2

24.5

23.5

22.2

20.8

19.0

17.3

16.4

15.4

14.7

June.

13.2

13.0

12.7

12.4

12,2

12.3

12.6

12.9

13.1

13.0

13.2

13.0

12.8

12.4

12.1

11.9

11.8

11.6

11.5

11.5

11.5

11.7

12.0

12.2

12.3

12.6

July.

13.7

13.9

13.5

13.1

12.8

12.5

12.7

13.7

13.4

13.2

13.2

13.0

12.7

12.4

12.4

12.4

13.2

14.2

14.4

14.5

147

14.7

14.6

14.2

13.8

13.6

13.7

14.0

15.1

15.0

Aug.

14.6

14.1

13.8

13.4

13.9

14.0

13.7

13.4

13.0

12.9

12.9

12.8

12.5

12.3

12.6

13.7

14.7

16.0

18.0

19.9

19.9

19.0

18.0

16.7

15.8

15.4

15.0

14.4

13.8

13.3

12.8

Sept.

12.4

12.2

12.2

12.6

12.8

12.8

12.6

12.2

12.0

11.6

11.3

11.1

10.8

10.7

10.8

10.9

11.4

11.8

11.9

12.2

12.4

12.6

12.8

12.6

12.4

12.1

11.9

11.8

11.5

11.4

Oct.

11.3

11.2

11.2

11.0

10.9

10.6

10.5

10.3

10.0

10.0

9 9

9.7

9.6

9.4

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.6

9.6

9.6

9.8

10.0

10.1

10.2

10.2

10.3

10.1

10.1

9.6

9.3

Nov.

9.1

8.7

8.45

8.45

8.4

9.1

9.6

9.9

9.9

9.5

9.3

9.0

8.8

8.6

8.8

8.9

8.9

9.0

8.9

9.0

8.9

8.9

8.8

9.0

9.0

9.2

8.8

NOTE. River frozen entirely across January 1 to March 28; March 29 to April 6 ice breaking up. 

Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the ice; thickness of ice, 1.6 to 2 feet. River frozen over 

during December; thickness of ice, 0.4 foot to 1.9 feet.
32 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak., from January 1 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,250

1,295

1,340

1,385

1,430

1,475

1,520

1,565

1,610

1,655

1,700

7.10 1,750

7.20

7.30

7.40

7.50

7.60 

7.70

7.80

7.90

8.00

8.10

8.20

8.30

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70 

8.80

8.90

9.00

9.10

9.20

9.30

9.40

9.50

9.60

1,800

1,850

1,900

1,950

2,000 

2,050

2,100

2,150

2,200

2,250

2,300

2,350

2,405

2,460

2,515

2,570 

2,625

2,680

2,735

2,790

2,845

2,900

2,955

3,010

3,065

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.70

9.80

9.90

10.00

10.10

10.20

10.30

10.40

10.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,120

3,180

3-, 240

3,300

3,360

3,420

3,480

3,540

3,600

10. 60 3, 660

10. 70 3, 720

Gage 

height.

Feet.

13.40

13.50

13.60

13.70

13.80

13.90

14.00

14.10

14.20

14.30

14.40

10.80 3,780 14.50

10.90

11.00

11.10

11.20

3,840

3,900

3,965

4,030

11.30 4,095 

11. 40 4, 160

11. 50 4, 225

11.60 4,290

11.70 4,355

11. 80 4, 420

11.90 4,485

12.00 4,550

12. 10 4, 615

12. 20 4, 680

12. 30 4, 745

12.40 

12.50

12.60

12.70

12.80

12.90

13.00

13.10

13.20

13.30

4,810 

4,880

4,950

5,020

5,090

5,160

5,230

5,300

5,370

5,440

14.60

14.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,510

5,580

5,650

5,725

5,800

5,875

5,950

C,025

6,100

6,175

6,250

6,325

6,400

6,475

14. 80 6, 550

14. 90 6, 625

15. 00 6, 700 

15.20 6,860

15.40 7,020

15. 60 7, 180

15. 80 7, 340

16. 00 7, 500

16. 20 7, 660

16. 40 7, 820

16.60 7,980

16.80 8,140

17.00

17.20 

17.40

17.60

17.80

18.00

18.20

18.40

18.60

18.80

19.00

8,300

8,460 

8,620

8,790

8,970

9,150

9,330

9,510

9,690

9,870

10,050

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Second-feet.

19.20 10,230

19. 40 10, 410

19.60 10,590

19. 80 10, 770

20.00 10,950

20.20 11,130

20.40 11,310

20.60 11,490

20.80 11,670

21.00 11,850

21.20

21.40

21.60

21.80

22.00

22.20

22.40 

22.60

22.80

23.00

23.20

23.40

23.60

23.80

12,030

12,210

12,390

12, 570

. 12,750

12,930

13, 110 

13,290

13, 470

13,650

13,830

14,010

14,200

14,400

24. 00 14, 600

24.20 14,800

24.40 15,000

24.60 15,200 

24. 80 15, 400

25.00

25.20

15,600

15,820

25.40 16,040

25. 60 16, 260

25. 80 16, 480

, 26.00 16,700

27.00 17,800

28.00 18,900

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on 24 discharge measurements made during 1901-1905. It is well defined between gage heights 6 feet and 26 feet.
BED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN., 38

Estimated monthly discharge of Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 25,800 square miles.]

Month.

April 7-30. ......................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

7,660 

16,700 

5,370 

6,780 

10, 860 

5,090 

4,095 

3,240

Minimum.

1,950 

1,900 

4,225 

4,810 

4,745 

3,720 

2,900 

2,405

Mean.

3,288 

8,138 

4,826 

5,847 

6,564 

4,507 

3,345 

2,734

Total in 

acre- feet.

156,500 

500,400 

287,200 

259,500 

403,600 

268, 200 

205, 700 

151,800

2,233,000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.127 

.315 

.187 

.227 

.254 

.175 

.129 

.106

Depth in 

inches.

0.113 

.363 

.209 

.262 

.293 

.195 

.149 

.106

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

OTTERTAIL RIVER NEAR FERGUS PALLS, MINIST.

Ottertail River rises in Ottertail Lake, in west-central Minnesota, flows west, then south, 

then west, and enters Red River at Breckenridge, Minn.

The gaging station was established May 9, 1904. It is located at Three Mile Bridge, 

about 3J miles northeast of Fergus Falls, Minn.

The channel is straight for about 150 feet above and 600 feet below the station. The 

current is medium at all stages. Both banks are high, wooded, and do not overflow. The 

bed of the stream is composed of clean gravel and small stones and is probably permanent 

except after extreme floods. There is one channel at ordinary stages, and possibly two at 

high water. As the chief source of supply is Ottertail Lake, sudden fluctuations in river 

height are not to be expected.

Discharge measurements are made from the single-span highway bridge to which the 

gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the left end of the downstream hand rail.

The temporary gage, which was read during 1905 by R. G. Evensen, jr., is a vertical 

staff driven into the bank "near the lower corner of the left abutment. The bench mark is a 

nail driven into the stone wing wall of the left abutment, downstream side about 4| feet 

from the angle of the abutment and just behind the temporary gage; elevation above zero 

of gage, 5.56 feet.

A description of this station, gage height, and discharge data, and rating table are given in 

Water-Supply Paper No. 130, pp. 43-45.

Discharge measurements of Ottertail River near Fergus Falls, Minn., in 1905.

Date.

March 31 ......

July 15. .......

July 22........

Hydrograplier. Width.

Feet. 

97

98

98

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

139

234

907

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

1.79

3.05

3.03

Cage 

height.

Feet. 

2,84

3.75

3.78

Discharge.

Second 

feet. 

248

714

718

IRR 171 06 3
34 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Ottertail River near Fergus Falls, Minn., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb.

4.0

3.9

3.7"

Mar.

3.6

3.2

3.1

3.2

3.2

q 9

3,15

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.15

3.1

3.0

9 g

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

9 g

2.85

Apr.

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.95

2.95

2.95

2.8

2.8

O Q

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

May.

3.0

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

q p.

3.6

q p.

q p.

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

June.

3.45

3.45

3.55

3.55

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.65

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

July.

3.7

3.7

3.75

3.8

3.85

3.85

3.9

3.85

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.9

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.75

3.75

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

Aug.

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.95

3.95

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

- 3.85

3.85

3.85

Sept.

3.9

" 3.9

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.95

3.95

3.95

3.9

3.9

3.85

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.75

 3.75

3.7

3.7

Oct.

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.65

3.65

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

Nov.

3.5

, 3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5 3.5'

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.6

3.65

NOTE. River frozen entirely across January 1-February 28; March 1-10, ice gradually disappeared; 

February 14, river frozen to the bottom in the middle. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in 

the. ice. "The following comparative readings were also made:

Date. Water 

surface.

Feet. 

4.0

3.9

3.7

3.6

Top of 

ice.

Feet. 

4.3

4.2

4.u

3.6

Thickness.

Feet. 

2.4

2.2

1.7

.8

River frozen November 30 to December 31.
BED EIVEE DKAINAGE BASIN. 35

Station rating table for Ottertail River near Fergus Falls, Minn., from January 1 to

December 31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

200

236

274

315

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

 357

402

449

499

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

552

607

665

726

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

420

Discharge.

Second-feet.

789

855

921

987

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on eight discharge measurements made during 1904-5. It is well denned between gage heights 2.85 feet and 3.8 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of Ottertail River near Fergus Falls, Minn., for 1905.

Month.

March 11-31 .............................................

May....................................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

402 

315 

607 

665 

789 

855 

822 

665 

636

Minimum.

255 

236 

315 

526 

665 

726 

665 

580 

552

Mean.

340 

292 

516 

613 

719 

778 

750 

614 

558

Total in 

acre-feet.

14,160 

17,380 

31, 730 

36,480 

44, 210 

47,840 

44,630 

37,750 

32,100

306,300

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

SHEYENNE RIVER NEAR HAGGART, K. DAK.

Sheyenne River rises in the eastern part of McLean County, N. Dak., flows, in a general 

way, east, then south, and then northeast, and enters Red River about 12 miles north of 

Moorhead, Minn.

The gaging station was established March 22, 1902. It is located near the station of 

Haggart, on the Northern Pacific Railway, 6 miles west of Fargo, N. Dak., at a private 

wagon bridge about one-fourth mile north of the railroad.

The channel is straight for 30 feet above and 200 feet below the station, and the current 

is moderate. Both banks are steep and not liable to overflow except in unusual floods. 

The bed of the stream is of clay and shifts but slightly. There is one channel at all stages.

Discharge measurements are made from the bridge to which the gage is attached. The 

initial point for soundings is the end of the hand rail on the lower side of the bridge, right 

bank.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by John C. Haggart, consists of a vertical staff 

17 feet long fastened to the piling pier at the middle of the bridge. The gage is referred to 

bench marks as follows: (1) A 12-penny nail driven into the base of the 11-inch elm tree 

50 feet below the bridge on the right bank; elevation above gage zero, 17.05 feet. (2) A 

cross of fence staples, surrounded by brass-headed nails, on north side of 10-inch box 

elder tree, beside the east approach to the bridge, north side, the same being 23 feet east 

of the initial point for soundings; elevation above gage datum, 21.29 feet.
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 85, p 23fi; 100, p 498; 130, p 45. 

Discharge: 85, p 236; 100, p 499; 130, p 46. 

Discharge, monthly: 100, p 500; 130, p 47. 

Gage heights: 85, p 237; 100, p 499; 130, p 46. 

Rating table: 100, p 500; 130, p 47.

Discharge measurements of Sheyenne River near Haggart, N. Dale., in 1905.

Dnte.

July 11........

July 29........

Hydrographer. Width.

Feet.

46

44

54

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

175

134

216

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second, 

i 1 3

1 09

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.60

4 4.4249 

6.01

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

198

173

156

146

288

Daily gage height, in feet, of Sheyenne River near Haggart, N. Dak., for 1905.

Day.

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

2

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

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

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

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

8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29.......:...................

30

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

Apr.

6.5

6.0

5.8

5.6

5.4

5.5

5.7

5.6

5.4

5.3

5.0

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.35

A q

4.2

4.3

4.1

4.1

May.

4.0

4.0

3 Q

C Q

5.8

6.1

8.7

9 8

9 3

8.0

7.5

6.9

6.5

5.9

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.7

5.5

5.4

c q

5.4

June.

5.0

5.0

4 9

4 9

4.7

4 9

4 9

5.0

4.9

6.1

6.0

5.7

5.5

5.3

5.0

4.9

4 9

4.6

4.5

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.8

5.0

5.0

July.

4.8

4.9

5.0

5.0

3.8

3 9

4.5

4.5

4.4

A K

4.5

4.3

4.5

5.0

5.5

5.7

5.4

5.0

4.7

4.7

4.3

4.2

Aug.

4.0

4.3

4.9

5.7

5.9

6.2

6.3

6.4

7.0

8.2

8.8

6.0

5.7

5.8

6.0

5.9

5.5

5.3

4.9

4.6

Sept.

4.5

4.5

4.6

4.3

4.5

4.3

4.4

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.1

4.0

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.2

4.0

3. 'J

3.9

3.8

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.7

Oct.

3.8

3.9

3.9

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.9

3

0

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.6

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.6

3.9

3.6

3.G

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

Nov.

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

Dec.

3.9

3.9

4.2

NOTE. Eiver frozen over January 1 to March 31, approximately, also December 1-31.
BED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 37

RED LAKE RIVER AT CROOKSTOK,

Red Lake River rises in Red Lake, in northeastern Clearwater County, Minn., flows 

in a general westerly direction, and unites with Red River at Grand Forks. The distance from source to mouth in a straight line is 105 miles; by river it is over 200 miles. 

The total area of the watershed is 6,518 square miles.

The gaging station was established May 19, 1901. It is located at the bridge which connects Robert and St. Paul streets, Crookston, and which is known as the "Sampson Addition" bridge. It is about ono-sixth mile west of the Great Northern Railway station.

The channel is straight for 250 feet above~and 200 feet below the station. The right 

bank is low and is covered with brush. It is liable to overflow at very high stages, but 

there would be very little current in the flooded section owing to the trees and brush. The 

left bank is high, wooded, and not liable to overflow. The bed of the stream is sandy, free 

from vegetation, and shifts. The current is swift.

Discharge measurements are made from the lower side of the single-span bridge at which 

the gages are located. The initial point for soundings is the post of the hand rail, lower 

side, at the left end of the bridge, at a point where the diagonal member of the bridge truss 

meets the floor timbers. 

The gages, of which there are three, were read during 1905 by J. E. Carroll, the city 

engineer. The low-water vertical gage is fastened to the piling of the left abutment under 

the bridge; it reads from zero to 9.6 feet. The high-water vertical gage is attached to the 

piling of the pier at the right end of the bridge; it reads from 7.5 to 15 feet. There is also 

a wire gage near the middle of the bridge, having the same datum. Its horizontal scale 

reads from 3 to 19 feet. The dam and power houss of the city waterworks are located about 

1,000 feet above the gage. The opening and closing of the sluices cause some variation 

in the flow, but the gage readings represent a clos? average of the daily river height. The 

gages are. referred to bench marks as follows: (1) Top of hydrant at corner of St. Paul 

and Robert streets, 30 feet south of bridge; elevation above gage datum, 24.23 feet. (2) 

Top of hydrant 200 feet north of bridge, at corner of St. Paul and Woodlawn streets; elevation above gage datum, 27.46 feet. The gage datum has an elevation of 825 feet above 

sea level. The city datum of Crookston has an elevation of 4.10 feet above gage datum. 

The top of the rail of the main track at the Great Northern Railway station at Crookston 

has an elevation of 37.63 feet above gage datum.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 66, pp 10-11; 85, pp 234-235; 100, pp 491-492; 130, p 48.

Discharge: 66, p 11; 85, p 235; 100, p 492; 130, p 49.

Discharge, monthly: 100, p 494; 130, p 50.

Gage heights: 66, p 11; 85, p 235; 100, pp 492-493; 130, p 49.

Rating table: 100, p 493; 130, p 50.

Discharge measurements of Red Lake River at Orookston, Minn., in 1905.

Date.

April 10.......

July 24........

Hydrographer. Width.

Feet.

178

183

194

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

849

923

1,439

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.95

3.20

3.37

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.06

7.66

9.93

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

'2,505

2,957

4,846
38 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Red Lake River at Crookston, Minn.,for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

n... ...............

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

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

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

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

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

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

19.............:....

20................'..

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

22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mar.

6.4

6.9

7.4

7.8

7.0

Apr.

7.1

7.25

9.7

9.0

9.1

8.9

7.1

6.7

7.1

6.8

6.5

6.1

6.2

6.05

6.0

5.8

5.4

4.95

4.85

5.0

5.2

5.4

5.4

4.9

5.4

5.35

4.9

May.

5.3

5.25

5.45

5.55

5.85

6.2

6.45

6.75

6.8

7.05

7.25

9 8

14.1

13.2

11.6

10.6

9.5

9 6

8.8

8.5

8.2

8.0

7.8

7.4

7.4

7.3

7.0

6.9

6.95

6.3

6.65

June.

6.7

6.45

6.3

6.5

6.85

6.85

6.65

6.35

6.45

7.0

6.6

6.5

6.25

5.9

5.7

6.1

6.05

6.3

6.3

6.5

6.7

7.8

July.

7.7

7.0

6.9

6.65

6.55

7.05

7.25

7.0

7.3

7.0

6.65

6.6

6.55

6.7

8.6

8.8

9.2

8.6

9.2

8.4

8.2

8.5

7.5

7.15

7.2

8.2

9.3

8.4

7.8

Aug.

7.5

7.45

7.4

8.2

8.6

8.2

8.0

7.6

7.4

7.4

6.95

6.8

6.8

6.8

7.5

7.2

8.5

10.0

10.0

9.4

8.5

8.2

7.9

7.2

7.1

7.1

7.1

7-0

6.9

6.9

Sept.

7.1

7.2

7.7

8.0

7.8

7.6

7.3

7.25

7.2

7.15

7.05

6.85

6.8

6_65

7.3

8.1

8.1

8.2

8.4

8.7

8.7

8.4

8.2

8.0

7.9

7.9

7 9

7.8

7.8

7.7

Oct.

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.45

7.2

7.0

6.9

6.8

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.05

5.85

6.25

6.85

7.35

6.75

6.9

6.9

6.65

6.2

6.1

6.35

6.1

Nov.

5.5

5.5

5.1

5.0

6.85

6.65

6.35

6.3

6.35

6.2

6.4

6.1

6.1

6.0

6.4

6.45

6.6

6.15

5.9

6.0

6.05

5 9

6.0

6.2

6.5

6.0

4.75

4.1

3.85

4.4

Dec.

4.25

4.1

4.5

4.8

5.85

6.65

7.2

6.6

6.7

6.4

6.6

6.3

6.3

5.9

6.1

6.0

5.7

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.5

6.0

5.7

6.0

6.2

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.7

6.65

NOTE. River frozen entirely across January 1-Mareh 2; March 3 to April 4 there was a gradually 

widening channel of open water. During December river frozen across except for narrow channel 

under gage.
EED RIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 39

Station rating table for Bed Lake River at Crookston, Minn., from January 1 to December

31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60 

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10 

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

600

640

680

720

765

810

855

905 

955

1,005

1,055

1,110

1,165 

1,220

1,280

1,340

1,400

1,465

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,530

1,600

1,670

1,740

1,810

1,880

1,950

6.40 2,020 

6.50 2,095

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90 

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

2,170

2,245

2,320

2,395 

2,470

2,620

2,775

2,935

3,095

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8,00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40 

9.60

9.80

10.00

10.20

10.40 

10.60

10.80

11.00

11.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3, 255

3,415

3,575

3,735

3,895

4,055

4,225

4,395 

4,565

4,735

4,905

5,075

5,245 

5,415

5,585

5,755

5,925

11.40 6,095

Gage 

height.

Feet.

11.60

11.80

12.00

12.20

12.40

12.60

12.80

13.00 

13.20

13.40

13.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,265

6,435

6,605

6,775

6,945

7,115

7,285

7,455 

7,625

7,795

7,965

13. 80 8, 135

14. 00 8, 305 

14. 20 | 8, 475

14.40

14.60

14.80

8,645

8,815

8,985

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 21 discharge measurements made during 1902-1905. It is well denned between gage heights 4 feet and 11.5 feet. The table 

has been extended beyond these limits, being based on one measurement at gage height 18.45 feet.

 Estimated monthly discharge of Red Lake River at Crookston, Minn., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 5.525 square miles.]

Month.

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

4,650 

8,390 

3,095 

4,310 

4,905 

3,815

a, 095

2,358

Minimum.

1,030 

1,250 

1,530 

2,132 

2,320 

2,208 

1,635 

582

Mean.

1,990 

3,199 

2,078 

2,950 

?,035 

3,012 

2,264 

1,676

Total in 

acre-feet.

118,400 

196, 700 

123,600 

181,400 

186,600 

179,200 

139,200 

99,730

1,225,000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.360 

.579 

.376 

.534 

.549 

.545 

.410 

.303

Depth in 

inches.

0.402 

.668 

.420 

.616 

.633 

.608 

.473 

.338

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.
40 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

PBMBIKA RIVER NEAR 3STECHE,, 3sT. DAK.

Pembina Eiver rises in the southern part of Manitoba, Canada, flows in a general southeasterly direction, and unites with Eed Eiver at Pembina, N. Dak.

The gaging station was established April 29, 1903. It is located at the Great Northern 

Eailway bridge, two-thirds of a mile north of the railroad station at Neche, N. Dak.

The channel is straight for 100 feet above and below the station. The right bank is 

densely wooded and the left is covered with brush. Both banks extend about 20 feet above 

the zero of the gage, and they are not liable to overflow except at very high stages. The 

bed of the stream, in which there are some sunken snags, is composed of sand and mud and 

may change slightly. About one-third of a mile below the gage there is a loose-rock dam 4 

feet high. This raises the water 1 to 2 feet at the bridge, but as the dam is not tight the 

water may fall at low stages.

Discharge measurements are made from the single-span highway bridge 400 feet below 

the gage. The initial point for soundings is a point on the downstream hand rail, 3 feet 

from its right end. The bridge crosses the river obliquely, and to make allowance for this 

fact the hand rail has been divided into intervals of 10.4 feet. This is equivalent to 10-foot 

intervals of a cross section normal to the current.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by P. J. Horgan, is near the northeast corner of 

sec. 36, T. 164 N., E. 54 W. It consists of two sections of 1 by 6 inch plank. The lower 

section, reading from 0 to 5 feet, is driven into the bed of the stream, and its upper end is 

spiked to the bridge abutment timbers on the left bank. The upper section, reading from 

5 to 24 feet, is spiked to the bridge pier on the right bank. The gage is referred to bench 

marks, as follows: (1) Top of horizontal timber on upstream side of right pier, near 

gage; it is marked with brass-headed nails and has an elevation of 23.70 feet above the zero 

of the gage. (2) West rail of the track at the rail joint at the crossing about 550 feet south 

of the gage; elevation above zero of gage, 26.54 feet. (3) Spike driven in north face of 

telephone pole inside the .fence in the field west of the track and about 550 feet south of the 

gage; it is about 1J feet above the ground and has an elevation of 24.28 feet above the zero 

of the gage. The elevation of the top of the 12 by 12 inch timber to which the low-water 

gage is fastened is 4.93 feet. The elevation of the zero of the gage above sea level, as 

determined by hand level from the railroad station at Neche, N. Dak., is 815 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 100, pp 488-489; 130, p 51. 

Discharge: 100, p 489; 130, p. 52. 

Discharge, monthly: 100, p491. 

Gage heights: 100, p 490; 130, p 52. 

Eating table: 100, p 490.

Discharge measurements of Pembina River near Neche, N. Dak., in 1905.

Date.

April 10........

Hydrographer.

E. Richards .........................

Width.

Feet. 

72 

68

67

64

64

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

288 

208

187

153

135

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

1.76 

1.03

.93

O1

.68

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.71 

4.30

3.95

3.51

3.20

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

507 

214

174

124

92
RED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 41

Daily gage height, in feet, of Pembina River near Neche, N.'Dak., for 1905.

Day.

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

2.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19..........

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

21..........

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

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

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

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

26..........

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

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

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

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

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

Mar,

6.0

6.0

6.1

6.4

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.4

6.4

Apr.

6.2

6.3

6.3

8.2

9.8

9.5

8.6

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.0

6.5

6.0

5.4

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

May.

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.4

4.8

4.8

5.0

5.0

5.9

9.0

8.6

8.0

7.4

6.2

5.8

5.6

5.3

5.0

4.8

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.6

4.6

June.

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

6.4

6.2

6.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.1

6.6

5.6

5.3

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.9

5.0

5.0

4.9

5.1

5.4

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

July.

5.3

5.1

5.0

4.9

4.7

4.5

4.4

4.4

4.3

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.45

Aug.

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.2

3.15

3.1

3.05

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

2.95

2.9

2.95

Sept.

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

2.95

3.0

2.95

2.95

3.0

3.05

3.1

3.15

3.25

3.3

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.45

3.45

Oct.

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.4

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.3

3.4

3.7

3.5

3.0

3.1

3.15

3.4

Nov.

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3,3

3.3

3.25

3.2

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to March 22 and November 27 to December 31.

Station rating table for Pembina River near Neche, N. Dak., from February 26 to December

31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3. GO

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

70

80

91

102

113

125

137

150

163

176

190

204

218

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

233

248

263

279

295

311

328

345

363

381

399

417

435

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

454

473

492

511

530

550

570

590

610

630

651

672

693

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.90

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

714

735

111

919

862

906

950

994

1,040

1,086

1,132

1,180

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on five discharge 

measurements made during 1905. It is well defined between gage heights 3 feet and 4.3 feet. The 

table has been extended above gage height 5.7 feet.
42 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Pembina River near Neche, N. Dak., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 2,800 square miles.]

Month.

March 23-31....! ...............

May............................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

672 

1,372 

1,180 

1,180 

399 

137 

119 

150 

137

Minimum.

530 

311 

218 

279 

119 

60 

65 

70 

91

Mean.

606 

549 

447 

485 

206 

97 

93.9 

119 

116

Total in 

acre-feet.

10, 820 

18, 510 

27, 480 

16,600 

12, 670 

5,964 

5,587 

7,317 

5,982

110, 900

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.216 

.196 

.160 

.173 

.074 

.035 

.034 

.042 

.041

Depth in 

inches.

0.072 

.219 

.184 

.193 

.085 

.040 

.038 

.048 

.040

MOUSE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

The Mouse (or Souris) River rises in the southeastern part of the Province of Assiniboia, 

Canada, and flows southeastward to the western part of McHenry County, N. Dak., thence 

northeastward for about 30 miles to Towner, N. Dak., where it makes another turn to the 

north and northwest, which carries it back into Canada to empty into Assiniboine River, a 

tributary of Red River. Its drainage basin, which is limited on the southwest by the 

Missouri Coteau and on the northeast by the Turtle Mountains, is relatively large, but its 

flow is small. The region through which it flows is generally gently rolling except in the 

immediate vicinity of the stream, where the hills are steep and high. The chief tributary 

of the Mouse above Minot is Des Lacs River.

MOUSE RIVER NEAR FOXHOLM, N. DAK.

This station was established June 22, 1904. It is located atf the highway bridge 3J miles 

northeast of Foxholm, N. Dak., a station on the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie 

Railway.

The channel is straight for about 300 feet above and 500 feet below the station. The 

right bank is covered with brush and overflows at extreme high water, but only for a short 

distance. The left bank is a clean meadow; it overflows slightly during the ordinary 

spring floods, and in extreme floods to a depth of several feet for a distance of nearly half a 

mile. The bed of the stream is composed of silt and mud and does not shift. There is but 

one channel at ordinary stages; during higher stages the channel is broken by two rows of 

piles near each end of the bridge.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the single-span bridge, 

to which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the left end of the downstream hand rail.

A vertical staff gage, which was read during 1905 by H. Heinen, is spiked to the downstream pile of a row that supports the bridge near the left bank. The bench mark is two 

12-penny nails driven into the upstream face of the pile, to which the gage is attached; 

elevation above zero of gage, 4.92 feet. The elevation of the zero of the gage, as determined 

by hand level from a Reclamation Service stake, is 1,572 feet above sea level.

A description of this station and gage-height and discharge data are given in WaterSupply Paper No. 130, pp. 32-33.
MOUSE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 43

Discharge measurements of Mouse River near Foxholm, N. Dak., in 1905.

Date.

March 28. ...... 

April 26 a......

May 24. ........

July 26 a.......

August 18 a....

Hydrographer.

E. Eichards .........................

R. Eichards .........................

Width.

Feet. 

60 

43

64

45

39

Area uf 

sectiofi.

Square 

feet. 

142 

41

187

24

18

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second. 

0.31 

.63

.79

1.64

1.11

- Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.08 

1.96

2.82

2.11

1.88

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

44 

26

148

39

20

"Made at .different sections. 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Mouse River near Foxholm, N. Dak., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb.

3.6

3.6

3.6

Mar.

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.9

4.0

3.9

3.8

3

0

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.0

2 9

2.8

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.05

Apr.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.8

2.4

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.7

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

May.

2.0

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.3

2.35

2.35

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.45

2.45

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.5

2.45

2.3

2.2

2.2

June.

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.45

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.6

3.3

3.3

3.3

July.

2.25

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.35

2.4

2.4

2.45

2.45

2.45

2.5

2.55

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

Aug.

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.3

Sept.

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.8-

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.8

Oct.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.85

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.75

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

Nov.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.85

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.85

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.75

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

1 0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to March 15, approximately. Thickness of ice, 3 feet. Part oi 

the time water was over the ice. River also frozen during December.
44 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Mouse River near Foxholm, N. Dak., from June 23, 1904, to December 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.50

1.60

1.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3

5

9

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.80

1.90

2.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

14

21

30

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.10

2.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

40

52

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

66

80

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on nine discharge measurements made during 1904-1905. It is well denned between gage heights 1.8 feet and 3 feet. Above gage 

height 2.4 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference being 14.8 per tenth. Below 1.8 feet the table 

is not well defined.

Estimated monthly discharge of Mouse River near Foxholm, N. Dak., for 1904-1905.

1904. 

June 23-30. . ............................................

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

1905. 

March 16-31 .............................................

May.....................................................

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

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

Maximum.

450

384

80

95

88

80

273

140

154

214

125

95

52

21

21

Minimum.

324

80

52

55

66

52

35

13

21

52

52

14

3

9

12

Mean.

389

197

64. 4

75.7

79.2

74.8

157

51.7

72.0

88.9

75.6

36.4

12.6

15.3

17.4

Total in

acre-feet.

6,173

12, 110

3,960

4,504

4,870

2,820

34, 440

4,982

3,076

4,427

5,290

4,648

2,238

750

941

966

27,320

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.
MOUSE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIIST. 45

MOUSE RIVER AT MIKOT, 1ST. DAK.

This station was established May 5, 1903. It is located at the footbridge 150 feet northwest of the Great Northern Railway roundhouse at Minot N. Dak.

The channel is straight for 100 feet above and below the station. Both banks are higk, 

covered with trees and shrubs, and will not overflow. The bed of the stream, which holds 

some snags and brush, is composed of sand and is fairly constant. The current has a moderate velocity.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the bridge at which the 

gage is located. The bridge makes an angle of 15a, with the normal to the direction of 

the current, and this fact must bo taken into account in computing discharge measurements. 

The initial point for soundings is the zero mark on the downstream guard rail at the electriclight pole on the right bank.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by H. E. Wheeler, consists of a vertical staff, 20 feet 

long, nailed to a pile of the center pier of the bridge on the downstream side. The gage is 

referred to bench marks as follows: (1) Top of hydrant at the corner of the street, about 150 

feet north of the gage; elevation above zero of gage, 21.83 feet. (2) Top of hydrant one 

block west of bench mark No. 1; elevation, 21.85 feet above zero of gage. (3) Top of rail of 

side track at the southwest comer of the roundhouse; elevation, 24.18 feet above zero of 

gage. (4) The top of the rail of the main track at the Great Northern Railway station has 

an elevation of 24.49 feet above the zero of the gage. As determined by connection with 

railroad levels, the zero of the gage has an elevation of 1,540 feet above sea level.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers of 

the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 100, pp 486-487; 130, p 34. 

Discharge: 100, p 487; 130, p 34. 

Discharge, monthly: 100, p 488. 

Gage heights: 100, p 487; 130 p 34. 

Rating table: 100, p 488.

Discharge measurements of Mouse River at Minot, N. Dak., in 1905.

Date.

April 27. .......

Hydrographer.

E. F. Cbandler...... ................

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

Width.

Feet. 

76

70

77

54

60

48

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

227

195

89

59

58

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

0.50

.25

.62

1.36

.81

.62

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.40

4.03

4.56

4.45

4.60

4.01

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

114

49

139

122

48

36

Made at different section.
46 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Mouse River at Minot, N. Dale., for 1905.

Day.

1..........

2. .........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

9

10..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18. .........

19..........

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25. .........

26. .........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30- .........

31..........

Jan.

4.0

Feb.

4.0

4.0

Mar.

4.4

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4 q

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.4

4 4

4.4

4.4

4.35

4.3

4 9^

Apr.

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.2

4 15

4 1C

415

415

415

4.15

4.2

4 95

4 *>*.

4.25

4.25

4.2

4.2

4 1 v\

4.15

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

May.

4.0

4.0

4 fl5

4.05

4 05

4.05

4 05

4 05

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.05

4.05

4.05

4.05

4 05

4.1

4.4

A AK

4 5

4 5

4 *

4.5

4

C

4 5

4

c

June.

4.45

4

AK.

4

AK.

4

AK.

4.45

4 45

4.4

4.4

4 4

4.4

4 3^

4

qc

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4

QC

4.35

4.3

4.3

4.25

4.25

4 9

July.

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.15

4.15

415

d 15

415

4 1«!

4.2

4.3

4.3

4. ^5

4.35

4.35

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.35

4.35

4.35

4.3

4.3

4.25

4.2

4.3

Aug.

4.4

4.4

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4 3

4 95

4.2

4 15

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.15

4.15

4.1

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.2

4.4

Sept.

4.3

4 5

4 5

4.15

4.15

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3 Q

3.9

3 9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.8

 3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

Oct.

3.8

3.8

3.8

q o

3

D

3

D

q a

3

D

q o

3

D

3

D

q o

3 Q

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3 9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3 9

3 9

3 9

Nov.

3.9

3 Q

3.9

3.9

3.9

5 Q

q Q

3 9

3.9

3 9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to March 4. Thickness of ice, 1 foot. Gage heights are to water 

surface in hole in ice. River also frozen during December.

Station rating table for Mouse River at Minot, N. Dak., from January 1 to December 31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.00

4.10

420

430

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

40

58

76

94

112

130

148

166

184

Gage 

height.

Feet. '

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

202

220

238

256

274

292

310

328

346

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

364

382

400

418

436

454

472-

490

508

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

526

544

562

580

620

660

700

740

780

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on five discharge measurements made during 1905. It is well defined between gage heights 4 feet and 4.6 feet. The table has been 

extended beyond these limits. This curve is very unsatisfactory. Conditions at the station are 

unusual. 1904 measurements indicate a reverse in the discharge curve.
MOUSE EIVEB DKAINAGE BASIN.

Estimated monthly discharge of Mouse River at Minot, N. Dak., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 8,400 square miles.]

Month.

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

112 

85 

130 

131 

112 

112 

94 

22 

40

Minimum.

85 

40 

40 

76 

67 

40 

4 

4 

22

Mean.

103 

68.8 

69.3 

104 

87.9 

75.1 

31.3 

13.9 

28.4

Total in 

acre-feet.

. 5,516 

4,094 

4,261 

6,188 

5,405 

4,618 

1,862 

855 

1,577

34,380

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

.012 

.0082 

.0082 

.012 

.010 

.0089 

.0037 

.0017 

.0034

Depth in 

inches.

.012 

.0090 

.010 

.013 

.012 

.011 

.0041 

.0020 

.0035

DBS LACS RIVER AT FOXHOLM, K. DAK.

Des Lacs River, the chief upper tributary of the Mouse, rises in the lake of the same name 

in northern Ward County, N. Dak., and flows southeastward, uniting with the Mouse about 

10 miles above Minot.

The gaging station was established June 23, 1904. It is located at the highway bridge at 

Foxholm, N. Dak., a station of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway.

The channel is straight for 75 ft»fc above and 25 feet below the station. There is bat one 

channel at ordinary stages^ tfetMMy*'^ water it is divided by the pife piers of the bridge. 

The right bank is hig^ettWMaAg|jt!ybHK&».aU(l does not overflow; the left bank is covered 

with brush, and at liMi fU»nltiJt»i "NitiWIMj pass across a neck a few rods «ast of the bridge. 

The bed of the stream is rna^nrrrt ->f mnil and silt and is slightly shifting. The current is 

sluggish at low stags*.

Discharge measiyjepOBtewe QMMte fKNoa the downstream side of the bridge, to which the 

gage is attached. |[fefr jsi&al point fer soundings is the eight end of the downstream hand 

rail.

A staff gage, which was read during 1905 by Thomas H. Kinney, is nailed to the downstream side of the first pier from the left bank. The pier is composed of rows erf pftes 

parallel to the bank of the stream. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) 

Group of four spikes driven into the pile beside the gage rod; elevation above zero of gage, 

10.00 feet. (2) Cluster of nails driven flush in the center of the top <rf a 12-inch post standing about 1 foot high, located approximately 34 feet south ftfld 350 west of Ae southwest 

corner of bridge floor and hand rail; elevation above gage sero, 3Q.S?&et. (3) Top of rail 

of main track of "Soo" Railway at road crossing about 500* feet southwest of bridge. Elevation of zero of gage, as obtained by hand level from the railroad, is <lj633 feet above sea 

level.

A description of his station, gage height and discharge data, and rating table al«e given in 

Water-Supply Paper No. 130, pp. 35-37.
48 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS ITST 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of Des Lacs River at Foxholm, N. Dak., in 1905.

Date. Hydrographer.

March 28....... I R. Richards.

April 26.....

May 24......

July 26......

August 18°.

E. F. Chandler.......

R. Richards..........

Hanna and Chandler. 

R. Richards..........

Width.

Feet. 

17 

14 

14 

12 

12

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

30

S

6

3

3

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

0.32

.57

.77

1.49

.80

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.64

1.98

2.04

2.45

2.02

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

9.5

2.9

4.5

4.6

2.5

« Made at different section. 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Des Lacs River at Foxholm, N. Dak., for 1905.

Day.

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

2

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

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

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

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

g

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

u.i.:..........

'12.::.:.. ...:...

13v-. -...-..---.

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

16..,,...:.......

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

20

21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30............:.

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

Jan.

.......

,

O 9

2.3

2.3

'

' "

Feb.

2.3

.......

2.3

2.3

3.1

3.1 

3.2

3.8

3.9

Mar.

3.7

3.6

3.4

3.2

3.5

3.3

3.2

3.2

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.0

 ! ,

3.0

2.8

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.65

2.7 

2.75

9 Q

2.85

9 g

2.65

2.5

2.4

Apr.

9 3

2 ^5

2.25

0 f)K

2 2

2 2

2.2

2

.0

2.2

2 1

2.1

2.1

2.0-

2 0

n n

2.0

2.0

2 0

2.0

2.0

2.0 

2.0 

2.0

2.0

9 n

1 95

1.95

May.

1.95

1 95

1.95

1.95

1.95

2 0

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.1

9 |

2.1 ,

2.2

2.15

2 1

2 05

2.0

2.0 

2.0 

1.95

1 95

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

June.

1 9

1 9

1 9

1.9

1.95

2 0

9 K

2.1

OIK

2.2

OIK

' 2.15

2 1

2.1

2.15

2

1

2

n

2.0

1.95

1 95

1.95 

1.95 

1.9

1 9

1 QK

1 Q

1.8

July.

1 0

1 0

1 ft

1 Q

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.75

i T-K

' 1.75

3

'Q

3.6

2,0

2.0

9 n

9 n

2 n

9 Q5

9 *}K.

9 35

2.35 

2.3 

2.1

2.0

9 n

9 n

9 n

2.0

Aug.

2 0

9 0

A K

3

1

3.0

o n

3

n

2 7

2.65

2.5

'2.5

2.5

2

e

2 4

2

0

2.1

9 n

2.0

2 0

1 9

1 9

1 9

1.9 

1.9 

1 9

1 9

1.9

1 9

1 9

1 9

Sept.

1.85

1 OK

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1

0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1 0

1.8

1 0

1.8

1 Q

1 fi

1 fi

1 8

1 ft

1 Q

1.8 

1.8 

1.8

1 Q

1 Q

1.8

1.8

Oct.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1 Q

1.8

i a

1.8

1.8-

1.8

1 0

1 Q

1 Q

1 ft

1.8 

1.8 

1.8

1 Q

1.8

1.8

1.8

Nov.

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1 95

1.95

1 QC

1

<1K

1 9

1 9

1 95

1.95 

1.95 

1.9

1 9

1 9

1 9

1.9

Dec.

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1 9

1.9

1 9

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to February 26; also March 7 to 19. Gage heights are to water 

surface in hole cut in ice. Thickness of ice, 1 to 1.8 feet.
UPPEE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE. 49

Station rating table for Des Lacs River at Foxholm, N. Dak., from January 1 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

22

25

28

31

34

37

40

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

420

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

44

48

52

56

60

64

68

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on 10 discharge measurements made during 1904-1905. It is fairly well defined between gage heights 2 feet and 4 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of Des Lacs River at Foxholm, N. Dak., for 1905.

Month.

April....................................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

37 

6.5 

5 

8 

40 

250 

1.5 

1 

3 

2

Minimum.

7 

2.5 

2'.5 

1 

.5 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2

Mean.

17.3 

3.9 

3.1 

3.1 

4.8 

16.5 

1.0 

1.0 

2.0 

2.0

Total in 

acre-feet.

618 

232 

191 

184 

295 

1,014 

60 

61 

119 

64

2,838

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE.

GENERAL FEATURES.

The sources of Mississippi River proper lie between latitudes 47° and 48° north, almost 

exactly in the center of the continent on an east-west line; its mouth is in latitude 29° north.

The basin, very irregular in outline, can best be described as an oblong, with the major 

axis, 1,700 miles in length, running southeastward from the northwestern part of Montana, 

through North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Tennessee into the northwestern corner of 

Alabama. On each side of this line the basin spreads out from 300 to 500 miles, while on 

the east there is a large protuberance from the general outline extending to the Alleghany 

Mountains.

The total area drained by the Mississippi and its tributaries is 1,240,000 square miles. It 

includes wholly or in part thirty States, besides a small area in the Dominion of Canada.

The eastern outline of the basin conforms roughly to that of the Atlantic coast, the mean 

distance between them being about 250 miles. The eastern and western outlines are determined by the two great mountain systems of the continent, the Appalachian and the 

Cordilleran.
50 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PAET VII.

Topographically the country included within the Mississippi basin presents all varieties 

of form. Mountain and prairie, arid plain, and alluvial bottom land teeming with vegetation 

are all represented.

The drainage system may be divided into four grand sections, in the following order of 

size: (1) The Missouri basin, (2) the basins of Arkansas and Red rivers, (3) the Ohio basin, 

and (4) the basin of the Upper Mississippi. The area last named, which is considered in 

this report, extends from the source of the river to the mouth of the Missouri; below that 

the stream is called the Lower Mississippi.

In the northern part of Minnesota, 2,555 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, is a low plain, 

consisting of sandy ridges of glacial origin, known as the Hauteur des Terres. It is a region 

of innumerable lakes, and from one of the smallest of these, Hernando de Soto, springs the 

great river. Lake Hernando de Soto is drained by a small stream flowing into Itasca Lake, 

which was for many years considered the source of the river. The length of Itasca Lake is 

about 4 miles, and its breadth nowhere exceeds one-half mile. Its outlet is from 10 to 12 

feet wide and from 12 to 18 inches deep.

From its utmost source to the falls of Pokegama the river flows through a drift-covered 

region, in a valley which is in some places narrow, in others broad and savanna-like, with 

many rapids in the narrower and with gentle or sluggish currents in the broader portions. 

In this part of its course it drains a number of lakes, among which Bemidji, Cass, Winnibigoshish, and Leech lakes are the most important. The total fall from the head of the 

stream to the mouth of Leech Lake River, which is nearly as large as the main stream, is 

about 420 feet. The first rock in place is at Pokegama Falls, and thence to the mouth of 

Crow Wing River, which enters from the west, the average width of the stream is 300 feet, the 

valley is less winding, and the current is good, with many rapids of small extent. The mouth 

of Crow Wing River is only 75 miles in a straight line from Lake Itasca, but the distance 

along the river course is 450 miles.

Below the mouth of the Crow Wing the river flows in a general southerly direction for 

about 475 miles. Within this stretch are several rapids, the chief being Little Falls and 

Sauk Rapids, and many timbered islands. The banks are abrupt, of clay or sandy loam, 

and lead to meadows that stand 60 feet above the river. At the Falls of St. Anthony the 

river pitches down a vertical fall and rapid amounting to 75 feet in half a mile, and in so 

doing leaves the prairie and clay banks for a channel that lies between rocky bluffs of limestone and sandstone, which continue for many miles down the river, gradually increasing 

to a height of 500 feet as the bed sinks below the general prairie level. The sides of the 

bluffs are not vertical, bare surfaces of rock, but are composed of easily-eroded stone and 

drift, which form well-wooded or grassy slopes.

Minnesota River, formerly called St. Peters River, enters the Mississippi about 10 miles 

below St. Anthony Falls, and below its mouth the breadth of the main stream averages 

1,000 feet. From this point to the mouth of the Missouri the general characteristics of 

the river are the same a broad placid stream with innumerable islands, the entire width 

of the valley averaging 1 mile. In many places, especially where tributaries enter, there 

are fertile flats between the river and the bluffs. Fifty-five miles below the mouth of the 

Minnesota is Lake Pepin, an expansion of the river apparently caused by the immense 

quantities of sand brought down by the Chippewa.

At two places exceptions occur to the otherwise placid character of the river. At Rock 

Island, I 1 .'., 384 miles from St. Paul, there are rapids by which the river falls 20.4 feet in 12 

miles, and at Keokuk, Iowa, 509 miles from St. Paul, is the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, 

where in a distance of 11 miles the river falls 21.85 feet.

The large tributaries below the Minnesota are the St. Croix, Chippewa, Wisconsin, Rock? 

and Illinois from the east, and the Iowa and Des Moines from the west.
UPPEB MISSISSIPPI EIVEE DEAINAGE. 51

MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR SATJK RAPIDS, MINK.

This station was established April 23, 1903. It is located about 1J miles south of Watab 

station, on the Northern Pacific Railway, about 5 miles north of Sauk Rapids and 7 miles 

north of St. Cloud.

The channel is straight for 4,000 feet above the station and 600 feet below. Both banks 

are high and not subject to overflow. The bed consists of sand and gravel and is somewhat 

shifting. There is but one channel at all stages. The channel has a width of 625 feet at 

low water and about 700 feet at high stages. The current is of medium swiftness.

Discharge measurements are made from a boat running on a cable, which is securely 

fastened to trees on each side of the river. The point to which soundings are referred is 

a nail head in the root of a tree on the left bank, to which the cable is fastened.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by Frank McCrea, is a vertical timber fastened to 

a post driven into the bed on the left side of the river. It is referred to bench marks as 

follows: (1) Top of & large, pointed rock, 150 feet upstream from the gage and 10 feet 

from the water's edge; elevation above zero of gage, 18.58 feet. (2) A f-inch iron 

stake, driven on the left shore between the cable and bench mark No. 1; elevation 

above zero of gage, 14.22 feet. (3) On root of a small elm tree, on left bank of river, just 

below cable; elevation, 18.29 feet above gage zero. 'A short distance above the old gage 

is a large rock with a vertical face at an elevation of 14.45 feet above the zero of the gage. 

Observations of the river height can be made by determining distances from the top of 

this rock to the water surface.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following publications of the 

United States Geological Survey (Ann=Annual Report; WS=Water-Supply Paper):

Description: WS 98, pp 173-174; 128, p 18. 

Discharge: Ann 22, iv, p 219; WS 98, p 174; 128, p 19. 

Gage heights: WS 98, pp 174-175; 128, p 19.

Discharge measurements of Mississippi River near Sauk Rapids, Minn., in 1905.

Date. Hydrographer.

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

Width.

Feet. 

560

582

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

1,813

3,889

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

1.44

2.19

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

11.29

13.60

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

2,619

8,523
52 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Mississippi River near Sank Rapids, Minn.,for 1905.

Day.

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

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

3...,...,.,....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29.:............ 

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

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

Jan.

11.2 

11.2

11.3

11.2

11.25

11.25 

11.25

11.25

11.4 

11.3

11.25

11.2

11.25

11.25

11.25

11. 25 

11.25

11.25

11.25 

11.25 

11.25 

11.25

11.3 

11.25

H oc

11.25

11.25

11.25

11.25 

11.25 

11.25

Feb.

11.25

1 1 OC

11.25

11.25

11.25

11.25 

11.25

11.25

11.25 

11.25

11. 25

11.2

11.35

11.4

Mar.

11.5

11.65

11.7

11.6

11.4

11.2

11.65 

11.65 

11.4

11.4

11.55

11.6

11.6 

11.5 

11.4

Apr.

11.35 

11 3

n

o

19 4

13.6

14.0 

14.3

14.1

13.8 

1^1

13.4

1 Q A

13.0

12.85

12.85 

12.7

12.65

12.65 

12.4 

12.35 

12.2

12.05 

11.8 

11.6

11.45

U

O

11.2

11.25 

11.4

May.

11.45 

11.45

12.2

-too

14 0

14.4 

14 45

14.5

14.6 

14.9

1 c 52

16.3

16.2

16.5

16.5

16.5 

16.0

.15.4 

15.0 

15.0

15.25 

15.3 

15.2

14.6

14.3

.14.2 

13.7 

13.6

June.

13.45 

13.35

1 3 9

1 3 1

130-

14.5

14.7

14.7

14.8

14 0

14.9

15.0

15.4

ICC

16.1

17.0

17.2 

17.6 

17.6 

17.4

17.2 

17.3

n

o

18.2

1 Q O

18.3 

18.2

July.

18.1 

17 9

17.6

18 2

19.8 

20.1

20.2

20.1 

19 6

1Q 9

18.6

19.8

17.5

17.2

16.6

16.4 

16.4 

16.2 

16.1

16.0 

15.8 

15.6

15.4

1 C 1

14.9

14.7 

14.45 

14.2

Aug.

14.25 

14 '5

14.25

14.25

14.35

14.5 

14.6

14.8

14.8 

15.2

15.2

15.2

15.1

15.05

15.2

15.3 

15.1

15.0

14.9 

14.8 

14.7

14.7 

14.35

144^

14.5

14.4

14.2

14.2 

14.0 

13.95

Sept.

13.85

1 ^ fi'K.

i q OK

i q OK

13.85

13.85 

13.8

13.75

13.7

13.65

13.6

13.6

13.65

13.65 

13.6

13.8

14.2 

14.2 

14.2 

14.2

14.2 

14.0

1^4 7

13.5

13.35

13.2

13.0 

12.9

Oct.

12.85 

1' 9

1 q A

1' 95

12.9

12.8 

12.75

12.75

12.6 

12.55

12.5

12.35

12.2

12.0

12.0

12.0 

12. 45 '

12.5

12.6 

12.75 

12.95 

12.95

13.0 

13.1 

13.15

13.1

13.05

13.0

12.95 

12.8 

12.85

Nov.

12.5 

12.4

1 o c

19 ft

12.4

12.5 

12.55

12.55

12.5 

12.45

12.35

12.35

12.25

12.3

12.25

12.25 

12.2

12.2

12.1 

12.1 

12.05 

12.05

12.15 

12.5 

13.0

12.9

13.0

12.45

12.05 

12.0

Dec.

12.2

13.15

13.1

------

13.3

12.9

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to March 23; also December 1-31. Gage heights are to water 

surface in a hole in the ice.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT AKOKA, MOW.

This station was established May 8, 1905. It is located at a highway bridge three-fourths 

of a mile southwest of Anoka.

The channel is straight for about 1 mile above the station and for about one-half mile 

below, and is broken by four bridge piers. The right and left banks are clean and slope 

gently upward to a height of 25 feet above gage zero; they are not subject to overflow. 

The bed of the stream is composed of gravel and is probably nearly constant, except as 

' affected by sunken logs, which cover the bed occasionally at some points. There is one 

channel at all stages. The current is medium.

Discharge measurements are made from the lower side of the steel highway bridge, to 

which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the end-of the bridge hand 

rail on the left bank, lower side.

The gage is composed of a 6-inch timber, 12 feet long, bolted to the lower side of the first 

stone pier of the bridge from the left bank. The gage was read during 1905 by Walter A. 

Griffith. This gage is attached to the same pier and at the same height as the United 

States engineers' gage placed there in 1896.
MISSISSIPPI EIVEE;

Discharge measurements of Mississippi River at Anoka, Minn., in 1905.

Date.

July 21........

Hydrographer.

E. F. Chandler.......................

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

Width.

Feet. 

762

785

772

774

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

5,046

6,585

4,674

5,089

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.96

4.13

3.33

3.22

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.08

4.98

2.97

3.26

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

14,950

27, 180

15,570

16,400

Daily gage height, in feet, of Mississippi River at Anoka, Minn., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

3.....................:.............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

3.1

3.45

3.8

4.45

5.4

5.7

6.1

6.2

6.6

6.4

6.05

5.55

5.2

5.05

4.9

4.8

4.5

4.35

3.95

3.65

3.5

3.2

2.95

June.

2.65

2.4

2.2

2.2

3.0

3.2

3.5

3.7

3.9

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.3

4.6

5.3

5.8

5.9

5.95

5.9

5.8

5.7

5.8

6.05

6.4

6.6

«6.6

July.

6.6

6.6

6 9

7.5

8.2

8.7

8.8

8.4

8.0

7.8

7.5

6.7

6.3

6.0

5

«

5 45

5.0

5.0

4 9

»4.8

4 7

4 45

4 0

3.85

3.65

3.55

3.5

3.3

Aug.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

2.95

3.0

3.05

3.05

3.05

3.05

3.2

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.4

3.9

3.85

3.6

3.8

3.65

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.15

3.3

3.25

3.0

2.9

2.7

Sept.

2.6

2.55

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.35

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.25

2.35

2.25

2.5

2.8

3.0

3.15

3.0

2.95

3.1

3.1

3.1

2.6

2.6

2.4

2.35

Oct.

2.25

2.15

2.15

2.05

2.05

2.0

1 9

1.9

1.9

1 9

1.9

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

2.2

3.2

2.2

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.6

2.6

. 2.4

2.4

2.3

Nov.

2.0

1.8

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.9

1.9

' 1.9

1.9

1.9

1.75

1.75

1.6

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.45

4.45

Dec.

4.45

4.45

4.45

4.45

4.35

4.4

4.6

4.6

5.65

5.2

4.6

2.25

o Gage heights interpolated. 

NOTE. River frozen part way across December 10-31.
54 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

RUM RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Rum River, so named on account of the color of its water, starts from the southwestern 

part of Mille Lacs, in east-cfentral Minnesota, flows southward, and enters the east side of 

the Mississippi at Anoka, 7^ miles below the mouth of Crow River. Its basin is about 80 

miles long and averages not over 19 miles in width. The large body of water at its head 

serves an important part in maintaining the flow during low water. The stream flows 

between banks of clay or njud, and where it crosses the ridge of granite which produces 

Sauk Rapids on the Mississippi there is a slight fall over rock in place.

Rum River has been largely used for lumbering, and on the small tributaries are many 

dams, built for the purpose of holding and flushing logs into the main river.

RUM RIVER NEAR ANOKA, MINN.

This station was established May 8, 1905. It is located at the highway bridge 6J miles 

due north of Anoka, the distance by road being 7J miles.

The channel is straight for 400 feet above and 300 feet below the station, broken by one 

pier at ordinary stages and by two piers at high stages. The right bank is composed of 

brush, and will overflow at ordinary floods. The left bank is a road, graded to the bridge 

abutment, and will not overflow. Grassy flats above and below the bridge will be covered 

by high floods. The bed of the stream is composed of sand and silt and is probably nearly 

constant. The current is sluggish at medium stages.

Discharge measurements are made from the bridge to which the gage is attached. The 

initial point for soundings is the center of the circular iron pier on the lower side of the 

bridge on the left bank. On account of the obliquity of the bridge, distances of 10.5 feet 

are marked along the bridge and considered as 10 feet.

The standard chain gage is located at the middle of the bridge span. The length of the 

chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 20.65 feet. The gage was read during 

1905 by Henry E. Faherty.

Discharge measurements of Rum River near Anoka, Minn., in 1905.

Date.

May8.........

July 22........

August 15.....

Hydrographer.

E. F. Chandler. .....................

E. F. Chandler. .....................

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

Width.

Feet. 

150

149

148

148

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

1,130

905

768

783

Mean 

velocity.

feet per 

second.

1.80

1.15

.93

.86

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

14.46

12.80

11.91

11.78

Dis- . 

charge.

Secondfeet.

2,035

},036

715

670
BUM RIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Rum River near Anoka, Minn.,for 1905.

55

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11......... .......................'...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May.

14.5

14.7

15.2

15.45

15.4

15.4

15.45

15.7

16.6

17.2

17.3

17.1

16.8

16.5

16.3

15.8

15.4

14.9

14.7

14.15

13.7

13.2

12.7

12.3

June.

12.1

11 9

11.9

12.0

12.2

12.1

14.0

14.8

15.2

15.7

16.0

16.1

16.0

15.8

15.4

15.4

15.3

15.35

15.35

15.4

15.45

15.5

m45

15.45

15.3

15.1

14.4

14.2

14.2

July.

14.2

14.1

14.15

14.25

14.' 4

14.75

15.2

15.5

15.9

16.4

17.0

17.4

17.4

17.0

15.9

15.3

14.35

13.8

13.4

13.1

12.9

12.8

12.2

11.95

12.1

12.2

12.15

12.15

11.4

11.8

Aug.

11.9

11.95

12.0

11.9

12.0

11.9

11.95

11.95

11.95

11.9

11.9

11.8

11.75

11.75

11.8

11.8

12.2

13.1

13.2

13.25

13.4

13.55

13.3

13.15

13.0

12.8

12.6

12.3

' 12.2

12.05

12.0

Sept.

11.95

11.9

12.4

12.6

12.4

12.6

12.5

12.5

12.4

12.2

12.1

12.15

12.2

12.3

12.2

12.6

12.5

13.1

13.5

13.8

14 1

14.15

14.3

13.95

13.7

13.45

13.1

12.8

12.6

12.5

Oct.

12.45

12.6

12.5

12.3

12.25

12.2

12.1

12.05

12.0

12.3

12.7

12.5

12.45

12.4

12.5

12.85

12.95

13.25

13.6

13.85

14.0

14.15

14.0

13.95

14.1

14.15

14.05

13.8

13.65

13.5

13.45

Nov. '

13.4

13.15

12.95

12.8

12.95

13.15

13.2

13.35

13.35

13.45

13.4

13.3

13.4

13.1

13.0

12.95

12.9

12.85

12.8

12.7

12.7

12.65

12.7

12.9

13.0

13.1

13.4

13.6

13.9

14.4

Dec.

14.25

14.1

14.2

13.65

13.25

NOTE. River frozen over during December. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the ice. 

Thickness of ice, 0.7 to 1 foot.

Station rating table for Rum River near Anoka, Minn.,from May 8 to December 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

11.00

11.10

11.20

11.30

11.40

11.50

11.60

11.70

11.80

11.90

12.00

12.10

12.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

474

492

512

534

558

584 

612

642

672

704

736

770

804

Gage 

height.

Feet.

12.30

12.40

12.50

12.60

12.70

12.80

12.90

13.00

13.10

13.20

13.30

13.40

13.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

838

874

910

950

990

1,035

1,080

1,130

1,180

1,230

1,280

1,335

1,390

Gage 

height.

Feet.

13.60

13.70

13.80

13.90

14.00

14.20

14.40

14.60

14.80

15.00

15.20

15.40

15.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,450

1,510

1,570

1,635

1,700

1,840

1,985

2,135

2,295

2,460

2,630

2,810

2,990

Gage 

height.

Feet.

15.80

16.00

16.20

16.40

16.60

16.80

17.00

17.20

17.40

17.60

17.80

18.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,180

3,370

3,560

3,760

3,960

4,160

4,370

4,580

4,790

5,010

5,230

5,450

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is ba sed on four very consistent 

discharge measurements made during 1905. It is well denned between gage heights 11.7 feet and 14.5 

feet. Above 14.5 feet table is based on product of area and velocity curves extended.
56 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Rum River near Anoka, Minn.,for 1905.

Month.

May 8-31 .................................................

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

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

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

November. ..................... ..... .......

Discharge in second -feet.

Maximum.

4,685 

3,465 

4,790 

1,420 

1,910 

1,805 

1,985

Minimum.

838 

704 

558 

657 

704 

736 

970

Mean.

2,817 

2,313 

2,045 

876 

1,089 

1,205 

1,216

Total in 

acre-feet.

134, 100 

137,600 

125, 700 

53,860 

64,800 

74,090 

72,360

662,500

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

MINNESOTA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Minnesota River rises in Bigstone Lake, which forms part of the boundary between 

South Dakota and Minnesota, flows southeastward to the city of Mankato, in the northern 

part of Blue Earth County, where it makes an abrupt turn to the north, and continues in 

a northerly and northeasterly direction until it enters the Mississippi at a point midway 

between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The course of this river is generally marked by wide 

bottom lands. It has a sluggish current, affording few opportunities for the development 

of water power.

MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR MANKATO, MINN.

This station was established May 20, 1903. It is located at Sibley Park, 1 mile below 

the highway and railroad bridges across Blue Earth River and 1J miles above the city 

bridge in Mankato. Blue Earth River joins the Minnesota about 500 feet above the 

station.

The channel is straight for 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet below the station, with a width 

of about 300 feet at low water and 350 feet at high stages. There is but one channel at 

all stages. The left bank is low and liable to overflow for a distance of 50 to 75 feet from 

the gage. The right bank is a steep, rocky bluff. The bed of the stream is composed of 

sand, gravel, and blue earth, and may shift somewhat at high water. The current velocity 

is moderate, though somewhat sluggish near the banks at low stages.

Discharge measurements are made from a small rowboat running on a cable. The initial point for soundings is a spike in the base of the willow tree to which the small cable is 

attached on the right bank.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by George E. Blake, is a vertical timber fastened 

to a post, which is driven into the river bed a few feet from the right bank. The bench 

mark is on a 20-inch cottonwood tree on the right bank a short distance above the station 

and about 30 feet from the water's edge; its elevation is 14.78 feet above the zero of the 

gage.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 99, pp. 15-16; 130, pp 53-54.

Discharge: 99, p 16; 130, p 54.

Gage heights: 99, p 17; 130, pp 54-55.
MINNESOTA BIVEB DRAINAGE BASIN. 57

Discharge measurements of Minnesota River near Mankato, Minn., in 1905.

Date.

May 10........

Hydrographer. Width.

Feet. 

295

294

310

285

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

1,400

1,042

2,517

877

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.34

2.35

3.25

1.54

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.98

4.16

8.60

2.78

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

3,282

2,454

8,179

1,347

Daily gage height, in feet, of Minnesota River near Mankato, Minn., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

t.. ............

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

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

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

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

9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28

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

so..........:...

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

Jan.

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.85

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1 9

1 9

1 9

1 9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

Feb.

1.9

I 9

1 9

1 9

1 9

1 9

1.9

2.0

2.05

2.05

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0. .

2.0

2.3

2.4

3.0

3.5

3.7

4 4

Mar.

3.95

4.15

4.4

C A

5.6

6.0

5.8

5 A

4.7

4.1

4.0

4.3

3

C

3 7

3.85

3 Q

4.0

Apr.

5.1

5

1 C

C A

A Q*\

5.1

5.0

4.8

4.6

4.4

A OK

4.1

4 0

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.25

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.0

2.95

2.9

2.85

May.

2.85

2.85

2 Q

3 OK

3.8

3 Q

1 7

3 fie

4 1

6.0

6.3

7.0

8.0

9 9

9 s

10.0

9 Q

9.8

8.8

8.2

7.8

7.4

7.4

6 4

6.2

6.05

June.

5.95

5.8

5

K

c 9

4.8

4.7

4 6

4

K

4.45

4.3

4.15

4.3

4.2

4.3

4.25

4 05

4.0

3.95

4.75

5.6

6.1

6.2

5.9

5.8

July.

6.2

7 f\

7.8

8.8

9 A

10.6

11.7

19 9

19 e

11.8

11.2

11.7

9 8

9.3

o n

8.7

8.4

8.1

7.8

7.6

7.3

7.0

6.8

6.6

6.3

6.0

5.9

5.6

5.4

Aug.

5.25

5.1

5.0

4.8

4.65

4.5

4 45

4.3

4.1

4 0

3.85

3.7

3.7

3.7

3 7

3

K

3.7

3.7.

3.6

3.55

3.5

3.4

3.85

3.7

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.4

3.25

Sept.

3.2

3 1

3

AK

3 A

9 Q^

2.85

2

QC

2.8

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.7

2.75

2.7

4 45

3.75

3.45

3.35

3.25

3.05

2.95

2.95

2.9

2.85

2.8

Oct.

2.8

2

7C

9 7

2

ftC

9 ^

2.5

2.5

2.7

2.75

2.8

2.7

2.8

2.8

2.85

2.9

2.9

2.85

2.85

2

0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.75

Nov.

2.75

2.7

2.75

3.1

3.2

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.45

3.4

3.35

3.2

3.2

3.15

3.1

3.05

3.4

3.6

3.75

3.8

5.05

5.6

4.4

Dec.

4.0

8. OS

7.8

7.4

7.3

7.5

7.3

7.0

6.7

6.1

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.5

5.35

5.1

4.85

4.6

4.5

4.45

4.4

3.85

3.9

3.9

3.85

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.6'

NOTE. Ice conditions January 1 to February 28, also December 1-31. Gage heights are to water 

surface.
58 STREAM MEASUREMENTS 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Minnesota River near Mankato, Minn., from January 1 to December 

** 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

840

885

935

985

1,040

1,095

1,155

1,215

1,280

1,345

1,415-

1,485

1,560

1,640

1,720

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

' 4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,805

1,890

1,980

2,070

2,165

2,260

2,360

2,460

2,560

2,660

2,760

2,870

2,980

3,090

3,200

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60

5.80

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,310

3,550

3,790

4,030

4,270

4,530

4,790

5,050

5,330

5,610

5,890

6,170

6,450

6,730

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

10.00

10.20

10.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7,010

7,300

7.600

7,900

8,200

8,500

8,800

9,100

9,400

9,710

10,030

10,350

10, 670

10,990

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on four discharge measurements made during 1905. It is well defined between gage heights 2.8 feet and 8.6 feet. The table has been 

extended beyond these limits. On account of changes at gaging section, measurements of previous 

years were not considered applicable. ' This table gives 25 percent increase over 1903 table for low stages 

and 5 to 15 per cent decrease for high stages.

Estimated monthly discharge of Minnesota River near Mankato, Minn.,for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 13,400 square miles.]

Month.

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

4,530 

3,490 

10,350 

4,790 

14, 350 

3,610 

2,710 

1,345 

4,030

Minimum.

1,805 

1,312 

1,312 

2,212 

3,790 

1,600 

1,185 

1,068 

],185

Mean.

2,874 

2,369 

5,435 

3,205 

8,452 

2,232 

1,452 

1,223 

1,784

..........

Total in 

acre-feet.

102, 600 

141,000 

334,200 

190, 700 

519, 700 

137, 200 

86,400 

75, 200 

106, 200

3,693,<*)0

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.214

.177

.406

.239

.631

.167

.108

.091

.133

'

Depth in 

inches.

0.143

.198

.468

.267

.728

.192

.120

.]05

.148

NOTE. No record March 19-31. No estimate for ice period.
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVEK DKAINAGE. 59

CHIPPEWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIX.

Chippewa River rises in the southeastern part of Ashland County, Wis., flows southwestward, and unites with the Mississippi near Wabash, Minn... Its principal tributary 

is -Flambeau River, which enters from the east, in Gates County.. .

CHIPPEWA RIVER NEAR EAIT CLAIRE, WIS.

This station was established November 13, 1902. It is located 2 miles below Eau Claire, 

at a suburb known as Shawtown.

The channel is straight above and below the station. The right bank is protected by a 

high masonry wall; the left bank is low, but the water is confined by an earthern embankment. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel, with a few rocks, and is permanent. 

There is one channel, broken by one pier, at all stages, the width being 450 feet at low water 

and 500 feet at flood stages. The current is fairly swift.,

Discharge measurements are made from a two-span highway bridge. The initial point 

for soundings is a point marked by two nails in the footway at the right end of the bridge.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Joseph E. Kimpton, is fastened 

to the downstream side of the highway bridge. The length of the chain from the end of 

the weight to the marker is 30.69 feet. The bench mark is a nail in the top of a 6-inch 

white-oak stump which is attached to a tree, still standing, located about 200 feet east of 

the road and 200 feet south of the river; elevation above zero of gage, 20.09 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 83, p 166; 98, p 177; 128, p 20. 

Discharge: 83, p 166; 98, p 17JS; 128, p 21. 

Discharge, monthly: 98, p 180; 128, p 22. 

Gage heights: 83, p 167; 98, pp 178-179; 128, p 21. 

Rating tables: 98, pp 179-180; 128, p 22.

Discharge measurements of Chippewa River near Eau Claire, Wis., in 1905.

Date.

May 24........

July 12........

Hydrographer.

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

200

427

355

335

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

4,400

5,131

3,585

3,062.

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.66

3.83

2.09

1.29

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

8.80

10.72

6.55

5.00

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

16, 110

19,660

7,489

3,948
60 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PAET Vlf.

Daily gage height, in feet, ofOhippewa River near Eau Claire, Wis.,for 1905.

Day.

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

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

3.......1......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

4.36

4.4

4.8

4.67

5.17

Feb.

4.8

" "

5.3

5.36

4.95

Mar.

4.2

4.5

4.3

4.3

4.25

4.1

4.5

4.5

4.65

4.4

4.45

4.55

5.5

6.2

7.1

7.8

8.9

10.4

11.8

13.2

13.6

12.9

Apr,

12.0

10.2

11.2

10.5

10.4

10.8

10.2

9.8

9 2

8.9

8.7

7.4

5.75

5.65

5.75

6.2

7.0

5.4

5.05

5.3

5.3

5.5

4.8

5.05

4.85

May.

6.8

5.8

5.9

6.5

7.5

6.6

7.3

7.6

7.3

8.8

7.8

7.9

7.5

9.5

10.7

12.2

12.9

12.0

10.6

10.2

9.2

8.6

8.6 8.0"

8.1

7.5

7.7

7.0

7.1

7.2

6.9

June.

6.3

6.8

6.5

8.2

12.1

19.2

19.6

17.3

14.5

13.0

12.6

11.5

10.0

9.4

8.J

8.7

10.2

12.2

11.3

10.5

9.1

9.0

8.8

8.2

7.3

7.5

8.7

7.8

5.75

July.

6.8

7.4

6.3

6.2

6.9

10.4

10.6

11.3

10.1

7.0

8.1

6.$

6.9

7.2

7.1

7.6

6.8

6.5

6.7

6.0

6.4

5.7

6.1

5.75

5.55

4.9

4.45

5.3

4.45

Aug.

6.8

5.75

4.35

4.35

4.75

5.1

5.25

5.05

5.3

5.9

4.9

5.45

5.1

5.35

5.7

4.45

4.45

5.6

5.25

7.4

7.3

8.9

5.85

6.2

6.4

8.3

5.3

5.0

7.8

6.2

6.2

Sept.

6.5

6.2

5.3

6.1

6.8

6.5

6.1

5.65

5.75

5.1

4.9

5.35

6.9

5.85

5.4

5.55

7.7

10.7

7.0

10.1

10.8

10.3

9.2

8.4

6.5

8.5

6.0

6.0

7.9

6.2

Oct.

5.15

5.55

7.8

5.55

4.9

4.9

7.5

5.0

4.85

4.8

5.5

7.9

6.2

5.9

5.25

6.4

7.35

7.8

7.9

8.95

8.5

8.65

8.35

7.9

7.55

7.2

7.1

7.0

6.6

6.5

6.4

Nov.

5.7

6.15

5.45

5.75

5.65

5.75

6.1

6.3

6.05

6.1

6.5

5.5

5.7

5.8

5.2

6.2

5.5

6.0

5.5

5.45

5.4

4.6

5.2

5.0

5.2

5.7

6.05

5.7

5.7

5.0

Dee.

4.75

5.. 15

4.8

5.65

4.45

5.4

5.4

5.9

5.85

5.35

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.25

5.0

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.65

4.85

4.55

4.6

4.1

4.8

4.6

4.65

4.55

4.7

4.7

NOTE. Riverfrozen entirely across at gage January 1 to February 28; March 1 to 17, ice gradually disappeared. Thickness of ice, 2 to 2.5 feet. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the ice.
CHIPPEWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 61

Station rating table for Chippewa River near Eau Claire, Wis.,from January 1 to December

31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60.

470

480

490

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

750

960

1,170

1,380

1,590

1,800

2,010

2,220

2,430

2,640

2,850

3,070

3,290

3,510

3,730

3,950

4,170

4,390

4,610

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.20

7.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

4,830

5,050

5,280

5,510

5,740

5,970

6,200

6,430

6,660

6,900

7,140

7,380

7,630

7,880

8,130

8,390

8,650

9,180

9,720

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

10.00

10.20

10.40

10.60

10.80

11.00'

11.20

Discharge.

Second-feet,

10,290

10, 870

11,450

12,030

12, 610

13,200

13,800

14,400

15,000'

15,620

16,260

16,920

17,600

18,280

18,960

19,640

20,320

21,000

21,690

Gage 

height.

Feet.

11.40

11.60

11.80

12.00

12.20

12.40

12.60

12.80

13.00

13.20

13.40

13.60

13.80

14.00

14.20

14.40

1460

1480

15.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

22, 410

23,160

23,950

24,750

25,550

26,350

27,150

27,950

28, 750

29,560

30,390

31,240

32,110

33,000

33,900

34,800

35,700

36,600

37,500

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 15 discharge measurements made during 1904-5. It is well defined between gage heights 5 feet and 13 feet. The table has been 

extended beyond these limits.

Estimated monthly discharge of Chippewa River near Eau Claire, Wis.,for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 6,740 square miles.]

Month.

March 18-31 .................................

July.......:.................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

31,240 

24,750 

28,350 

60,520 

22,050 

14,100 

20,320 

* 14,250 

7,380 

5,970

Minimum.

2,640 

3,510 

5,740 

5,625 

2,535 

2,535 

3,730 

3,510 

3,070 

2,010

Mean.

13,510 

10,180 

12,670 

20,370 

8,626 

5,867 

8,970 

8,041 

5,437 

3,821

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

2.00 

1.51 

1.88 

3.02 

1.28 

.870 

1.33 

1.19 

.807 

.567

Depth in 

inches.

1.04 

1.68 

2.17 

3.26 

1.48 

1.00 

1.48 

1.37 

.900 

.654

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.
62 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

FLAMBEAU RIVER NEAR LADYSMITH, WIS.

Flambeau River rises in the lake of the same name in western Vilas County, Wis., flows 

southwestward, and unites with the Chippewa in the southern part of Gates County.

The gaging station was established February 13, 1903. It is located three-fourths of a 

mile south of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway station, three-fourths 

of a mile south of Ladysmith, and one-half mile below the dam of the Menasha Pulp Company.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and below the station. The right bank is low, 

but the overflow passes benea-th the bridge. The left bank is high and is covered with trees. 

The gaging section is broad and shallow, with a bed of small bowlders, gravel, and sand, and 

is not liable to shift. The stream is divided into three channels by bridge piers. The channel is somewhat obstructed by log jams during the rafting season.

Discharge measurements are made from a three-span highway bridge. The initial point 

for soundings is at the right end of the bridge.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Leonard McCandless and C. A. 

Phillips, is fastened to the upstream side of the right span. The length of the chain from 

the end of the weight to the marker is 25.40 feet. The bench mark is a cut on a rivet head 

on the post to which the pulley of the chain gage is attached; elevation, 36.28 feet above 

the gage datum.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papersof the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 98, pp 180-181; 128, pp 22-23. 

Discharge: 98, p 181; 128, p 23. 

Discharge, monthly: 98, p 183; 128, p 25. 

Gage heights: 98, pp 181-182; 128, p 24. 

Rating tables: 98,.p 182; 128, p 24.

Discharge measurements of Flambeau River near Ladysmith, Wis., in 1905.

Date.

Aprils........

May 23 ........

July 12. .......

Hydrographer.

S. K. Clanp.........................

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

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

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

F. W.Hanna... .....................

Width.

Feet. 

129

357

354

353

345

Area of 

section.

Squarefeet.

1,537

1,292

1,232

1,015

623

1,404

Mean 

velocity.

Feet -per 

second.

3.49

2.69

2.67

2.54

1.84

3.02

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

18.27

17.60

17.35

16.80

15.66

17.75

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

5,367

3, 474

3,288

2,576

1,144

4,236
CHTPPEWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 63

Daily gage height, in feet, of Flambeau River near Ladysmifh, Wis.,for 1905,

Day.

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

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

3............'..

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

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

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

78 ::::::::::::::

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

16.3

16.6

16.7

16.6

Feb.

16.4

16.5

16.7

16.6

Mar.

16.8

16.0

16 9

16.8

16.35

17.1

17.9

18.2

18.6

Apr.

18.8

18.4

19 0

19.2

18.9

18.4

18.4

18.2

18.1

17.8

17.4

17.2

18.2

18.1

17.6

17.2

16.55

17.0

16.3

16.35

16.05

17.4

17.4

17.0

16.8

May.

16.8

16.8

17.0

17.3

17.6

17.6

17.1

17.5

17.8

. 17.8

18.0

18.4

18.6

18.0

17.4

18.0

17.6

17.4

17.2

17.8

17.6

17.4

June.

17.4

16.25

16.8

17.8

18.7

19 6

18.9

18.7

18.6

18.6

17.6

17.5

17.7

19 7

19.6

19 4

19 1

18 9

18.6

18.4

18.0

18.0

17.7

17.7

July.

17,7

17.5

17.6

18.6

19.0

18.8

18.5

18.2

17.4

17.0

17.0

17.0

16.7

16.35

16.35

16.4

16.15

16.1

16.2

15 9

15.5

15.9

15.75

15.8

15.8

15.75

15.7

15. 55

Aug.

15.8

15.8

15.7

15.75

15.35

15.35

15.3

15.5

15.3

15.4

15.55

15.4

15. 32

15.45

15.6

15.55

16.8

16.9

17.1

16.9

16.6

16.45

16.8

16.35

16.25

17.0

17.2

17.0

Sept.

16.9

16.6

16.9

17.0

17.0

16.9

16.7

16.5

16.4

16.2

16.2

16.25

16.25

16.45

16.8

17.1

17.05

17.7

17.8

18.2

18.4

17.8

17.6

17.3

17.2

16.8

16.8

16.7

16.2

Oct.

16.55

16.55

16.35

16.25

16.2

16. 15

15.8

15.95

15.8

15.95

15.55

16.2

16.15

16.1

16.4

16.75

16.75

17.0

17.65

17.2

17.65

17. 35

17.45

17.3

17.1

16.95

16.85

16.8

16.7

16.55

16.3

Nov.

16.4

16.25

16.15

16.05

16.2

16.15

16.2

16.15

16.05

15.95

16.05

16.3

16.3

16.2

16.1

16.25

16.05

15.9

15.9

15. 85

15.9

15.7

15.75

15.6

16.0

16.0

16.1

16.6

16.15

15.9

Dec.

16.15

15.9

15.85

16.2

15.95

16.1

16.45

16.15

16.25

16.25

15.9

15.8

15.9

15.7

15.7

16.2

16.4

15.7

15.95

15. 45

15.65

15.65

15.6

15.7

15.75

16.1

15.6

16.0

15.9

16. J5

16.1

NOTE. River frozen nearly across January 1-31, and entirely across February 1 to March 23. 

March 11-23 there was water on the ice. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the ice. The 

following comparative readings were also made:

Date. Water 

surface.

Feet. 

16.3

16.6

16.7

16.6

16.4

16.5

16.7

16.6

16.8

Top of 

ice.

Feet. 

16.4

16.8

16.9

16.9

16.9

16.9

17.1

16.9

17.8

Thickness.

Feet. 

0.7

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.7

1.7

2.0

1.8

1.8
64 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Flambeau River near Ladysmith, Wis., from January 1 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

15.00

15.10

15.20

15.30

15.40

15.50

15.60

15.70

15.80

15.90

16.00

16.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

600

670

745

825

910

1,000

1,090

1,185

1,285

1,390

1,500

1,615

Gage 

height.

Feet.

16.20

16.30

16.40

16.50

16.60

16.70

16.80

16.90

17.00

17.10

17.20

17.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,735

1,855

1,980

2,110

2,245

2,385

2,530

2,680

2,835

2,995

3,160

3,330

Gage 

height.

Feet.

17.40

17.50

17.60

17.70

17.80

17.90

18.00

18.10

18,20

18.30

18.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,510

3,700

3,890

4,090

4,300

4,510

4,720

4,930

5,140

5,350

5,560

« Gage 

height.

Feet.

18.50

18.60

18.70

18.80

18.90.

19.00

19.20

19.40

19.60

19.80

20.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,770

5,980

6,190

6,400

6,610

6,820

7,240

7,680

8,120

8,560

9,000

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on discharge measurements made during 1903-1905. It is not very -well defined.

Estimated monthly discharge of Flambeau River near Ladysmith, Wis., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 2,120 square miles.]

Month.

March 24-31 .................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

5,980 

7,240 

5,980 

8,340 

7,240 

3,160 

5,560 

3,990 

2,245 

2,045

Minimum.

1,795 

1,558 

2,530 

1,795 

1,000 

825 

1,735 

1,045 

1,090 

955

Mean.

3,384 

3,867 

4,090 

5,223 

2,950 

1,669 

2,839 

2,305 

1,616 

1,449

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

1.60 

1.82 

1.93 

2.46 

1.39 

.787 

1.34 

1.09 

.762 

.683

Depth in 

inches.

0.476 

2.03 

2.22 

2.74 

1.60 

.907 

1.50 

1.26 

.850 

.787

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE. 65

BLACK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Black River rises in the southeastern part of Taylor County, Wis., at an elevation between 

1,300 and 1,400 feet above tide, flows in a general southwesterly direction for a distance 

of 128 miles, and joins the Mississippi about 10 miles above the town of La Crosse. Its 

basin, wedged in between that of the Wisconsin on the east and the Chippewa on the west, 

is long and narrow, being at one point scarcely more than 3 miles wide. The total area 

drained, measured at the mouth of the river, is 2,272 square miles.

The surface of the basin is gently rolling or level, and the country about the lower part 

of the river is well settled and under cultivation. The southern portion of the pine region 

crosses the basin between 60 and 80 miles from the mouth of the river, and all of the upper 

half of the area is forested. There are a few lakes at the upper waters, but the basin is 

not well supplied with natural reservoirs.

The river has a total fall of about 750 feet between source and mouth, or over 4.5 feet 

per mile. At Black River Falls there are very heavy rapids for a short distance, over 

hard, granite rock. The tributaries, which are characterized by many rapids and moderate falls, are all small streams of little importance, though they furnish power for a few 

small mills.

BLACK RIVER AT NEILLSVILLE, WIS.

This station was established April 7, 1905. It is located at the lower highway bridge 

at Neillsville, Wis., about 40 rods below the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha 

Railway bridge.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and below the station. The right bank is 

high, alluvial, and clean; the left is high, rocky, and covered with scattered trees. Neither 

bank is liable to overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel and rock, is free 

from vegetation, and is permanent. There is only one channel at high water, but there 

may be two at low stages. The current is swift at all times.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the single-span bridge 

to which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the inner face of the left 

abutment.

A standard chain gage, which was read once each day during 1905 by A. Bissell, is fastened 

to the bridge on the downstream side. The length of the chain from the end of the weight 

to the end of the chain proper is 29.01 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: 

(1) The highest point on a bowlder about 30 feet from the river and the same distance 

from the highway on the left bank; elevation above gage datum, 23.00 feet. (2) Top of 

the bottom of the downstream chord at the gage pulley; elevation above gage datum, 

24.73 feet. (3) Top of bridge seat at the downstream right abutment; elevation above, 

datum of gage, 23.55 feet.

IRK 171 06 5
66 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of Blade River at Neillsville, Wis., in 1905.

Date.

April?........

May 24. ........

July 11.........

Hytirographer.

S. K. Clapp. ........................

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

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

F.W.Hanna. ......................

Width.

Feet. 

192

165

192

161

151

163

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

1,021

471

945

392

242

419

Ttfean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.25

2.18

3.15

1.56

.93

1.86

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.70

4.95

7.26

4.25

3.30

4.35

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

3,279

1,024

2,978

612

225

780

Daily gage height, in feet, of Black River at Neillsville, Wis., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8.'.;........................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr.

8.2

7.7

6.9

6.2

6.0

5.7

5.5

4 8

4.6

4.3

3.9

Q Q

4.2

3.9

3.2

0 1

3.1

3.4

3.4

Q A

3.4

3 A

3.4

May.

3.4

3.4

4.1

5.3

5.2

4.9

5.0

4.6

4.6

5.9

6.6

6.7

6.2

10.7

10.1

9 9

8.7

8 9

6.6

6.0

5.3

5.1

A Q

4.7

A 3

4 9

4 1

3.9

3 9

3

0

3.8

June.

3.7

3.3

3.2

7.7

14.2

19.8

16.5

11.5

8.8

7.6

8.6

8.0

7.1

6.2

5.8

11.2

10.7

7.0

6.0

5.2

4.5

4.1

as

3.7

3.5

as

1 ^

3.5

July.

4.4

4.4

4.9

6.5

8.4

8.0

6.8

5.9

5.3

4.7

4.2

3.8

0 Q

4.0

4.8

4.0

3.8

4.2

4.3

4.0

3.8

3.3

3.1

3.1

3.0

2 Q

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

Aug.

2.7

2.«

2.6

2.6

2.9

2.7

4.2

4 0

4.0

3.5

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

o 9

Q ft

2.9

o n

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.5

3.4

3.6

3.4

3.3

Q 9

3.0

3.4

3.5

as

Sept.

3.3

3.2

3.5

3.4

3.6

3.2

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.8

2.7

2.7

4.3

6.0

8.6

8.3

7.5

6.3

5.8

4.7

4.2

3.9

Q Q

3.7

3.6

3.8

Oct.

as

a5

3.4

3.4

3.0

3.0

3.1

2.7

2.4

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

4.0

4.9

5.4

5.5

5.6

6.6

6.9

6.5

5.9

5.5

5.0

4.6

4.4

4.1

a7

3.6

Nov.

3.7

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.7

4.1

4.1

a9

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.5

4.2

4.6

4.5

4.3

ag

3.7

Dec.

4.0

4.2

as

a7

as

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.3

as

3.5

3.5

3

4

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.5

NOTE. No ice record at this station.
WISCONSIN EIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 67

Station rating table for Black River at NeiUsvitte, Wis.,from April 6 to December 31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Second-feet.

C. 00 150

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

177

205

235

267

301

338

379

424

473

525

579

635

692

750

810

870

930

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

' 990

1,055

1,120

1,185

1,250

1,315

1.385

1,455

1,525

1,600

1,675

1,750

1,825

1,905

1,985

2,065

2,145

2,225

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.10

7.20

7.30

7.40

7.50

7.60

7.70

7.80

7.90

8.00

8.10

8.20

8.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,310

2,395

2,480

2,570

2,660

2,750

2,850

2,950

3,050

3,150

3,250

3,350

3,460

3,570

3,680

3,790

3,900

4,010

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70

8.80

8.90

9.00

9.10

9.20

9.30

9.40

9.50

9.60

9.70

9.80

9.90

10.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

4,120

4,230

4,340

4,460

4,580

4,700

4,820

4,940

5,060

5,180

5,300

5,420

5,540

5,660

5,780

5,900

6,020

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on six discharge measurements made during 1905. It is well defined between gage heights 3.3 feet and 7.7 feet. Beyond the 

limits of the table the discharge is only approximate.

Estimated monthly discharge of Black River at Neillsville, Wis.,for 1905.

Month.

April 6-30...........................................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,900 

6,910 

23,060 

4,120 

635 

4,340 

2,570 

870 

635

Minimum.

177 

267 

205 

80 

60 

80 

20 

205 

150

Mean.

1,036 

1,768 

3,840 

884 

229 

918 

750 

392 

292

WISCONSIN RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OP BASIN.

Wisconsin River, the largest stream in the State of Wisconsin, rises in Lac Vieux Desert, 

a sheet of water about 10 square miles in area lying directly on the line separating the upper 

peninsula of Michigan from Wisconsin, and enters the Mississippi just below Prairie du 

Chien. The river flows southward for 300 miles to the city of Portage; it then turns sharply 

and flows west and southwest for the remainder of the distance to its mouth. Its drainage 

basin, 12,280 square miles in extent, has an average width of about 50 miles and is 225 

miles long. From source to mouth the distance, by water is approximately 400 miles. 

The stream lies for the most part in the eastern half of the basin, and below the bend at 

Portage it flows within about 10 miles of its southern edge.
68 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IK 1905, PART VII.

The country drained is rolling, and in places decided ridges break the surface. In the 

headwater region are many lakes and tamarack swamps, and all the way down to Portage 

there is more or less swamp land between the ridges. The wooded (pine) country extends 

from the Michigan boundary line down to within 40 miles, by river, of the city of Portage. 

Below that point the pine disappears, and a semiprairie region gradually takes the place of 

the woods. In the southern part of the basin the Baraboo ranges of quartzite pass east 

and west from 400 to 700 feet above the surrounding country, and the bluffs along the 

lower river, especially on the south side, form prominent ramparts to the valley. Back 

from these the land is level or undulating.

The elevation of the headwaters is 1,532 feet above the sea, and that of the mouth about 

600 feet. Hence in a course estimated to be 407 miles the river falls 932 feet, or about 2.29 

feet per mile. The most rapid part is in the upper portion of the stream, and here are the 

available water powers. At the rapids the river flows over a rocky bed, but at intermediate places the bed is laraely made up of sand, gravel, and bowlders.

Owing to the form of the basin and the position of the river in it there are no very large 

tributaries. The wooded character of all the upper portion of the drainage area aids in 

maintaining the flow of the stream during the dry and cold seasons and makes the Wiscon-' 

sin one of the most uniform in flow of all the large tributaries of the Mississippi.

WISCONSIN RIVER AT MERRILL, WIS.

This station was established November 17, 1902. It is located on the highway bridge 

in the city of Merrill, three blocks from the Lincoln County court-house, one-half mile from 

the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway station, and 1,000 feet below the dam of the 

electric-power house.

The channel is straight from the dam to the bridge and for about 400 feet below. It is 

about 300 feet wide at low stages and 400 feet at high water. Both banks are high and do 

not overflow. The velocity is rapid and the surface rough. The station is so near the 

dam that at high stages the velocity is affected. It is possible that the bed of the stream 

may be subject to slight change, though it is of rock and gravel and is very rough. Prairie 

River enters about one-half mile above the station, and there is an island about 600 feet 

below.

Discharge measurements are made from the two-span highway bridge, to which the chain 

gage is fastened. Each span of the bridge is 175 feet in length. The initial point for soundings is a nail marked "0" in the footboard at the left end of the bridge opposite the center 

of the iron hand-rail post.

The gage was read during 1905 by A. F. Lueck. Originally a vertical gage was fastened 

to the mill abutment. June 17, 1903, a chain gage was established on the bridge and made 

to read the same as the old gage at the mill. It is fastened to the guard timber on the 

downstream side, and the zero is marked by a brass screw driven into the guard timber. 

The fall of the water from the old gage to the new is 2.70 feet when the water is at high 

stage. The length of the chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 23.68 feet. 

The bench mark is a cross cut in the sandstone rock in the bridge seat of the abutment 

nearest the city; its elevation above the zero of the gage is 16.25 feet. This bench mark 

is 18.28 feet below the United States bench mark located at the corner of the engine house 

opposite the city hall.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 83, p 170; 98, pp 190-191; 128, pp 25-26. 

Discharge: 83, p 170; 98, r> 191; 128, p 26. 

Discharge, monthly: 128, p 28. 

Gage heights: 83, p 170; 98, p 192; 128, p 27. 

Rating table: 128, p 27.
WISCONSIN RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 69

Discharge measurements of Wisconsin River at Merrill, Wis., in 1905.

Date.

April 10.......

May 26........

Hydrographer.

S.K.Clapp..... ....................

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

Width.

Feet. 

334

324

334

332

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

2,189

1,679

2,334

1,596

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.84

2.69

4.06

2.73

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.80

6.25

8.17

6.48

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

, 8,396

4,519

9,478

4,357

Daily gage height, in feet, of Wisconsin River at Merrill, Wis., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23.'.............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

5.2

4.95

5.2

5.7

5.35

5.4

5.2

5.45

5.15

5.05

5.35

5.5

5

C

5.9

5.75

5.85

5.65

5.15

5.15

5.6

5.8

6.05

6.15

5.85

5.25

5.1

5.15

Feb.

5.25

5.0

4.9

5.15

5.5

5.35

5.15

5.25

5.1

5.4

5.2

4.95

5.2

5.25

5.5

5.7

5.65

5.55

5.35

4.3

5.2

5.75

5.8

5.6

5.15

5.65

5.35

Mar.

5.35

5.35

5.2

5.4

5.25

5.35

5.55

5.15

5.2

5.65

5.45

5.05

5.45

4.7

4.7

4 95

5.05

5.25

5.25

5.25

5.5

4.95

4.95

5.35

4.55

5.75

6.05

7.4

8.0

8.6

8.5

Apr.

8.9

8.8

9.2

8.9

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.2

8.6

7.8

7.4

7.2

7.4

7.0

6.9

7.2

7.4

7.0

6.45

6.45

6.45

6.05

5.95

5.6

5.75

6.2

5.9

5.65

5.95

5.45

May.

5.15

5.7

6.2

6.1

6.25

6.4

6.45

7.2

6.7

6.45

6.95

7.2

6.9

7.4

7.6

7.6

7.8

7.8

7.5

7.3

7.0

6.75

6.8

6.4

6.45

6.3

6.35

6.35

6.25

6.25

6.0

June.

5,8

5.7

5.9

5.5

7.6

10.4

9.0

9.0

8.4

8.5

8.4

7.8

7.8

8.1

10.6

9.6

9.2

8.6

8.5

8.0

7.6

6.9

7.6

7.5

6.75

7.05

July.

7.4

7.3

7.5

7.6

8.0

8.2

7.7

7.8

8.0

7.2

6.85

7.05

6.2

6.3

6.8

6.5

6.3

6.55

5.05

5.65

6.45

6.0

5.5

5.4

5.2

5.1

5.65

5.8

5.6

5.75

4.3

Aug.

5.05

5.45

5.35

5.35

5.95

6.1

6.85

6.0

6.25

6.4

6.05

5.75

6.0

6.15

5.9

6.4

6.25

6.2

5.9

6.8

6.5

4.8

5.55

6.35

6.4

6.25

5.75

6.0

6.8

Sept.

6.1

6.2

6.15

6.7

6.7

6.25

6.0

6.25

6.1

6.15

6.3

6.65

6.4

6.05

6.4

6.6

6.45

6.9

7.35

6.7

7.3

6.9

6.8

6.5

6.25

 .55

6.15

5.95

6.45

Oct.

6.2

6.0

6.2

6.0

6.05

-6.0

5.3

5.3

4.3-

4.9

6.15

6.8

6.45

6.55

5.9

6.15

5.85

6.25

6.65

6.85

6.7

6.7

6.8

6.15

6.3

6.7

6.55

6.9

6.5

5.7

5.8

Nov.

6.2

6.3

5.6

5.25

5.8

5.35

5.1

5.55

5.45

5.9

5.8

5.15

5.3

5.0

5.2

5.65

5.7

5.75

5.85

5.45

5.75

5.75

5.75

5.6

5.7

5.2

4.8

5.15

5.65

5.5

Dec.

5.2

5.7

5.6

5.8

5.4

5.25

5.55

5.55

5.35

5.75

5.7

5.55

5.6

5.6

5.35

5.7

6.15

-5.5

5.6

5.65

5.75

5.75

5.45

5.55

5.9

6.25

5.9

5.6

5.85

5.7

5.4

NOTE. No ice record at this station.
70 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, FART VII.

WISCONSIN KIVER NEAR NECEDAH, WIS.

»

This station was established December 2, 1902. It is located on the highway toll bridge 

3 miles east of Necedah, Wis., and 3 miles from the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul and 

the Chicago and Northwestern railway stations.

The general direction of the channel is straight for 2,000 feet above and below the station. 

The width at ordinary stages is about 325 feet, broken by one pier. The right bank is 

high and rocky; the left "overflows, making the width of the channel from 500 to 600 feet. 

During the spring flood of 1903 the water overflowed the turnpike. The right side of the 

bed of the stream is rocky, but the remainder is sandy and is liable to shift. The velocity 

is rapid and rather poorly distributed on account of the ice breaker above the middle pier 

and the variation in the width of the channel just above the bridge. Yellow River flows 

into the Wisconsin about 4 miles below the station. There are islands both above and 

below the station, but they are several hundred feet away.

Discharge measurements are made from the two-span highway bridge to which the gage 

is attached. The initial point for soundings is a point over the right abutment, marked 

zero with paint.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by W. F. Bingman, is fastened to 

the upstream side of the bridge. The length of the chain from the end of the weight to 

the marker is 26.87 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) A nail in 

the top of a red-oak stump, 2.5 feet in diameter, about 60 feet south of the center of the 

roadbed and about 50 feet from the river at ordinary stages; elevation above zero of gage, 

12.99 feet. (2) A nail in the root of a large cottonwood tree 280 feet south of the bridge 

and about 80 feet from the river; elevation above gage zero, 11.90 feet. (3) A cross on a 

large sandstone rock 70 feet south of the center of the roadway and 15 feet west of the 

water's edge on the west bank of the river; elevation above zero of gage, 20.36 feet. Bench 

marks Nos. 1 and 2 are on the east side of the river.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 83, p 169; 98, p 187; 128, pp 28-29. 

Discharge: 83, p 169; 98, p 188; 128, p 29. 

Discharge, monthly: 98, p 190; 128, p 31. 

Gage heights: 83, p 169; 98, pp 188-189; 128, p 30. 

Rating table: 98, pp 189-190; 128, p 30.

Discharge measurements of Wisconsin River near Necedah, Wis., in 1905.

Date.

April4........

May 25........

June 12........

Hydrographer.

S.K.Clapp. ........................

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

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

Width.

Feet.

317

437

314

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

5,777

4,137

6,017

3,486

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

5.07

3.23

4.99

2.40

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

12.33

7.65

12.90

6.85

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

29,290

13,350

30,050

9,268
WISCONSIN EIVEE DRAINA&E BASIN. 71 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Wisconsin River near Necedah, Wis.,for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17.........^....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OK

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

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

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

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

30

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

Jan.

6.0

6.0

6.1

6.0

Feb.

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

Mar.

5.7

6.15

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.3

5.6

6.8

7.1

8.3

9.3

10.7

Apr.

13.3

13.3

12.8

12.4

11.9

11.6

11.8

11.9

11.4

10.6

9.9

9.3

9.0

8.6

8.4

8.0

7.8

7.5

7.1

6.7

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.4

6.3

6.0

6.15

6.0

5.95

5.9

May.

5 OK

6.0

6.0

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.9

7.0

7.0

7.5

8.3

8.5

8.3

8.6

9 3

9.8

9.8

9.7

9.3

8.8

8.3

8.0

7.7

7.2

7.1

7.0

6.7

6.8

6.6

June.

6

K

6.4

6.4

6.3

7.7

8.3

11.0

12.5

15.0

17.0

16.0

13.0

11 9

11.5

11.2

10.4

9.7

9.5

9.6

11.2

12.4

12.3

11.0

9.8

8.8

8.3

8.0

7.8

7.4

7.0

July.

7.3

7.3

7.5

7.5

7.5

8.1

8.6

9.1

8.7

8.3

7.6

7.4

7.0

6.6

6.7

6.5

6.3

6.5

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.1

5.9

5.7

5.75

6.0

5.5

5.1

5.3

5.1

5.3

Aug.

5

e

>; 3

>; 9

>; 9

5.6

5.3

1 A,

6.6

6.9

7.1

6.7

6.5

6.7

6.2

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.6

5.5

5.7

5.7

5.5

5.7

5.9

5.3

5.0

5.8

5.7

5.7

Sept.

5.9

6.0

6.2

6.0

6.1

6.1

6.55

6.2

 5.7

5.6

5.5

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.3

5.4

5.5

6 9

7.4

8.2

8.4

8.4

7.8

7.2

6.8

6.5

6.0

5.9

6.0

Oct.

6.0

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.2

5.3

5.0

4.9

4.7

5.1

5.1

5.3

5.3

5.6

5.6

5.8

6.3

6.7

7.0

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.4

6.2

6.2

6.0

Nov.

5.8

5

K

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.1

5.2

5.2

5.3

5.2

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.8

5.1

5.1

5.5

5.3

5.4

Dec.

K A

5.1

5.1

5.3

5.6

5.8

6.8

6.5

6.2

8.6

8.8

8.4

7.7

7.7

7.6

' 7.6

7.8

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.2

7.1

7.1

6.8

6.3

6.3

7.1

6.5

6.4

6.3

6.1

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to March 20. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the 

ice. Thickness of ice, 2 to 2.5 feet. No ice record for December.
72 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Wisconsin River near Necedah, Wis., from January 1,1904,

December 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,800

2,000

2,200

2,400

2,600

2,810

3,020

3,240

3,460

3,690

3,920

4,150

4,390

4,630

4,880

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,130

5,380

5,640

5,900

6,170

6,440

6,720

7,010

7,300

7,600

7,900

8,200

8,500

8,800

9,100

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

9,400

10,000

10,600

11,200

11,800

12,400

13,000

13,600

14,200

14,800

15,400

16,000

16,600

17,200

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.80

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

12.50

13.00

13.50

14.00

15.00

16.00

17.00

18.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

17,800

18,400

19,900

21,400

23, 610

25,860

28,230

30,750

38,450

46,200

61,800

77,500

93,300

109,200

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 23 discharge measurements made during 1902-190.5. It is well denned between gage heights 4.5 feet and 10.5 feet. The 

table has been extended beyond these limits. From gage height 6.3 feet to 11 feet the rating curve 

is a tangent, the difference being 300 per tenth. Above 11 feet the bank overflows, which causes the 

discharge to increase at a greater rate per foot.

Estimated monthly discharge of Wisconsin River near Necedah, Wis., for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 5,800 square miles.]

Month.

March 21-30. ................................

May.........................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum

20,500 

35,370 

17,800 

93,300 

15,700 

9,700 

13,600 

9,400 

5,900 

14,800

Minimum.

3,920 

6,170 

6,305 

7,300 

4,160 

3,920 

4,630 

3,240 

3,460 

4,150

Mean.

9,037 

15,790 

11,060 

23,320 

8,711 

6,099 

7,419 

5,748 

4,667 

8,888

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

1.56 

2.72 

1.91 

4.02 

1.50 

1.05 

1.28 

.991 

.805 

1.53

Depth in 

inches.

0.58 

3.04 

2.20 

4.48 

1.73 

1.21 

1.43 

1.14 

.898 

1.76

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.
UPPEE MISSISSIPPI EIVEE DEAINAGE. 73

WAPSIPINICON RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASEST.

Wapsipinicon River rises in Mower County, Minn., and flows southeastward, entering 

the Mississippi near Shafton, Scott County, Iowa. Its total drainage area is 2,304 square 

miles.

The river is generally fairly constant in flow, though its headwaters are sometimes low. 

As a rule, its banks are moderately high and the stream is well confined. There are numerous 

small power sites on this stream at Toronto, Oxford Mills, Newport, Anamosa, Central 

City, Troy Mills, Quasqueton, Independence, and Littleton. At several of these points, 

notably at Anamosa, there are good opportunities for building dams.

WAPSIPINICOTST RIVER AT STONE CITY, IOWA.

This station was established August 19, 1903. It is located at the highway bridge just 

above the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway bridge and near the Dearborn stone 

quarry.

The channel is straight for about 400 feet above and below the station, but the river 

makes abrupt turns at both ends of this section. Both banks are high and not subject 

to overflow. The bed of the stream is solid rock and sand and is permanent. The channel 

is broken by one pier and the current velocity is moderate. There is a dam at Waubeek, 

4 miles above the station, and another at Anamosa, the same distance below.

Discharge measurements are made from the two-span highway bridge, which has a 

length of 225 feet. The initial point for soundings is the end of the lower chord on the 

upstream side of the bridge at the left bank.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Frank Dearborn, is attached to 

the guard rail on the upstream side of the bridge. The length of the chain from the end 

of the weight to the marker is 36.40 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows:

(1) The east end of the south rail west of the first switch east of the railroad station at 

Stone City; elevation, 815.08 feet above sea level and 38.75 feet above gage datum.

(2) A cross on the northwest corner of the middle pier of the highway bridge at which the 

station is located; elevation, 31.09 feet above gage datum and 807.42 feet above sea level. 

The center of the gage pulley has an elevation of 35.58 feet above gage datum and 811.91 

feet above sea level. The top of the lower chord, upstream side, at the first cross girder 

east of the pier, is 31.75 feet above gage datum. The elevations of the bench marks above 

sea level have been determined by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway levels.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 99, p 19; 130, pp 56-56. 

Discharge: 99, p 20; 130, p 56. 

Discharge, monthly: 99, p 21; 130, p 58. 

Gage heights: 99, p 20; 130, p 57. 

Rating table: 99, p 20; 130, p 58.
74 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of Wapsipinicon River at Stone City, Iowa, in 1905.

Date.

March 25 ......

April 27. .......

May 23........

June 22........

July 18........

August 9. . . ...

September 25 . .

October 24.....

Hydrographer.

M. S. Brennan. ....... . . . ...

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

Hanna and Hoyt .... .....

F. W. Hanna..... . .

F. W. Hanna. ......................

M. S. Brennan.. .. . ...

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

Width.

Feet. 

170

M3

148

148

140

118

138

140

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet. 

1,514

521

750

711

420

276

328

363

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.12

1.11

2.22

2.18

1.35

.73

.88

1.00

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

9.81

8.95

5.74

5.48

3.64

2.87

. 3.08

3.30

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

4,718

679

1,667

1,547

568

202

289

364

Daily gage height, in feet, of Wapsipinicon River at Stone City, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

2.3

2.3

2.42

2.48

Feb.

o 54

"

2.45

2.8

2.78

2.8

Mar.

3.05

3.1

3.18

3.45

3 Q

3.9

4 i

4.95

5.4

6 2

7.0

7.8

8.1

Q Q

8.0

7.8

7.3

8 7

Q 9.11 

11.0

11.7

10.8

9.9

8.8

8.4

7.6

7.0

6.4

5.8

Apr.

5.4

5.0

4.8

4.7

4

K

4.3

4 2

4.1

3 95

3.9

3.75

q 7

3.7

3.65

3.6

3.55

3.4

3.34

a q

3.32

3.38

4.0

3.8

3.7

3.8

3 Q

3

0

May.

3.6

3.55

3.5

Q 49

Q oe

3.35

3.42

3.55

0 Q

5

Q

6.2

6.3

7.1

7.6

7.9

8.2

7 o

7.4

6.8

6.5

5.1

4 7

4.3

4.1

4.0

4 4

June.

4.6

5.8

6.3

5 A

5 fi^

4

7c

4.45

4.2

4.05

4.0

3.8

3 7

3.6

3.6

3

K

3.45

3.4

4.35

4 9

4.4

4.7

5.5

5.4'

5.2

5.2

5.1

4 9

4.65

4.5

July.

4.4

4.2

4.1

6.5

6.8

5.6

5.05

4.8

4 2

4.4

4.3

3.8

3.7

3.55

3.65

3.6

3.6

4.1

5.2-

5.4

4.4

3.95

3.7

3.6

3.33

3.25

Aug.

3.2

3.26

3.22

3.14

3.05

3.0

2.98

2.9

2.84

2.76

2.65

2.58

2.52

 2.48

3.04

3.36

3.45

3.4

3.32

3J2

3.12

3.1

3.04

2.96

3.85

4.05

3.9

3.7

3.5

Sept.

3.33

3.2

3.12

3.06

3.02

2.95

2.92

2.9

2.86

2.86

2.82

2.75

2.72

2.8

2.73

2.71

2.72

3.0

2.98

3.6

3.6

3.35

3.15

3.02

2.9

2.82

2.9

2.8

2.8

Oct.

2.76

2.72

2.72

2.72

2.72

2.7

2.68

2.66

2.64

2.62

2.58

2.6

2.63

2.61

2.82

3.15

3.13

3.4

3.46

3.42

3.35

3.31

3.22

3.15

3.15

3.08

3.03

3.0

3.0

Nov.

2.92

2.9

2.83

2.8

3.1

3.44

3.55

3.64

3.52

3.48

3.38

3.3

3.2

3.15

3.1

3.08

3.03

3.0

2.%

2.93

2.9

2.91

2.9

2.98

3.02

3.04

3.25

3.4

5.3

Dec.

4.75

4.35

4.3

3.1

3.02

2.74

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to March 15. Also December 1-31. Gage heights are to water 

surface in a hole cut in the ice. Thickness of ice, 0.9 foot to 1.9 feet during January and February. 

Average thickness for December, 0.4 foot.
EOCK EIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN. 75

Station rating table for Wapsipinicon River at Stone City, Iowa, from January 1 to December

31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.60

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

40

60

63

78

95

115

137

162

189

218

250

286

326

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

1 4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

370

417

467

518

570

620

670

720

770

820

870

920

970

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60

5.80

6.00

6.20

6.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,-020

1,075

1,130

1,185

1,240

1,360

1,470

1,600

1,730

1,860

1,990

2,130

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.60

9.00

9.60

10.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,270

2,410

2,550

2,690

2,835

2,985

3,140

3,300

3,700

4,100

4,500

4,900

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 16 discharge measurements made during 1904-5. It is well denned between gage heights 2.7 feet and 5.7 feet. The table 

has been extended beyond these limits, being based on one measurement at 9.8 feet. Below 2.7 feet the 

table is uncertain.

Estimated monthly discharge of Wapsipinicon River at Stone City, Iowa, for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 1,308 square miles.]

Month.

March 16-31. ................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

6,740 

1,470 

3,460 

2,060 

2,410 

745 

518 

447 

539

Minimum.

1,730 

370 

394 

417 

348 

111 

165 

133 

189

Mean.

3,953 

689 

1,396 

1,044 

995 

330 

251 

235 

306

Run-ofl.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

. 3. 02 

.527 

1.07 

.798 

.761 

.252 

.192 

.180 

.234

Depth in 

inches.

1.80 

.588 

1.23 

.890 

.877 

.290 

.214 

.208 

.252

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

ROCK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OP BASIN.

Rock River rises in the southeastern part of Wisconsin, flows south and southwest, and 

enters the Mississippi just below Rock Island, 111. Its length is 286 miles. Of the total 

drainage area (10,973 square miles), 5,653 square miles are in Wisconsin and 5,320 in Illinois. 

The length of the basin is 175 miles; its greatest width is near the Wisconsin-Illinois State 

line, where for 20 miles or more it averages about 80 miles; above the boundary it averages 

40 or 50 miles in width, while below, in Illinois, it narrows rapidly.
76 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

In the upper part of its course the river flows, rather toward the eastern side of the basin, 

but near the State line it approaches the center, and finally flows decidedly near the western 

boundary of its drainage area. The total fall of the stream, distributed with comparative 

uniformity throughout its length, is 340 feet, an average of 1.2 feet per mile.

The country drained is undulating and comprises large expanses of unbroken prairie, 

groves, and extensive bodies of timber, swamp, and lake.

ROCK RIVER AT ROCKTON, ILL.

This station was established May 13, 1903. It is located at the village highway bridge, 

one-half mile from the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway station, 1 mile below the 

dam, and three-fourths of a mile below the junction of Pecatonica River with Rock River.

The channel is straight for 2,000 feet above and 1,000 feet below the station, is about 565 

feet wide between bridge abutments, and is broken by four piers. The bed of the stream 

is composed of rocks and gravel. The current is swift. There are small islands a short 

distance above and immediately below the station.

Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of the five-span highway 

bridge to which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the face of the 

abutment on the left end of the bridge.

The chain gage, which was read during 1905 by O. T. Bartholomew, is located on the first 

span from the left end of the bridge, downstream side. The length of the chain is 26.45 

feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) A hammered cross on the top 

stone of the left abutment, about 1 foot from the bridge shoe and 1 foot from the south edge; 

elevation above gage datum, 16.85 feet. (2) Top of west end of south rail of railroad track, 

250 feet north of the north end of the bridge, at a point where the sidewalk on the west 

side of the street crosses the track; elevation above gage datum, 16.49 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey, as follows:

Description: 98, pp 193, 195-196; 128, pp 31-32. 

Discharge: 98, pp 194, 196; 128, p 32. 

Discharge, monthly: 98, p 195; 328, p 34. 

Gage heights: 98, pp 194, 196; 128, p 33. 

Bating table: 98, p 195; 128, p 33.

Discharge measurements of Rock River at Rockton, IU., in 1905.

Date.

March 23......

April 29 .......

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

516

503

503

482

460

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

4,650

1,524

1,530

1,012

860

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.82

3.52

3.37

3.28

3.24

height.

Feet. 

10.37

4.42

4.44

3.20

2.88

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

17,770

5,361

5,152

3,324

2,783
ROCK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 77

Daily gage height, in feet, of Rock River at Rockton, Itt., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

4.0

3.8

A KK

3 9

3.3

3.5

3.5

4.2

4.0

4.1

3.75

3.85

4.0

3.7

3.8

3.3

3.2

3.05

3.1

3.15

3.25

3.2

3.1

3.2

3.0

3.0

Feb.

3.2

a 3. 2

3.15

3.15

3.1

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.15

3.2

3.2

3.25

3.35

3.15

3.3

3.35

3.5

3.35

3.3

3.5

3.4

3.65

Mar.

4.0

5.0

C ' A

5.8

5.7

6.4

6.2

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.3

5.2

5.0

7.1

8.2

9.2

10.2

10.8

11.4

11.4

11.0

11.0

10.9

10.7

Apr.

10.1

9 4

8 Q

8.7

Q A

7 S

7.6

7.4

7.2

6.5

6.0

5.8

5.6

C Q

4 9

4 9

4.7

4.5

4.' 5

4.45

4.35

4.1

May.

3.8

3.6

3.65

3.6

3.4

3.55

3.95

5.8

6.0

6.4

7.0

7.3

6.9

6.4

5.9

5.6

5.3

5.1

4.7

4.75

4.7

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.5

June.

4.3

4.25

4.2

4.2

4.3

4 9

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.3

5.3

5.3

5 A

5.3

5.0

4.7

4.6

4.55

4.4

4.2

July.

4.3

4.1

4.0

3.9

4.0

4.05

3.95

4.0

4.05

4.2

4.2

4.1

4.0

3.7

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.1

2.8

2.8

2.85

3.1

3.1

2.95

Aug.

3.1

3.0

3.0

2.75

2.7

2.65

2.6

2.5

2.8

2.65

2.6

2.7

3.3

3.1

2.75

2.7

2.7

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.3

3.0

2.85

Sept.

2

0

o or

3.4

3.4

.3.4

3.15

3.05

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.75

2.9

9 55

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.5

2.45

2.4

2.35

Oct.

2.3

2.05

2.2

2.2

2.15

2 2

2.15

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.05

2.1

2.05

2.05

2.2

4.1

4.3

4.0

3.85

3.6

3.45

3.4

3.35

3.2

3.2

3.05

3.05

2.95

Nov.

2.6

2.6

9 7

3.0

2.9

3.1

3.1

3.15

3.0

2.8

2.8

3.0

2.75

2.7

2.7

2.75

2.7

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.75

3.15

3.1

Dec.

3.5

3.2

3.15

3.05

3.05

3.0

3.0

3.1

2.95

2.85

2.95

2.75

2.7

2.75

9 f»

2.6

2.65

2.3

2.65

2.8

, 2.6

3.05

4.6

3.5

a Gage heights interpolated.

NOTE. Ice conditions uncertain during January and February. Partial ice conditions during 

December. Discharge applied as for open channel.

Station rating table for Rock River at Rockton, III., from January 1, 1904, to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,350

1,470

1,600

1,740

1,880

2,025

2,170

2,320

2,470

2,620

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60 i

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,775

2,935

3,105

3,280

3,455

3,635

3,815

3,995

4,180

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

4,365

4,555

4,745

4,940

5,140

5,345

5,550

5,760

5,970

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,180

6,400

6,620

6,840

7,070

7,300

7,540

7,780

8,020

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 22 discharge measurements made during 1903-5. It is well defined between gage heights 2.4 feet and 6 feet. The table has 

been extended beyond these limits, being based on one measurement at 13.32 feet. Above gage height 

5.6 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference being 250 per tenth.
78 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905,- PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Rock River at Rockton, IU.,for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 6,150 square miles.]

Month.

April ........................................

May.........................................

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

November. ..................................

Discharge In second-feet.

Maximum.

5,655 

3,905 

22,520 

19,270- 

12,270 

7,540 

5,140 

3,280 

4,272 

5,140 

3,020 

5,760

22,520

Minimum.

2,775 

2,935 

4,555 

4,745 

3,455 

4,940 

2,470 

1,952 

1,740 

1,240 

2,025 

1,740

1,240

Mean.

3,716 

3,250 

12,890 

10,050 

6,748 

6,491 

3,916 

2,538 

2,642 

2,411 

2,463 

2,722'

4,986

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.604 

.528 

2.10 

1.63 

1.10 

1.06 

.637 

.413 

.430 

.392 

.400 

.443

.811

Depth in 

inches.

0.696 

.550 

2.42 

1.82 

1.27 

1.18 

.734 

.476 

.480 

.452 

.446 

.511

11.04

a See footnote for gage height table.

ROCK RIVER AT STERLING,

This station was established January 5, 1905. It is located on the new highway bridge 

in Sterling, 111., about one-half mile below the dam of the Sterling Manufacturing Company.

The channel is straight for 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet below the station. Both banks 

are high, alluvial, and not liable to overflow. The island between the two channels is 

partly submerged at very high water, but the road grade does not overflow. The bed of 

the stream is composed of gravel, is free from vegetation, and is permanent. There are 

two channels at all stages, each broken by the piers of the bridges. The current is swift.

Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of the five-span bridge over 

the right channel and three-span structure over the left channel. The initial points for 

soundings are the inner faces of the concrete walls at the right ends of the upstream girders 

of the bridges in each channel. 

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by C. A. Staples, is placed on each 

channel. The length of the chain for the right (north) channel is 31.82 feet from the end 

of the weight to the outside edge of the ring; that for the left (south) channel is 32.10 feet. 

The gage in the right channel is referred to four bench marks as follows: (1) Extreme downstream corner of downstream wing of right abutment of bridge over right channel; elevation above gage datum, 20.78 feet. (2) Top of the girder at the gage pulley on the right 

channel; elevation above gage datum, 31.33 feet. (3) Extreme downstream corner of downstream wing of left abutment of bridge over left channel; elevation, 20.66 feet above gage 

datum. (4) Top surface of the girder at the gage pulley on the right channel; elevation, 31.11 

feet above 'gage datum. The datum of the gage on the left channel is 0.481 foot below that 

on the right channel.
EOCK EIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN. 79

Discharge measurements of Rock River (north channel) at Sterling, HI., in 1905.

Date.

April 28 .......

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna.......................

.....do............'....-.............

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

Width.

Feet. 

566

602

536

554

549

550

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

2,668

3,649

1,608

1,792

881

1,007

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.65

3.91

2.74

2.90

1.91

2.10

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

8.90

10.71

7.09

7.46

5.80

6.05

Discharge.-

Secondfeet.

7,083

14,270

4,398

5,206

1,681

2,118

a One channel blocked with ice. 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Rock River (north channel) at Sterling, III., for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

6.5

6.6

6.9

7.1

7.8

7.8

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.1

6.65

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.1

7 OK.

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.0

7.0

7.0

Feb.

7.05

7.05

7.05

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7 n<;

7.05

7 05

7.1

7.1

7 9

7.2

7.2

Mar.

7.25

7.25

9.3

10.0

9.8

9.7

9.6

9.3

9.3

9.3

9 2

8.0

7.9

7.9

7.9

7 O

8.5

9 2

11.6

11.6

9

0

9

0

9

0

10.7

10.9

11.0

11.0

10.9

10.8

10.7

10.7

Apr.

10.7

10.1

9.9

9.6

9.4

9.1

9.0

8.9

8.7

8.7

8.5

8.3

8.3

8.2

8.1

7.7

7.7

7.6

7.5

7.5

7 <;

7 f\f\

7.5

7.5

7 <;

7 <;

7 <;

7.2

7.1

7.05

May.

7.05

6.95

6.9

6.9

6.55

6.5

6.3

6.25

6.25

6.4

9.8

10.6

10.4

10.2

9.7

9 7

9 7

9 Q

8 Q

8.7

8.5

8 A

7 Si

7.2

7.1

7.0

7.0

7.05

7 n^

7.05

June.

6.95

6.95

6.9

6.9

6.9

8.7

8.6

7.8

7.8

7.8

7.9

7.7

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.45

7.7

7.6

7.4

7.45

7 9K.

7 9

7 9

7.15

7.1

7.0

fi QK

a 85

July.

6.85

6.8

6.8

6.75

6.7

6.7

6.65

6.65

6.65

6.65

6.65

6.65

6.7

6.75

6.7

6.6

6.55.

6.5

fi QK

6.2 '

6.15

6.15

6.15

6.1

5 QQ

5.96

5.97

5.9

6.1

Aug.

6.05

6.03

5.84

5.78

5.73

5.7

5.76

5.84

5.82

5.8

5.78

5.76

5.84

5.82

5.78

5.77

5.75

5.64

<> d<;

5.5

5.6

5 fi7

K 79

5.76

K. 7S

5 78

5

QA

5.91

5.91

5.9

Sept.

5.9

6.0

6.05

6.2

6.3

6.3

6.4

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.65

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.55

6.4

6.4

6.35

6.3

6.25

6.15

5.95

5.86

5.76

5.72

5.7

5.68

Oct.

5.7

5.69

5.6

5.53

5.51

5.49

5.42

5.42

5.4

5.4

5.38

5.36

5.36

5.34

5.3

5.28

5.22

5.18

5.17

5.23

6.5

6.3

6.25

6.15

6.0

6.0

Nov.

5.98

5.94

5.92

5.9

5.84

5.8

5.77

5.74

5.74

5.73

5.71

5.72

5.7

5.7

5.74

5.7

5.66

5.68

5.7

5.73

5.74

5.78

5.79

5.82

5.82

5.81

5.8

5.85

5.9

Dec.

5.93

5.98

6.05

6.05

6.1

6.05

6-1

6.1

6.1

6.0

6.0

5.98

5.98

5.98

5.94

5.92

5.81

5.81

5.8

5.78

5.76

5.72

5.72

5.74

<; 71

<; 79

5.7

5.8

5.82

5.8

NOTE. Channel frozen over January 10 to March 7.
80 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Rock River (north channel) at Sterling, IE., from January 1 to December

31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

560

710

860

1,020

1,180

1,340

1,510

1,680

1,860

2,050

2,245

2,445

2,645

. 2,850

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.10

7.20

7.30

7.40

7.50

7.60

7.70

7.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,060

3,270

3,485

3,700

3,920

4,145

4,375

4,605

4,835

5,070

5,310

5,550

5,795

6,045

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.90

8.00

8.10

8.20

8.30

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70

8.80

8.90

9.00

9.20

9.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,295

6,550

6,810

7,070

7,330

7,590

7,850

8,110

8,380

8,650

8,920

9,200

9,760

10,340

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.60

9.80

10.00

10'. 20

10.40

10.60

10.80

11.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

10,930

11,530

12,140

12,760

13,380

14,000

14, 620

15,240

11. 20 15, 860

11.40 16,480

11.60 17,100

11.80 17, 720

12. 00 18, 340

'Hie above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on five discharge measurements made during 1905. It is well defined between gage heights 5.8 feet and 10.7 feet. This station is 

very accurately rated for 1905.

Discharge measurements of Rock River (south channel) at Sterling, III., in 1905.

Date.

March 11 ......

March 24 ......

April 28 .......

June 16........

Hydrographer.

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

286

300

290

284

272

278

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

1,534

2,186

1,020

1,068

589

635

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.38

3.63

2.67

2.89

2.21

2.01

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

9.13

10.98

7.28

7.59

5.76

6.04

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

3,645

7,934

2,723

3,087

1,300

1,274
ROCK RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 81

Daily gage height, in feet, of Rock River (south channel) at Sterling, JU.,for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

6 4

6.4

6 9

6.6

7.1

7.1

7.1

7.15

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.0

6.75

6.75

6.7

6.8

6.8

6.6

6.6

6.6

Feb.

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.5

6.45

6.5

6.5

6.3

6.15

6.1

6.9

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.05

6.05

6.05

6.1

6.1

6.1

7.05

7.2

7.2

Mar.

7.25

7.25

9.3

10.0

10.5

10.5

9 0

9 0

9 0

o n

o n

8.4

8.4

8.2

8.5

9.3

11.8

n

o

10.8

10.6

11.4

H o

11.3

11.2

11.2

11.0

10.9

11.0

Apr.

10.9

10.3

10.1

9

0

9 6

9 4

9

0

9

0

9 0

9 0

8.8

8.6

8.6

8.5

8.4

7 9

7 9

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.7 '

7.7

7.7

7.7

7.7

7.7

7.7

7.4

7 ^

7 9^

May

7.25

7 1

7.0

7.0

10 9

10.8

10.6

9.9

9.9

9 9

9.5

9.0

8 9

8.6

8.2

8.0

7 f\f\

7 ^

7 d^

7.4

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.0

June.

7.05

6.8

6.75

6.8

8.85

8.6

7 t\

7 4^

7 4^

7.6

7 7.8ft

8.0

7 Q

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.6

7.6

7.6

7.55

7.4

7.4

7 ^

7 9^

7.2

7.1

7.05

7.0

6

QC

July.

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.85

6.8

6.75

6.75

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

fi7 b.7

6.8

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.5

6 OK

6.15

6.15

6.15

6.15

6.1

5.95

5.95

5.95

5.85

Aug.

6.0

5.98

5.81

5.78

5.72

5.7

5.76

5.84

5.82

5.8

5.78

5.72

5.76

5.77

5.74

5.7

5.68

5.59

5.54

5.61

5.7

5.75

5.79

5.82

5.9

5.92

5.98

6.0

6.0

6.0

Sept.

6.0

6.1

6.05

6.2

6.4

6.7

6.7

6.65

6.65

6.65

6.6

6.55

6.5

6.45

6.4

6.35

fi 9

6.05

5.97

5.9

5.82

5.74

5.7

5.68

5.66

Oct.

5.67

5.66

5.58

5.51

5.49

5.45

5.37

5.35

5.33

5.32

5.32

5.3

5.31

5.3

5.15

4.95

4.85

4.85

5. 19

5.28

6.3

6.5

6.5

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.25

6.15

5.98

5.95

Nov.

5.95

5.9

5.88

5.85

5.82

5.78

5.72

5.7

5.72

5.7

5.68

5.7

5.69

5.68

5.7

5.65

5.6

5.62

5.65

5.65

5.68

5.7

5.72

5.72

5.72

5.72

5.94

5.97

Dec.

6.0'

6.05

6.15

6.15

6.15

6.2

6.2

6.2

6.2

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.05

6.05

6.0

5.95

5.9

5.88

5.84

5.83

5.9

5.89

5.9

5.88

5.86

. 5.95

5.96

5.96

NOTE. Channel frozen over January 15 to March 7. 

IBR 171 06 6
82 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Rock River (south channel) at Sterling, IH.,from January 1 to

December 31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

600

670

745

820

895

975

1,055

1,140

1,225

1,310

1,400

1,490

1,585

1,680

1,775

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.10

7.20

7.30

7.40

7.50

7.60

7.70

7.80

7.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,875

1,975

2,075

2,180

2,290

2,400

2,510

2,620

2,730

2,850

2,970

3,090

3,210

3,340

3,470

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.00

8.10

8.20

8.30

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70

8.80

8.. 90

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,600

3,730

3,860

3,990

4,120

4,250

4,380

4,510

4,640

4,780

4,920

5,200

5,480

5,780

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.80

10.00

10.20

10.40

10.60

10.80

11.00

11.20

11.40

11.60

11.80

12.00

12.20

12.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,080

6,400

6,720

7,040

7,360

7,680

8,000

8,320

8,640

8,960

9,280

9,600

9,930

10,270

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions. It is based on five discharge measurements made during 1905. It is well denned between gage heights 5,7 feet and 11 feet. This station is 

very accurately rated for 1905.

Estimated monthly discharge of Rock River a at Sterling, HI., for 1905.

Discharge in second-feet.

March 8-31. . ........................................................

April .................................. . . ..... ...............

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

December. ............. . . .........

Maximum.

26,380

22,150

21,840

13,090

6,100

3,548

5,560

4,935

3,367

3,830

Minimum.

10, 155

6,935

4,225

6,048

3,128

2,107

' 2,582

1,160

2,497

2,786

Mean.

18,010

11, 570

10,340

8,043

, 4,892

2,861

4,167

2,614

2,820

3,265

a North and south channels combined. 

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

IOWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Iowa River rises in north-central Iowa, flows in a southeasterly direction, and joins the 

Mississippi about 30 miles above Burlington. Its chief tributary is Cedar River, which 

rises in Minnesota and flows into the Iowa about 50 miles above the mouth of the latter. 

The total drainage area of the Iowa is 12,410 square miles, 4,470 square miles of this being 

tributary to it above its junction with Cedar River at Columbus Junction. Cedar River 

drains 7,597 square miles above its union with Iowa River.

The chief power plants in the Iowa basin are at Iowa City, Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, 

Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, and from the standpoint of power development the Iowa 

River system is important.
IOWA EIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN. 83

IOWA RIVER AT IOWA CITY, IOWA.

This station was established June 1, 1903. It is located on the county bridge, directly 

west of the university grounds.

The channel is straight for about 1,600 feet above and below the station, is 316 feet 

wide between abutments, and is broken by one pier. The bed of the stream is of soft 

material, except near the bridge pier, and is slightly shifting. The right bank is high, 

somewhat rocky, and is not liable to overflow; the left does not overflow, owing to the 

road embankment. Both banks are covered with willows above ordinary high-water 

mark, which interfere with flood measurements. The current is moderately swift.

Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of the two-span highway 

bridge at the foot of Burlington street, about 1,000 feet below the bridge at which the gage 

is located. The bridge is not quite at. right angles to the direction of the current. The 

initial point for soundings is the inner face of the right abutment, at the west end of the 

bridge, and is marked zero on the bridge floor.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Arthur G. Smith, was substituted on September 15, 1903, for the gage installed at the time of the establishment of the 

station, the length of chain being the same, 24.43 feet. On June 8, 1904, the length of the 

chain was changed to 26.48 feet, the gage datum remaining the same. The gage is referred 

to bench marks as follows: (1) Nail driven into base of an elm tree standing 16 feet 

northwest of bridge on which gage is located; elevation, 18.96 feet above gage datum, 

61.01 feet above city datum, and 668.35 feet above sea level. (2) On the top stone just 

north of and against the northwest railing post of the bridge at which the gage is located; 

elevation, 22.67 feet above gage datum, 64.72 feet above city datum, and 672.06 feet 

above sea level. The city bench mark used for reference is on the north side of the base 

of a maple tree, one block east and one block and 40 feet south of the bridge at which the 

gage is located; elevation, 22.53 feet above gage datum, 64.58 feet above city datum, and 

671.92 feet above sea level. The elevation above seS, level was obtained from the levels 

of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. The bottom of the top handrail just 

above the pulley center has an elevation of 26.73 feet above gage datum.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 99, pp 24-25; 130, p 59. 

Discharge: 99, p 25; 130, p 60. 

Discharge: monthly: 99, p 27; 130, p 61. 

Gage heights: 99, pp 25-26; 130, p 60. 

Rating table: 99, p 26; 130, p 61.

Discharge measurements of Iowa River at Iowa City, Iowa, in 1905.

Date.

April 20 .......

May 22 ........

June 21 ........

July 17........

Hydrographer.

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

F. W. Hanna. ......................

F. W. Hanna. ......................

Width.

Feet. 

314

192

307

206

193

179

180

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

2,456

895

2,508

1,239

1,040

809

737

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.59

1.31

2.78

1.98

1.53

1.03

.88

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.47

.82

6.81

2.35

1.10

.15

- .28

 Discharge.

Secondfeet.

6,372

1,176

6,982

2,458

1,590

833

646
84 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Iowa River at Iowa City, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

-1.4

-1.1

-1.2

-1.1

Feb.

-0.9

 1 1

- .9

- .4

Mar.

0.5

1.35

3.5

2.7

1.9

1.6

1.65

2.7

4.4

4.4

4.9

4.4

3.2

2.7

3.35

3.8

6.3

3.8'

4.6

5.6

6.1

5.1

4.8

4.0

Apr.

2.95

2.8

2.3

2.3

2.25

2.25

1.95

1.8

1 tt

1 3£

QC

.85

.8

2.1

1.6

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.95

1.7

1.6

1.45

May.

1.35

1.2

1.1

.9

.8

.65

.5

.55

.85

4.4

6.2

6.4

6.4

7.1

6.8

6.3

6.0

6.4

6.6

6.8

6.8

7.4

8 n

7.8

7.1

6.0

.4.8

4 4

June.

4.1

3.8

3.6

3.5

3.15

2.9

2.6

2.25

2.15

7.6

5.4

4.7

4.8

2.3

2.5

2.15

2.25

1.55

1.35

1.2

1.0

July.

3.6V

2.05

1.8

2.65

2.9

2.8

2.65

2.45

2.4

2.35

1.9

2.0

1,45

1.25

1.2

1.15

1.15

.9

1.15

2.6

3.0

2.9

2.15

1.5

1.15

.95

.85

T65

.5

Aug.

0.35

.45

.45

.15

.2

.25

.2

.15

.1

.0

- .1

- .3

- .4

- .4

- .2

- .35

'.0

 45

- .2

.0

C

.4

.0

- .2

Sept.

-0.35

- .4

- .6

- .65

- .7

- .8

- .8

- .75

- .85

- .85

- .8

- .8

-1.0

-1.1

- .85

- .95

- .9

- .9

- .2

- .3

.1

4

.05

or

- .5

- .6

- .7

- .7

Oct.

-0.95

- .95

- .9

- .9

-1.0

- .95

- .9

-1.1

-1.05

-1.05

-1.0

-1.3

-1.05

- .8

- .75

- .5

- .2

2.05

1.75

1.5

1.4

1.0

.7

.6

.2

.1

.1

.0

_ j

.0

.0

Nov.

-0.05

- .05

.0 *.o

.1

1.0

1.5

2.05

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.1

1.1

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.5

.5

.5

.3

.3

.6

.7

.8

.8

1.5

1.0

.8

Dec.

0.9

.5

.5

- .2

.0

.5

.6

1.0

.8

1.3

.5

.8

.7

.6

.5

.3

.0

- .1

.0

.2

- .3

.3

- .2

- .7

.1

a- .2

- .3

- .2

.0

.0

o Gage height interpolated.

NOTE. River frozen January 1 to February 28, approximately. Gage heights are to water surface 

in a hole cut in the ice. The following comparative readings were also made:

Date. Water 

surface.

Feet. 

-1.4

-1.1

-1.2

-1.1

- .9

-1.1

- .9

Top of 

ice.

Feet. 

-1.3

-1.05

-1.2

-1.0

- .7

-1.0

- .7

Thickness of 

ice.

Feet. 

0.7

.6

.8

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.2

Partial ice conditions during December.
IOWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 85

Station rating table far Iowa River at Iowa City, Iowa, from January 1 to December 31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

-1.50

-1.40

-1.30

-1.20

-1.10

-1.00

-0.90

-0.80

-0.70

-0.60

-0.50

-0.40

-0.30

-0.20

-0.10

0.00

0.10

0.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

230

252

276

302

330

360

392

426

462

499

538

579

622

666

712

760

. 810

862

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.30

0.40

0/50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

916

971

1,028

1,087

1,148

1,210

1,274

1,340

1,410

1,480

1,550

1,620

1,690

1,760

1,830

1,900

1,970

2,040

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.20

2.40

2.60

2.80

3.00

3.20

3.40

3.60

3.80

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80

5.00

5.50

6.00

6.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,190

2,350

2,520

2,700

2,890

o,080

3,270

3,460

3,650

3,840

4,030

4,220

4,410

4,600

4,800

5,350

5,900

6,500

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.00

7.50

8.00

8.50

d.OO

9.50

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

12.50

13.00

13.50

14.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7,150

7,820

8,540

9,290

10,040

10,800

11,600

12,400

13,220

14,070

14,920

15,770

16,640

17,540

18,440

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 25 discharge measurements made during 1903-1905. It is well defined between gage heights -1.5 feet and +2.4 feet. The 

table has been extended beyond these limits, being based on three measurements near 7 feet and one 

near 14 feet gage height.

Estimated monthly discharge of Iowa River at Iowa City, Iowa, for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 3,317 square miles.]

Month.

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

December.... ....... . ... ....... ..... ...

Maximum.

6,500

3,128

8,540

7,960

3,460

1,028

1,028

2,078

2,078

1,550

Minimum.

1,028

1,210

1,028

1,340

1,028

558

330

276

538

462

Mean.

3,695

1 Q73

4,710

2,916

' 2,013

793

532

743

1,229

902

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

1.11

.595

1.42

.879

.607

.239

.160

.224

.371

.272

Depth in 

inches.

1.28

.664

1.64

.981

.700

.276

.178

.258

.414

.314

NOTE. No estimate for January and February. Discharge for December applied as for open channel.
86 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PAET VII.

CEDAR RIVER AT CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

Cedar River, called also, in part of its course, Red Cedar River, rises in the southwestern 

part of Dodge County, Minn., flows southeastward across eastern Iowa to the northern 

part of Muscatine County, then turns abruptly to the southwest, and joins Iowa River 

in northern Louisa County.

The gaging station was established October 26, 1902. It is located at Cedar Rapids, 

Iowa, about 50 miles above the mouth of £he river, and is near the city gas works and 

the plant of the Iowa Windmill and Pump Company.

The channel is straight for 800 feet above and below the station, is regular in cross 

section, and is about 400 feet wide. The right bank is high and will overflow at extreme 

stages only: the left is an earth embankment and will seldom overflow. At' the First 

Avenue Bridge the channel is straight both above and below for several hundred feet, and 

is divided into five parts by the five-span Pratt truss bridge, its length between abutments 

being 714 feet. The banks are high and not liable to overflow. The bed of the stream 

is of rock and gravel and is permanent. The current is strong and direct.

Discharge measurements were originally made from a cable and car at a point just above 

the gage. At low stages the discharge at the cable station can be measured by wading. 

Since 1903 discharge measurements have been made from the upstream side of the First 

Avenue Bridge, about one-half mile upstream from the gage. The initial point for soundings is the inner upstream face of the left abutment. For the purpose of comparing soundings, the distance of the water surface below the top surface of the downstream hand rail 

at a point 1 foot west of the nineteenth hand rail post from the left abutment is measured.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by R. S. Toogood, consists of an inclined timber, 

graduated to read to vertical tenths and half-tenths feet. It is fastened to the right bank 

by posts set in the ground. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) A city 

bench mark at Williams & Hunting's office, on the north corner of Fifth avenue and West 

First street, marked by a triangle on the stone just north of the first iron post from the 

corner of the building; elevation above sea level, as determined by the city of Cedar Rapids 

from the level of the Northwestern Railway, 746.6 feet; elevation above gage datum, 23.57 

feet. (2) Bolt driven into masonry foundation of east face of Iowa Windmill and Pump 

Company's building, on west bank of river, just north of Seventh avenue; elevation above 

sea level, 740.05 feet; elevation.above gage datum, 17.02 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 99, pp 21-22; 130, p 62. 

Discharge: 99, p 22; 130, p 63. 

Discharge, monthly: 99, p 24; 130, p 64. 

Gage heights: 99, p 23; 130, p 63. 

Rating table: 99, p 23; 130, p 64.

Discharge measurements of Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1905.

Date.

March 25. ...... 

April 27.. ......

May 23........

June 22........

July 18.........

Hydrographer.

M. S. Brennan.. .................... 

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

F. W. Hanna .......................

F. W. Hanna. ......................

Width.

Feet. 

643 

595

621

632

599

568

566

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

3,775 

1,395

2,778

2,656

1,596

1,127

1,086

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

3.94 

2.04

3.54

3.32

2.18

1.49

1.28

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.09 

3.95

5.80

5.58

4.05

3.45

3.31

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

14,860 

2,845

9,820

8,806

3,473

' 1,680

1,393
IOWA RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 87 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan.

3.0

3.0

3.4

3.2

3.25

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.3

3.4

3.3

3.35

3.3

3.25

3.4

3.3

3.35

3 4

3.45

3.4

3.45

3.4

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.35

3.4

3.4

3.45 

3.45

Feb.

3.45

3.5

3.6

3.45

3.45

3.5

3.55

3.55

3.6

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.55

3.6

3.55

3.6

3.7

3.75

3.75

3.7

3.65

3.65

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.55

Mar.

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.6

4.05

3.95

4.2

4.85

5.3

6.2

7.0

6

0

H 7

5.4

5.15

5.4

5.8

6.4

6.7

7.4

8.3

9.0

8.2

7.0

6.4

6.0

5.8

5.6

5.4

5.1

Apr.

4.9

4.7

4.65

4.55

4.45

4.45

4.5

4.5

4.4

4.35

4

0

4.2

4.1

4.0

S Q

S Q

3.85

3.8

3.85

3.8

3.95

4 05

4.0

4.0

3.95

3.95

3.95

3.9

3.85

3.8

May.

3.75

3.7

3.75

3.7

3.65

3.6

3.55

3.5

3.55

3.6

H 9

n n

5 A

x* 7

6.3

7.0

7.8

7 9

7.1

6.4

5.8

5.4

5.1

4.9

4.7

4.65

4.65

4.6 

4.8

June.

5.1

5.6

5.5

5.2

4.9

4.65

4.45

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.55

4.8

4.7

5.1

5.2

5.5

5.6

5.8

5.7

5.4

4.8

4.5

4.3

4.15

4.15

July.

4.05

4.35

4.6

4.7

4.8

5.0

5.4

5.4

5.3

5.1

4 Q

4.7

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.05

3.95

4.65

4.7

4.4

4.2

4.05

3.9

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.75

3.7 

3.65

Aug.

3.65

3.65

3.55

S 7

3.6

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.45

3.4

3.4

3 A

3.35

 ? 4

3.45

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.35

3.3

3.35

3.6

3.7

3.65

3.55

3.5 

3.45

Sept.

3.45

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.2

s 9

3.2

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

a. 35

3.65

3.65

3.5

3.45

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.3

3.25

3.25

Oct.

3.25

3.2

3.2

3.15

3.15

3.15

3.15

3.1

3.1

3.05

3.05

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.25

3.4

3.4

3.65

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3-55

3.55

3.5

3.45

3.4

3.4

3.35 

3.3

Nov.

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.65

3.9

3.8

3.7

3.65

3.65

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.45

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.45

3-45

3.65

3.85

3.6

Dec.

3.2

3.15

3.0

2.9

2.9

3.0

3.2-

3.55

3.>7-

3.65

3.5

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.25

3.2

3.15

3.2

3.25

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.2

3.25

3.2

3.2 

3.1

NOTE. River frozen part way across January 1 toMarch 9, inclusive, also December 1-31.

Station rating table for Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from January 1 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

aso

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

400

4.10

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

880

1,050

1,230

1,425

1,635

1,855

2,090

2,335

2,595

2,875

3,170

3,490

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.20

430

440

450

4.60

470

480

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

3,820

4,150

4,490

4,840

5,190

5,550

5,920

6,290

6,670

7,050

7,430

7,810

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

8,190

8,570

8,950

9,340

9,730

10,120

10,510

11, 310

12, 110

12,910

13, 710

14, 510

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

15,330

16, 150

16,970

17,790

18, 610

19,450

20,290

21,130

21,970

22,810

23, 670

24,530

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions It is based on 26 discharge measurements made during 1902-1905. It is well defined between gage heights 3 feet and 7,2 feet.
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Ioiva,for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 6,317 square miles.]

Month.

April ........................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum

22,810 

6,290 

18,200 

9,730 

8,190 

2,335 

2,212 

2,212 

2,875

Minimum.

7,050 

2,595 

1,855 

3,330 

2,212 

1,425 

1,230 

965 

1,425

Mean.

12,210 

3,702 

7,030 

6,002 

4,585 

1,819 

1,479 

1,453 

1,908

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

1.93 

.586 

1.11 

.950 

.726 

.288 

.234 

.230 

.302

Depth in 

inches.

1.58 

.654 

1.28 

1.06 

.837 

.332 

.261 

.265 

.337

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

RED CEDAR RIVER AT JAKES VILLE, IOWA.

This station was established April 26,1905. It is located on the Illinois Central Railroad 

bridge at Janesville, Iowa, about one-fourth mile below the highway bridge.

The channel is straight for 1,000 feet above and below the station. Both banks are high, 

clean, and not subject to overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel and is 

permanent. The current is swift. Two old piers, which have been torn down, may cause 

some inaccuracy in measurements at very low water, but there are several good sectionsnear by where measurements can be. made by wading.

Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of the two-span highway bridge 

to which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the inner upstream face 

of the left abutment.

A standard chain gage, which was read once each day during 1905 by J. E. Davis, is 

fastened to the upstream side of the left span of the bridge, 150 feet from the left abutment. 

The length of the chain from the end of the weight to the last copper link is 25.77 feet. 

The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) A cross on the east end of the northeast 

coping of the east abutment; elevation above gage datum, 24.30 feet. (2) Center of the 

gage pulley; elevation above zero of gage, 25.57 feet.

Discharge measurements of Bed Cedar River at Janesville, Iowa, in 1905.

Date.

April 26. .......

May 24.........

July 19. ........

October 29.....

Hy drogr apher .

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

Width.

Feet. 

150

178

O1 Q

183

153

155

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

210

419

529

199

203

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.49

2.94

3.36

1.91

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.14

2.35

5.50

3.00

1.02

1.03

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

522

1,230

3,358

1,775

397

388
IOWA B1VEK DKAINAGE BASIN. 89

Daily gage height, in feet, of Red Cedar River at Janesvitte, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

I..........................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr.

........

=

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

May.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

1.1

2.3

.' 4.2

2.4

2.4

3.9

5.6

7.6

6.5

4.9

4.0

3.4

2.9

2.6

2.3

2.2

2.0

1.9

1.8

2.4

2.3

2.9

June.

2.6

2.5

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.8

3.1

3.9

3.7

3.9

2.8

2.6

3.4

5.3

6.3

6.7

6.2

4.7

3.5

2.8

2.4

2.'1

1.9

1.8

1.8

July.

2.3

2.6

2.3

3.5

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.6

3.9

3.4

2.9

2.5

2.4

2.1

2 0

2.0

1.8-

1.6

3.2

2.0

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

. 1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

Aug.

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

' 1.1

1.1

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.2

1.7

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

Sept.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Oct.

1.0 i.o1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

.9

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

.9

Nov.

0.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.0

Dec.

2.7

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.1

2.8

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.1

1.9

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.5

1.5

NOTE. River frozen entirely across during December.

Station rating table for Red Cedar River at Janesville, Iowa, from April 26 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

 

Feet.

0.50

0.60*

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

180

210

245

285

330

380

435

495

555

615

675

740

805

870

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

935

1,000

1,065

1,130

1,195

1,260

1,325

1,390

1,460

1,530

1,600

1,670

1,740

1,810

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80

5.00

5.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,880

1,950

2,020

2,090

2,160

2,230

2,300

2,370

2,520

2,670

2,820

2,970

3,120

3,270

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.40

5.60

5.80

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,420

3,570

3,720

3,870

4,030

4,190

4,350

4,510

4,670

4,830

4,990

5,150

5,310

5,470

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on six discharge measurements made during 1905. It is fairly well defined between gage heights 1 foot and 3 feet. The table 

has been extended beyond these limits. Below 1 foot and above 4 feet the table is very uncertain.
90 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PAET VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Red Cedar River at Janesvitte, Iowa, for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 1,840 square miles.]

Month.

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

5,150 

4,430 

2,300 

805 

495 

495 

555

Minimum.

330 

615 

495 

380 

380 

330 

330

Mean.

1,434 

1,694 

1,199 

503 

410 

397 

402

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.779 

.921 

.652 

.273 

.223 

.216 

.218

Depth in 

inches.

0.898 

1.03 

.752 

.315 

.249 

.249 

.243

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

DES MOINES RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN.

Des Moines Kiver rises in the southern part of Minnesota, flows to the south and southeast, and enters the Mississippi near Keokuk, Iowa. Its principal tributary is Kaccoon 

Kiver, which joins it at the city of Des Moines. The total drainage area of the Des Moines 

is 14,720 square miles. Above the mouth of the Kaccoon its drainage area is 6,462 miles, 

while that of the Raccoon at its confluence with the Des Moines is 3,677 square miles.

The Des Moines is the largest stream in the State of Iowa and affords numerous opportunities for the development of water power. It is the natural recipient of the sewage of 

many towns.

BBS MOINES RIVER AT FORT DODGE, IOWA.

This station was established April 22,1905. It is located at the "Swede Town" bridge, 

the only highway bridge in Fort Dodge.

The channel is straight for 1,000 feet above and below the station. Both banks are 

fairly high, clean, and do not overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of sand, gravel, 

and mud, is free from vegetation, and is permanent. The current is fairly swift.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the two-span bridge to 

which the gage is fastened. The initial point for soundings is the downstream inner face 

of the right abutment.*

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Andrew J. Moe, is attached to the 

floor of the downstream footway of the bridge. The length of the chain from the end of 

the weight to the last copper link is 35.72 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as 

follows: (1) A painted line on the west abutment; elevation, 9.11 feet. (2) Floor of the 

bridge at the initial point for soundings; elevation, 35.54 feet. (3) Center of pulley of 

gage; elevation, 35.54 feet. All elevations are above datum of gage.

Discharge measurements of Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1905.

Date.

April 22. .......

May 24........

July 19.........

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna..... ..................

F.W.Hanna. ......................

Width.

Feet. 

266

276

250

276

260

255

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

948

1,462

727

1,277

830

754

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.00

3.00

1.59

2.89

1.86

1.64

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.10

5.81

3.40

5.36

3.80

3.48

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

1,895

4,388

1,147

3,692

1,545

1,238
DES MOINES EIVEE DBAINAGE BASIN. 91

Daily gage height, infect, of Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

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

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

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

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

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

May.

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.9

2.8

2.9

2.9

3.4

3.8

4.9

4.9

5.7

6.0

6.6

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.8

6

Q

6.2

5.9

5.7

5.45

5.3

5.2

6.2

6.3

6.3

June.

6.6

6.7

6.4

6.2

5.9

5.8

5.5

5.2

4.9

4.65

4.55

4.5

4.35

4.1

4.0

3.8

3.6

as

3.6

4.0

4.2

3 Q

o o

3.55

3.5

3.35

3.3

3.5

3.7

July.

3.95

4.3

4.55

4.55

4.7

4.9

5.0

5.1

5.45

5.75

6.0

6.2

6.2

6.1

6.0

5.8

5.65

5.55

5.45

5.2.

5.1

5.0

4.85

4.75

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.25

Aug.

4.05

4.35

4.1

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.6

3.45

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.15

3.1

3.05

3.05

3.0 "

3.0

2.95

2.9

3.75

3.5

3.5

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.5

Sept.

3.3

3.1

2 9

2.85

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.55

2.55

2.5

2.45

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.8

3.05

3.5

4.05

4 45

4 9

5.0

4.85

4.6

4.2

Oct.

3.9

3.7

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.25

3.2

3.05

3.0

3.05

2.95

2.85

2.85

2.9

3.15

3.1

3.15

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.35

3,3

«3.2

3.1

Nov.

3.05

3.0

2.95

2.95

3.1

3.4

3.9

4.15

4.25

4.3

4.4

4.4

4.35

4.3

4.25

4.1

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.7 '

3.6

3.5

3.45

. 3.7

3.85

4.0

4.15

4.35

4.45

3.85

Dec.

3.7

4.05

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.95

3.95

4.0

3.9

3.85

3.95

3.9

4.8

a Gage heights interpolated.

Station rating table for Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, Iowa, from April 23 to December

31, 1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

a40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

430

490

550

615

685

755

830

905

985

1,070

1,160

Gage 

height

Feet.

3.50

aeo

3.70

3.80

ago

400

*410

4.20

430

440

450

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,255

1,350

1,450

1,555

1,665

1,780

1,895

2,015

2,140

2,270

2,405

Gage 

height.

Feet.

460

470

4.80

490

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,545

2,690

2,835

2,985

3,140

3,295

3,450

3,605

3,760

3,915

4,070

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

4,225

4,380

4,535

4,690

5,010

5,350

5,710

6,080

6,460

6,840

7,220

The above table is applicable only for open channel conditions.

urements rements made during 1905. It is well defined between gage heights 3.4 feet and 5.8 feet.

has been extended beyond these limits.

It is based on six discharge measThe table
92 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge ofDes Moines River at Fort Dodge, Iowa, for 1905.

Month.

April 23-30.... .................. . ..... .... . . ....... .........

May.................................................................

July.................................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,780 

6,460 

5,890 

5,010 

2,205 

3,140 

1,665 

2,338 

2,835

Minimum.

985 

685 

1,070 

1,722 

755 

430 

720 

792 

1,450

Mean.

1,289 

3,428 

2,553 

3,321 

1,237 

1,066 

1,081 

1,642 

1,763

DES MOINES RIVER AT DES MOINES, IOWA.

This station was established May 24, 1905. It is located at the Interurban Bridge at 

De's Moines, Iowa, near the suburb of Highland Park.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and below the station. Both banks are fairly 

high, wooded, and overflow during floods. The bed of the stream is composed of sand and 

silt and is slightly shifting. There is but one channel at all stages, broken by the piers of 

the bridge, all the water passing between the abutments. The current is moderately swift.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the three-span bridge, 

with trestle at both ends, to which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings 

is the inner face of the left trestle abutment.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Frank Peterson, is fastened to the 

binding tie of the downstream side of the bridge. The length of the chain from the end of 

the weight to-the marker is 30.30 feet. August 8 a new chain gage was installed. It was 

located in the same place as the old gage. The chain length was increased to 30.70 feet, 

the gage datum remaining the same. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) 

Top surface of south side of tubular pier at left end of bridge; elevation above gage datum, 

24.44 feet. (2) The rail base opposite the gage pulley; elevation above gage datum, 29.74 

feet.

Discharge measurements o/ Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa, in 1905

Date.

July 20. ........

Hydrographer.

F. W.Hanna................ ....... .

.....do..... .........................

F. W. Hanna. .......................

Width.

Feet. 

278

262

283

204

279

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

2,275

1,905

2,238

1,704

1,393

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.48

2.22

2.32

1.20

.76

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

8.50

7.40

8.30

6.50

5.57

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

5,653

4,227

5,201

2,048

1,064
DES MOINES RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 93

Daily gage height, in feet, of Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

1. ..................................

2...................................

3...................................

4...................................

5........................:..........

6...................................

7...................................

8...................................

9.........:.........................

10...................................

11...................................

12...................................

13...................................

14...................................

15...................................

16...................................

17...................................

18...................................

19...................................

20...................................

21 ...................................

22...................................

23...................................

24...................................

25...................................

26...................................

27...................................

28...................................

29...................................

30...................................

31...................................

May.

8.15

8.15

8.1

8.6

9.6

June.

9.6

10.15

9.85

9.75

9.45

9.05

8.8

8.35

9.5

8.25

7.5

7.3

7.2

6.85

6.7

6.7

6 4

6 4

6.7

6.4

6.3

6.25

6.15

6.0

9.6

7.05

July.

7.2

7.4

7.45

7.3

7.4

7.25

7.3

7.9

7.95

7.7

7.9

8.0

8.1

9.5

8.9

8.95

8.7

8 9

8.7

8.1

7.9

7.3

7.25

7.1

7.15

7.1

7.05

6.9

6.9

6.85

Aug.

6.7

6.5

7.25

7.1

6.75

6.5

6.4

6.4

6.3

6.15

6.15

6.0

5.95

5.95

5.9

6.1

6.1

6.0

5.9

5.9

5.95

6.0

6.2

6.1

6.05

6.1

6.05

6.0

Sept.

6.0

5.95

5.95

6.0

5.9

5.7

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.3

5.4

6.0

6.0

5.8

5.7

5.95

6.0

6.2

6.25

6.4

7.1

6.9

Oct.

&7

6.7

6.25

6.2

6.0

6.0

5.95

5.8

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.65

5.65

5.7

5.9

6.0

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.35

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.3

6.4

6.2

6.2

6.4

6.2

5.9

Nov.

6.0

5.9

5.9

5.9

6.0

6.1

6.0

6.4

6.7

6.8

6.8

6.9

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.9

6.8

6.75

6.5

6.-4

6.35

6.4

6.7

6.7

6.8

6.9

6.9

7.0

7.4

Dec.

7.7

7.7

7.2

6.9

7.0

7.3

7.5

8.3

8.7

8.5

8.3

8.1

8.1

8.0

7.7

NOTE. Ice conditions during December.

Station rating table for Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa, from May 27 te December

31,1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

510

595

685

780

880

980

1,085

1,195

1,310

1,430

1,555

1,680

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.10

7.20

7.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,810

1,950

2,095

2,245

2,400

2,555

2,715

2,875

3,040

3,205

3,370

3,540

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.40

7.50

7.60

7.70

7.80

7.90

8.00

8.10'

8.20

8.30

8.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,710

3,880

4,050

4,220

4,390

4,570

4,750

4,930

5,110

5,290

5,470

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.50

8.60

8.70

8.80

8.90

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

10.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,650

5,830

6,020

6,210

6,400

6,590

6,970

7,350

7,730

8,110

8,500

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on five discharge measurements made during 1905. It is not well defined. The channel here is shifting and later measurements 

may plot on a different curve. This table is not very satisfactory, as the three lower measurements 

are not consistent.
94 STEEAM MEASUEEMENTS IN 1905, PAET VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa, for 1905. 

[Drainage area, 6,462 square miles.]

Month.

t

May 27-31 ...................................

July .........................................

Discharge in second -feet.

Maximum.

7,730 

8,800 

7,540 

3,455 

3,205 

2,555 

3,040

Minimum.

4,930 

1,555 

2,795 

1,430 

685 

1,140 

1,430

Mean.

5,706 

4,340 

4,313 

1,885 

1,350 

1,761 

2,486

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.883 

.672 

.667 

.292 

.209 

.273 

.385

Depth in 

inches.

0.164 

.750 

.769 

.337 

.233 

.315 

.415

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

DES MOINES RIVER AT KKOSATJQTJA, IOWA.

This station was established May .30, 1903. It is located on the county bridge onefourth mile above the old dam site and Government locks.

The channel is straight for 1,000 feet above and below the station and has a width between 

abutments of 614 feet, broken by three bridge piers. The right bank is high and rocky 

and is not subject to overflow; the low alluvial bank on the left side is subject to overflow 

at extremely high stages. The bed of the stream is regular in shape and is composed of 

sand and gravel on the left and of rock on the right side. A slight shifting of the sand 

occurs at flood stages. The current is swift. The stream is divided into four channels by 

the bridge piers.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the bridge, to which the 

gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the edge of the west abutment and is 

marked zero on the hand rail at the left bank.

The standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by Oscar McCrary, is so located 

that the zero of its scale is 1 foot to the left of the sixth strut from the right end of the 

second span from the right end of the bridge. The length of the chain from the end of the 

weight to the marker is 36.80 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) A 

cross on the bridge-seat stone at the northeast corner of the right abutment of the bridge; 

elevation above gage datum, 30.11 feet; above sea level, as determined from the Iowa 

Geological Survey bench mark in front of the Keosauqua railroad station, 617.06 feet. 

(2) A spike driven into a blazed place near the base of an oak tree on the north side of the 

road about 100 feet from the bridge; elevation above sea level, 619.83 feet; above gage 

datum, 32.88 feet. (3) Notch chiseled into a rock cliff on the right bank of the river south 

of the road leading across the highway bridge at a distance of 120 feet from the east end 

of the bridge; elevation above gage datum, 36.25 feet. (4) On the top of the guard rail, 

2 feet east of the zero of the gage; elevation above gage datum, 36.80 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 99, p 29; 130, pp 65-66. 

Discharge: 99, p 29; 130, p 36. 

Discharge, monthly: 99, p 31; 130, p 37. 

Gage heights: 99, p 30; 130, p 36. 

Rating table: 99, p 30; 130, p 37.
DE8 MOINES EIVEE DKAINAGE BASIIST. 95

Discharge measurements of Des Moines River at Keosauqua, Iowa, in 1905.

Date.

March 27.......

July 21.........

October 26. ....

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna. ......................

S. K. Clapp ........-...............:

.....do...............................

Width.

Feet. 

590

580

588

588

577

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

3,494

2,034

4,500

2,415

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

2.79

3.49

2.10

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.91

2.20

6.42

4 30

2.60

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

9,760

3,695

15,710

9,618

5,076

Daily gage height, in feet, of Des Moines River at Keosauqua, Iowa, for 1905.

Day.

1. .............

2.... ..........

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7. .............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12............;.

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20. .............

21..............

22. .............

23..............

24. .............

25. .............

26. .............

27..............

28. .............

29. .............

30

31..............

Jan.

0.8

.8

.7

.8

Feb.

0.8

.......

.8

.9

4.2

4.4

4.4

4.7

Mar.

8.2

8.3

7.2

6.8

6.6

6.0

5.8

5.5

5.1

4 fi

4.15

3.9

3.6

3.2

9 Q

2.8

4.0

5.4

. 5.7

5.8

5.9

6.4

6.6

5.2

4.9

4.8

5.2

4.8

April.

3 7

3 7

3.7

3

C

3.5

3.7

3.75

3.8

3.6

3.35

3.2

2.9

2.75

2

QC

6.2

4.1

4.7

4.1

4.75

6.3

5.9

5.7

5.05

May.

4.0

3 A

3.05

9 Q

2.7

9 A*

2

QC

2.2

2.72

4.75

7.0

7.6

8.4

8.6

8.5

8.0

7.6

7.6

7.7

7 3

6.7

6.1

5.6

5.2

4.75

4.35

4.15

4.4

June.

4.25

4.6

5.1

5.5

C OK

4.9

4.6

4.2

22.8

14.4

8.05

5.6

4.6

3

QC

3.6

3

QC

3 9

3.65

3 9

S

AC

2 Q

2.18

2.52

4

QC

July.

7.4

7.3

4 3*;

4 1*.

4.0

4 3

4.6

4.5

4.7

4.4

3.9

4.5

6 9

6.5

4 6

6.1

6.4

4 3<;

3.65

3.3

2.9

2.8

2

0

2

0

Aug.

2.6

a Q 9

3.5

3 9

2

QC

2.6

2

0

1 98

1.8

1.72

1.7

6.3

4 9

3 9

3

C

3

CC

2.68

2

C

4.1

8.2

5.0

3

QK

2.7

2.42

2 A

Sept.

1.88

1.72

1.62

i ^

1 48

1.42

1.4

1.32

1.3

1.22

1.2

1.4

1.88

2 4

2

7C

3.65

A QC

1 7%

3

1

2.38

1.9

1.68

1.62

1.62

1.75

2.0

Oct.

2 1 *\

2 1C

2

ftK

1 Qfi

1 P.

1.55

1 AC

1.55

1 4

1.35

1.4

1.48

1.78

1.62

3

7K

7 1%

7.6

6.6

5.5

4.5

3.8

3.0

2.7

2.62

2.42

2.32

2

1 O

Nov.

2 1 ^

2

-1

1 98

4.8

3.85

3 9

2.95

2

Q

2.88

2.85

2.7

2.55

%9 2.5X

2.4

2.3

2.15

2.3

3.45

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.2

3

1

Dec.

2

?e

9 *\

1 9

1 °.f»

1.75

1.8

2.1

2.35

2.1

2.4

2.4

2.2

2 ns

2.0

2.0

1.95

1.8

1.78

1.65

1.68

1.6

1.75

1.8

1.6

o Gage heights interpolated.

NOTE. River frozen over January 1 to February 25. Water rose flush with surface of ice at each 

reading. Thickness of ice, 0.4 foot January 1; 1 foot January 21, and 1.3 feet February 4. There were 

"light ice conditions during December, but not sufficient to modify the flow appreciably.
96 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Des Moines River at Keosauqua, Iowa, from January 1 to December 31

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.60

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

Discharge.

Second-feel.

300

450

610

780

960

1,150

1,350

1,550

1,755

1,965

2,180

2,395

2,615

2,840

3,070

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

j.OO

3.10

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,305

3,545

3,790

4,035

4,285

4,540

4,795

5,055

5,320

5,585

5,850

6,120

6,390

3.30 6,660

b.40 6,930

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.50

3.00

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7,200

7,470

7,740

8,010

8,280

?,550

9,090

9,650

10,220

10,800

U,400

12,000

12,620

13,250

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.80

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

0.80

7.00

7.50

8.00

8.30

9.00

P. 50

10.00

11.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

13,890

14,550

15,210

15,870

16,530

17,210

17,890

19,590

21,290

23,010

24,790

26,590

28,390

32,090

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 19 discharge measurements made during 1903-1905. It is fairly well defined between gage heights 0.8 foot and 6.4 feet. The 

table has been extended beyond these limits. Above 11 feet the discharge is estimated, being based on 

1 measurement at 15.7 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of Des Moines River at Keosauqua, 7orra,/or 1905. 

[Drainage area, 14,290 square miles.]

Month.

April ........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

26,230 

15,540 

23,360 

75,750 

26,230 

21,970 

10,220 

19,930 

11,550 

5,188

Minimum.

5,320 

3,839 

3,790 

3,741 

5,108 

2,615 

1,550 

1,860 

3,258 

1,923

Mean.

12,750 

8,398 

12,840 

12,790 

11,160 

'6,609 

3,542 

5,607 

5,724 

3,165

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.892 

.588 

.898 

.895 

.781 

.462 

.248 

.392 

.401 

.221

Depth ia 

inches.

1.03 

.656 

1.04 

.999 

.900 

.533 

.277 

.452 

.447 

.255

See gage-height table footnote.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in the Des Moines River basin 

in 1904.

Miscellaneous discharge measurements in Des Moines River basin w 1904.

Date.

May 28..

Nov. 13.

Nov. 14.

Stream.

.....do..................

.....do..................

Locality.

.....do.....................

Width.

Feet. 

384

307

168

115

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

2,014

1,142

176

146

Mean 

velocity.

Feet 'per 

second.

2.41

2.39

.42

1.36

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

4,852

2,729

74

199
UPPER MISSISSIPPI EIVEE DRAINAGE. - 97

ILLINOIS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN! 

DESCRIPTION OF BASEST.

Illinois River, the most extensive of all the tributaries of the Upper Mississippi, enters 

the main stream from the east about 24 miles above the mouth of the Missouri. Its drainage area of 29,013 square miles is distributed among three States; 24,726 square miles are 

in Illinois, and extend in a broad band 250 miles long and averaging 100 miles in width 

directly across the center of the State in a northeast-southwest direction. From the upper 

extremity of this band are two projections one north into Wisconsin, comprising 1,080 

square miles in that State; the other east into Indiana, including 3,207 square miles of its 

northern portion.

The eastern projection is the basin of Kankakee River, while the northern one forms the 

basins of Fox and Desplaines rivers. The union of the drainages of these projections may 

be considered the origin of the Illinois. The name Illinois is applied to the river from the 

junction of the Kankakee and Desplaines.

The region drained by the Illinois is level and undulating and includes some of the finest 

land in the United States. Many large and prosperous cities are situated within it, and it is 

covered with a network of railroads.

The drainage into the Illinois is quite evenly distributed along its course. The more 

important tributaries are Fox and Spoon rivers from the west, and the Kankakee, Vermilion, and Sangamon from the east.

ILLINOIS RIVER NEAR PEORIA, ILL.

This station was established March 10, 1903. It is located on the Peoria and Pekin 

Union Railroad bridge over the Illinois River, 1| miles southwest of Peoria. It can be 

reached by street cars.

The channel is straight for 3,000 feet above and 2,000 feet below the station, and has a 

width of about 1,000 feet, broken by six piers. A railroad embankment runs along the 

right bank, which is high. The left bank is low and liable to overflow. The bed of the 

stream is composed of gravel and silt. The section is deep and the flow sluggish.

Discharge measurements are made from the bridge to which the gage is attached. The 

initial point for soundings is the face of the abutment on the right bank.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by Peter A. Blumb, is a plain staff fastened to the 

central pier of the bridge. The bench mark is the southwest corner of the top stone of the 

west abutment of the bridge; elevation, 125.722 feet below the Chicago datum. The gage 

at this point has for its zero a point 153.814 feet below the Chicago city datum. The gage 

reads up from this point, and in order to obtain the height of the river, referred to the Chicago datum, it is necessary to subtract the gage reading from 153.814 feet.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following publications of the 

United States Geological Survey (Ann=Annual Report; WS=Water-Supply Paper):

Description: Ann 21, iv, p 176; WS 83, p 172; SS, pp 199-200; 128, p 39.

Discharge: Ann 21, iv, p 176; WS 98, p 200; 128, p 39.

Discharge, monthly: WS 98, p 202.

Gage heights: WS 98, pp 200-201; 123, p 40.

Rating table: WS 98, p 201.

IKK 171 06 7
98 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of Illinois River near Peoria, III., in 1905.

Date.

Aprils.!......

May 11........

July 31 ........

October 30. ....

Hydrographer.

.....do..............................

.....do..............................

.....do..............................

Width.

Feet. 

950

953

941

893

909

890

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

12, 190

11,570

10,690

7,143

7,896

7,059

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

1.60

1.85

1.44

1.15

1.16

1.11

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

13.70

13.00

12.25

8.50

9.28

8.26

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

19, 450

21, 450

15, 410

8,242

9,137

7,835

Daily gage height, in feet, of Illinois River near Peoria, III., for 1905.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4. .............

5..............

6..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20. .............

21..............

'22..............

23..............

24..............

27..............

28. .............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

8.75

8.79

8.88

8.92

8.92

9.08

9.08

9.0

9.17

9.17

9.17

9.17

9.17 

9.17

9.17

9.17

9.17

9.21

9.29

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.42

9.38

9.25

9.25

9.25

9. 25

9.33

Feb.

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.33

9.42

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.6

9.7

9.75

9.9

10. 35

10.95

11.45

11.9

Mar.

13.0

14.2

14.5

14.8

14.9

15.0

14.9

14.7

14.5

14.3

14.0

13.9 

13.6

13.4

13.3

13.3

13.4

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.7

13.8

13.8

14.0

14.0

14.0

Apr.

14.0

14 0

13.8

13.8

13.7

13.3

13.1

13.2

13.1

12.9

1 Q Q

13.7

13.3

13.1

13.0

13.2

13.3

13.7

13.0

13.3

13.7

13.7

13.8

May.

13.9

13.7

13.6

13.6

1 0 A

13.0

12.8

13.0

13.2

15.1

1A 9

17.2

17.4

17.4

17.0

16.5

15.0

14.9

June.

14 7

14.6

14.2

13.9

14.0

14.0

14.0

14.0

14.1

13.6

13.4

13.2

12.8

11.9

July.

11.6

11.55

11.35

11.0

10.95

10.4

10.75

10.65

10.6

10.45

10.4

10.2 

10.1

9.9

9.9

9.5

9.29

9.21

9.04

8 9'

8.83

8.71

8.62

8.58

8.42

8.5

Aug.

8.46

8.38

8.42

8.42

8.42

8.29

8.25

8.17

8.04

8.0

8.0

8.17

8.29

8.25

8.17

8.33

8.33

8.42

8.42

8.42

8.42

8.17

8.29

8.17

8.17

8.08

8.12

8.17

Sept.

8.08

8.17

8.25

8.79

9.12

9.38

9.6

9.8

9.85

9.85

9.85

9.8

9.85

9 6

9.6 

9.55 9.6"

9.42

9.21

9.25

9.25

9.25

9.29

9.21

9.04

8.75

8.58

' 8.5

Oct.

8.33

8.38

8.33

8.12

7.96

7.92

7.84

7.75

7.62

7.42

7.96

8.0

7.96

7.92

7.8

7.92

8.25

8.17

8.3

8.25

8.2

8.17

Nov.

8.17

8.17

8.08

8.08

8.0

8.0

8.17

8.05

8.0

8.12

8.0 

8.0

8.42

7.67

7.67

7.45

7.3

7.33

7.3

7.67

7.55

7.8

.......

Dec.

7 92

7.92

8.08

8.08

8.08

8.08

8.33

8.33

8.33

8.33

8.3

8.08

8.17

8.33

8.33

8.33

8.2

8.38

8.55

8.67

8.75

NOTE. Ice conditions January 1 to March 31. Thickness of ice, 0.5 to 1 foot.
ILLINOIS RIVEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 99

Station rating fable for Illinois River near Peoria, III., from January 1, 1904, to December 31,

1995.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.40

7.50

7.60

7.70

7.80

7.90

8.00

8.10

8.20

8.30

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70

8.80

8.90

9.00

9.10

9.20

9.30

9.40

9.50

9.60

9.70

9.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,990

7,080

7,175

7,270

7,370

7,470

7,575

7,680

7,790

7,900

8,020

8,140

8,265

8,390

8,520

8,650

8.790

8,930

9,080

9,230

9,390

9,550

9,710

9,870

10,040

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.90

10.00

10.10

10.20

10.30

10.40

10.50

10.60

10.70

10.80

10.90

11.00

11.10

11.20

11.30

11.40

11.50

11.60

11.70

11.80

11.90

12.00

12.10

12.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

10,210

10, 390

10, 570

10,760

10,950

11,140

11,340

11,540

11,750

11,960

12, 170

12,390

12,610

12, 830

13,050

13,280

13, 510

13,740

13,980

, 14,220

14,460

14,700

14,950

15, 210

Gage 

height.

Feet.

12.30

12.40'

12.50

12.60

12.70

12.80

12.90

13.00

13.10

13.20

13.30

13.40

13.50

13.60

13.70

13.80

13.90

14.00

14.10

14.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

15, 470

15,730

16,000

16,270

16,540

16, 820

17, 110

17,400

17, 690

17,990

18,290

18,590

18,900

19,210 j

19, 520

19,840

20,160

20,480

20, 810

21,150

14. 30 21, 490

14.40 21,840

14.50

14.60

22,200

22,560

Gage 

height.

Feet.

14.70

14.80

14.90

15.00

15.10

15.20

15.30

15.40

15.50

15.60

15.70

15.80

15.90

16.00

16.20

16.40

16.60

16.80

17.00

17.20

17.40

17.60

17.80

18.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

22, 930

23,310

23,700

24,090

24, 510

24,940

25, 370

25, 810

26,260

26, 710

27,170

27,640

28, 120

28,600

29,560

30,530

31,510

32,500

33,500

34,500

35,500

36,500

37,500

38,500

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on 27 discharge measurements made during 1903-1905. It is fairly well defined between gage heights 8.3 feet and 16 feet.
100 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Estimated monthly discharge of Illinois River near Peoria, lU.,for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 13,250 square miles.]

Month.

1904. 

March 21-31 .................................

June ................................

July.........................................

September. .........................

19C5. 

April ...............................

July.........................................

September. ............ ............ . .

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

57,650 

54,950 

28, 410 

13,910 

8,572 

8,092 

9,614 

9,822 

7,450 

7,400

20,480 

35,500" 

22,930 

13, 740 

8,OS2 

10, 125 

8,044 

8,044 

8,355

Minimum.

37,650 

26,440 

13,910 

7,713 

7,118 

7,008 

6,860 

7,491 

7,156 

7,080

16,820 

16,820 

14, 460 

8,044 

7,575 

7,659 

7,008 

6,900 

7,491

Mean.

51,330 

39,000 

19,310 

11,000 

7, 789- 

7,577 

7,531 

8,508 

7,333 

7,186

18, 760 

24,580 

19, 320 

10, 490 

7,875 

9,134 

7,587 

7,473 

7,851

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

3.87 

2.94 

1.46 

.830 

.588 

.572 

.568 

.642 

.553 

.542

1.42 

1.86 

1.46 

.792 

.594 

.689 

.573 

.564 

.593

Depth in 

inches.

1.58 

3.28 

1.68 

.926 

.678 

.660 

.634 

.740 

.617 

.242

1.5g 

2.14 

1.63 

.913 

.685 

.769 

.661 

.629 

.684

NOTE. No estimate for ice period.

DESPLAIXES RIVER XEAR CHAXNAHOTf,

This station was established- October 23, 1902. It is located just above the mouth of 

Jackson Creek, 2| miles southwest of Millsdale and 2 miles east of Channahon, 111.

The channel is straight for about 3,000 feet both above and below the station, and has a 

width of 360 feet and a maximum depth of 16 feet at ordinary stages. Both banks are low 

and liable to overflow, but a few feerfrom the top of the banks are high ridges which never 

overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel. The current is moderately swift.

Discharge measurements at this station were discontinued April 14, 1904.

The gage, which was read during 1905 by Kuth Alexander, is a vertical staff. The bench 

mark is the top of the red-oak hub driven in the bluff between Jackson Creek and the south 

bank of Desplaines River, about 300 feet west of the west line of sec. 15, T. 37 N., R. 9 E., 

third principal meridian, and is on the farm owned by George Alexander; its elevation is 

64.26 feet below the Chicago datum. The gage is set with its zero at the same elevation as 

the zero of the Chicago datum.

Information in regard to this station is contained in the following Water-Supply Papers 

of the United States Geological Survey:

Description: 83, pp 174, 175; 98, pp 212, 213-214; 128, pp 40-41.

Discharge: 98, pp 212, 214; 128, p 41.

Discharge, monthly: 128, p 43.

Gage heights: 98, pp 213, 214-215; 128, p 42.

Eating table: 128, p 43.
ILLINOIS EIVEE DEAI1STAGE BASEST. 101

Daily gage 7ieight,a in feet, of Desplaines River near Channahon, III., for 1905.

Day.

1:. ............

2

3..............

4. .............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14.............. 

15..............

16..............

17..............

18. .............

19..............

20..............

21.............. 

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26. .............

27..............

28.............. 

29.............. 

30. ............. 

31..............

Jan.

82.74

82.85

83.18

83.05

82.89

82.88

83.1

83.35

89 Q9

82.92

82.78 

82.48

82.48

82.2 

81.2 

80.5

80.8

81.15

81.6

81.95

82.5 

82.68

82.75

82.85

81.45 

80.6

80.4

80.4 

81.15 

81.05 

81.05

Feb.

80.8

80.3

79 8

80.0

80.1

80.2

82.1

79.3

79.8

79.75

.......

79.9

-------

80.2

Mar.

78.5

70 7

82.2

82.6

82.5

82.68

82.72

82.7

82.85

82.75 

82.76

82.88

82.7 

82.95 

82.88

82.6

82.38

82.05

82.08

82.18 

82.12

82.02

81.75

81.95 

82.0

82.05

82.28 

82.28 

82.32 

82.5

Apr.

82.52

82.58

82.82

82.8

82.85

82.7

82.92

82.98

82.98

83.48 

84.85

84.2

83.65 

83.6 

83.6

83.62

83.6

83.55

83.6

81.6 

82.4

82.65

82.62

82.78 

82.8

82.55

82.75 

82.82 

83.0

May.

CO QO

QO QC

83.15

83.3

83.32

83.58

83.48

83.6

83.4

82.3 

78.6

78.5

79.2 

79.5 

80.0

80.4

81.3

82.18

82.5

83.0 

82.92

83.32

83.5

83.6 

83.6

83.72

83.75 

83.68 

83.3 

83.62

June.

83.72

83.7

82.4

82.52

82.98

83.1

83.3

83.45

82.65

81.8 

82.58

82.88

83.05 

82.12 

83.18

83.25

83.12

83.1

83.18

83.25 

83.25

83.22

83.5 

83.28

83.35

83.58 

83.78 

83.52

July.

83.5

83.55

83.45

83.4

83.3

83.45

83.42

83.82

83.85

83.88 

83.85

83.9

83.3 

83.8 

83.3

83.38

83.55

83.4

83.25

83.55 

83.50

83.48

83.65

83.55 

83.3

83.35

83.25 

83.0 

83.08

82.88

Aug.

CO QC

83.1

83.22

83.4

83.5

83.3

83.3

83.0

83.3

83.35 

83.3

83.2

83.2 

83.25 

83.25

83.35

83.25

83.12

83.22

83.18 

83.12

82.95

82.98

83.12 

83.2

83.18

83.18 

83.1' 

83.15 

83.15

Sept.

83.15

82.05

82.9

82.4

82.5

82.52

82.7

82.95

83.08

83.02 

83.1

83.05

83.2 

83.2 

83.15

83.15

83.15

83.2

83.15

83.2 

83.3

83.2

83.22

83.2 

83.32

83.1

83.25 

83.38 

83.35

Oct.

83.42

QQ 40

83.3

83.35

83.3

83.3

83.3

83.2

83.3 

83.4

83.42

83.35 

83.42 

83.3

83.5

83.25

83.15

83.05 

82.98

83.22

82.88

82.88 

83.05

83.3

83.55 

83.08 

83.18 

83.8

Nov.

83.75

83 9

83.85

83.88

83.8

83.1

83.1

83.2

83.78

83.88 

83.9

83.85

83.85 

84.08 

84.38

84.35

84.35

83.8

84.35

84.58 

84.6

84.6

84.4

84.4 

84.1

83.5

83.1 

83.4 

83.25

Dec.

QQ 1 C

83.15

83.35

83.2

83.35

83.28.

83.4

83.28

83.4

83.35 

83.32

83.38

83.35 

83.45 

83.38

83.38

83.28

83.4

83.25 

83.6

83.6,

83.6

83.42 

83.5

83.5

83.35 

83.5 

83.52 

83.48

« All gage heights of this station are negative, being below Chicago datum. 

NOTE. River frozen half over February 7-28. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the ice.

KAXKAKEE RIVER AT DA VIS, rNT>. '

This station was established July 13, 1905. It is located at the railroad bridge at Davis, 

8 miles west of Hamlet, Ind.

The channel is straight for about 500 feet above and below the station. The right bank 

consists of grass and farm lands and the left is low and wooded; both banks are subject to 

overflow during high stages. The bed of the stream is sandy and slightly shifting. All the 

water passes to the left of the right abutment of the bridge. A portion of the flood water 

passes through another trestle about 500 feet to the left of the main channel. The velocity 

is medium at ordinary stages. The section is well adapted for measurements.

Discharge measurements are made from the railway bridge, which is supported by several 

trestle bents. The initial point for soundings is the inner face of the left pile bent of the 

structure.

A vertical staff gage, which was read during 1905 by M. H. Fancher, is fastened to the 

upstream side of one of the pile bents of the bridge. It is referred to bench marks as follows: 

(1) The rail base at sounding point No. 6; elevation, 16.67 feet above zero of gage. (2) Top 

of the 12-inch cap directly over the gage; elevation above gage datum, 13.71 feet. (3) 

Horizontal line of five nails in a telegraph pole about 7 feet north of point t50 feet from 

initial point for soundings; elevation above datum of gage, 11.95 feet.
102 STREAM MEASUREMENTS I1ST 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of KarikaTcee River at Dams, Ind., in 1905.

Date.

August 22 .....

Octobers......

Hydrographer.

M. S. Brennan. ...........

.....do..............................

Width.

Feet.

72

74

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

241

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

0.88

1.33

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.55

4.70

Dis-^ 

charge.

Secondfeet.

 213

317

Daily gage height, in feet, of Kankakee River at Davis, Ind., for 1905.

Day.

9

5...........

6...........

8...........

9

10...........

11...........

12...........

13...........

15. ..........

16...........

Jufy.

7.5

7.6

7.3

Aug.

4.9

4.9

4 9

4 6

5.5

c o

4.9

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.8

4.6

4.8

Sept.

4.7

6.4

7.3

7 9

7.8

7 9

6.5

6.0

5.9

5.7

5.6

c r

5 A

5.3

Oct.

4.6

4.6

4.6

4 6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.6

Nov.

4.8

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.9

4 9

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.3

5.2

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

Dec.

5.7

K C

Day.

17 ..........

18..........

19

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25. .........

26..........

27....-...-.

28. .........

29..........

30..........

31..........

July.

6.6

5.4

5.2

5.0

4.9

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.8

5.7

5.5

5.2

Aug.

4.7

4.6

4.6

4.8

4.7

4.9

4.6

4.6

4.9

5.0

5.0

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.6

Sept.

5.7

5.6

5.4

5.3

5.2

5.1

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.6

Oct.

4.6

4.8

4.9

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.6

Nov.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.2

5.9

Dec.

KAKKAKEE RIVER AT MOMEKOE, IUL.

This station was established February 22, 1905. It is located on the highway bridge 

in Momence, 111., about one-half mile below the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Kailway 

bridge.

The channel is straight for 700 feet above and below the station. Both banks are high, 

rocky, and do not overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of solid limestone rock, 

is free from vegetation, and is permanent: The river at this station is divided by an 

island, which begins about a mile above the bridge and terminates about 500 feet below. 

There are two channels at all stages, broken by the piers of the bridge. The left channel, 

in which most of the water flows, is admirably adapted to measurements at low water; the 

right channel is wide, with a rougher bed, which may affect the accuracy of measurements 

made at any stages of water above the ordinary. The current is swift. There are no dams 

or falls in the vicinity.

Discharge measurements are made from the five-span bridge to which the gage is attached. 

Two spans of the bridge are over the south and three spans over the north channel. The 

initial point for soundings in the south channel is 1 foot to the left of the inner face of the 

left abutment; that for the north channel is 1 foot to the left of the inner face of the left 

abutment.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by J. L. Clark, is attached to the 

downstream side of the second span from the left bank. The length of the chain from the 

end of 1,1 e weight to the marker (end of copper chain) is 17.66 feet. The gage is referred 

to bench mailts as follows: (1) Top of the city hydrant one block south of the highway 

bridge; elevation, 12.40 feet. (2) Northeast corner of north abutment of the south 

bridge; elevation, 13.93 feet. (3) Momence city bench mark, on the water tablet located
ILLINOIS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 103

on the northwest corner of the Central House; elevation, 14.62 feet. All elevations are 

above datum of gage, which is 5.38 feet above Momence city datum. The city datum is 

607.06 feet above mean sea level.

Discharge measurements ofKankalcee River at Momence, III., in 1905.

Date.

March 13. ......

May 11.........

May 15.........

July 29........

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna.......................

S. K. Clapp.........................

.....do...............................

.....do...............................

.....do...............................

.....do...............................

Width.

Feet. 

481

482

492

406

485

463

442

459

431

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

261

941

1,197

1,513

845

577

450

598

414

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

1.40

2.91

3.32

3.55

2.45

1.98

1.52

1.97

1.43

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.90

2.78

3.35

3.95

2.65

2.18

1.96

2.19

1.78

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

«365

2,737

3,974

5,370

2,072

1,140

685

1,179

598

»Ice measurement. 

Daily gage height, in feet, ofKankakee River at Momence, III., for 1905.

Day.

i 

1........ .............

2.....................

3.....................

4.....................

5.....................

6. ....................

7.....................

8.....................

9.....................

10. ....................

11.....................

12.....................

13.....................

14.....................

15.....................

16.....................

17.....................

18.....................

19. ....................

20.....................

21.....................

22.....................

23. ....................

24. ....................

25.....................

26.....................

27.....................

28..................... 

29..................... 

30. .................... 

31.....................

Feb.

2.95

3.1

3.7

3.8

3.6

Mar.

3.8

3.9

3.8

3.6

3.8

3.9

4.5

9 6

2.7

2.7"

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.05

3.05

3.0

9 9

2.9

3.15

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.05 

3.1 

3.1 

3.1

Apr.

3.15

3.15

3.1

3.1

3.05

3.05

3.0

2.9

9 9

2.85

2.85

2.8

2.75

2.7

2.7

2.6

9 55

2.5

2.5

2.65

3.15

3 9

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.9

3.0

3.0 

3.0 

3.0

May.

2.9

2.9

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

9 9

9 Q

2.85

1 4

4.5

4.4

o4.0

3 OK

1 Q^

3.95

3.8

3.7

3 ft

3.55

1 i;

3.45

3.7

3.75

3.6 

3.5 

3.6 

3.55

June.

3.5

3.35

3.2

3.25

3.25

3.05

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.8

3.3

3.25

3.1

3.0

2.8

2.7

2.6

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.75

2.7

2.7

2.65

2.65

2.7

2.7 

2.6 

2.6

July.

2.55

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.4

2.4

2.32

2.3

2.38

2.42

2.5

2.48

2.4

2.32

2.25

2.2

2.13

2.12

2.15

2.18

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2 

2.2 

2.2 

2.12

Aug.

2.05

2.05

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.98

1.95

1.95

1.9

1.9

' 1.82

1.9

2.0

2.08

2.05

2.0

1.95

1.95

2.0

1.95

1.95

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.88

1.8

1.8 

1.75 

1.75 

1.78

Sept.

1.8

2.7

3.05

2.85

2.6

2.42

2.32

2.22

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2 2

2.2

2.2

9 9

2.25

2.25

2.22

2.2

2.2

2.15

2.1

2.1

2.02

2.0

2.0

1.95 

1.95 

1.9

Oct.

1.92

1.9

1.9

1.85

1.82

1.8

1.75

1.75

1.7

1.75

1.75

1.72

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.72

1.78

1.8

1.75

1.78

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8 

1.8 

1.8 

1.8

Nov.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.82

1.92

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

ol.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.98

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

1.95

2.0 

2.05 

2.05

Dec.

2.05

2.05

2.15

2.1

2.25

2.05

2.0

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.0

2.3

2.1

1.95

2.05

.......

o Gage height interpolated. 

NOTE. No ice record for this station.
104 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Station rating table for Kankakee River at Momence, III., from February 24 to December 31,

1905.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

Discharge. Gage 

height.

Second-feet. Feet.

310

410

520

650

810

980

1,170

1,380

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,590

1,810

2,030

2,260

2,490

2,730

2,970

3,210

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,460

3. 30 3, 710

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3,970

4,230

4,490

4,760

5,030

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

410

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,300

5,570

5,840

6,120

6,400

6,680

6,960

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based on eight discharge measurements made during 1905. It is fairly well denned between gage heights 2.1 feet and 4 feet. Below 

gage height 2.1 feet the table is uncertain, as the two lowest measurements are inconsistent.

Estimated monthly discharge of Kankakee River at Momence, IU.,for 1905.

Discharge in second-feet.

February 24-28. .....................................................

May.................................................................

July .................................................................

November. ................. .. ......................"..

Maximum.

5,030

6,960

3,460

6,960

4,230

1,920

946

3,090

682

895

1,485

Minimum.

2,850

2,060

1,810

2,610

2,030

1,018

465

650

410

520

730

Mean.

4,068

3,392

2,744

4,281

2,753

1,368

710

1,262

500

721

1,053

YELLOW RIVER AT KNOX, IND.

This station was established August 21, 1905. It is located on the North Heaton Street 

Highway Bridge, 100 rods north of the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad.

The channel is straight for about 200 feet above and 300 feet below the station. Both 

banks are high and wooded and are liable to overflow at extremely high stages. At time 

of floods part of the water will pass through a small masonry arch about 100 feet to the 

right of the right abutment. The bed of the stream is composed of sand and is slightly 

shifting. The current is fairly swift.

Discharge measurements are made from the single-span highway bridge, downstream 

side. The initial point for soundings is the downstream inner face of the left abutment.

A standard chain gage, which was read during 1905 by William B. Shaw, is located on 

the floor of the bridge, downstream side. The length of the chain,from the end of the 

weight to the marker is 19.62 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) West 

end of top surface of north abutment; elevation, 15.20 feet. (2) Nails in trunk of double 

birch tree 60 feet west of west hand rail; elevation, 8.10 feet. (3) Top of west wing wall 

of south abutment; elevation, 14.50 feet. Bench marks Nos. 1 and 3 are painted red on 

the surface of the stones. Elevations are above gage datum.
ILLINOIS EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN.

Discharge measurements of Yellow River at Knox, Ind., in 1905.

105

Date.

Octobers......

Hydrographer.

.....do..................... .......

Width.

Feet. 

91

94

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet. 

98

96

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second. 

1.45

1.57

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.02

2.03

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

142

151

Daily gage height, in feet, of Yellow River at Knox, Ind.,for 1905.

Day.

1. ................

2.................

3.................

4.................

5.................

6.................

7.................

S. .............:..

9.................

10.................

11.................

12.................

13.................

14.................

15.................

16.................

Aug. Sept.

1.9

2.5

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.3

2.0

2.0

2.4

Oct.

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.4

Nov.

2.1

2.0

' 2.3

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.4

2.3

Dec.

3.3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.1

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.6

Day.

17.................

18.................

19.................

23.................

24.................

25.................

26.................

28.................

29

31.................

Aug.

1.2-

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.7

1.9

Sept.

2.6

2.7

2.7

2.9

2.1

2.1

2.9

2.9

2.7

2.4

2.3

2.1

2.0

2.0

Oct.

1.4

1.8

2.0

2.4

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

Nov.

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.G

2.7

3.0

Dec.

FOX RIVER AT SHERIDAK, ILL,.

This station was established in September, 1905, by F. W. Hanna. It is located at the 

Glen Park highway bridge at Sheridan, 111.

The channel is straight for about 1,000 feet above and 1,500 feet below the station. The 

current is medium. The right bank is high and rocky, sparsely wooded, and does not 

overflow. The left bank is low, sparsely wooded, and overflows during,high stages, the 

water passing over the road. The bed of the stream is clean and permanent. There is 

but one channel, broken by the piers of the bridge. Depth of water at ordinary stage, 5 

feet.

Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of the two-span steel highway 

bridge, which has a total length of 206 feet. There is also a timber trestle approach, 52 feet 

long, on the left bank. The initial point for soundings is the inner face of the right abutment, at the top, on the upstream side. Measurements should be good up to the stage at 

which the river overflows the left bank. Flood measurements may be taken from the 

railroad bridge 50 rods downstream.

A standard chain gage is fastened to the guard rail of the bridge on the downstream side; 

length of chain, 28.09 feet. During 1905 the gage was read once each day by Robert H. 

Campbell. Bench marks were established as follows: (1) A red-paint mark and the letters 

"U. S. B. M." on top of the clyindrical abutment pier supporting the end of the first span 

of the bridge at the left bank; elevation, 23.05 feet. (2) Point of the top of a flat rock on 

the right bank, 29.3 feet west of the initial point for soundings; elevation, 31.70 feet. 

Elevations refer to the gage datum.
106 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1905, PART VII.

Discharge measurements of Fox River at Sheridan, IE., in 1905.

Date.

October 31.....

Hydrographer. Width.

Feet. 

199

199

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet. 

1,020

1,005

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second. 

1.08

1.07

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.05

4.12

Discharge.

Secondfeet. 

1,097

1.079

Daily gage height, in feet, of Fox River at Sheridan, III., for 1905.

Dav.

2...............

3. ....... .......

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

Sept.

"

........

Oct.

3.65

3.6

3.55

3.45

3.4

3.3

3.5

3.6

3.5

3.45

3.4

Nov.

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.85

4.05

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.75

4.0

o or

Dec.

0 Of:

3 9

4.1

3.5

........

Day.

18................

19

20. ...............

91

22................

23................

24................

25................

26................

27................

28................

29................

30................

31................

Sept.

4.05

3.95

3.9

3.95

3.85

3.75

3.7

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.7

Oct.

3.5

3.75

4.1

4.35

4.25

4.25

4.3

4.25

4.45 4.4*

4.35

4.3

4.2

4.15

Nov.

3.85

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.95

3.9

3.9

o3.85

3.8

3.65

3.45

4.05

A 9

4.15

Dee.

3.65

3.7

a Gage height interpolated. 

NOTE. River frozen December 3-31. Gage heights are to water surface in a hole in the ice.

SANGAMOST RIVER AT DBCATUR,

This station was established April 29, 1905. It is located at the "Cowford" Bridge on 

East Cantrell street, Decatur, 111.

The channel is straight for 500 feet above and 1,000 feet below the station. Both banks 

are low, covered with some brush and willows, and subject to overflow, but all the water 

passes between the abutments of the bridge, as the roadway is high. The bed of the stream 

is composed of clay and rocks, is free from vegetation, and is permanent. The current is 

sluggish. About one-fourth mile below the bridge is a fordway, and several miles below 

the station is a small dam, used to impound water for the city water supply.

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the single-span steel 

bridge to which the gage is attached. Low-water gagings aye best made by wading at the 

ford, one-fourth mile below the bridge. The initial point for soundings is the face of the 

left abutment, downstream side, marked with a circle on the guard rail and post of the 

bridge.

A standard chain gage, read by Miss Hattie Devore, is fastened to the floor of the bridge, 

downstream side. The length of the chain from the end of the weight to the end of the 

chain proper is 28.01 feet. The gage is referred to bench marks as follows: (1) Top of 

bottom chord of truss of bridge opposite the weight of the gage, downstream side; elevation, 

26.84 feet above datum of gage. (2) Top of the downstream corner of the right abutment 

at the bridge seat.

This station was discontinued September 10, 1905.
ILLINOIS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 107

Discharge measurements of Sangamon River at Decatur, III., in 1905.

Date.

April 29. .......

May 18........

Hydrographer.

.....do........---------------.-.....

Width.

Feet. 

128

120

Area of 

section.

Square 

feet.

973

812

Mean 

velocity.

Feet per 

second.

0.81

.68

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

10.12

8.82

Discharge.

Secondfeet.

788.

555

Daily gage height, in feet, of Sangamon River at Decatur, III., for 1905.

Day.

1. ..........

2...........

3........:..

4. ..........

5...........

6...........

7...........

8...........

9...........

10...........

11...........

12...........

13...........

14........... 

15...........

16...........

Apr. May.

9.8

9.2

8.9

8.5

8.5

9.0

9.4

9.2

8 9

8.7

8.3

8.2

8.8

9.8 

10.6

10.7

June.

7.7

7.5

7.4

7.2

6.9

6.8

6.7

6.8

6.7

6.5

6.8

7.3

8.4

8.7 

8.0

7.8

July.

6.2

6.3

6.3

6.8

6.9

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.0

8.9

9.4

 9.8

9.4

9.5 

9.0

8.4

Aug.

6.0

6.1

6.2

6.1

6.2

6.1

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.9

5.8

6.0

6.0

6.0 

6.0

6.0

Sept.

5.8

5.9

6.6

6.2

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.8

5.8

<; Q

Day.

17. .........

18. .........

19.. ........

20. .........

21..........

22..........

23. .........

24..........

OC

26. .........

27. .........

28. .........

9Q

30.......... 

31

Apr.

10.1

10.0

May

9 6

8.8

8.5

8.2

7 9

7.7

7.4

7.4

7.1

7 9

7.0

7.0

7.1

7.6 

7 9

June.

7.2

7.0

6.7

6.6

6.7

6.7

6.6

6.4

6.5

6.3

6.3

July.

7.9

7.5

7.3

7.0

7.2

6.8

6.7

6.5

6.4

6.3

6.2

6.4

6.2

6.3 

6.1

Aug.

6.0

5.9

5.9

5.8

5.8

5.9

5.9

6.0

K Q

5.8

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.9 

5.8

Sept.
INDEX.

A.

Acknowledgments and cooperation. 

Acre-foot, definition of.............

Anoka, Minn.

Mississippi River at:

description.................

discharge...................

gage heights................

Rum River near:

description.................

discharge...................

discharge, monthly.........

gage heights................

rating table................

B.

Babb, C. C., district covered by.......... 16

Babb, Mont.

Kennedy Creek near:

description......................... 24

discharge........................... 25

discharge, monthly................. 26

gage heights........................ 25

rating table........................ 25

St. Mary River near:

description......................... 17

discharge........................... 17,26

discharge, monthly................. 19

gage heights........................ 18

rating table........................ 18

Swiftcurrent Creek near:

description...............:......... 21-22

discharge........................... 22

discharge, monthly................. 24

gage heights....................... 23

rating table........................ 23

Black River at 

Neillsville, Wis.:

description......................... 65

discharge........................... 66

discharge, monthly................. 67

gage heights........................ 66

rating table........................ 67

Black River basin:

description............................. 65

Brennan, M. S., acknowledgment to.. ..... 16

C.

Cable station, figure showing ............ 11

Cardston, Alberta.

St. Mary River near:

description......................... 19

discharge........................... 20

discharge, monthly................. 21

gage heights........................ 20

rating table........................ 21

Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Page. 

Cedar River at:

description......................... ,86

discharge........................... 86

discharge, monthly................. 88

gage heights........................ 87

rating table.................... '.... 87

Cedar River at 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa:

description......................... £6

discharge........................... 86

discharge, monthly................. 88

gage heights........................ 87

rating table........................ 87

Chandler, E. F., acknowledgment to....... 16

Channahon, 111.

Desplaines River near:

description......................... 100

gage heights........................ 101

 hippewa River near 

Eau Claire, Wis.:

description......................... 59

discharge........................... 59

discharge, monthly................. 61

gage heights........................ 60

rating table........................ 61

Chippewa River basin:

description............................. 59

Clapp, S. K., acknowledgment to.......... 16

Computation, methods of.................. 14-16

rules for................................ 8-9

Cooperation and acknowledgments........ 16

Grain, A. M., acknowledgment to.......... 16

Crookston, Minn.

Red Lake River at:

description......................... 37

discharge........................... 37

discharge, monthly................. 39

gage heights........................ 38

rating table........................ 39

Current meters, classes of.................. 12

methods of using....................... 13-14

D. 

Davis, Ind.

Kankakee River at:

description......................... 101

discharge........................... 102

gage heights........................ 102

Dearborn, Frank, acknowledgment to...... 16

Decatur, 111.

Sangamon River at:

description......................... 106

discharge........................... 107

gage heights........................ 107

Des Lacs River at 

Foxholm, N. Dak.:

description......................... 47

109
110 INDEX.

Des Lacs River at 

Foxholm, N.Dak. Continued.

discharge........................... 48

discharge, monthly................. 49

gage heights........................ 48

rating table........................ 49

Des Moines, Iowa.

Des Moines River at:

description......................... 92

discharge........................... 92,96

discharge, monthly.......... ...... 94

gage heights........................ 93

rating table........................ 93

Raccoon River at:

discharge........................... 96

Des Moines River at 

Des Moines, Iowa:

description......................... 92

discharge........................... 92,%

discharge, monthly................. 94

gage heights........................ 93

rating table........................ 93

Fort Dodge, Iowa:

description......................... 90

discharge..........:................ 90,96

discharge, monthly................. 92

gage heights........................ 91

rating table........................ 91

Keosauqua, Iowa:

description......................... 94

discharge........................... 95

discharge, monthly................. 96

gage heights........................ 95

rating table........................ 96

Des Moines River basin:

description............................. 90

miscellaneous measurements in......... 96

Des Plaines River near 

Channahon, 111.:

description......................... 100

gage he.ghts........................ 101

Drainage basins, list of..................... 6-7

Eau Claire, Wis.

Chippewa River near: 

description.........

discharge...........

discharge, monthly, 

gage heights........

rating table........

.......... 59

.......... 59

.......... 61

.......... 60

......... 61

Equivalents, table of....................... 9-10

F.

Fargo, N. Dak. 

Red River at:

description.........

discharge...........

discharge, monthly.

gage heights........

rating table... 

Fergus Falls, Minn.

Ottertail River near:

description.........

discharge...........

discharge, monthly.

gage heights........

rating table........

Flambeau River near 

Ladysmith, Wis.:

description .........

discharge ...........

discharge, monthly . 

gage heights ........

rating table ........

Page.

.......... 62

.......... 62

.......... 64

.......... 63

.......... 64

Floats, use of, in measuring discharge.. . ... 12

Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Des Moines River at:

description ......................... 90

discharge ........................... 90, 96

discharge, monthly ................. 92

gage heights ........................ 91

rating table ........................ 91

Fox River at 

Sheridan, 111.:

description ......................... 105

discharge ........................... 106

gage heights ........................ 106

Foxholm, N. Dak. 

Des Lacs River at:

description ......................... 47

discharge ........................... 48

discharge monthly ................. 49

gage heights ...................... 48

rating table ........................ 49

Mouse River near:

description ......................... 42

discharge ........................... 43

discharge, monthly ................. 44

gage heights ........................ 43

rating table ........................ 44

Freeman, W. B., acknowledgment to.. ..... 16

Gaging stations, equipment of............. 11-12

Grand Forks, N. Dak. 

Red River at:

description......................... 29-30

discharge........................... 30

discharge, monthly................. 33

gage heights........................ 31

rating table........................ 32

H. 

Haggart, N. Dak.

Sheyenne River near:

description......................... 35-36

discharge........................... 36

gage heights........................ 36

Hanna, F. W., district covered by......... 16

Hudson Bay drainage:

General features of ..................... 16

Hydrographers, list of...................... 16

Hydrographic surveys, annual appropriations for........................ 5

organization and scope of.............. 5-7

I.

Ice-covered streams, method of measuring

flow of.......................... 14

Illinois River near 

Peoria, 111.:

description......................... 97

discharge........................... 98

discharge, monthly................. 100
INDEX. Ill

Illinois River near 

Peoria, 111. Continued.

gage heights........................ 98

rating table......................... 99

Illinois River basin:

description of........................... 97

Iowa City, Iowa. 

Iowa River at:

description......................... 83

discharge........................... 83

discharge, monthly................. 85

gage heights........................ 84

rating table......................... 85

Iowa River at 

Iowa City, Iowa:

description......................... 83

discharge..'......................... 83

discharge, monthly................. 85

gage heights........................ 84

rating table......................... 85

Iowa River basin:

description of........................... 82

J. 

Janesville, Iowa.

Red Cedar River at:

description......................

discharge........................

discharge, monthly..............

gage heights.....................

rating table.................!....

K.

Kankakee River at 

Davis, Ind.:

description.........................

discharge...........................

gage heights........................

Kankakee River at 

Momence, 111.:

description....................... 102-

discharge...........................

discharge, monthly.................

gage heights........................

rating table.........................

Kennedy Creek at and near 

Babb, Mont.:

description.............:...........

discharge...........................

discharge, monthly.................

gage heights........................

rating table.........................

mouth, Montana:

discharge...........................

Keosauqua, Iowa.

Des Moines River at:

description.........................

discharge...........................

discharge, monthly.................

gage heights........................

rating table.........................

Kimball, Alberta. 

St. Mary canal at:

discharge...........................

St. Mary River at:

discharge...........................

Knox, Ind.

Yellow River at:

description.........................

Knox, Ind. Continued. 

Yellow River at:

discharge.......................... 105

gage heights........................ 105

L. 

Lady smith, Wis.

Flambeau River near:

description......................

discharge. .......................

discharge, monthly..............

gage heights.....................

rating table......................

M.

Mankato, Minn.

Minnesota River near:

description......................... 56

discharge........................... 57

discharge, monthly................. 58

gage heights........................ 57

rating table.......................".. 58

Merrill, Wis.

Wisconsin River at:

description......................... 68

discharge........................... 69

gage heights........................ 69

Methods of computing run-off.............. 14-16

of measuring stream flow .............. 10-14

Miner's inch, definition of.................. 7

Minnesota River near 

Mankato, Minn.:

description......................... 56

discharge........................... 57

discharge, monthly................. 58

gage heights........................ 57

rating table......................... 58

Minnesota River basin:

description of........................... 56

Minot, N. Dak. 

Mouse River at:

description......................... 45

discharge........................... 45

discharge, monthly................. 47

gage heights........................ 46

rating table......................... 46

Mississippi River at and near 

Anoka, Minn.:

description......................... 52

discharge........................... 53

gage heights........................ 53

Sauk Rapids, Llinn.:

description......................... 51

discharge........................... 51

gage heights........................ 52

Mississippi River basin:

general features of...................... 49-50

Momence, 111.

Kankakee River at:

description....................... 102-103

discharge........................... 103

discharge, monthly................. 104

gage heights........................ 103

rating table......................... 104

Morse, H. M., acknowledgment to.......... 16

Mouse River at and near 

Foxholm, N. Dak.:

description................ I........ 42

discharge........................... 43
112 INDEX.

Mouse River at and near P

Foxhoto, N. Dak. Continued.

discharge, monthly .................

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

Minot, N. Dak.:

description .........................

discharge ............'...............

discharge, monthiv .................

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

Mouse River basin:

description of ...........................

Multiple-point method of measuring discharge, description of ...........

N.

Necedah, Wis.

Wisconsin River near:

description .........................

discharge ...........................

discharge, monthly. ................

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

Neche, N. Dak.

Pembina River near:

description .........................

discharge ...........................

discharge, monthly .................

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

Neillsville, Wis.

Black River at:

description .........................

discharge ...........................

discharge, monthly .................

gage heights ........................

rating table. . .......................

O.

Ottertail River near 

Fergus Falls, Minn.:

description . ........................

discharge . ..........................

discharge, monthly . . . .............

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

P.

Paisley dam site, Mont.

St. Mary River at:

discharge ...........................

Pembina River near 

Neche, N. Dak. :

description .................

discharge ...........................

discharge, monthly .................

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

Peoria, 111.

Illinois River near:

description ................... ... .

discharge ....................

discharge, monthly ......... .

gage heights ........................

rating table. ........................

R.

Raccoon River at 

Des Moines, Iowa:

discharge ...........................

ige.

44

43

44

45

45

47

46

46

42

13

70

70

72

71

72

40

40

42

41

41

65

66

67

66

67

33

33

35

34

35

26

40

40

42

41

41

97

98

100

98

99

96

Page. 

Rating curves, methods of construction

of .............................. 14-15

Rating tables, methods of construction

ci............................... 14,15

Red Cedar River at 

Janesville, Iowa:

description......................... 88

discharge........................... 88

discharge, monthly................. 90

gage heights........................ 89

rating table......................... 89

Red Lake River at 

'' Crookston, Minn.:

description......................... 37

discharge........................... 37

discharge, monthly................. 39

gage heights........................ 38

rating table........................ 39

Red River at 

Fargo, N. Dak.:

description......................... 27

discharge........................... 28

discharge, monthly................. 29

gage heights....................... 28

rating table......................... 29

Grand Forks, N. Dak.:

description......................... 29-30

discharge........................... 30

discharge, monthly................. 33

gage heights........................ 31

rating table......................... 32

Red River basin:

description of........................... 27

Rock River at 

Rockton, 111.:

description......................... 76

discharge........................... 76

discharge, monthly................. 78

gage heights........................ 77

rating table......................... 77

Sterling, 111.:

description......................... 78

discharge........................... 79,80

discharge, monthly................. 82

gage heights........................ 79,81

rating table......................... 80,82

Rock River basin:

description of........................... 75-78

Rockton, 111.:

Rock River at:

description......................... 76

discharge........................... 76

discharge, monthly................. 78

gage heights........................ 77

rating table......................... 77

Rules for computation, fundamental and

special.......................... 8-9

Rum River near 

Anoka, Minn.:

description......................... 54

discharge........................... 54

discharge, monthly................. 56

.................. 55

.................. 55

gage heights........................

rating table.........................

Rum River basin:

description of ...........................

Run-off, office methods of computing......

54 

14-16

in inches, definition of.................. 7-
INDEX. 113

S. Page. 

St. Mary canal at 

Kimball, Alberta:

discharge........................... 26

St. Mary River at and near 

Babb, Mont.:

description......................... 17

discharge........................... 17,26

discharge, monthly................. 19

gage heights........................ 18

rating table......................... 18

Cardston, Alberta:

description......................... 10

discharge........................... 20

discharge, monthly....---.-...---.. 21

gage heights........................ 20

rating table. ......................... 21

International line:

discharge........................... 26

Kennedy Creek, Mont.:

discharge........................... 26

Kimball, Alberta:

discharge........---.....---........ 26

Paisley dam site, Mont.:

discharge........................... 26

St. Mary River basin:

description of........................... 16

miscellaneous measurements in......... 26

Sangamon River at 

Decatur, 111.:

description......................... 106

discharge........................... 107

gage heights........................ 107

Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Mississippi River near:

description......................... 51

discharge........................... 51

gage heights............ ........... 52

Second-feet per square mile, definition of... 7 

Second-foot, definition of................... 7

Sheridan, 111. 

Fox River at:

description......................... 105

discharge........................... 106

gage heights........................ 106

Sheyenne River near 

Haggart, N. Dak.:

description......................... 35-36

discharge........................... 36

gage heights........................ 36

Single-point method of measuring discharge,

description of................... 13

Slope method of measuring discharge, use

and value of.................... 10

Sterling, 111,

Rock River at:

description......................... 78

discharge........................... 79,80

discharge, monthly................. 82

gage heights........'................ 79,81

rating table......................... 80,82

IRE 171 06 8

Page.

Sterling Manufacturing Company, acknowledgment to..................... 16

Stockman, L. R., acknowledgment to...... 16

Stone City, Iowa.

Wapsipinicon River at:

description......................... 73

discharge........................... 74

discharge, monthly................. 75

gage heights........................ 74

rating table..-......--...-----...-.. 75

Stream flow, field methods of measuring... 10-14 

Swiftcurrent creek near 

Babb, Mont.:

description......................... 21-22

discharge........................... 22

discharge, monthly................. 24

gage heights........................ 23

rating table......................... 23

T. 

Tables, explanation c f...................... 8-9

V. 

Velocity method of measuring discharge,

description of................... 11-14

Vertical-integration method of measuring

discharge, description of........ 13

Vertical velocity-curve method of measuring discharge, description of.... 13

W 

Wapsipinicon River at 

Stone City, Iowa:

description......................... 73

discharge....--....---....---....... 74

discharge, monthly................. 75

gage heights........................ 74

rating table....---.-...---.......... 75

Wapsipinicon River basin:

description of......................... . 73

Weir method of measuring discharge, requirements of................... 10-11

Wisconsin River at and near 

Merrill, Wis.:

description......................... 68

discharge........................... 69

gage heights........................ 69

Necedah, Wis.:

description....--...----....----.... 70

discharge........................... 70

discharge, monthly................. 72

gage heights..-.....--......--....-. 71

rating table......................... 72

Wisconsin River basin:

description of........................... 67-68

Y.

Yellow River at 

Knox, Ind.:

description......................... 104

discharge........................... 105

gage heights........................ 105
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL

SURVEY.

[Water-Supply Paper No. 171.]

The publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 

Reports; (2) Monographs; (3) Professional Papers; (4) Bulletins; (5) Mineral 

Resources; (6) Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers; (7) Topographic Atlas of 

United States, folios and separate sheets thereof; (8) Geologic Atlas of United 

States, folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at cost of publication; the others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists may be had 

on application.

Most of the above publications may be obtained or consulted in the following 

ways:

1. A limited number are delivered to the Director of the Survey, from whom they 

may be obtained, free of charge (except classes 2, 7, and 8), on application.

2. A certain number are delivered to Senators and Representatives in Congress, for 

distribution.

3. Other copies are deposited with the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 

D. C., from, whom they may be had at practically cost.

4. Copies of all Government publications are furnished to the principal public 

libraries in the large cities throughout the United States, where they may be 

consulted by those interested.

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of 

subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified 

into the following series: A, Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and 

physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water 

storage; K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investigations; N, Water power; O, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports.

Series P. The hydrographic progress reports contain the results of stream measurements. A 

report is issued for every calendar year, containing the results of data collected during that year. 

These reports were first published as a part of the Director's annual report or as a bulletin; they are 

now published as water-supply and irrigation papers. The following is a list, by years, of the publications containing the progress reports of stream measurements. A detailed index of these reports 

(1888-1903) is published as Water-Supply Paper No. 119.

1888. Tenth Annual Report, Part II.

1889. Eleventh Annual Report, Part II.

1890. Twelfth Annual Report, Part II.

1891. Thirteenth Annual Report, Part III.

1892. Fourteenth Annual Report, Part II.

1893. Bulletin No. 131.

1894. Bulletin No. 131; Sixteenth Annual Report, Part II.

1895. Bulletin No. 140.

1896. Water-Supply Paper No. 11; Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV.

1897. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 15 and 16; Nineteenth Annual Report, Part IV.

1898. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 27 and 28; Twentieth Annual Report, Part IV.

1899. Water-supply Papers Nos. 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39; Twenty-first Annual Report, Part IV.

1900. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, and 52; Twenty-second Annual Report, Part IV.

1901. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 65 and 75. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 66 and 75.

1902. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 82 and 88. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 84 and 85.
II SERIES LIST.

1903. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 97 and 98. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 99 and 100.

1904. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 124,125,126,127,128, and 129. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135.

1905. East of Mississippi River, Nos. 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, and 171.

West of Mississippi River, Nos. 171,172, 173,174,175,176, 177, and 178.

The Geological Survey and the Reclamation Service have suboffices in different parts of the United 

States, from which hydrographic and reclamation work in the respective localities is carried on and 

where data may be obtained on application. These offices are located as follows:

Boston, Mass., 6 Beacon street; Utica, N. Y., 75 Arcade; Atlanta, Ga., 409 Temple court; Austin, 

Tex., University of Texas; Chicago, 111., 876 Federal Building; Belle Fourche, S. Dak.; Cody, Wyo.; 

Denver, Colo., Chamber of Commerce Building; Salt Lake, Utah; Los Angeles, Cal., 1108 Union Trust 

Building; Phoenix, Ariz.; Carlsbad, N. Mex.; El Paso, Tex.; Billings, Mont.; Huntley, Mont.; Hazen, 

Nev.; Boise, Idaho; North Yakima, Wash.; Portland, Oreg., 351 Washington street.

Correspondence should be addressed to

THE DIRECTOR,

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

MAY, 1906.

o