DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

HUBERT WORK, Secretary

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director

Water-Supply Paper 528

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY OF THE 

UNITED STATES

1921

PART VIII. WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO BASINS

NATHAN C. GROVER, Chief Hydraulic Engineer

C. E. ELLSWORTH. District Engineer

Prepared In cooperation with the 

STATE OF TEXAS

WASHINGTON

9OVEBNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1923
ADDITIONAL COPIES

OF THIS PUBLICATION MAT BE PROCURED FROM

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON, D. c.

AT 

10 CENTS PER COPY

PURCHASER AGREES NOT TO RESELL OR DISTRIBUTE THIS 

COPY FOR PROFIT. PUB. RES. 57, APPROVED MAY 11, 1922
CONTENTS.

Authorization and scope of work. ............................................ 1

Definition of terms. ........................................................ 2

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

Accuracy of field data and computed results. ................................. 4

Publications. ............................................................. 5

Cooperation. ............................................................... 10

Division of work .......................................................... 10

Gaging-station records. ..................................................... 10

Trinity River basin........ ..-. ........................................ 10

West^Fork of Trinity River at Bridgeport, Tex. ...................... 10

West Fork of Trinity River at Fort Worth, Tex. ...................... 12

Trinity River at Dallas, Tex.. . .................................... 14

Elm Fork of Trinity River near Dallas, Tex. ......................... 16

Brazos River basin. . .................................................. 18

Brazos River at Waco, Tex. ......................................... 18

Brazos River near College Station, Tex. ............................ 20

Little River at Cameron, Tex. ........................................ 21

Colorado River basin. .................................................. 24

Colorado River at Ballinger, Tex. .................................. 24

Colorado River near Chadwick, Tex. ................................ 25

Colorado River at Marble Falls, Tex. ................................ 28

Colorado River at Austin, Tex..... . ................................ 29

Evaporation near Austin, Tex. ...................................... 32

Colorado River at Columbus, Tex..... .............................. 33

Colorado River at Wharton, Tex. ... ................................ 35

North Concho River at San Angelo, Tex. ............................ 36

Concho River near San Angelo, Tex. . .............................. 38

Concho River near Paint Rock, Tex. ................................ 41

San Saba River at Menard, Tex. ................................... 43

San Saba River near San Saba, Tex. ............................... 45

North Llano River near Junction, Tex. ............................. 47

Llano River near Junction, Tex. .................................... 49

Barton Springs at Austin, Tex. ...................................... 50

Guadalupe River basin.. .............................................. 51

Guadalupe River near Comfort, Tex. .................................. 51

Guadalupe River at New Braunfels, Tex. .............................. 53

Guadalupe River near Gonzales, Tex. . ............................. 55

Guadalupe River below Cuero, Tex. ................................. 57

San Marcos River at San Marcos, Tex. ............................... 58

San Marcos River at Ottine, Tex. ..................................... 61

San Antonio River basin.... . .......................................... 63

San Antonio River at San Antonio, Tex. ............................. 63

San Antonio River at Calaveras, Tex. .............................. 65

San Pedro Creek at San Antonio, Tex. ............................... 67

in
IV CONTENTS.

Gaging-station records Continued. Page.

Nueces River basin................................................... 69

Nueces River near Cinonia, Tex.................................... 69

Nueces River near Three Rivers, Tex.............................. 70

Nueces River at Calallen, Tex...................................... 72

Frio River near Derby, Tex........................................ 73

Rio Grande basin...................................................... 75

Rio Grande near San Martial, N. Mex.............................. 75

Rio Grande below Elephant Butte dam, N. Mex.................... 77

Pecos River near Dayton, N. Mex................................. 78

Pecos River at Carlsbad, N. Mex................................... 80

Pecos River near Malaga, N. Mex................................... 83

Pecos River near Angeles, Tex.................................... 85

Pecos River above Barstow, Tex................................... 87

Pecos River near Grandfalls, Tex................................... 88

Pecos River near Comstock, Tex................................... 91

Miscellaneous measurements.............................................. 93

Index.................................................................... 95

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. A, Price current meters; B, Typical gaging station............... 2

II. Water-stage recorders; A, Stevens continuous; B, Gurley; C, Friez.. 3
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY OF WESTERN GULF OF 

MEXICO BASINS, 1921.

AUTHORIZATION AND SCOPE OF WORK.

This volume is one of a series of 14 reports presenting results of 

measurements of flow made on streams in the United States during 

the year ending September 30, 1921.

The data presented in these reports were collected by the United 

States Geological Survey under the following authority contained 

in the organic law (20 Stat. L., p. 394):

Provided, That this officer [the Director] shall have the direction of the Geological 

Survey and the classification of public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain.

The work was begun in 1886 in connection with special studies 

relating to irrigation in the arid West. Since the fiscal year ending 

June 30, 1895, successive sundry civil bills passed by Congress have 

carried the following item and appropriations:

For gaging the streams and determining the water supply of the United States, 

and for the investigation of underground currents and artesian wells, and for the 

preparation of reports upon the best methods of utilizing the water resources.

Annual appropriations for the fiscal years ended June SO, 1895-192%.

1895 ................................................... $12,500. 00

1896................................................... 20,000. 00

1897 to 1900,inclusive................................... 50,000. 00

1901 to 1902,inclusive................................... 100,000. 00

1903 to 1906, inclusive................................... 200, 000. 00

1907................................................... 150,000. 00

1908 to 1910, inclusive................................... 100, 000. 00

1911 to 1917, inclusive................................... 150,000. 00

1918................................................... 175, 000.00

1919................................................... 148, 244.10

1920 ................................................... 175,000.00

1921................................................... 180,000. 00

1922................................................... 180,000. 00

In the execution of the work many private and State organizations have cooperated either by furnishing data or by assisting in 

collecting data. Acknowledgments for cooperation of the first kind 

are made in connection with the description of each station affected; 

cooperation of the second kind is acknowledged on page 10.
2 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Measurements of stream flow have been made at about 5,200 

points in the United States and also at many points in Alaska and 

the Hawaiian Islands. In July, 1921, 1,350 gaging stations were 

being maintained by the Survey and the cooperating organizations. 

Many miscellaneous discharge measurements were made at other 

points. In connection with this work data were also collected in 

regard to precipitation, evaporation, storage reservoirs, river profiles, and water power in many sections of the country and will be 

made available in water-supply papers from time to tune.

DEFINITION OF TERMS.

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 that represent a rate of flow, as secondfeet, gallons per minute, miner's inches, and discharge in second-feet 

per square mile, and (2) those that represent the actual quantity of 

J water, as run-off in inches, acre-feet, and millions of cubic feet. The 

principal terms used in this series of reports are second-feet, secondfeet per square mile, run-off in inches, and acre-feet. They may be 

defined as follows:

"Second-feet" is an abbreviation for "cubic feet per second." A 

second-foot is the rate of discharge of water flowing in a channel of 

rectangular cross section 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep at an average 

velocity of 1 foot per second. It is generally used as a fundamental 

unit from which others are computed. *

"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 an area would be covered if all the water flowing from it in a given period were uniformly 

distributed on the surface. It is used for comparing run-off with 

rainfall, which is usually expressed in depth in inches.

An "acre-foot," equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet, is the quantity 

required to cover an acre to the depth of 1 foot. The term is commonly used in connection with storage for irrigation.

The following terms not in common use are here defined:

"Stage-discharge relation," an abbreviation for the term "relation 

of gage height to discharge."

* Control," a term used to designate the section or sections of the 

stream below the gage which determines the stage-discharge relation 

at the gage. It should be noted that the control may not be the same 

section or sections at all stages.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 526 PLATE I

A. PRICK CURRENT METEHS.

B. TYPICAL GAGING STATION.
IT. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER S2S PLATE II

A. STEVEJNS CONTINUOUS. B. GURLRY PRINTING. 

WATER-STAGE RECORDERS.

C. FRIEZ.
EXPLANATION OF DATA. 6

The li point of zero flow" for a gaging station is that point on the 

gage the gage height at which water ceases to flow over the control.

EXPLANATION OF DATA.

The data presented in this report cover the year beginning October 1, 1920, and ending September 30, 1921. At the beginning of 

January in most parts of the United States much of the precipitation in the preceding three months is stored as ground water in the 

form of snow or ice, or in ponds, lakes, and swamps, and this stored 

water passes off in the streams during the spring break-up. At the 

end of September, on the other hand, the only stored water available 

for run-off is possibly a small quantity in the ground; therefore the 

run-off for the year beginning October 1 is practically all derived 

from precipitation within that year.

The base data collected at gaging stations consist of records of 

stage, measurements of discharge, and general information used to 

supplement the gage heights and discharge measurements in determining the daily flow. The records of stage are obtained either from 

direct readings on a staff gage or from a water-stage recorder that 

gives a continuous record of the fluctuations. Measurements of 

discharge are made with a current meter. (See Pis. I, II.) The 

general methods are outlined in standard textbooks on the measurement of river discharge.

From the discharge measurements rating tables are prepared that 

give the discharge for any stage. The application of the daily gage 

height to these rating tables gives the daily discharge from which 

the monthly and yearly mean discharge is determined.

The data presented for each gaging station in the area covered by 

this report comprise a description of the station, a table giving results 

of discharge measurements, a table showing the daily discharge of 

the stream, and a table of monthly and yearly discharge and run-off.

If the base data are insufficient to determine the daily discharge, 

tables giving daily gage heights and results of discharge measurements are published.

The description of the station gives, in addition to statements 

regarding location and equipment, information in regard to any conditions that may affect the permanence of the stage-discharge relation, 

covering such subjects as the occurrence of ice, the use of the stream 

for log driving, shifting of control, and the cause and effect of backwater; it gives also information as to diversions that decrease the 

flow at the gage, artificial regulation, maximum and minimum 

recorded stages, and the accuracy of the records.

The table of daily discharge gives, in general, the discharge in 

second-feet corresponding to the mean of the gage heights read each
4 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

day. At stations on streams subject to sudden or rapid diurnal 

fluctuation the discharge obtained from the rating table and the 

mean daily gage height may not be the true mean discharge for the 

day. If such stations are equipped with water-stage recorders the 

mean daily discharge may be obtained by averaging discharge at 

regular intervals during the day, or by using the discharge integrator, 

an instrument operating on the principle of the planimeter and containing as an essential element the rating curve of the station.

In the table of monthly discharge the column headed "Maximum" 

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

highest. As the gage height is the mean for the day it does not 

indicate correctly the stage when the water surface was at crest 

height, and the corresponding discharge was consequently larger 

than given in the maximum column. Likewise, in the column 

headed "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 in cubic feet for each second during the 

month. On this average flow computations recorded in the remaining columns, which are defined on page 2, are based.

ACCURACY OF FIELD DATA AND COMPUTED RESULTS.

The accuracy of stream-flow data depends primarily (1) on the permanence of the stage-discharge relation and (2) on the accuracy of 

observation of stage, measurements of flow, and interpretation of 

records.

A paragraph in the description of the station or footnotes added 

to the tables gives information regarding the (1) permanence of the 

stage-discharge relation, (2) precision with which the discharge rating 

curve is defined, (3) refinement of gage readings, (4) frequency of 

gage readings, and (5) methods of applying daily gage heights to 

the rating table to obtain the daily discharge. 1

For the rating tables "well defined" indicates, in general, that the 

rating is probably accurate within 5 per cent; "fairly well defined," 

within 10 per cent; "poorly defined," within 15 to 25 per cent. 

These notes are very general and are based on the plotting of the 

individual measurements with reference to the mean rating curve.

The monthly means for any station may represent, with high accuracy the quantity of water flowing past the gage, but the figures 

showing discharge per square mile and run-off in inches may be 

subject to gross errors caused by the inclusion of large noncontributing districts in the measured drainage area, by lack of information concerning water diverted for irrigation or other use, or by

1 For a more detailed discussion of the accuracy of stream-flow data see Grover, N. C., and Hoyt, J. C., 

Accuracy of stream-flow data: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 400, pp. 53-59,1916.
PUBLICATIONS. 5

inability to interpret the effect of artificial regulation of the flow of 

the river above the station. "Second-feet per square mile" and 

' run-off in inches " are therefore not computed if such errors appear 

probable. The computations are also omitted for stations on 

streams draining areas in which the annual rainfall is less than 20 

inches. All figures representing "second-feet per square mile" and 

"run-off in inches" published by the Survey in earlier reports should 

be used with caution because of possible inherent sources of error 

not known to the Survey.

Many gaging stations on streams in the irrigated areas of the 

United States are located above most of the diversions from those 

streams, and the discharge recorded does not show the water supply 

available for further development as prior appropriations below the 

stations must first be satisfied. To give an idea of the amount of 

prior appropriations, a paragraph on diversions is presented in each 

station description. The figures given can not be considered exact 

but represent the best information available.

The table of monthly discharge gives only a general idea of the 

flow at the station and should not be used for other than preliminary 

estimates; the tables of daily discharge allow more detailed studies 

of the variation in flow. It should be borne in mind, however, that 

the observations in each succeeding year may be expected to throw 

new light on data previously published.

PUBLICATIONS.

Investigation of water resources by the United States Geological 

Survey has consisted in large part of measurements of the volume of 

flow of streams and studies of the conditions affecting that flow, but 

it has comprised also investigations of such closely allied subjects as 

irrigation, water storage, water powers, underground waters, and 

quality of waters. Most of the results of these investigations have 

been published in the series of*water-supply papers, but some have 

appeared in the bulletins, professional papers, monographs, and 

annual reports.

The results of stream-flow measurements are now published annually in 12 parts, each part covering an area whose boundaries 

coincide with natural drainage features, as indicated below:

Part I. North Atlantic slope basins.

II. South Atlantic slope and eastern Gulf of Mexico basins.

III. Ohio River basin.

IV. St. Lawrence River basin.

V. Upper Mississippi River and Hudson Bay basins.

VI. Missouri River basin.

VII. Lower Mississippi River basin.

VIII. Western Gulf of Mexico basins.

I.. Colorado River basin.
6 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1921, PAET VIII.

Part X. Great Basin.

XI. Pacific slope basins in California.

XII. North Pacific slope basins; in three volumes:

A. Pacific slope basins in Washington and upper Columbia River basin.

B. Snake River basin.

C. Lower Columbia River basin and Pacific slope basins in Oregon.

Water-supply papers and other publications of the United States 

Geological Survey containing data in regard to the water resources of 

the United States may be obtained or consulted as indicated below:

1. Copies may be obtained free of charge by applying to the 

Director of the Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. The edition 

printed for free distribution is, however, small and is soon exhausted.

2. Copies may be purchased at nominal cost from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, 

D. C., who will on application furnish list giving prices.

3. Sets of the reports may be consulted in the libraries of the 

principal cities in the United States.

4. Complete sets are available for consultation in the local offices 

of the water-resources branch of the Geological Survey, as follows:

Boston, Mass., 2500 Customhouse.

Albany, N. Y., 704 Journal Building.

Trenton, N. J., State House.

Asheville, N. C., 33-35 Broadway.

Chattanooga, Tenn., 37 Municipal Building.

Columbus, Ohio, Orton Hall, Ohio State University.

Chicago, 111., 1404 Kimball Building.

Madison, Wis., care of Railroad Commission of Wisconsin.

Ames, Iowa, 103 Engineering Hall, Iowa State College.

Rolla, Mo., Rolla Building, School of Mines and Metallurgy.

Topeka, Kans., 23 Federal Building.

Helena, Mont., 52 Montana National Bank Building.

Denver, Colo., 403 Post Office Building.

Salt Lake City, Utah, 313 Federal Building.

Idaho Falls, Idaho, 228 Federal Building.

Boise, Idaho, 615 Idaho Building. *

Tacoma, Wash., 406 Federal Building.

Portland, Oreg., 606 Post Office Building.

San Francisco, Calif., 328 Customhouse.

Los Angeles, Calif., 602 Federal Building.

Tucson, Ariz., 210 Agricultural Building, University of Arizona.

Austin, Tex., State Capitol.

Honolulu, Hawaii, 25 Capitol Building.

A list of the Geological Survey's publications may be obtained by 

applying to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C.

Stream-flow records have been obtained at about 5,200 points in 

the United States, and the data obtained have been published in the 

reports tabulated on pages 7 and 8.
PUBUCATIONS.

Stream-flow data in reports of the United States Geological Survey. 

[A=sAnnnal Report; B=Bulletin; W=Water-Supply Paper.]

Report.

10th A, pt.!2.. ..........

llth A, pt.2. ...........

12th A, pt. 2. ...........

Uth A, pt.2. ...........

BJ131..... ...............

16th A, pt.2. ...........

B140.... ................

Wll. ...................

18th A, pt. 4. ...........

WJ15... .................

W16....... ..............

19th A, pt. 4. ...........

W27... .................

W28.. .............. ...

20th A, pt. 4............

W35 to 39........ .......

21st A, pt. 4. ............

W47to52..............

22dA,pt.4 ............

W65, 66..... .

W75..........

W 82 to '85.. .......... ..

W97 to 100.... ..........

W 124 to 135.. ...........

W 165 to 178......

W 201 to 214.. ........ ..

W 241 to 252.....

W261 to 272.....

W281 to 292.... .........

W301 to 312.... ........

W321to332.............

W351 to 362.... .........

W 381 to 394......

W 401 to414.. ...... ..

W 431 to 444....

W 451 to 464.....

W 471 to 484...... .

W501to514........

W521 to 534.... ........

Character of data.

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

Monthly discharge (long-time records, 1871 to 1893) ............

Descriptions, measurements, gage heights, ratings, and monthly discharge (also many data covering earlier years).

Descriptions, measurements, ratings, and monthly discharge 

(also similar data for some earlier years). 

Descriptions, measurements, and gage heights, eastern United 

States, eastern Mississippi River, and Missouri River above 

junction with Kansas. 

Descriptions, measurements, and gage heights, western Mississippi River below junction of Missouri and Platte, and western United States. 

Descriptions, measurements, ratings, and monthly discharge 

(also some long-time records). 

Measurements, ratings, and gage heights, eastern United States, 

eastern Mississippi River, and Missouri River. 

Measurements, ratings and gage heights, Arkansas River and 

western United States.

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Year.

1884 to September, 1890. 

1884 to June 30, 

1891. 

1884 to Dec. 31, 

1892. 

1888 to Dec. 31, 

1893. 

1893 and 1894. 

1895.

1896. 

1895 and 1896.

1897. 

1897.

1897. 

1898. 

1898.

1898. 

1899. 

1899. 

1900. 

1900. 

1901. 

1901. 

1902. 

1903. 

1904. 

1905. 

1906. 

1907-8. 

1909. 

1910. 

1911. 

1912. 

1913. 

1914. 

1915. . 

1916. 

1917. 

1918. 

1919-20. 

1921.

The records at most of the stations discussed in these reports 

extend over a series of years, and miscellaneous measurements at 

many points other than regular gaging stations have been made 

each year. An index of the reports containing records obtained 

prior to 1904 has been published in Water-Supply Paper 119.

The following table gives, by years and drainage basins, the numbers of the papers on surface-water supply published from 1899 to 

1921. The data for any particular station will, as a rule, be found in 

the reports covering the years during which the station was maintained. For example, data for Machias River at Whitneyville, Maine, 

1903 to 1921, are published in Water-Supply Papers 97, 124, 165, 201, 

241, 261, 281, 301, 321, 351, 381, 401, 431, 451, 471, 501, and 521, 

which contain records for the New England streams from 1903 to 

1921. Results of miscellaneous measurements are published by 

drainage basins.
Numbers of water-supply papers containing results of stream measur

Year.

1899o..... 

1900?..... 

1901.......

1902.......

1903.......

1904.......

1905. ......

1906.......

1907-8..... 

1909.......

1910.......

1911.......

1912.......

1913.......

1914.......

1915.......

1916.......

1917.......

1918.......

1919-20.... 

1921.......

I

North 

Atlantic 

slope 

(St. John 

River to 

York 

River).

35

47, » 48 

65,75 

82 

97 

» 124, o 125, 

J>126 

» 165, o 166, 

P167 

n 201, o 202, 

P203 

241 

261 

281 

301 

321 

351 

381 

401 

431 

451 

471 

501 

521

II

South 

Atlantic 

and 

eastern 

Gulf of 

Mexico 

(James 

River 

to the Mississippi).

635,36

48 

65,75 

682,83 

697,98 

f 126, 127

f 167, 168 

V 203, 204

242 

262 

282 

302 

322 

352 

382 

402 

432 

452 

472 

502 

522

III

Ohio 

River.

36

48, i 49 

65,75 

83 

98 

128

169 

205

243 

263 

283 

303 

323 

353 

383 

403 

433 

453 

473 

503 

523

IV

St. 

Lawrence 

River and 

Great 

Lakes.

36 

49 

65,75 

*82,83 

97 

129

170 

206

244 

264 

284 

304 

324 

354 

384 

404 

434 

454 

474 

504 

524

V

Hudson 

Bay and 

upper Mississippi 

River.

36

49 

* 65, 66, 75 

fc83,85 

*98,99,mlOO 

* 128, 130

171 

207

245 

265 

285 

305 

325 

355 

385 

405 

435 

455 

475 

505 

525

VI

Missouri 

River.

c36,37 

49, i 50 

66,75 

84 

99 

130, g 131

172

208

246 

266 

286 

306 

326 

356 

386 

406 

436 

456 

476 

506 

526

VII

Lower Mississippi 

River.

37 

50 

* 65, 66, 75 

&83,84 

fc98,99 

* 128, 131

* 169, 173 

* 205, 209

247 

267 

287 

307 

327 

357 

387 

407 

437 

457 

477 

507 

527

VIII

Western 

Gulf of 

Mexico.

37

50 

66,75 

84 

99 

132

174 

210

248 

268 

288 

308 

328 

358 

388 

408 

438 

458 

478 

508 

528

IX

Color

Rive

<«37

66

175,« 

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

3

4

4

4

4
o Rating tables and index to Water-Supply Papers 3&-S9 contained in Water-Supply i Loup and Platte r

Paper 39. Monthlv discharge for 1899 in Twenty-first Annual Report, Part IV. with Platte.

t James River only. * Tributaries of Miss

e Gallatin River. J Lake Ontario and t

d Green and Gunnison rivers and Grand River above junction with Gunnison. » Hudson Bay only.

« Mohave River only. » New England liver

/ Kings and Kern rivers and south Pacific slope basins. o Hudson River to D

s Rating tables and index to Water-Supply Papers 47-52 and data on precipitation, p Susquehanna Rive

wells, and irrigation in California and Utah contained in Water-Supply Paper 52. ? Platte and Kansas 

Monthly discharge for 1900 in Twenty-second Annual Report, Part IV. r Great Basin in Cali

& Wissahickon and SchuyMH rivers to James River. * Below junction wit

< Seioto Jliver. » Rogue, Umpqua, a
10 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

COOPERATION.

The work of measuring streams in Texas during the year ending 

September 30, 1921, was carried on in cooperation with the State 

through the Board of Water Engineers, consisting of W. T. Potter, 

chairman; C. S. Clark; and John A. Norris, to whom special 

acknowledgments are due for the efficient and cordial manner in 

which they represented the State in the cooperative investigations.

Acknowledgments are due the United States Reclamation Service 

for records furnished and general assistance at the stations on Pecos 

River in New Mexico, and to the United States Weather Bureau 

for climatologic data and equipment for the evaporation station 

near Austin.

The cities of Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, 

and the Pecos Valley Lines have aided in the collection of records 

by furnishing funds or giving general assistance.

DIVISION OF WORK.

Data for stations in Texas were collected and prepared for publication under the direction of C. E. Ellsworth, district engineer, 

assisted by Clarence E. McCashin, Donald A. Dudley, Harvey B. 

Kinnison, Trigg Twichell, Robert G. West, H. C. Pritchett, and 

Kate Casparis.

The manuscript was reviewed by B. J. Peterson.

GAGING-STATION RECORDS.

TRINITY RIVER BASIN. 

WEST FORK OF TRINITY RIVER AT BRIDGEPORT, TEX.i

LOCATION. At suspension bridge on Balsora-Bridgeport road, half a mile southwest of

center of Bridgeport, Wise County, a quarter of a mile above Chicago, Rock Island

& Gulf Railway Co.'s pumping plant, and 1 mile below mouth of Gentry Creek. 

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,060 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps;

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T.

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey; scale 1 inch=25 miles). 

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October I, 1914, to* September 30, 1921. Records of stage

have been obtained by the United States Weather Bureau since August 12,1908. 

GAGE. Weight and tape gage of the Mott type, fastened to downstream side of bridge;

56 feet from north end of guard rail; read by Mrs. U. E. Byers. 

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from downstream side of bridge or by wading. 

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of clay, gravel, and sand. Banks are high,

slightly wooded, and are overflowed at a stage of 25 feet. Channel straight above

and below station for 100 feet. Control is rock outcrop three-quarters of a mile

below station. 

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded, 21.85 feet at 7 a. m. July 11

(discharge, 9,740 second-feet); minimum discharge, 0.5 second-foot May 27. 

1908-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 28.9 feet June 8, 1915 (discharge not

determined); no flow during several periods.

1 Published in earlier reports as Trinity River at Bridgeport, Tex.
TRINITY BIVEB BASIN. 11

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Practically the only diversion above station is by city of Bridgeport 

which diverts a small amount for municipal uses.

REGULATION. None.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation practically permanent, except for slight changes 

at extreme low stages caused by filling and scouring of fissures in the rock control? 

and slight changes during floods. Rating curve well defined below 11,000 secondfeet. Gage read to hundredths once daily and oftener during floods. Daily discharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table; shiftingcontrol method used July 14 to September 30. Records good except those for 

extremely low stages which are fair.

Discharge measurements of West Fork of Trinity River at Bridgeport, Tex., during the

year ending Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Jan. 17

Made by 

R. G. West............... .............................................. ..

C. E. Ellsworth.. ....................................................... ..

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.79

.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

136

1.4

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of West Fork of Trinity River at Bridgeport, Tex., for the

year ending Sept. SO, 1921.

Day.

2.........

3.........

4.........

5.........

6.........

7.........

8.........

9.........

10.........

12.........

13.........

14.........

15.........

17.........

18.........

19. ........

20.........

21.........

22. ........

23.........

24.........

25.........

26.........

27.........

28.........

29.........

30.........

31.........

Oct.

6.8

5.8

5.2

4.5

3.5

2.9

2.4

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.7

6.0

6.5

8.5

494

255

234

299

401

3,740

2,340

2,980

2,420

1,410

974

590

590

Nov.

424

321

212

135

59

18

14

12

12

19

223

187

187

160

129

104

77

43

24

21

14

12

9.7

8.5

183

1,020

189

127

61

28

Dec.

15

6.2

27

23

26

24

183

179

212

158

142

140

131

131

129

124

114

104

97

86

255

299

212

154

142

73

60

46

34

26

21

Jan.

19

16

12

8.5

6.0

5.0

4.3

3.5

3.1

2.7

19

366

299

344

170

52

73

63

42

32

27

25

17

14

19

7.3

5.8

5.0

4.3

3.5

Feb.

3.7

4.3

3.9

3.1

2.5

2.7

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.5

5.2

662

1.530

590

470

196

138

102

90

73

53

41

Mar.

34

26

19

16

14

14

13

12

12

13

11

16

168

662

223

131

81

48

662 ^on

266

129

108

66

36

39

30

36

39

38

34

Apr.

27

23

19

16

12

90

64

42

21

202

89

68

78

41

33

14

5.5

5.2

5.0

4.5

4.1

3.3

4.3

3.5

3.1

3 Z

4.8

4.3

3.1

2

C

May.

3.3

65

73

16

6.8

3.9

2.7

60

127

32

17

5.8

3.5

2.5

2.3

2.1

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.1

1.0

o

.5

28

22

11

10

June.

26

35

126

542

36

19

7.0

614

734

2,380

1,050

926

1,020

366

71

37

25

15

14

12

9 1

5.2

93

7.3

26

9 7

7 9

5.8

22

61

July.

13

2.2

7.9

12

3.9

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.0

7,760

1,830

58

11

32

10

8.8

7.0

8.5

15

80

24

12

11

12

is

7.3

4.3

3.3

2 9

1.7

Aug.

1.3

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.4

1.2

162

97

50

17

4.1

2.2

2.4

3.3

42

13

4.8

3.1

9 n

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.3

1 3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1 9

1.3

Sept.

1.3

1.1

1.0

.9

.8

61

OR

21

7.9

4.8

9 7

8.5

7.6

6.5

5.8

4.8

3.7

3.5

3.9

3 3

2

e

2.4

2 A

2.2

5.8

8 9

8.5

12

17

16
12 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Monthly discharge of West Fork of Trinity River at Bridgeport, Tex.,for the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Month.

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

M arch ....................................................

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

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

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,740 

1,020 

299 

366 

1,530 

662 

202 

127 

2,380 

7,760 

162 

98

7,760

Minimum.

2.0 

8.5 

6.2 

2.7 

1.5 

11 

2.5 

.5 

5.2 

1.0 

1.1 

.8

.5

Mean.

542 

134 

109 

54.3 

143 

115 

29.9 

16.4 

274 

321 

13.8 

11.1

147

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

33,300 

7,970 

6,700 

3,340 

7,940 

7,070 

1,780 

1,010 

16,300 

19,700 

848 

660

107,000

WEST FORE OF TRINITY RIVER AT FORT WORTH, TEX.

LOCATION. At old intake pump house of Fort Worth Power & Light Co.'s plant, 

in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, one-fourth mile below mouth of Clear Fork of 

Trinity River and 150 feet above Paddock viaduct.

DRAINAGE AREA. 2,420 square miles (measured on post-route map of Texas).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 1, 1920, to September 30, 1921. Records of stage have 

been kept by United States Weather Bureau at Paddock viaduct since March 

1, 1910.

GAGE. Gurley graph water-stage recorder, installed October 11,1920, in the old pump 

house of Fort Worth Power & Light Co.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading, from highway bridge 1,000 feet above 

gage, or from North Twelfth Street Bridge 2 miles below gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight for 500 feet above, and 1,000 feet below 

section. Right bank high, brushy, and not subject to overflow; left bank low, 

with protection levee, but subject to overflow at high stages. Bed composed of 

rock, gravel, and clay. Control is a concrete dam just below gage and is permanent.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

10.11 feet at 8.30 a. m. April 5 (discharge, 9,480 second-feet); minimum stage, 0.9 

foot October 10, by comparison with United States Weather Bureau record (discharge, 1.9 second-feet).

1910-1921: Maximum stage by levels from mark made at time of flood, 21.4 feet 

June 10, 1915 (discharge, 44,000 second-feet); no flow during several periods of 

record.

ICE. None during year.

DIVERSIONS. The city of Fort Worth diverts for municipal use about 15 second-feet 

from the storage reservoir on the West Fork, known as Lake Worth.

REGULATION. Flow is partly regulated by the storage at Lake Worth, which has a 

capacity of about 30,000 acre-feet.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well defined below 

14,000 second-feet; fairly well defined above that point. Operation of water-stage 

recorder not satisfactory. Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table 

mean daily gage height obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by use of 

planimeter, and for days of considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging discharge 

for intervals of the day as indicated in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records 

fair.
TRINITY RIVER BA&m. 13

measurements of West Fork of Trinity River at Fort Worth, Tex., during the 

period Aug. 21, 1920, to Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

1920. 

Aug. 21

30

Oct. 5

12

Dec. 15

17

Made by 

C. E. Ellsworth........

Ellsworth and West... .

E.G. West............

C. E. Ellsworth........

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.73

3.60

1.16

1.13

1.74

1.49

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

010

1,740

39.4

32.6

222

128

Date.

1921.

6

Made by 

K. G. West............

C. E. McCashin........

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

E.G. West............

C. E. Ellsworth........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.67

7.35

4.46

1.21

1.08

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

799

<*6,490

2.660

47.1

16.4

o Surface velocities observed and coefficient used to reduce to mean velocities. Kapidly falling stage.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of West Fork of Trinity River at Fort Worth, Tex., for 

the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

6... . ......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 ..... .....

!&... .........

&::::.::.::: Q2o::::::::::::

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

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

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

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

25... .... ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

21

42

68

68

42

42

8.0

21

8.0

1.9

32

27

25

23

21

27

27 

29

45

297

590

478

2,700

2,460

2,100

2,100

2,460

3,100

3,240

2,700

Nov.

1,650

850

487

352

249

228

215

195

187

240

206

176

172

206

191

172 

168

168

168

168

168

131

97

97

131

430

406

604

44S

Dec.

328

268

232

273

206

195

268

219

219

278

268

259

292

217

206

142

131 

128

128

548

892

646

590

424

390

302

215

191

191

179

Jan.

202

153

150

146

142

131

142

153

135

104

214

460

1,990

1,470

1,170

1,090

955 

796

676

597

534

527

656

534

527

436

358

353

395

364

302

Feb.

302

297

283

287

283

254

369

317

ORQ

9QO

249

OO9

198

195

215

206

2

rtQft

3

onn

2 100

1 940

2' log

1,990

1,400

955

748

639

569

Mar.

527

508

478

424

qnn

379

527 t;a7

424

284

460

460

460

348

400

348

94Q

460

460

660

1 000

l'270

590

348

297

292

338

297

259

9KQ

Apr.

240

91 Q

202

1,090

6,030

2,760

2 inn

1,280

804

555

Ann

348

384

384

322

348

232 

183

172

161

408

454

292

195

187

278

307

9^4.

206

172

May.

138

164

187

176

195

202

176

164

245

283

9O7

9Q7

232

183

287

135

91

80

68

58

60

60

55

50

47

40

36

50

50

45

38

June.

47

52

215

527

4fi(l T

400

287

302

653

684

764

1 030

1,260

1,500

1,670

1,530

955

484

245

150

369

632

740

448

395

297

202

142

97

July.

71

55

42

38

38

47

40

21

14

80

312

1,310

1,720

2,100

2,580

3,380

2,100 

937

780

508

ItM.

65

85

107

111

77

65

80

68

47

4.9

Aug.

38

32

27

20

16

12

11

12

11

9.3

25

17

14

13

14

17

13 

12

7.4

7.4

6.8

6.8

5.6

5.0

5.6

7.4

11

11

9.3

8.0

8.0

Sept.

9.3

8.0 8."0

8.0

9.3

9.3

40

47

21

16

14

14

13

13

12

11

8.0 

7.4

9.3

6.8

6.2

5.6

5.0

4.3

5.0

, 6.2

6.8

8.0

13

14

NOTE. Discharge for following days determined from reading of TJ. S. Weather Bureau staff gage reduced 

to datum of United States Geotogical Survey gage: Oct. 1-10,15, 20-22, 24-29, Nov. 5,11,12,18-26, Jan. 12, 

Mar. 12-25, and July 16-22. Discharge partly estimated, owing to incomplete record on following days: 

Oct. 14,23, Nov. 6,10,13,17,27, Dec. 3,4,11, Mar. 26, May 18-20, July 23, and July 30 to Aug. 5. Discharge 

averaged for intervals of the day, Nov. 1-4, Dec. 14,21, Jan. 11, Feb. 18, Apr. 4, 21, and June 3.

38956 WSP 528 23 2
14 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Monthly discharge of West Fork of Trinity River at Fort Worth, Tex.,for the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Month.

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

January................................. . . . ..........

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

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

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

The year.......................... ... .........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,240 

1,650 

892 

1,990 

3,800 

1,270 

6,030 

297 

1,670 

3,380 

38 

47

6,030

Minimum.

1.9 

97 

124 

104 

195 

249 

161 

36 

47 

14 

5.0 

4.3

1.9

Mean.

740 

310 

289 

512 

812 

457 

699 

135 

555 

549 

13.3 

12.0

421

Run-off in

acre-feet.

45,500 18,400- 

17,800 

31,500 

45,100 

28,100 4i,eoa

8,300 

33,000 

33,800 

818 

714

305,000

TRINITY RIVER AT DALLAS, TEX.

LOCATION. On Commerce Street viaduct in city of DallaB, Dallas County, 800 feet 

below Texas & Pacific Railway bridge, one block from county courthouse, one 

block upstream from union station, 3 miles by air line, and 5 miles by river below 

confluence of Elm Fork and West Fork of Trinity River.

DRAINAGE AREA. 5,920 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T, 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch =25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 1, 1898, to December 31, 1899 (discharge not computed); July 1, 1903, to December 31, 1906; and October 1, 1920, to September 

30, 1921. Gage readings by United States Weather Bureau available since 1903,

GAGE. Chain gage attached to downstream handrail of Commerce Street viaduct; 

read by C. J. Anderson. From October 1, 1898, to December 31, 1899, gage was 

at Turtle Creek pumping plant, 2 miles above present gage. Relation between 

gages not known.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from upstream side of Commerce 

Street viaduct, or from "Millers Ferry " bridge, 6 miles downstream from gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel practically straight for 1,000 feet above and 600 

feet below station. Right bank medium in height, composed of clay and gravel, 

wooded, and subject to overflow; left bank high, fairly clean, and not subject to 

overflow except at extremely high stages. Bed is composed of clay and gravel 

and not likely to shift. Low-water control is a gravel and clay shoal, 300 feet 

below gage. High-water control not known. A lock and dam, 13 miles below 

gage, will back water at station to a gage height of 11.65 feet when wickets are 

closed. This, however, seldom occurs.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 34.3 feet from 

4,20 p. m. April 7 to 9.40 a. m. April 8 (discharge, 18,200 second-feet); minimum 

stage, 4.35 feet at 4.45 p. m. September 27 (discharge, 20 second-feet).

1898-1899; 1903-1906; 1921: Maximum and minimum discharge in 1921 

(see above).

Maximum flood on record, 52.6 feet at 6 p. m. May 26, 1908, from records of 

United States Weather Bureau (discharge not determined).

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Only known diversions are for municipal use. No irrigation of importance above.
TRINITY RIVER BASIN. 15

REGULATION. Ordinary flow is regulated by municipal dams, on West Fork 40 miles 

above, and on Elm Fork, 6 miles above gage.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation parmanent. Rating curve well defined from 

20 to 75,000 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths twice daily. Daily discharge 

ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table. Records good*

Discharge measurements of Trinity River at Dallas, Text ., during the period Aug. 30,

to Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

1920.

31

Sept. 1

2

3

4

5

Oct. 9

18

Made by 

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

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

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

.....d,o~......... .......

E.G. West............

height.

Feet. 

25.70

27.17

28.39

30.79

30.39

20.17

17.41

6.92

6.38

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

«6,700

a7,630

8,770

10,400

9,960

3,860

3,250

188

146

Date.

1920. 

Dec. 15

1921.

* 19

Apr. 7

May 27

Aug. 3

Sept. 24

Made by 

C. E.Ellsworth........

Ellsworth and West ....

B.C. West............

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

10.62

33.04

16.60

34.14

6.92

5.27

4.36

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

847

13,200

2,390

18,800

191

58.2

19.7

a Surface velocities observed over part of section and coefficient of 1.04 used to reduce to mean velocities. 

Coefficient determined from well-defined vertical velocity curves taken on Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 and 2.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Trinity River at Dallas, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23.... ..... v ...

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

oe

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

310 

240 

230 

210 

200

190 

190 

190 

190 

180

180 

180 

180 

163 

145

145 

145 

145 

220 

370

1,180 

1,100 

2,140 

7,080 

8,990

10,800 

10,400 

10,200 

6,790 

3,580 

3,620

Nov.

3,780 

3,100 

2,350 

1,450 

950

800 

700 

620 

580 

1,000

1,200 

1,250 

1,200 

900 

620

560 

600 

560 

520 

500

500 

480 

480 

460 

480

750 

3,020 

3,500 

3,020 

1,720

Dec.

1,250 

775 

825 

750 

725

725 

1,020 

1,600 

1,660 

1,200

1,000 

950 

850 

850 

825

640 

580 

500 

500 

480

1,600 

5,800 

7,320 

6,570 

4,900

2,350 

1,100 

1,020 

900 

725 

700

Jan.

680 

660 

640 

560 

540

540 

520 

500 

500 

500

580 

3,500 

8,080 

12,700 

14,200

11,800 

9,080 

4,900 

2,490 

2,050

1,810 

1,660 

1,660 

1,750 

1,690

1,540 

1,350 

1,150 

1,100 

1,100 

1,100

Feb.

950 

900

875 

875 

850

850 

850 

925 

1,280 

1,220

825 

800 

750 

660 

620

640 

1,100 

1,510 

5,650 

11,400

15,000 

12,500 

10,500 

6,400 

3,260

2,200 

1,900 

1,630

Mar.

1,540 

1,400 

1,350 

1,300 

1,180

1,100 

1,080 

1,350 

2,230 

1,630

1,480 

4,710 

2,700 

1,720 

2,290

3,100 

2,200 

1,990 

1,990 

2,050

2,230 

2,170 

1,660 

1,960 

2,420

1,900 

1,630 

1,380 

1,320 

1,380 

1,000

Apr.

825 

750 

725 

660 

3,660

10,300 

16,800 

17,200 

13,200 

8,150

5,050 

1,840 

1,300 

'1,250 

1,280

1,200 

1,000 

925 

800 

850

875 

3,700 

2,420 

1,300 

800

1,660 

3,220 

2,260 

1,100 

1,150

May.

1,250 

1,350 

800 

700 

620

580 

540 

540 

640 

1,320

1,150 

825 

700 

620 

1,020

1,720 

800 

640 

355 

310

310 

295 

295 

230 

210

181 

181 

181 

181 

181 

250

June.

440 

775 

2,700 

2,700 

2,050

1,120 

1,050 

1,400 

2,860 

2,320

2,320 

2,520 

2,820 

2,350 

2,140

1,990 

1,300 

1,380 

950 

660

420 

700 

2,520 

3,380 

2,050

1,350 

1,020 

750 

660 

400

July.

355 

370 

220 

190 

190

210 

181 

190 

163 

154

121 

200 

725 

1,320 

1,750

2,380 

2,860 

2,460 

1,320 

700

420 

295 

310 

355 

460

950 

640 

265 

181 

145 

113

Aug.

98

84 

69 

63 

54

46 

51 

91 

181 

325

295 

250 

200 

154 

190

38 

28 

36 

40 

43

40 

30 

28 

26 

26

24 

24 

22 

24 

26 

28

Sept.

26 

28 

163 

28 

28

30 

26 

22 

22 

22

24 

26 

36 

28 

26

24 

22 

22 

21 

26

33 

28 

24 

21 

22

22 

20 

21 

21 

21
16 SURFACE WATER, SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Monthly discharge of Trinity River at Dallas, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

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

The year ............... ....... ....... ..........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

10, 800 

3, 780 

7,320 

14,200 

15,000 

4,710 

17,200 

1,720 

3,380 

2,860 

325 

163

17,200

Minimum.

145 

460 

480 

500 

620 

1,000 

660 

181 

400 

113 

22 

20

20

Mean.

2,250 

1,260 

1,640 

2,930 

3,100 

1,850 

3,540 

612 

1,640 

651 

85.0 

29.4

1,620

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

138,000 

75,000 

101, 000 

180,000 

172, 000 

114, 000 

211, 000 

37, 600 

97, 600 

40, 000 

5,230 

1,750

1, 170, 000

ELM FORK OF TRINITY SlVER NEAR DALLAS, TEX.

LOCATION. At city of Dallas pumping plant and dam (known as Record Crossing 

plant), 300 feet above Record Crossing highway bridge, 2,800 feet above Chicago, 

Rock Island & Gulf Railway bridge, 1.2 miles above confluence with West Fork, 

and 5 miles northwest of Dallas, Dallas County.

DRAINAGE AREA. 2,480 square miles (measured on post-route map of Texas).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 17, 1920, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff in three sections, attached to pump house; read by W. J. SelbyDISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from Record Crossing highway bridge 200 feet 

below gage, from Rock Island Railway bridge half a mile below, or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of sand and gravel; shifting. Control is 

concrete dam; permanent. Left bank high, wooded, and not subject to overflow, except at extremely high stages. Right bank medium in height, wooded, 

and subject to overflow.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded, 16.2 feet from 8 a. m. April 7 

to 8 a. m. April 8 (discharge, 15,800 second-feet; this figure may be somewhat too 

large owing to possible backwater effect from West Fork of Trinity River); no 

flow during several periods.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. No diversions except for municipal use, the largest being at the Record 

Crossing plant. The sum of all the diversions is believed to be but a small percentage of the total run-off during years of ordinary flow.

REGULATION. Flow regulated during extremely low stages by city of Dallas reservoir 

at Carrolton.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well defined below 

1,100 second-feet and fairly well defined for all stages above, except that there are 

no measurements between 1,100 and 6,200 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths 

twice daily and oftener during floods. Daily discharge ascertained by applying 

mean daily gage height to rating table. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Elm Fork of Trinity River near Dallas, Tex., during the 

period Aug. 30, 1920, to Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

1920. 

Aug. 30

31

Sept. 1

Oct. 17

Dec. 14

Made by 

Ellsworth and Twiehell

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

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

T. Twichell............

R. G. West............

Ellsworth and Clark. . .

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

10.63

11.75

13.96

4.84

3.13

3.95

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

6,200

6,560

8,530

1,070

68

419

Date.

1921.

10

May 26

Aug. 3

Made by 

R. G. West............

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

R. G. West............

C. E. Ellsworth........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.77

16.07

15.21

al3. 79

3.22

2.90

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,000

14,900

11,400

6,980

88.7

9.9

Rapidly falling stage.
TRINITY RIVER BASIN. 17

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Elm Fork of Trinity River near Dallas, Tex., for the

year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct..

64

67

124

510

1,010

892

1,050

3,060

8,630

9,400

9,400

9,010

1,130

522

474

Nov.

670

1,170

1,050

552

395

340

330

290

276

855

705

705

616

422

325

290

268

268

245

245

245

245

245

222

200

670

2,210

2,880

1,810

780

Dec.

540

434

384

368

340

378

' 892

1,330

1,170

705

540

462

570

439

356

325

290

268

268

268

1,570

4,670

6,230

2.210

705

570

540

498

434

395

395

Jan.

395

368

330

315

290

290

268

268

268

245

384

2,460

8,280

11,000

10,600

9.270

5,180

1,410

1,050

855

818

780

742

780

780

705

570

498

480

480

450

Feb.

434

406

395

395

395

395

412

406

635

462

384

351

315

315

315

315

290

1,130

7,450

11, 200

11,900

10,500

6,590

1,330

930

818

705

635

Mar.

602

583

570

540

468

450

528

780

705

450

705

1,970

1,250

855

1,730

2,050

1,170

602

635

1,810

1,810

1,330

780

1,130

1,650

1,010

635

818

635

818

462

Apr.

368

330

300

290

4,330

11, 200

15, 800

15,100

11, 400

8,750

892

685

602

570

635

855

498

395

340

340

384

1,330

1,090

670

351

930

2,630

1,170

522

540

May.

351

602

384

330

254

245

200

200

236

930

498

281

209

180

160

290

254

209

168

140

113

113

113

92

85

85

85

85

79

79

102

June.

152

635

2,380

1,490

1,650

340

268

422

1,330

1,090

2,540

1,490

1,650

855

705

. 281

192

152

152

120

120

222

1,330

780

930

705

395

300

180

140

July.

180

200

124

110

82

152

82

92

64

47

50

79

498

498

439

160

96

64

50

39

37

34

70

99

340

930

422

102

50

37

23

Aug.

15

10

9.4

8.3

3.8

2.0

.4

.0

272

315

110

34

18

12

5.0

1.4

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

Sept.

0.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

18

32

12

12

6.1

.8

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.e

.0

.0

.0

NOTE. Possibly some backwater from West Fork Oct. 24-29, Dec. 22-25, Jan. 13-18, Feb. 19-24, Mar. 

12, Apr. 6-8,10, and 11. No flow Aug. 8, Aug. 17 to Sept. 8, and Sept. 15-30.

Monthly discharge of Elm Fork of Trinity River near Dallas, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921,

Month.

October 17-31.... ........................................

January .................................................

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

9,400 

2,880 

6,230 

11,000 

11,900 

2,050 

15,800 

930 

2,540 

930 

315 

32

Minimum.

64 

200 

268 

245 

290 

450 

290 

79 

120 

23 

.0 

.0

Mean.

3,020 

651 

921 

1,960 

2,140 

953 

2,770 

231 

767 

169 

26.3 

2.70

Kun-off in

acre-feet.

89,800 

38,700 

56,600 

121.000 

119,000 

58,600 

165,000 

14,200 

45,600 

10,400 

1,620 

161

721,000
18 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

BRAZOS RIVER BASIN. 

BRAZOS RIVER AT WACO, TEX.

LOCATION. At Southern Traction Co. 's bridge in Waco, McLennan County, 2£ miles 

below mouth of Bosque River, 4£ miles above mouth of Cottonwood Creek, and 

9 miles above Lock No. 8.

DRAINAGE AREA. 25,500 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. September 14, 1898, to December 31, 1911; October 1, 1914, 

to September 30, 1921. Records of stage have been obtained by United States 

Weather Bureau since August 9, 1900.

GAGE. Gurley graph water-stage recorder installed March 29, 1918, on downstream 

side of pier of Southern Traction Co. 's bridge, 100 feet upstream from suspension 

bridge; inspected by Manton Hannah. For history of gages used prior to March 

29, 1918, see Water-Supply Paper 508, page 12.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from upstream side of first one-span highway 

bridge above gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of sand and gravel; shifts. Banks are clay, 

medium in height, have been improved by the city, and are overflowed at 

extremely high stages. Channel straight above and below for several thousand 

feet. Location of control not known.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage from water-stage recorder, 18.0 feet at 

8 a. m. June 11 (discharge, 31,100 second-feet); minimum discharge, 91 secondfeet on August 25.

1898-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 39.7 feet December 3, 1913 (discharge 

not determined); no flow August 20-21, 1918.

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Record of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that numerous small diversions are made above station for mining, irrigation, and 

municipal uses, but total probably does not appreciably affect the flow except 

during low stages.

REGULATION. None.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Standard rating curve fairly 

well defined below 30,000 second-feet; above 30,000 second-feet curve based on 

one measurement made at discharge of 109,000 second-feet. Operation of waterstage recorder not satisfactory as indicated in footnote to daily-discharge table. 

Mean daily gage height obtained from recorder chart by inspection or by planimeter. Daily discharge determined by shifting-control method, except as noted 

in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Brazos River at Waco, Tex., during the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Date.

Oct. 4

20

Nov. 20

Dec. 4

Jan. 1

15

29

Feb. 27 

Mar. 19

Made by 

R.O. West. ...........

West and Colgin. ......

W. E. Colgin, jr........

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.07

6.48

8.45

7.94

7.05

10.58

8.05

9.08 

8.05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

787

459

1.850

1,710

926

5,410

1,600

2,690 

1,490

Date.

Apr. 2

16

30

May 14

28

Aug. 3

26

Made by 

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

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

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

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

T. Twichell............

D.A.Dudley..........

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.40

7.60

6.85

7.28

5.90

6.50

6.34

7.35

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

908

1,010

665

858

262

235

232

789
BRAZOS RIVER BASIN. 19

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Brazos River at Waco, Tex., for the year ending Sept.

30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

1,010

928

830

793

758

737

723

688

654

630

600

538

511

495

465

465

465

465

450

465

485

624

2,090

15,400

14,400

7,600

6,420

4,700

3,500

4,100

Nov.

3.280

2,520

2,230

1,960

1,680

1,510

1,280

1,050

942

1,070

3,720

4,700

7,220

5,520

4,100

3,350

2,750

2,300

2,160

1,890

1,610

1,410

1,260

1,130

1,030

3,580

11,000

2,820

2,380

Dec.

2.450

2,380

1,990

1,760

1,610

1,550

1,490

1,450

1,380

1,320

1,270

1,230

1.170

1,100

1,030

982

935

912

898

890

1,620

3,500

2,230

1,460

1,460

1,540

1,380

1,240

1,130

1,050

982

Jan.

920

890

868

830

793

779

751

751

723

695

709

920

7,350

7,350

5,200

4,600

4,300

3,800

3,200

2,900

2-520

2,300

2,090

2,090

2,230

2,520

1,890

1,720

1,630

1,550

1,460

Feb.

1,370

1,310

1,250

1,210

1,180

1,150

1,090

1,060

1 190

1,100

1,040

990

950

912

882

851

830

935

6,540

9,800

6,650

4,500

3,950

3,580

3,120

2,680

2,380

2,090

Mar.

2,020

2,020

2,090

1,830

1,660

1,460

1,370

1,460

4,100

2,020

1,560

4,700

4,400

4,300

2,450

2,020

1,770

1,630

1,560

2,020

2,380

1,660

1,480

1,430

1,450

1,430

1,350

1,570

1,300

1,150

1,050

Apr.

990

928

890

852

852

3,820

3,680

4,200

2,750

1,770

1,290

1,110

2,380

2,230

1,340

1,050

928

868

898

890

1,100

1,560

1,520

1,340

1,100

1,200

838

744

681

636

May.

594

730

890

560

465

440

431

808

838

560

490

583

730

974

1,480

1,040

577

422

365

386

344

307

303

289

268

271

258

268

268

258

242

June.

475

624

702

485

830

648

480

898

1,890

11,900

29,800

22,900

14,400

14,800

13,800

9,500

5,980

5,100

6,880

6,200

4,200

3,420

5,870

4,020

4^020

4,700

2,450

1,770

1,830

1,720

July.

1,410

1.310

1,150

1,010

928

875

808

793

786

543

543

5,520

1,660

1,030

730

572

516

465

516

465

394

394

394

352

314

296

262

262

262

262

230

Aug.

214

181

242

245

245

245

233

208

192

176

164

152

145

136

130

121

115

111

108

106

104

102

98

96

91

96

220

171

125

125

121

Sept.

119

109

119

119

109

106

104

220

206

186

184

171

159

152

140

132

123

543

2,240

2,750

2,230

1,680

1,360

1,100

905

779

654

577

495

422

NOTE. Gage-height record of United States Weather Bureau used for following days when water-stage 

recorder did not operate: Oct. 17-19, Mar. 5-12, and July 10 to Aug. 1. Discharge partly estimated on 

following dates: Oct. 16, 20, Mar. 18, 19. Apr. 15, 16, 22, May 13, 14, June 6, 24, 25, Jul

12, Sept. 24, and 25.

July 1, 2, 8, 9, Aug. 2, 11 ,

Monthly discharge of Brazos River at Waco, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

15,400 

11,000 

3,500 

7,350 

9,800 

4,700 

4,200 

1,480 

29,800 

5,520 

245 

2,750

29,800

Minimum.

450 

942 

890 

695 

830 

1,050 

636 

242 

475 

230 

91 

104

91

Mean.

2,340 

2,860 

1,460 

2,270 

2,310 

2,020 

1,480 

530 

6,080 

808 

155 

606

1,900

Run-off in

acre-feet.

144.000 

170,000 

89,800 

140,000 

128,000 

124,000 

88,100 

32,600 

362,000 

49,700 

9,530 

36,100

1,370,000
20 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

BRAZOS RIVER NEAR COLLEGE STATION, TEX.

LOCATION. At Jones Bridge, 4 miles below Munson Shoals, 6 miles southwest of

College Station, Brazos County, 7 miles below mouth of Little Brazos River, and

19 miles above mouth of Yegua River. 

DRAINAGE AREA. 35,400 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps;

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas,, compiled in 1899 by Robert T.

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles). 

RECORDS AVAILABLE. February 23, 1918;, to September 30, 1921. 

GAGE. Vertical staff in two sections on fourth pier from right bank. Section 0 to 14

feet is attached to sheet piling around footing of pier. Section 14 to 52 feet is

painted on same pier. Read by Jim Daniel or Alex Brown. 

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from bridge to which gage is attached. 

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of sand and mud; shifting. Location of

control not known. Banks high and free from vegetation. Right bank subject

to overflow at extremely high stages (about 40 feet). 

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year 53.0 feet 1 to 3

a. m. September 12 (discharge not determined); minimum stage, 5.0 feet, August

26-29 (discharge, 215 second-feet).

1918-1921: Maximum stage, that of September 12, 1921; minimum stage, 3.75

feet September 4, 1918 (discharge, 92 second-feet). 

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. No important diversions above or below station. 

REGULATION. None. A lock and dam is being constructed by the War Department

about 25 miles upstream, which may eventually regulate the flow during extremely low stages. 

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve well defined

below 40,000 second-feet, and poorly defined from 40,000 to 58,000 second-feet.

Gage read to tenths twice daily. Daily discharge determined by shifting-control

method, except as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Brazos River near College Station, Tex., during the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921. ,

Date.

Oct. 3

Nov. 20

Dec. 17

Jan. 22

Feb. 26

Mar. 26

May 3

May 29

Made by 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.28

9 on

8.40

. 10. 10

10.40

9.00

9.80

7.10

Discharge.

Sec.-//.

4.300

2,590

4.310

4,600

2.880

3.860

1; 240

Date.

14

14

15

15

24

Made by 

T. Twichell............

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.20

5.30

41.5

39.6

29.7

26.7

9.05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

7V)

307

oS8,700

o56,200

o23,800

ol7,200

3,030

o Surface velocities observed and coefficient of 0.95 used to reduce to mean velocities. Measurements 

at falling stage with probable backwater.
BRAZOS RIVER BASIIST. 21

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Brazos River near College Station, Tex.,for the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11..... . .

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

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

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

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

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

17....... .

18..... ... . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

2,220

2,220

2,380

2,220

2,150

1,630

1,560

1,560

1,560

1,560

1,560

1,420

1,420

1,420

2,220

2,620

5,610

4,870

1,700

2,300

5,870

15,500

18,500

11 000

8,660

6,700

5,350

Nov.

4,640

5,480

4,640

4,310

3,600

3,320

2,870

2,700

2,460

2,460

2 460

2,620

2,620

7,820

7,660

5,610

5,610

4,640

4,420

3,700

3,410

3,410

2,700

5,350

8,660

on OAft

14,500

Dec.

12,800

6,860

5,870

4,640

4,420

4,100

3,700

3,320

3,320

3,140

3 140

3' 140

3^140

2,540

2,540

2,540

2,460

2

A(\f\

2.460

2,540

3,140

4,100

4,100

4,310

4,200

3,700

S

oon

3,230

3,230

S

oon

Jan.

2,620

2,700

2.700

2,380

2,380

2,380

2,380

2,380

2,300

2,300

2 220

2

OOft

2 7fift

3,500

4,530

6,700

6,280

5,350

5,110

4,870

4 4.9ft.

4 200 4', 100

4,000

4,870

5,230

4 200

4,000

3,600

3

oon

Feb.

3,230

3,140

3,050

3,050

3,050

2,960

2,960

2,870

2,460

2

qort

2,380

2,380

2,380

2

ocn

2,380

2,700

S Qflft

6,140

9,380

7,660

6,140

5,110

4,310

4 ofift

Mar.

4,100

4,100

4,100

4,100

4,000

3,500

3,230

3,230

3,410

4,000

7 ^4ft

7,980

6,280

6,140

8,840

8,300

5,740

4,100

3,800

3,700

3,600

3,600

3,500

3,050

2,870

3,500

3,700

3,230

2,870

Apr.

3,230

2,700

2,380

2,220

2,080

3,230

11,200

24,200

20,800.

18,800

11,400

7,180

8 480

11 700

12,400

9,020

4,420

4,000

3,800

3,800

3,800

12, 800

12, 100

10,500

9,920

11 000

12^ 100

10,600

7,180

May.

6,280

4,310

3,900

3,900

3,900

3,800

3,500

3,140

2,870

19,600

10 finn

9,920

6,860

4,640

3,500

4,100

4,100

3,320

3,140

2,780

2,300

2,300

2,150

2,000

1,780

1,700

1,700

1,700

1,490

1,560

June.

1,140

1,140

1,140

1,140

3,500

4,420

4,420

4,420

3,410

4,100

12,400

21,700

24,700

21, 100

20, 800

18,500

17, 100

11,700

9,560

7,820

7,340

8,840

17,500

12,400

9,380

9,380

10,300

12,400

12,800

11,700

July.

8,480

4,530

3,500

3,050

2,780

>2,620

2,150

2,000

2,000

2,460

10, 800

17,900

18,300

14,700

8,840

4,870

2,460

2,000

1,920

1,850

1,630

1.560

1,280

1,280

1,420

1,210

1,210

1,140

1,140

1,140

1,140

Aug.

1,140

1,080

885

770

770

715

715

715

660

660

660

660

660

660

632

578

528

505

460

400

340

305

275

275

275

215

215

215

215

245

305

Sept.

305

290

275

275

260

245

245

340

4,200

21,500

40,300

18, 100

10,600

8,660

7,500

6,140

4,990

4,990

4,750

3,900

4,530

4,420

4,420

4,530

4,530

4,750

NOTE. Discharge, Sept. 11-14 not determined because stage was above the limit for which rating curve 

is defined. Discharge, Sept. 18-30, doubtful, because section of gage below 14 feet was carried away.

Monthly discharge of Brazos River near College Station, Tex., for the year ending Sept.

30, 1921.

Month.

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

18,500 

21,500 

12,800 

6,700 

9,380 

8,840 

24,200 

19,600 

24,700 

18,300 

1,140

Minimum.

1,420 

2,460 

2,460 

2,220 

2,380 

2,870 

2,080 

1,420 

1,140 

1,140 

215

Mean.

4,090 

5,760 

3,810 

3,680 

3,890 

4,430 

9,010 

4,200 

10, 200 

4,240 

540

Run-off i 

acre-feet.

251,000

343,000

234,000

226,000

216,000

272,000

536,000

258,000

607,000

261,000

33,200

LITTLE RIVER AT CAMERON, TEX.

LOCATION. 200 feet below city pumping plant, half a mile south of Cameron, Milam 

County, 1 mile above Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway bridge, 6 miles below 

mouth of San Gabriel River, and 25 miles above confluence with Brazos River.

DRAINAGE AREA. 7,010 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. November 1, 1916, to September 30, 1921.
22 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

GAGE. Vertical and inclined staff; three sections attached to trees on left bank a 

short distance below home of pumpman; read by M. H. Hayes.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from cable at gage or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of rock, gravel, and sand; permanent 

during normal flow and free from vegetation. Banks composed of clay and 

gravel; medium height; wooded; subject to overflow only during extreme stages. 

At a stage of about 18 feet (discharge, 6,950 second-feet) water begins to enter 

old channel a mile above gage and returns to main channel below the gage; con-

- sequently, all records of discharge greater than 6,950 second-feet do not represent

- the total flow of the stream, but only that in the main channel. Rock and gravel 

shoal 100 feet below gage serves as control for low and medium stages; subject to 

change during flood stages. During extremely high stages on Brazos River, 

backwater may reach gage.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 49.5 feet at 

2.30 p. m. September 10 (discharge, 647,000 second-feet, determined by slope 

method using a value of 0.035 for "n" in Kutters formula; see "Channel and 

control" in station description); minimum stage, 1.82 feet from 6.30 p. m. September 6 to 7.25 a. m. September 8 (discharge, 112 second-feet).

1917-1921: Maximum stage recorded that of September 10, 1921; minimum 

stage, 0.78 foot at 7 a. m. September 3, 5, and 7, 1918 (discharge, 2.6 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Numerous small diversions are made for irrigation and municipal 

uses, but such diversions have little effect on flow at station except during extremely low stages. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of 

Texas show that about 2,500 acres have been declared irrigated above the station. 

No diversions of consequence below the station. During time of low flow, water 

pumped by Cameron Power & Light Co. will affect the flow at this station.

REGULATION. Slight effect of pumping for city of Cameron.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Extremely high stages of 

Brazos River may cause backwater at this station. Rating curve well defined 

below 1,500 second-feet, and fairly well defined between 1,500 and 14,000 secondfeet. However, this curve is for main channel only. Gage read to half-tenths 

twice daily and oftener during floods. Daily discharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table; shifting-control method used October 

1-14 and August 12 to September 30. Records of discharge do not include the 

water diverted past the station by an old channel 1 mile above the gage when the 

flow is above 6,950 second-feet. Records good for medium stages; fair for low 

and high stages.

Discharge measurements of Little River at Cameron, Tex., during the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Date.

Oct. 2

July 10

Sept. 9

10

Made by 

T. Twichell............

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet, 

x. fin

5.03

2.40

2

f\T\

49.5

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,000

1,100

236

177

0647,000

Date.

13

21

91

Made by 

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

32.8

31.16

5.76

5.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

6 13, 900

12,800

1,230

1,220

«Includes flow in secondary channel; see "Channel and control." Used value of 0.035 for "n" 

in Kutters formula.

6 Surface velocities observed and coefficient used to reduce to mean velocities. Estimated flow in other 

channel, 14,000 second-feet.
BEAZOS RIVER BASIN. 23

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Little River at Cameron, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

787

957

889

721

627

627

596

565

534

534

503

503

503

472

2,120

4,680

2,740

855

658

550

534

821

889

658

787

1,520

923

753

658

787

Nov.

1,020

1,060

923

821

721

689

fi97

596

565

565

658

721

821

957

1,020

1,020

1,160

1,340

1.440

1,440

1,410

923

855

787

753

1,060

<; 74.n

9,960

7,180

4,490

Dec.

2,660

2,040

1,800

1,760

1,680

1,680

1,600

1,560

1,480

1,410

1,340

1,300

1,270

1,240

1,200

1,160

1,100

1,020

1,060

1,160

1,300

1,410

1,340

1,060

1,200

1,160

1,130

1,100

1,060

Jan.

ijOeo

1,020

991

957

957

923

923

923

889

889

855

889

889

923

1,130

1,240

1,240

1,200

1,130

1,200

1,200

1,130

1,130

1,100

2,080

2,200

1,130

1,160

1,100

1,060

Feb.

991

991

957

923

923

923

923

889

855

821

821

855

821

787

787

787

787

855

991

1,060

1,130

1,100

1,100

1,100

1,200

1,340

1,410

Mar.

1,270

1,340

1,480

1,160

991

957

923

957

1,130

1,100

1,200

2,560

1,800

2,040

4,350

2,560

1,560

1 "34-ft

1,240

1,130

1,160

1,240

1,380

1,200

1,130

1,130

1:160

1,130

1,130

1,100

1,020

Apr.

991

923

889

889

923

1,560

3,600

8,620

9,240

3,690

1,880

1,410

4,110

7,180

4,250

1,640

1,480

1,270

1,130

1,130

2,920

7,030

5,260

2,200

1,560

2,740

7,420

3,790

1,680

1,300

May.

1,200

1,200

1,130

1,060

991

991

957

923

4,870

11,600

9,140

2,610

1,560

1,340

1 ftfift

991

1,060

1,130

1,060

957

923

957

855

753

689

658

596

565

560

534

503

June.

503

472

721

2,480

1,300

889

923

821

534

1,060

2,040

1,720

7,370

10, 400

5,830

2,000

1,760

1,920

1,880

1,840

1,720

1,720

7,370

5,350

2,040

3,240

1,520

1,270

1,240

July.

923

787

721

658

627

596

753

658

627

1,060

3,690

11, 600

9,000

1,270

787

658

565

534

488

472

441

426

394

379

364

348

332

317

302

286

270

Aug.

270

255

250

244

228

223

228

211

194

192

190

182

178

173

169

167

160

156

150

144

140

134

131

129

124

120

120

129

133

134

129

Sept.

129

127

129

124

118

113

112

117

167

14,000

13,200

1,240

1,150

1,060

977

889

821

923

1,020

991

1,520

NOTE. Discharge not determined for following days when gage height was above limit for which rating 

curve is defined: Sept. 10, 39.8 feet; Sept. 11, 39.8 feet. Gage not read Sept. 14-20. Discharge interpolated 

Sept. 22-24; gage not read.

Monthly discharge of Little River at Cameron, Tex., for the year ending Sept. SO, 1921.

Month.

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

4,680 

9,960 

2,660 

2,200 

1,410 

4,350 

9,240 

11,600 

10,400 

11,600 

270

Minimum.

472 

565 

1,020 

855 

787 

923 

889 

503 

472 

270 

120

Mean.

979 

1,710 

1,370 

1,130 

964 

1,420 

3,090 

1,720 

2,450 

1,300 

174

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

60, 200 

102,000 

84,200 

69,500 

53,500 

87,300 

184,000 

106,000 

146,000 

79,900 

10,700

NOTE. The above table shows the discharge in main channel only. See "Channel and control/
24 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 

COLORADO RIVER AT BALLINGER, TEX .

LOCATION. At Hutching Avenue highway bridge, 800 feet below Gulf, Colorado & 

Santa Fe Railway bridge at Ballinger, Runnels County, 1 mile above mouth of 

Elm Creek.

DRAINAGE AREA. 12,500 square miles (revised; measured on standard topographic 

maps; post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert 

T. Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. December 11, 1915, to September 30, 1921. Records of stage 

have been obtained by the United States Weather Bureau since July 1, 1903; 

current-meter measurements were begun May 29, 1915.

GAGE. Chain gage attached to downstream handrail of bridge; read by A. J. Voelkel. 

Zero of gage lowered 1 foot on May 4.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from downstream side of bridge or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Banks consist of clay and gravel; medium height and 

wooded; subject to overflow at extremely high stages. Bed composed of hard 

clay, sand, and gravel; shifting. Control is shoal 1,000 feet below gage; shifts.

ICE. None reported during year.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 15 feet, during 

night of June 7' (discharge, 17,400 second-feet, determined from extension of 

rating curve); no flow July 15 to September 2, and September 23-30.

1916-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 18.50 feet at 7.30 a. m. July 21, 1919 

(discharge not determined); no flow during several periods.

DIVERSIONS. During low stages a large part of the flow is diverted a few miles above 

the station for irrigation. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State 

of Texas show that about 6,900 acres have been declared irrigated above station.

REGULATION. None of consequence.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve fairly well defined below 12,000 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths twice daily. Daily 

discharge determined by shifting-control method. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Ballinger, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

[Made by D. A. Dudley.]

Date.

Oct.7. .........

TJort T

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.56

.52

.38

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

44.6

37.7

19.5

Date.

Feb.4. .........

Anr 1Q

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0 99

09

.04

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

1Q 7

12.0

5.80

Date.

Aug. 6.........

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.30

97

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

O Qt

57.8

0

Zero of gage lowered l foot before this measurement was made.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 25

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Colorado River at Ballinger, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15...... . .. .

16....... ...

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

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

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

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

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

22..... .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

56

51

id

49

45

44

38

42

38

¥7

37

OO

on

97

26

24

oo

1 560

188

105ft*7

60

1 nfifi

185

160

148

14.C

IPft

89

Nov.

71

65

60

54

47

51

44

-19

42

269

872

655

94.9.

171

107

89

01

69

63

58

56

51

. 51

51

49

47

44

Dec.

38

38

11

. or

V7

38

OK

OO

OO

OO

32

9Q

29

9Q

90

9Q

29

29

Oft

Oft

26

Oft

26

Oft

26

24

oo

Oq

26

26

Jan.

24

24

24

22

99

99

22

20

23

27

on

00

00

00

P.P.

pp.

00

00

OO

00

00

40

00

35

40

47

49

97

27

Feb.

24

23

OO

23

20

17

16

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

17

17

99

99

24

OO

19

17

17

17

1Q

Mar,

qc

qq

on

oq

oo

oq

oo

in

1P.

1°.

1°.

13

1°.

10

1°.

1P.

IP.

on

42

Qft

Oft

Oo

17

17

15

140

100

75

56

41

Apr.

40

°,7

on

22

51

42

65

CO

OO

on

99

99

in

1Q

n

10

Q fi

8 7

7

0

7.0

6.1

5

O

4. P,

May.

3 4.

2.6

1.7

.8

.2

.5

9. 9

14

15

9.7

5.5

970

1AQ

65

1ft0.

116

79.

51

OQ

on

00

, 19

H

Q 7

K K

29

June.

17

9.7

i o

2.8

2.4

2.4

9,720

7 060

3', 180

1,960

805

404

CQ7

718

606

2,150

330

140

96

79

1 ftQ

92

71

118

Q1

67

56

4Q

112

July.

69

40

27

23

17

125.5'

3.2

.8

.4

Q

3

.2

Aug. Sept.

1,110

492

194

123

94

73

49

38

30

22

20

14

9.7

8.6

5.0

3.7

2 4

.9

.8

.6

NOTE. No flow July 15 to Sept. 2, and Sept. 23-30. Gage not read Apr. 20 to May 3: discharge interpolated.

Monthly discharge of Colorado River at Ballinger, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,1921.

Month.

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

January. ................. ..... . ........... . . . . .

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

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

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

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

The year. . .........................................

,

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,900 

872 

38 

47 

24 

140 

65 

970 

9,720 

69 

0 

1,110

9,720

Minimum.

23 

40 

23 

20 

14 

13 

4.3

2! 4 

0 

0 

0

Mean.

179 

129 

29.6 

29.9 

18.1 

31.1 

24.5 

64.8 

959 

6.44 

0 

76.4

0 128

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

11,000 

7,680 

1,820 

1,840 

1,000 

1,910 

1,460 

3,980 

57,100 

396 

0 

4,550

92,700

COLORADO RIVER HEAR CHADWICK, TEX.

LOCATION. At Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway bridge half a mile below Chadwick dam, 1 mile above mouth of Elliott Creek, 2 miles west of Chadwick, on line 

between San Saba and Lampasas counties, and 2^ miles below mouth of San 

Saba River.

DRAINAGE AREA. 26,400 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).
26 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 21, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical and inclined staff, in 4 sections, on right bank, 75 feet upstream 

from railway bridge. A high-water section is painted on second concrete pier 

from left abutment of railway bridge; read by A. G. Walker. For history of gages 

used prior to April 1,1920, see Water-Supply Paper 508, page 28.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made either by wading or from railroad bridge at gage, 

or from Red Bluff highway bridge, 2J miles below gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of rock and gravel; shifts slightly. Channel straight above and below station for 1,000 feet. Left bank high, rocky, 

wooded, and not subject to overflow; right bank medium in height, wooded, 

composed of clay and gravel, and subject to overflow during extreme stages. 

Location of control not known, but current-meter measurements indicate that it 

shifts affecting stage-discharge relation at low stages.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 17.4 feet at 

11.30 a. m. June 10 (discharge, 18,000 second-feet); minimum stage, 0.64 foot at 

5 p. m. August 26 (discharge, 39 second-feet).

1916-1921: Maximum stage, 41.35 feet at 9.20 a. m. November 10, 1919 (discharge, 77,100 second-feet); minimum stage, 0.16 foot August 22 and 23, 1918 

(discharge, 1.5 second-feet).

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. No large irrigation works have been completed in drainage basin 

above station, but tracts ranging in size from 5 to 1,500 acres adjacent to the main 

river and tributaries are irrigated by diversion. A large part of the irrigated 

area is in Runnels, Brown, and Mills counties and along Concho and San Saba 

rivers. Several small dams have been constructed in the drainage basin above 

station. Chadwick dam half a mile above, creates a small pond and serves only 

to divert to a water wheel that has not been operated for some time. Records of 

the Board of Water Engineers for State of Texas show that about 30,000 acres 

have been declared irrigated above the station.

REGULATION. None of consequence except possibly during extremely low stages.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation for low stages not permanent owing to sand and 

gravel on control, but not seriously affected during medium and high stages. 

Rating curve well denned below 80,000 second-feet. Gage ordinarily read daily 

to hundredths during low and medium stages, and to tenths during high stages. 

One reading a day may not be a true index to discharge, owing to rapid fluctuations. Daily discharge determined by shifting-control method except as noted 

in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River near Chadwick, Tex., during the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 15

Dec. 1 

Jan. 27

Mar. 3

Made by 

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

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

Dudley and Fellovirs....

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1 48

2.01 

1.52

1.64

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

247

442 

233

294

Date.

Apr. 27

May 20 

Aug. 9

Sept. 1

Made by 

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

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

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

height.

Feet. 

1.18

2.00 

.69

.82

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

137

420 

38.4

63.8
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 27

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Color<jdo River near Chadwick, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

6.... . . . . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22...... .

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

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

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

26...... . . . .

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

297

291

291

291

288

288

285

288

285

280

274

269

264

258

248

248

248

248

245

245

245

245

248

518

518

1,040

1.200

875

825

728

638

Nov.

615

595

412

380

320

320

320

320

320

760

810

1,310

1,240

1,050

840

770

713

656

496

430

430

395

377

365

359

1,140

1,920

1,680

1 260 '850

Dec.

430

395

380

365

365

365

350

335

335

323

322

320

314

311

310

308

302

302

299

297

297

294

291

285

280

977

272

264

264

261

Jan.

248

238

238

232

232

228

225

224

222

220

222

222

225

228

230

228

225

225

218

215

212

212

232

238

232

232

232

222

222

222

222

Feb.

220

220

220

215

212

212

212

212

212

218

222

228

228

225

225

225

232

353

338

320

272

264

OCQ

264

Mar.

277

294

294

261

255

248

248

368

750

430

395

392

362

532

389

389

356

356

356

522

687

504

482

482

380

332

317

302

285

285

Apr.

253

248

248

248

242

241

240

232

232

225

218

218

210

210

202

202

202

195

190

190

185

185

178

157

153

141

137

137

137

140

May.

143

149

151

153

153

153

155

157

155

157

159

161

163

163

163

232

240

248

255

420

308

269

264

258

256

253

248

242

238

235

222

June.

218

184

149

129

121

117

117

133

8,520

18,000

15,600

6,460

7,220

9,990

7,740

6,000

4,210

1,840

1,300

750

705

750

365

305

277

277

277

215

210

210

July.

200

200

195

155

151

143

131

123

115

75

69

60

60

75

62

62

77

62

46

58

60

63

63

63

63

58

56

50

50

50

56

Aug.

57

54

51

51

48

50

50

50

50

46

46

44

44

48

54

51

48

46

46

46

45

43

41

40

40

39

68

58

58

54

54

Sept.

63

48

45

305

264

900

335

305

264

210

205

195

190

180

175

135

95

79

83

75

72

69

66

66

60

57

60

57

57

60

NOTE. Gage not read Oct. 25-27; discharge estimated by comparison with records of flow for other 

stations. Gage not read and discharge interpolated Oct. 21, Nov. 17, 26,29, Dec. 11,15, 23, Jan. 1, 8, 

Feb. 7, Mar. 20, Apr. 6, 30, May 3,18, 25, June 2,19, and Aug. 19.

Monthly discharge of Colorado River near Chadwick, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Month.

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

December. ...............................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,200 

1,920 

430 

248 

353 

750 

253 

420 

18,000 

200 

68 

900

18,000

Minimum.

245 

320 

261 

212 

212 

248 

137 

143 

117 

46 

39 

45

39

Mean.

404 

715 

316 

227 

241 

381 

200 

210 

3,080 

88.7 

49.0 

159

502

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

24,800 

42.500 

19,400 

14,000 

13,400 

23.400 

11,900 

12,900 

183.000 

5,450 

3,010 

9J460

363,000
28'

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

, - . COLORADO RIVER AT MARBLE FALLS, TEX.

LOCATION. At steel highway bridge one-fourth mile south of Marble Falls, Burnet 

County, 10 miles below mouth of Sandy Creek, 16 miles below mouth of Llano 

River, and 23 miles above mouth of Pedernales River.

DRAINAGE AREA. 32,200 square miles (measured on topographic and post-route 

maps).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 1, 1916, to September 30, 1921. Miscellaneous discharge measurements were made in 1902. Records of stage have been obtained 

by the United States Weather Bureau since January 1, 1908.

GAGE. United States Weather Bureau weight and tape gage on upstream side of 

bridge; read by M. M. Galloway.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from bridge or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock. Banks composed of rock, 

gravel, and clay; high, wooded, and not subject to overflow. Rapids just below 

gage serve as fairly permanent control.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 10.3 feet at 5.30 

p. m. June 12 (discharge, 28,800 second-feet); minimum stage, 0.35 foot at 5.30 

p. m. August 23, 24, and at 7.30 a. m. August 25 (discharge, 33 second-feet).

1900-1921: Maximum stage, 23.9 feet, April 7, 1900 (discharge not determined); 

no flow August 7, 8, 11-25, 1918, caused by storing water above gage.

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Several large projects have been proposed in the drainage basin above 

station, but none have been developed. Numerous small diversions for irrigation and municipal uses are made above the station. Total amount diverted not 

known. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that approximately 36,000 acres have been declared irrigated by diversions above 

station. Little water is diverted between Marble Falls and Austin.

REGULATION. None of importance except possibly during extremely low stages.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation fairly permanent. Rating curve well denned. 

Gage read to hundreclths twice daily, though influence of wind on tape may 

introduce some error. Daily discharge determined by applying mean daily gage 

height to rating table; shifting-control method used September 12-30. Records 

good.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Marble Falls, Tex. } during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

[Made by D. A. Dudley.]

Date.

May 21.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.68

2

7=

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

343

QQfl

Date.

Aug. 10.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.65

1.28

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

57.7

179
COLORADO BIVER BASIN. 29

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Colorado River at Marble Falls, Tex.,for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14..... ... .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

585

585

848

762

618

618

618

653

552

409

438

438

413

438

492

438

413

388

438

438

492

438

1,300

1,300

1,300

3,120

3,330

1,570

1,180

1,060

Nov.

1,060

848

762

762

762

688

618

618

585

552

618

653

618

762

848

1,060

1,240

1,000

848

848

762

725

688

688

688

1,720

3,930

3,450

2,600

1,300

Dec.

1,180

1,060

946

897

762

762

762

688

618

618

688

618

585

552

552

552

552

618

618

618

552

618

552

618

552

552

552

552

Jan.

618

522

492

492

492

492

492

492

552

492

552

618

618

618

618

585

552

492

492

552

585

618

618

688

762

688

618

585

552

552

492

Feb.

492

4O9

552

492

552

552

492

552

4.QO

413

438

388

388

388

388

438

552

492

438

388

618

552

552

492

492

Mar.

552

J.Q9

552

552

552

618

653

688

618

618

filft

688

688

688

946

848

848

848

688

618

1,300 "> n<v\

1,360

1,180

<Mfi

848

848

725

653

618

Apr.

618

618

552

552

618

762

688

848

688

618

552

618

762

1,180

1,240

1.060

946

762

552

438

388

366

344

388

388

492

618

492

344

304

May.

304

304

268

268

268

230

203

268

492

1,430

1,720

1 300

1,180

1,060

618

388

344

344

304

286

304

268

268

252

304

268

236

230

236

252

214

June.

230

195

195

177

182

177

163

177

163

4,740

20,400

28,200

10,400

9,340

10,100

7,230

3,930

2,500

2,230

2,050

1,720

1,060

762

848

762

946

848

762

688

618

1

July.

618

552

465

344

304

268

230

214

230

208

214

230

203

177

170

158

154

137

154

133

154

154

133

114

97

80

80

86

80

66

68

Aug.

76

66

58

66

54

54

46

48

62

60

56

62

66

56

48

46

48

54

44

37

35

37

39

35

35

44

48

56

54

58

80

Sept.

154

187

222

170

133

118

133

137

2,500

3,450

1.300

725

725

552

388

324

286

252

236

200

175

175

152

152

131

128

116

109

116

131

Monthly discharge of Colorado River at Marble Falls, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Month.

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

January. .................................................

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

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

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

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

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

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,330 

3,930 

1,180 

762 

618 

2,050 

1,240 

1,720 

28,200 

618 

80 

3,450

28,200

Minimum.

388 

552 

552 

492 

388 

492 

304 

203 

163 

66 

35 

109

35

Mean.

855 

1,080 

666 

567 

482 

791 

627 

465 

3,730 

202 

52.5 

453

826

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

52,600 

64,300 

41,000 

34,900 

26,800 

48,600 

37,300 

28,600 

222,000 

12,400 

3.230 

27,000

099,000

COLORADO RIVER AT AUSTIN, TEX.

LOCATION. At Congress Avenue concrete viaduct in Austin, Travis County, half a 

mile below Shoal Creek and above mouth of Waller Creek, 1 mile below mouth of 

Barton Creek, and 3£ miles below Austin dam.

DRAINAGE AREA. 34,200 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, 

of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

38956 WSP 528 23 3
30 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. February 15, 1898, to December 31, 1911; October 1, 1914, to 

September 30, 1921. September 1, 1895, to April 7, 1900, at Austin dam. 

Records of stage have been obtained by United States Weather Bureau since 

July 1, 1903.

GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder installed April 26, 1918, on downstream side 

of pier of viaduct, inspected by engineers from United States Geological Survey. 

Record of depth of water on crest of dam, 3^ miles above Austin was kept August 

13, 1895, to April 7, 1900. Gage used February 15, 1898, to December 31, 1911, 

was a vertical staff, attached to bathhouse on left bank of river 150 feet above 

Congress Avenue Bridge; during this period high-stage readings were made by 

means of a gage painted on first pier from left end of bridge, and a chain gage 

attached to bridge. From October 1, 1914, to June 18, 1915, the vertical gage 

of United States Weather Bureau was read. Record from June 18, 1915, to April 

25, 1918, was obtained by means of Dexter water-stage recorder installed at end 

of viaduct. All gages at or near bridge have been referred to same datum.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from upstream side of Montopolis 

highway bridge 4 miles below gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight for 1,000 feet above and 500 feet below 

gage. Right bank of medium height, composed of clay and gravel, clean, improved by city, and subject to overflow; left bank resembles right bank except 

that it is high and nearly vertical in places. Bed clean and composed of rock, 

gravel, and sand; shifts. Control is a gravel and rock shoal, 500 feet below gage; 

changes during high water, and also during low water because of the removal of 

sand for municipal use.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder,. 

19.4 feet at 11.55 p. m. September 10 (discharge, 75,700 second-feet); minimum 

stage, zero at 9 p. m. September 1 (discharge, 56 second-feet).

1898-1911; 1914-1921: Maximum stage recerded, 33.5 feet, just after failure of 

dam, which occurred at 11 30 a. m. April 7, 1900 (discharge, 236,000 second-feet, 

determined from extension of rating curve and subject to considerable error). 

At time of failure, the depth of water over crest of dam was 11.07 feet, the com* 

puted discharge being 151,000 second-feet (a revision of previously published 

discharge). According to information obtained from persons living near Congress Avenue Bridge, the stage rose 6.1 feet as a result of failure of dam. From 

this, the gage height corresponding to a discharge of 151,000 second-feet was 27.4 

feet. According to Mr. W. P. Johnson, who was in charge of the power plant at 

the dam, the flood appeared to be practically at crest stage when the dam failed. 

Minimum stage, 0.18 foot at 6 p. m. August 18,1918 (discharge, 13.0 second-feet).

ICE. None during year.

DIVERSIONS. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that approximately 36,000 acres of land have been declared irrigated by diversions 

above the station. Most of the area irrigated is in the upper basin of the main 

stream and adjacent to large tributaries. Little water is diverted between Austin 

and Columbus.

REGULATION. Flow entirely regulated at times by operation at the Austin dam, 

about 3^ miles upstream. Neither sluice-gates, crest-gates, nor power plant at 

the dam were in operation during the years ending September 30, 1919, 1920, 

and 1921. Capacity of reservoir about 24,000 acre-feet.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Numerous measurements 

made throughout the year." Standard curve well denned between 20 and 30,000 

second-feet and fairly well defined between 30,000 and 75,000 second-feet. Operation of water-stage recorder satisfactory except for short breaks in record as noted 

in footnote to daily-discharge table. Mean daily gage height obtained from 

water-stage recorder chart by inspection or by use of planimeter. Daily discharge 

ascertained by shifting-control method except as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records good.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN". 31

From recent information it is thought that the discharge as published in WaterSupply Paper 408 for December 13-26, 1914, and February 9-17, 1915, is too low. 

Discharge on these days probably exceeded 20 second-feet.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Austin, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 2

23

20

27

Feb. 15

Mar. 2

18

Apr. 2

16

30

May 14

Made by 

T Twichell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1 S4.

1.04

1.32

1.45

1.52

1.10

1.30

1.00

1.16

1.35

1.16

1.97

1.28

1.56

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

886

543

891

1.240

1.210

626

860

ISO

700

998

705

2,620

1,010

1,450

Date.

May 28

13

20

July 4

18

23

Ofl

15

27

Made by 

C.E. Ellsworth ........

McCashinand Dudley. .

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

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

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

R.G. West. ...........

T. Twichell. ..........

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.98

.72

13.68

2.13

1.20

.74

.58

.45

.30

.26

.12

.04

.92

Dis-- 

charge.

Sec.-ft. 

532

316

o43,100

2,860

701

320

227

164

121

113

75.7

63A

382

a Made during rapidly falling stage.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Colorado River at Austin, Tex'., for the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Day. ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

810

856

840

1,220

1,060

890

780

720

651

638

599

573

560

599

612

586

549

527

494

505

560

573

549

586

856

1,340

1,300

2,660

i (wn

2,100

1,630

Nov.

1,340

1,170

1,130

1,020

922

890

840

810

765

765

735

765

750

079

1,100

1,380

1,780

1 540

1^340

1,260

1,200

1,100

1,020

972

906

1,080

1,340

3,140

3,620

2,830

Dec.

1,970

1,500

1,320

1,180

1,040

1,000

922

795

810

795

795

780

780

664

705

651

664

677

677

677

795

720

651

677

720

735

690

638

690

735

735

Jan.

750

677

664

651

664

651

651

677

651

599

638

664

651

651

651

651

661

664

625

625

638

638

638

664

780

840

856

840

810

720

664

Feb.

664

651

612

625

599

612

677

573

560

586

560

KAQ

560

17Q

vn

612

586

CIO

638

516

549

625

612

573

573

735

750

664

Mar.

677

690

677

780

939

QOO

873

873

840

765

onfi

O79

1 060

1 flSft

1,020

1,130

1,200

1 040

QOQ

sin

840

701

939

1,630

1,670

1 480

1*340

l!llO

QOO

890

840

Apr.

735

Ron

690

677

720

1,460

3,450

3,560

2,830

2,580

2,170

2

1AA

3,110

4,130

S KQfl

2

cen

1 Q*ft

1 740

i PISJO

1 460

1,580

1,520

1,360

i t^in

1,650

1,670

1,420

1 340

1*200

1 

' 040

May.

Q^Q

873

765

720

720

810

780

840

1,170

2,360

2,200

2,470

i oin

1 460

1J220

QQQ

810

720

664

651

705

677

638 70>;

765

664

flSfi

PwlQ

KftE

472

423

June.

405

Qfio

472

JOO

378

344

304

288

296

304

5,290

25,600

50 200

10 finn

8,990

10,800

7 640

4

QKft

3 Ron

2,830

2,800

2,300

1,800

1,520

1,420

2,100

i dfin

1,260

1,100

988

July.

890

825

720

677

625

eon

AQA

461

ACT\

441

423

JOQ

423

405

369

qco

328

OQA

274

274

260

248

234

241

228

210 me

180

175

162

154

Aug.

148

1Q7

iqn

130

123

ino

112

106

102

QK

Oft

7fl

70

70

79

75

80

75

75

71

70

68

66

70

68

66

68

66

66

Sept.

66

64

66

70

88

144

91 1

222

45 800

31,500

4,850

2 ?(Y1

I

E/in

1,170

079

QAf\

720

651

586

549

SI 7

484

A CO

410

387

OKO

320

336

qqe

NOTE. Discharge, June 12,13,14, Sept. 9,10, and 11, determined by averaging the discharge for intervals 

of the day. No record and discharge interpolated Sept. 22-25, and partly estimated Sept. 26.
32 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Monthly discharge of Colorado River at Austin, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

December. ...............................................

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

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

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

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

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

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3.030 

3,620 

1,970 

856 

750 

1,670 

3,560 

2,470 

50,200 

890 

148 

45, 800

50,200

Minimum.

494 

735 

638 

599 

516 

677 

677 

423 

288 

154 

66 

64

64

Mean.

944 

1,280 

845 

684 

608 

990 

1,870 

964 

5,090 

387 

89.2 

3,410

1,420

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

58,000 

76,200 

j 52,000 

42,100 

33,800 

60,900 

111,000 

59,300 

303,000 

23,800 

5,480 

203,000

1,030,000

EVAPORATION NEAR AUSTIN, TEX.

LOCATION. At reservoir on Hill's ranch, about 1,000 feet from ranch house, 5 miles 

southeast of Austin. Travis County. Elevation, 475 feet above sea level.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. April 1, 1916, to September 30, 1921.

EQUIPMENT. Two evaporation pans, one floating on surface of reservoir, and the 

other on land about 30 feet from reservoir; auxiliary equipment consists of hook 

gage, rain gage, anemometer, maximum and minimum thermometers, and 

psychrometer. Reservoir about 30 feet wide and 250 feet long.

ACCURACY. Moss and weed growth in reservoir may at times affect results. Record 

from land pan more accurate than that from floating pan. Observations made 

daily at 8 a. m. Observer's work good.

Evaporation near Austin, Tex.,for the year ending September SO,

Month.

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

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

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

The year .....

Temperature (°F.).

Air.

"*

If

a 5 Is

80.8 

64.1

64.3 

66.9 

68.5 

75.6 

75.9 

85.5 

88.5 

92.2 

95.4 

89.5

78.9

|3

P 

1

55.7 

43.9

35.5 

42.8 

40.1 

55.9 

52.4 

62.0 

69.4 

70.8 

69.8 

70.1

55.7

a

68.2 

54.0

49.9 

54.8 

54.3 

65.8 

64.2 

73.8 

79.9 

81.5 

82.6 

79.8

67.3

Water.

^"U-N

«0

ci

67.7 

54.6

48.2 

52.6 

52.0 

64.8 

64.4 

74.4 

80.7 

82.3 

81.0 

79.8

66.9

3 ft/a 

8 

|g

63.3 

50.7

46.3 

48.7 

46.6 

61.6 

59.7 

69.5 

76.1 

78.1 

76.8 

76.4

62.8

Mean relative humidity 

(per cent).

83.2 

88.1

86.1 

86.9 

84.6 

89.5 

80.3 

80.0 

82.7 

80.6 

73.6 

86.9

83.5

Wind.

>> .

11o>

SP ft

«!

35 "3

^~>a

1.2 

1.7

2.3 

2.3 

3.1 

2.3 

2.4 

1.5 

1.5 

1.5 

1.5 

1.1

1.9

Prevailing direction.

North and southwest.

West..............

South............. 

South.............

South.............

South.............

Rainfall (inches).

3.65 

3.02

1.17 

2.15 

.76 

3.54 

8.67 

2.91 

7.43 

2.24 

.00 

18.21

53.75

Evaporation.

§

ft

I 

1

£

3.386 

2.324

2.326 

1.771 

2.821 

3.480 

05.188 

5.827 

5.479 

7.119 

8.110 

4.881

52. 712

« 

a 

 a 

a

s

4.280 

2.805

o3.031 

2.565 

3.652 

4.283 

06. 671 

6.196 

6.881 

8.080 

9.428 

5.263

63. 135

Estimated.
COLORADO EIVER BASIN. 33

COLORADO RIVER AT COLUMBUS. TEX.

LOCATION. At county highway bridge half a block from county jail, 400 feet below 

Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway bridge, in eastern edge of Columbus, Colorado County.

DRAINAGE AREA. 37,000 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

.Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. August 2, 1902, to December 31, 1911; May 22, 1916, to September 30, 1921. Records of stage have been obtained by the United States 

Weather Bureau since January 1, 1903.

GAGE. Gurley graph water-stage recorder; inspected by A. S. Lowrey, J. H. Moore, 

or J. H. Hastedt. From August 2, 1902, to December 16, 1907, gage heights were 

obtained by measuring with a tagged chain and lead weight from point on top of 

bridge pier to water surface. Mott tape-and-weight gage on downstream handrail 

of bridge, property of the United States Weather Bureau, was read from December 

17, 1907, to February 9, 1917, when regulation United States Geological Survey 

chain gage was installed and used until April 30, 1919, when present Gurley 

water-stage recorder was installed. All gages referred to same datum.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from upstream side of bridge or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight above and below station for 400 feet. 

Right bank composed of firm earth; high and not subject to overflow. Left bank 

of medium height; overflow likely. Bed of stream clean and sandy; shifts. A 

sand and gravel section 350 feet below gage may serve as low-water control; the 

stage-discharge relation during medium and high stages may be controlled by a 

bend in river below bridge.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from United States Weather 

Bureau records, 33.8 feet at 7 a. m. September 13 (discharge, 57,300 second-feet); 

minimum discharge, 257 second-feet September 4.

1902-1911; 1916-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 35.8 feet April 27, J.908 (revised discharge, 60,300 second-feet); minimum stage, 4.2 feet September 9 and 10, 

1910 (discharge, 10 second-feet).

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water is diverted for irrigation in the drainage basin above 

Austin, but little water is diverted between Austin and Columbus. Station is 

above irrigated rice belt, which comprises several thousand acres. Records of the 

Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show that about 36,000 acres have 

been declared irrigated above Austin.

REGULATION. Flow at Columbus during low stages partly controlled by storage at 

Lake Austin.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve fairly well defined below 55,000 second-feet. Operation of water-stage recorder satisfactory 

except for short breaks in record as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. 

Mean daily gage height obtained from recorder chart by inspection or by planimeter. Daily discharge ascertained by shifting-control method. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Columbus, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 28

Mar. 23

Apr. 27

July 16

Made by 

H. C. Pritchett.........

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

E.G. West. ...........

C. E. McCashin........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

8.22

7.26

7.76

11.00

7.14

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1.600

897

1,560

4.350

993

Date.

Aug. 17

14

14

15

Made by 

E.G. West............

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.62

32.43

16.95

15.40

13.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

305

"49,700

o610,800

068,910

5,750

« Rapidly falling stage. 6 Surface velocities observed and coefficient used to reduce to mean velocity
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Colorado River at Columbus, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

I..............

a. .............

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

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

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

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

 f

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

1,260

1,230

1,160

1,160

1,300

1,230

1,410

1,480

1,340

1,200

1,140

1,070

1,040

1,010

1,340

1,340

1,090

1,300

1,160

1,010

1,120

1,520

1,670

3,220

1,560

2,460

3,000

1,740

1,670

1,710

2 fiflA

Nov.

3,330

2,600

2,100

1,820

1,630

1,560

1,480

1,410

1,370

1,300

1,220

1,160

1,140

1,170

1,220

1,210

1,300

1,410

1,480

1,900

1 860

1^710

1,560

1,480

1,370

1,410

2,800

2", 360

2,100

1,820

Dec.

3 1 AA

3

7OA

3,060

2

Ofirt

1,930

1,740

1,560

1 440

1,370

1 300

1 91A

1,230

1,200

1,120

1 080

1,060

1,020 i nnn

992

973

1,600

1,710

1,120

1,050

1,060

980

928

928

928

928

921

Jan.

QAS

OAS

914

914

OAS

888

OQO

862

843

830

843

908

973

1,010

960

QOQ

882

869

862

869

876

869

862

856

1,200

1 860

1,930

1,480

1,260

1,200

1,130

Feb.

1,060

1,010

954

908

QQC

895

CCrt

824

812

806

824

794

776

770

664

752

740

752

1,180

1 860

1 340

1^050 I'oio

928

843

824

800

758

Mar.

869

2 Qflft

4,540

3,110

1,970

1 440

1 OCA

1,230

1,260

1,220

4,800

21,000

11,600

10,000

9,670

4,670

2 arm

2,320

2,140

2,050

1,860

1,710

1,560

1,480

1,420

1,390

1,780

2,140

1,970

1,900

2 1Rft

Apr.

1,630

1,500

1,450

1,360

2,140

37,900

29,500

13,500

10,600

7,360

5,650

6,250

8,210

5,220

5; 080

4,030

3,220

2,700

2,360

6,400

3,790

3,670

2,230

2,320

3,910

3,220

2,700

2,010

May.

1,820

1,710

1,600

1 480 iUw

1 Qfln

1,260

1,230

2,180

4,280

5,500

3,110

2,850

2,850

2,460

2,010

1,740

1,560

1,370

1,230

1,150

1,090

1,040

1,020

954

934

973

954

954

882

June.

824

764

698

fiA9

7OC

1,600

986

752

1,060

1,100

862

740

1,060

29,500

37,900

16,200

11,000

12,900

11,000

7,700

5,500

4,410

43,400

18,400

8,750

9,110

12,500

7,700

5,950

3,000

July.

2,410

2,010

1,820

1,670

1,600

1,520

1,410

1,370

1,370

1,220

2,140

1,780

2,360

1,410

1,100

1,010

934

876

806

752

710

656

628

606

535

485

396

356

320

302

306

Aug.

o/w>

3in

q-iq

ooj.

340

QOfi

324

320

313

310

313

 320

316

313

296

302

306

299

292

288

285

282

282

274

278

324

278

274

274

274

Sept.

274

271

971

*>C7

260

264

268

271

310

313

30,000

50,900

48,300

16,400

8,390

5,800

4,410

3,550

3,000

2,550

2,230

2,010

1,820

1,860

1,970

1,600

1,370

1,440

1,600

1,480

NOTE. Discharge, June 11-30 and Sept. 4-13, determined from gage heights obtained from Weather 

Bureau chain gage readings. Discharge partly estimated owing to incomplete records Mar. 2, 3,11, 12, 

Sept. 2, and 3.

Monthly discharge of Colorado River at Columbus, Tex. , for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

1 

Month.

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3, 220 

3,330 

3,730 

1,930 

1,860 

21,000 

37,900 

5,500 

43,400 

2,410 

340 

50,900

50,900

Minimum.

1,010 

1,140 

921 

830 

 664 

869 

1,360 

882 

662 

302 

274 

257

257

Mean.

1,500 

1,680 

1,440 

1,020 

917 

3,560 

6,340 

1,750 

8,560 

1,120 

302 

6,450

2,870

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

92,200 

100,000 

88,500 

62,700 

50,900 

219,000 

377,000 

108,000 

509,000 

68,900 

18,600 

384,000

2,080,000
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 35

COLORADO RIVER AT WHARTON, TEX.

LOCATION. At highway bridge in western edge of Wharton, Wharton County, 200 

feet below Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway bridge.

DRAINAGE AREA. 37,400 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

HECORDS AVAILABLE. July 12 to August 31, 1916; July 3 to August 18', 1917; July 

11 to August 4, 1918; and March 19, 1919, to September 30, 1921.

 GAGE. Gurley graph water-stage recorder attached to pier of highway bridge near 

left bank, installed March 19, 1919; recorder was removed July 18, 1921, owing 

to repairs to pier and a temporary chain gage at same datum, attached to downstream guard rail of the bridge was used July 18 to September 30, 1921. Pri6r 

to March 19, 1919, vertical staff on right bank 75 feet below bridge; zero of this 

gage, 1.93 feet higher than zero of recorder.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from highway or railway bridge or by wading.

OHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight above and below station for a few hundred 

feet. Bed composed of sand and clay; shifting. Banks medium in height, 

composed of clay, and subject to overflow during extreme stages.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 31.55 feet at 

11.56 a. m. September 14 (discharge, 35,900 second-feet, ascertained from extension of rating curve); minimum stage, 4.35 feet at 12.46 p. m. August 27 (discharge, 

45 second-feet, ascertained from extension of rating curve).

1916-1921: Maximum stage recorded during periods of record, 33.9 feet at 

midnight October 15, 1919 (discharge, 39,600 second-feet, determined from extension of rating curve); minimum discharge, that of August 27, 1921.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Station is in area of rice irrigation, roughly estimated to cover about 

75,000 acres, about one-third of which is irrigated by diversion from Colorado 

River between Columbus and Wharton, and the remaining two-thirds by diversion below Wharton. During periods of maximum demand, practically the 

entire flow is diverted, unless the river is above ordinary stage.

REGULATION. Flow at low and medium stages is regulated to some extent by storage 

in Lake Austin at Austin, Tex.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve well defined 

from 500 to 15,000 second-feet, and fairly well denned to 30,000 second-feet, 

and extended above. Operation of water-stage recorder from October 1 to July 

17 satisfactory, except for short breaks in record as indicated in footnote to dailydischarge table. From July 18 to September 30, recorder was not used and staff 

gage was read to hundredths once daily and oftener during floods. October 1 to 

March 2, daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily 

gage height, determined from recorder graph by inspection or by planimeterShifting-control method used for remainder of year, except as noted in footnote 

to daily-discharge table. Records good except for extremely high and low stages.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Wharton, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 26

Mar. 24

Apr. 29

Made by 

H. C. Pritchett. ........

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

E.G. West............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.00

6.00

6.92

9.24

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,670

1,510

3,420

Date.

July 17

Aug. 18

Made by 

E.G. West.............

C.E. McCashin. .......

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.19

4.85

13.51

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,330

216

6,370
36 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Colorado River at Wharton, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Day.

I..............

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

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

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

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

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

7. . .

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

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

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

11... ... . ..

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

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

14..... . . . ..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22... . ... . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

1.730

1.570

1,570

1.490

1,410

1,410

1,490

1, 490 ~

1,650

1,570

1,410

1,340

1,270

1,200

1,270

1,270

1,490

1,270

1.270

1,340

1, 410

1,340

1,410

1,730

3,550

1,890

1,970

2,960

2,060 

1,730

Nov.

2,330

3,250

2,780

2,330

1,970

1,810

1,650

1,570

1,490

1,410

1,340

1,270

1,200

1,200

1,270

1,200

1,270

1,270

1,340

1,410

1,650

1,810

1,730

1,570

1,490

1,490

1,490

2,240

2,510 

2,240

Dec.

1,890

2,600

3,550

3,250

2,690

2,240

1,970

1,810

1,650

1,570

1,490

1,410

1,340

1,340

1,270

1,270

1,200

1,200"

1,130

1,130

1,130

1,340

2,060

1,410

1,270

1,200

1,130

1,130

1,060 

1,060

1 060 '

Jan.

1,060

1,000

1 000 I'ooo

1 000

1 000 I'ooo I'ooo

940

940

940

940

1 060 I.'OBO

1,060

1,060

1,000

1 000 '940

940

(Y4A

940

940

<wn

940

<V4A

1 490

l'970

1,730 

1,410

1,270

Feb.

1,270

1,130

1,130

1,060

1,000

1,000

940

940

890

890

890

890

890

840

840

840

840

890

890

1 000

1,650

1.650

1,270

1,130

1,060

1 000 '890

890

Mar.

890

1,060

5,270

4,930

1,750

2,780

16, 500

9,160

10,200

7,990

4,490

3,150

2,510

2,150

1,970

1,810

1,650

1,490

1,410

1,410

1,340

1,490

1,890 

2,240

3,450

Apr.

2,600

1,970

1,570

1,410

2,600

6,470

4,710

13,700

27,300

21,300

12,600

10,500

7,860

6,470

7,600

8,120

5,990

5,630

4,710

3,950

3,350

3,450

6,950

4,380

3,950

2,960

2,870

4,160

3,550 

3,250

May.

2,510

2,150

1,970

1,810

1,730

1,570

1,490

1,410

1,340

1,340

1,810

3,850

5,270

3,450

2,960

2,870

2,600

2,060

1,730

1,490

1,270

1,130

1,060

940

890

890

890

840

840 

840

840

June.

840

790

690

690

650

610

890

1,000

790

790

1,130

1,000

890

10,200

25,500

20,700

12,400

12,000

11,900

9,420

7,340

9,680

25,600

30,700

15,200

9,550

12,900

10,600

7,210 

4,820

July.

3,750

3,250

2,870

2,510

2,330

2,150

1,970

1,810

1,810

2,060

1,890

3,650

2,870

2,690

2,150

1,570

1,340

1,130

1,060

1,000

940

790

740

790

650

650

610

518

518 

518

535

Aug.

500

482

465

430

412

430

482

465

465

308

220

238

238

220

220

150

150

202

290

325

308

308

325

308

238

202

45

448

62

150

255

Sept.

272

290

272

23&

272

325

325

290

325

360

3,350

27,300

32,100

35,000

13,400

7,990

5,270

4,160

3,550

3,150

2,780

2,420

2,240

2,060

1,890

2,060

1,730

1,570

1,570 

1,730

NOTE. Discharge partly estimated owing to incomplete record Oct. 24, 25, Mar. 4,12, 25, 26, June 15,16r 

24, and 25. No gage-height record Mar. 5-11; discharge estimated by comparison with records of flow at 

Columbus. Discharge Aug. 27 and 29 determined from extension of rating curve.

Monthly discharge of Colorado River at Wharton, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921 ,

Month.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second- feet.

Maximum.

3,550 

3,250 

3,550 

1,970 

1,650 

16,500 

27,300 

5, 270 

30,700 

3,750 

500 

35,000

35,000

Minimum.

1,200 

1,200 

1,060 

940 

840 

890 

1,410 

840 

610 

518 

45 

238

45

Mean.

1,620 

1,720 

1,610 

1,080 

1,020 

3,340 

6,530 

1,800 

8,220 

1,650 

301 

5,280

2,830

Run-off ia 

acre-feet.

99,600 

102,000' 

99,OOO 

66,400 

56,600 

205,000 

389,000 

111,000 

489,000 

101,000 

18,500 

314,000

2,050,000

NORTH CONCHO RIVER AT SAN ANGELO, TEX.

LOCATION. At county concrete viaduct in San Angelo, Tom Green County, 1 mile

above confluence of North Concho and South Concho rivers.

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,520 square miles (revised; measured on post-route map and 

topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, of the United 

Geological States Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 27,1915, to September 30,1921.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 37

GAGE. Stevens continuous water-stage recorder, attached to left side of web of third 

 pier of viaduct from left bank, installed September 1,1920; inspected by engineers 

of United States Geological Survey and by B. W. Wynn. Prior to this date, gage 

used was vertical staff, attached to same pier. Both recorder and" staff gage 

referred to same datum.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from second highway bridge upstream from 

gage, or by wading 400 feet below.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock which is, to some extent, 

covered in high-water channel with grass and moss. Channel straight for 800 feet 

above and 400 feet below gage. Banks are sloping, clean, composed of rock and 

clay, and not subject to overflow except during high floods. About 20 feet below 

gage and at downstream side of viaduct is a concrete dam about 4J feet high, 

which, before the viaduct was constructed, served as part of low-water crossing; 

this dam forms an artificial control and insures a permanent stage-discharge 

relation.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

1.98 feet at 1.20 a. m. October 24 (discharge, 564 second-feet, determined from 

extension of rating curve); no flow October 13-21, June 1-8, and July 3 to September 30.

1916-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 5.5 feet at 5 p. m. October 25, 1918 (discharge, 7,370 second-feet, determined from curve extended by using formula 

Q=CLH | and may be considerably in error); no flow for several periods during 

record.

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that about 600 acres have been declared irrigated by diversions from North Concho 

River, all above station.

REGULATION. None of consequence.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well denned below 

125 second-feet and extended above by use of formula Q=CLH f for broad 

crested weirs, using a value of 2.20 for C and may be considerably in error. Operation of water-stage recorder satisfactory. Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily gage height obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeter; for days of considerable fluctuation in stage, 

discharge averaged for intervals of the day. Records good, except those for 

extremely low or high stages, which may be subject to considerable error.

Discharge measurements of North Concho River at San Angela, Tex., during the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

[Made by D. A. Dudley.]

Date. Gage 

height.

Fed. 

0.30

.74

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

7.0

Date. Gage 

height.

Fett. 

0.70

.46

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

6.3

a. 2

Date.

A ii<r fi

Gage 

height.

Feet.

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

0.0

Estimated.
38 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of North Concho River at San Angela, Tex.,for the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

6.. . ...

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

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

9.. ........

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

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

12..

13.. ....

14

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

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

17.. ... . ....

18......:............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

0.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

134

13

4.5

2.1

1.3

1.0

1.1

Nov.

1.2

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1 ^

2.9

4.5

18

64

28

14

9.2

8.5

8.5

7 9

6.6

7 ">

9.2

7 9

5.8

4.5

4.5 4 f;

4.2

4. Q

4 9

Dec.

4 1

3.9

4 9

6.2

6.2

6 9

6.6

7 *>

7 9

7.2

7.2

7.9

7.2

7.2

7

0

7.9

8.5

9.2

9

0

9

0

Q 9

9 8

9

0

9

0

9 8

9.8

9

0

9.2

9 9

9.2

8.5

Jan.

8.5

8.5

8.5

7 Q

6.6

7 9

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.9

8.5

8.5

9.2

8

e

8.5

8.5

9.2

7 Q

7 Q

7 9

7 Q

7 9

7.2

7.2

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.2

6.6

Feb.

6.2

7.2

6.2

6.2

5.8

6.2

6.2

6 9

6.2

6.2

6.6

7.2

7.2

9.2

Q C

7.9

7 Q

7.9

8.5

8.5

7 Q

8.5

8

e

8.5

8.5

7 Q

7 9

9

0

Mar.

20

14

13

9.8

9.8

8.5

8.5

9

0

9.2

7.9

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.9

8.5

8.5

9.2

11

19

14

12

11

8.5

7.9

7.9

7.2

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

Apr.

7.9

. 7.9

7 9

7.9

8.5

9.8

11

9 8

9.8

9.2

11

11

9.2

9.2

8.5

7.9

7.9

7.9

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

7.2

6.6

5.3

4.5

3.5

3.2

3.2

4.5

May.

2.5

1.9

1.5

1.4

3.9

7.2

4.9

7.2

7.2

5.8

4.5

6.6

3.2

1.9

1.8

3.2

1.8

2.5

2.5

1.9

1.3

1.1

.9

.8

.5

.5

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

June.

38

1.2

.7

.4

126

50

8.5

6.2

5.3

3.5

2.3

1.4

2.1

1.8

1.3

1.1

.8

.7

.6

.5

.4

.3

July.

0.2

.2

t

NOTE. Discharge Oct. 23, 24, Nov. 11, June 9, and 13, determined by averaging discharge for intervals 

of the day. No flow for periods for which no discharge is given.

Monthly discharge of North Concho River at San Angela, Tex.,for the year ending Sept.

30, mi.

Month.

October....

November. 

December.. 

January....

February.. 

March......

April.......

May.......

June.......

July. 

August.....

September.

The year.

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

134

64

9.8

9.2

9.8

20

11

7.2

126

.2

0

0

134

Minimum.

0.0

l.l

3.9

6.2

5.8

6.6

3.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

Mean.

5.17

8.39

7.94

7.67

7.48

9.75

7.81

2.57

8.44

.01

0

0

5.41

Run-off in

acre-feet.

318

499

488

472

415

600

465

158

502

.6

0 .

0

3,920

CONCHO RIVER NEAR SAN ANGELO, TEX.

LOCATION. Half a mile below confluence of North Concho and South Concho rivers 

and If miles southeast of San Angelo, Tom Green County.

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,780 square miles (revised; measured on standard topographic 

maps; post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by 

Robert T. Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 39

RECORDS AVAILABLE. September 17, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Stevens continuous water-stage recorder, installed August 9, 1917, on righ't 

bank, l^OO^feet below an old ford; inspected by engineers of United States 

Geological Survey and by B. W. Wynn. Prior to August 9, 1917, a vertical staff 

gage in several sections attached to trees on left bank was used. Water-stage 

recorder and vertical staff gage referred to same datum.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from cable near gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock and gravel. Channel straight 

for 1,000 feet above and below station. Right bank, high, rocky, wooded, and not 

subject to overflow; left bank of medium height, composed of clay and gravel, 

covered with scattered trees, and subject to overflow at high stages. Rapids 

just below gage serve as control for medium and low stages. Location of control 

for high stages not known.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

14.7 feet at 4 p. m. August 31 (discharge, about 9,040 second-feet); minimum 

stage, 0.44 foot at 2 a. m. September 9 (discharge, 1.5 second-feet).

1915-1921: Maximum stage, 26.6 feet July 8, 1919, determined from flood 

marks on gage house (discharge, 40,500 second-feet, determined by slope method, 

assuming a value of 0.045 for "na' in Kutter's formula); minimum discharge, 0.1 

second-foot October 6,1918.

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Flow at low stage materially affected by diversions above station. 

About a mile above mouth of South Concho River a storage dam has been constructed by the San Angelo Light & Power Co. for waterworks. Records of the 

Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show that about 11,000 acres have 

been declared irrigated by water diverted above the station, and about 3,500 

acres by diversion below station.

REGULATION. Storage at the dam of the San Angelo Light & Power Co. has slight 

effect on flow at station; no regulation of consequence on North Concho River.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well denned below 

800 second-feet; above, it is based on determination of discharge (40,500 secondfeet) at crest stage of 26.6 feet on July 8, 1919, using Kutter's formula with the 

value of 0.045 for " n8' and may be considerably in error. Between 800 and 40,500 

second-feet curve was drawn with discharge as a function of AVd. Operation of 

water-stage recorder not satisfactory as shown in footnote to daily-discharge tajsle. 

Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily gage height 

obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeter, or for days 

of considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging discharge for intervals of the 

day. Records good.

Discharge measurements of Concho River near San Angelo, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

[Made by D. A. Dudley.]

Date.

Jan. 8.......................

May 6.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.46

1.38

1.05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

54.2

39.4

17.0

Date.

Aug. 5.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.20

.48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

24.6

2.0
40 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Concho River near San Anyelo, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

7..........

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

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

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

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

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

13...... .. .

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

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

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

17.....

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

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

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

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

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

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

24.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

37

37

36

40

41

41

48

45

40

37

32

28

32

36

VI

33

OO

28

30

243

50

42

40

41

50

Nov.

ds

45

44

44

.19

44

49

51

54

70

127

88

72

64

KQ

57

60

56

53

EA

EA

EA

EO

Kfi

56

53

53

51

Dec.

51

53

53

Kl

48

49

K1

KO

CO

51

51

51

48

46

44

44

45

48

48

34

OQ

OQ

40

39

40

OQ

39

40

40

40

Jan.

40

41

41

45

45

41

39

OQ

07

39

42

42

42

44

AK

45

44

41

40

41

45

45

45

44

Feb.

oo

OQ

42

41

qo

oo

QO

37

14

12

12

14

12

12

10

14

16

10

19

19

19

1Q

1 ft

16

26

Mar.

74

49

41

3707

34

on.

01

on

OQ

26

OR

OO

01

01

33

64

KQ

49

40

41

39

37

37

42

40

38

Apr.

35

07

07

OQ

OQ

OQ

25

25

24

35

on

22

12

11

11

9 9

9.5

7.9

6.8

6.3

5.2

4 9

4.3

May.

8

0

74

OO

15

14

12

14

10

00

19

16

12

9 1

8 7

10

6.8

8.3

9 1

10

12

9 1

7.0

4.9

4.4

3.6

3.2

June.

9 °.

2

0

2

Q

9 1

2.3

9 O

127

KftC

101

349

506

140

76

54

JO

45

QG

35

32

OQ

26

23

20

17

14

July.

8

n

0 C

0 0

2.8

2.4

2 2

2.0

2.0

2.2

2 2

2.2

2.1

1 0

2.0

2 0

2.0

1 9

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.0

Aug.

1 9

1 9

1 9

1 £

1 S

1 ft

1 9

2.0

1 9

1 9

2.1

2 1

9 n

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

9 9

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

810

Sept.

°41

0,1

6 a

2.4

9 ffc

9 fl

1 9

2.1

2 9

2 9

2 0

9 °.

O. Q

4.4

5.2

5.5

5.0

2.7

2.0

2.1

9 1

2.0

2.0

2.0

1 ft

2.0

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.0

NOTE. Discharge partly estimated owing to incomplete gage-height record on following days: Oct. 1,2, 

Dec. 12,15, May 27, June 2, 6-10, July 5, and Aug. 30. No gage-height record, Dec. 13,14, May 26, 28-31, 

June 1, 3-5, 18-26, 28-30, July 1-4, and Aug. 18-;29; discharge interpolated. Discharge Oct. 24, June 11, 

and 13 obtained by averaging the discharge for intervals of the day.

Monthly discharge of Concho River near San Angela, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Month.

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

243 

127 

53 

45 

42 

74 

37 

 74 

568 

12 

810 

244

810

Minimum.

28 

42 

34 

37 

10 

25 

4.3 

3.2 

2.3 

1.8 

1.8 

1.8

1.8

Mean.

45.9 

56.4 

45.4 

42.3 

23.1 

39.9 

18.9 

13.6 

78.7 

3.07 

28.2 

11.8

33.9

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

2,820 

3,360 

2,790 

2.600 

1.280 

2,450 

1.120 

836 

4.680 

189 

1,730 

702

24,600
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 41

CONCHO RIVER NEAR PAINT ROCK. TEX.

LOCATION. At Concho, San Saba & Llano Valley Railroad bridge, a quarter of a mile 

below mouth of Kickapoo Creek and 2 miles northwest of Paint Rock, Concho 

County.

DRAINAGE AREA. 5,790 square miles (revised; measured on standard topographic 

maps; post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by 

Robert T. Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. September 20, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Stevens continuous water-stage recorder attached to downstream end of middle pier of railroad bridge; installed September 16, 1920; inspected by engineers 

of the United States Geological Survey and by N. N. Skaggs. Prior to September 

16, 1920, gage was vertical staff, attached to same pier.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from downstream side of bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock, smooth, clean, free from vegetation, and permanent. Channel straight for 500 feet above and below gage. 

Right bank 30 feet high, solid rock, clean, and not subject to overflow; left bank 

of medium height, sloping, wooded, and subject to overflow during high water. 

Permanent control during low and medium stages at a shoal in solid rock, 400 feet 

below gage.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

6.75 feet at 3.20 a. m. September 1 (discharge, 4,370 second-feet); minimum stage, 

0.77 foot at midnight September 30 (discharge, 0.6 second-foot).

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 13.5 feet at 7.30 a. m. June 10, 1919 (discharge, 21,300 second-feet); no flow during several periods of every year except 

1920 and 1921.

ICE. None reported during year.

DIVERSIONS. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that about 11,000 acres have been declared irrigated by diversions from Concho 

River, practically all of which are above the station. Flow during low stages is 

materially affected by diversions.

REGULATION. Ten storage dams of small capacity are located between this station 

and San Angelo. An abandoned dam, 12 feet in height, known as "Four-Mile 

dam," is 4 miles below San Angelo; and a small dam, 8 feet in height, has been 

constructed for storage on Sims ranch just above the station. None of the dams 

appreciably affects the flow by storing water, except during extremely low stages.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well defined below 

1,000 second-feet, fairly well defined between 1,000 and 6,000 second-feet, and 

extended above. Operation of water-stage recorder satisfactory except as shown in 

footnote to daily-discharge table. Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating 

table mean daily gage height obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by 

use of planimeter, or for days of considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging discharge for intervals of the day. Records good except for extremely high stages.

Discharge measurements of Concho River near Paint Rock, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

[Made by D. A. Dudley.]

Date.

Jan. 14. ........... ..........

Apr.20.. .....................

May 18. ......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.46

1.20

1.26

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

40.1

16.8

20.3

Date.

Aug. 6.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.30

go

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

a Estimated.
42 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Concho River near Paint Rock, Tex., for the year

ending Sept. 30,

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23... f . .........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

60

49

44

39

38

41

40

40

45

46

41

42

44

40

36

35

35

33

35

38

38

38

39

165

74

54

48

45

44

49

Nov.

51

49

48

46

48

48

49

49

53

61

67

67

119

98

78

63

60

56

65

60

56

56

56

60

58

60

58

58

56

53

Dec.

51

51

53

54

51

49

49

48

48

48

4S

48

48

4a

48

4fi

46

46

46

4fi

46

45

AK.

45

45

45

45

45

45

44

42

Jan.

41

40

41

41

45

45

44

42

42

45

45

41

41

A?)

45

45

45

42

JO

44

42

42

42

41

Feb.

42

40

39

40

41

42

42

41

40

39

36

27

22

22

22

23

23

23

21

22

23

25

26

26

Mar.

4

40

58

58

51

48

45

42

42

36

35

34

34

33

32

O1

35

34

39

46

60

53

45

41

42

41

42

38

36

39

42

Apr.

40

41

39

40

41

44

41

38

33

32

29

28

32

30

29

26

22

19

17

16

16

15

13

12

12

11

11

11

9.2

7.8

May.

7.4

14

8.8

7.8

JB.O

5.7

9.2

13

15

24

20

29

23

19

19

22

19

20

19

16

14

13

13

13

13

14

13

13

13

11

10

June.

9.2

7.8

6.9

6.0

5.0

4.4

3.8

4.7

131

674

510

322

127

753

320

130

84

60

49

42

39

36

35

36

32

27

22

20

13

9.2

July7.8

6.0

5.7

4.7

4.1

3.4

2.8

2.4

9 n

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

4.7

11

6.5

5.7

4.4

5.0

4.7

9 fi

2.2

2.2

3.8

5.0

5.4

4.1

3.4

Aug.

2.4

1.6

1.2

.8

.7

1.0

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2 9

2.2

9 n

2 ft

2.1

2.2

9 Q

2.4

2.4

2 A

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.8

2.8

4.1

Sept.

1.180

172

58

31

20

14

12

10

9 7

9.2

7.4

5-7

4.4

3.4

2.8

2-2

2.2

2.0

2.2

2

Q

2.8

2.8

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.2

1.0

.8

.7

.7

NOTE. Discharge partly estimated owing to incomplete gage-height record on following days: Nov. 17-27, 

Dec. 29, Aug. 17,22, 25, 27, and 29. No gage-height record Dec. 9-28, Aug. 18-21, and 26; discharge interpolated. Discharge, June 9-12,14, and Sept. 1, determined by,averaging discharge for intervals of the day.

Monthly discharge of Concho River near Paint Rock, Tex., for the year ending Sept. SO,

Month.

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

165 

119 

54 

45 

42 

60 

44 

29 

753 

11 

4.1 

1,180

1,180

Minimum.

33 

46 

42 

40 

21 

31 

7.8 

5.7 

3.8 

1.0 

.7 

.7

.7

Mean.

47.1 

60.2 

47.2 

43.0 

30.0 

42.1 

25.2 

14.7 

117 

3.82 

2.01 

52.2

40.2

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

2,900 

3,580 

2,900 

2,640 

1,670 

2,590 

1,500 

904 

6,960 

235 

124 

3,110

29,100
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 43

SAN SABA RIVER AT MENARD, TEX.

LOCATION. At steel highway bridge in Menard, Menard County, 80 miles above mouth 

of stream.

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,140 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. September 14, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Chain gage attached to floor on downstream side of highway bridge; read by 

T. J. Adams or B. B. Burke.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from downstream side of bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight 800 feet above and 100 feet below station; 

somewhat obstructed by reeds and grass; water flows through a series of shoals and 

ponds. Right bank composed of gravel and clay, wooded, sloping, high, and not 

subject to overflow; left bank similar in material wooded, low, and subject to 

overflow. A sand and gravel ford just below gage forms a fairly permanent control during low stages, but shifts during medium and high stages.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 3.59 feet at 8.30 

a. m. November 26 (discharge, 303 second-feet); minimum stage probably occurred during period of missing record from June 26 to July 4.

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 13.6 feet at 2.30 a. m. September 16, 1915 

(discharge not determined); no flow July 12-14, 19-31, August 1-4, and 26-31, 

1918.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable land is irrigated with water' diverted above station. 

Noyes canal on right side of river which serves a considerable area diverts a short 

distance above gage. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of 

Texas show that about 4,300 acres have been declared irrigated by diversions 

above the station, and about 7,700 acres by diversions below the station.

REGULATION. Flow unregulated by storage or water-power plants but is largely 

controlled at low stages during irrigation season by diversion to Noyes canal.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve fairly well 

defined from 0 to 250 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths twice daily. Daily 

discharge determined by applying mean daily gage height to rating table from 

October 1 to December 31, and by shifting-control method from January 1 to 

September 30. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of San Saba River at Menard, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 12

Nov. 29

Jan. 25 

Feb. 27 

Mar. 8

9

Made by 

D.A.Dudley..........

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

Dudley and Fellows. . . .

D.A.Dudley..........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.07

2 17

2.01 

2.10 

3.22

2.56

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

35.3

25.8 

30.0 

220

89.4

Date.

Apr. 20

May 19

June 25 

Aug. 6 

26

Made by 

D.A.Dudley..........

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.08

2 17

1.65 

1.84 

1.73

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

14.1

. 26.6

3.8 

16.3 

5.1
44 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PAKT VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Saba River at Menard, Tex.,for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

42

41

44

44

42

44

44

44

44

41

34

37

42

42

40

27

30

29

29

31

29

31

32

42

42

40

36

36

36

34

36

Nov.

37

36

36

36

38

36

34

36

36

38

36

36

36

38

36

36

37

38

42

47

47

48

46

47

48

182

74

48

46

46

Dec.

46

47

46

46

45

44

42

41

42

44

44

44

42

39

37

36

34

32

31

30

30

30

29

30

31

30

29

28

OQ

28

28

Jan.

32

31

28

28

26

26

26

25

25

26

26

27

25

23

24

24

24

22

24

24

22

14

26

27

28

23

23

24

22

21

22

Feb.

25

29

27

25

25

25

25

25

26

25

26

26

26

24

24

22

29

31

35

31

27

28

28

29

29

26

30

45

Mar.

42

54

45

39

38

39

198

92

44

44

45

37

40

44

42

39

40

42

31

1

Apr.

22

38

32

31

37

37

36

17

16

24

24

23

23

22

14

14

13

12

12

14

22

15

14

12

10

10

9.0

6.0

6.0

8.0

May.

8.5

13

8.5

8.5

11

10

12

14

17

18

14

14

16

14

16

18

18

18

23

24

21

22

21

19

19

19

18

12

12

14

14

June.

14

14

14

20

22

22

22

22

24

5.4

5.1

6.5

5.7

6.0

6.0

6.5

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

4.8

4.2

3.9

3.0

3.0

3.8

July.

4.5

4.5

4.8

5.1

5.7

5.7

6.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

9.5

9.5

8.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

8.0

8.5

8.5

9.0

8.5

8.5

8.0

8.5

8.0

7.5

8.5

Aug.

8.5

8.5

9.0

9.5

10

12

9.0

6.0

4.8

4.2

4.5

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.5

4.2

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.8

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.2

4.5

5.7

16

17

65

27

Sept.

23

22

22

20

18

19

23

27

22

19

20

20

20

18

19

17

18

18

18

18

17

17

17

17

14

18

56

48

34

22

NOTE. No gage-height record, Apr. 23-24, May 15, Juae 19, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 22, and 23; discharge 

interpolated. Braced figures show estimated mean discharge for periods included.

Monthly discharge of San Saba River at Menard, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

44 

182 

47 

32 

45 

198 

38 

24 

24 

9.5 

65 

56

198

Minimum.

27 

34 

28 

14 

22 

31 

6.0 

8.5

4.2 

14

Mean.

37.6 

45.9 

36.6 

24.8 

27.6 

44.1 

19.1 

15.7 

9.12 

7.23 

9.13 

22.0

24.9

Run-ofi in

acre-feet.

2,310 

2,730 

2,250 

1,520 

1,530 

2,710 

1,140 

965 

543 

445 

561 

1,310

18,000
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 45

SAN SABA RIVER NEAR SAN SABA. TEX.

LOCATION. 200 feet above Beveridge highway bridge, 1 mile below mouth of China 

Creek, 2 miles northwest of San Saba, San Saba' County, 3 miles below mouth of 

Richland Creek, and 4 miles above mouth of Simpson Creek.

DRAINAGE AREA. 3,000 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; postroute map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, 

of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. December 30, 1904, to December 31, 1906; September 11, 

1915, to September 30, 1921. Miscellaneous discharge measurements previous to 

1904.

GAGE. Vertical and inclined staff, on right bank; read by G. M. Pool. From 

December 30, 1904, to December 31, 1906, gage heights were obtained by measuring with a tape from a reference point on the bridge to the water surface. Relation 

between datum used 1904-1906 and that of present gage is not known.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from downstream side of bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight above and below station for 100 feet. Bed 

composed of rock and gravel; shifts. Left bank composed of gravel, clay, wooded, 

high, and not subject to overflow; right bank consists of clay and gravel, wooded, 

sloping, medium in height, and subject to overflow during high water. A shoal 

at a ford about 75 feet below gage serves as control during medium and low stages; 

control is free from vegetation and shifts.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year, 4.4 feet on night of November 

26, determined from flood marks on gage (discharge, 745 second-feet); minimum 

stage, 1.00 foot at 7.10 p. m. July 8 (discharge, 11 second-feet).

1904-1906; 1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 31.7 feet August 7, 1906 

(discharge not determined); no flow August 9 and 10, 1918.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water is diverted from stream and tributaries above 

station. There are also diversions below station but none in vicinity of station. 

Flood water from Brady Creek at Brady is stored for municipal uses; capacity of 

reservoir not known, but probably small. Records of the Board of Water Engineers 

for the State of Texas show that about 9,300 acres have been declared irrigated by 

diversion above station, and about 2,700 acres by diversion below station.

REGULATION . None.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve well defined 

between 5 and 6,500 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths twice daily. Daily 

discharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table; shiftingcontrol method used November 28 to December 15, December 25 to February 28, 

and March 21 to September 30. Records good.

Discharge measurements of San Saba River near San Saba, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 16

Nov. 30

Jan. 26

Mar. 3

Made by 

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.77

2.23

1.90

2.16

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

83.3

161

96.3

145

Date.

Apr. 27

May 20

Aug. 8

Sept. 1

Made by 

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.67

1.60

1.24

1.42

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

62.5

58.3

24.9

37.6

38956 WSP 528 25
46 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Saba River near San Saba, Tex.Jor the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25

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

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

28

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

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

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

Oct.

117

112

99

96

92

92

92

94

95

95

92

92

92

92

91

85

91

92

88

88

84

84

92

108

110

116

114

99

OS

102

116

Nov.

114

112

105

104

104

104

102

110

106

203

154

148

114

111

116

120

112

111

110

110

106

108

108

108

110

279

530

292

209

166

Dec.

150

143

134

131

129

129

129

126

126

126

122

122

119

119

119

112

114

114

114

114

112

111

110

104

105

104

104

104

112

110

110

Jan.

105

104

102

101

99

99

99

99

96

96

95

104

104

104

101

101

101

101

101

98

92

O9

92

92

98

96

91

Of

88

88

Feb.

89

89

91

95

94

92

92

101

101

108

102

105

98

95

95

94

94

91

102

102

104

104

101

95

95

95

95

106

Mar.

116

138

139

129

124

117

114

141

136

170

200

156

129

139

170

127

120

114

145

265

157

131

134

143

132

124

117

111

108

106

106

Apr.

102

99

99

99

102

106

105

96

94

96

96

87

89

98

83

80

75

74

71

71

71

74

76

79

74

69

63

61

61

63

May.

61

84

141

83

70

63

62

67

65

63

63

63

60

61

61

63

60

58

61

61

58

61

62

58

54

59

52

48

53

51

43

June.

40

36

32

40

45

49

48

47

51

122

398

292

384

233

127

114

85

70

64

58

52

49

43

42

49

64.

60

82

105

73

July.

52

46

44

38

31

19

18

18

19

33

32

29

34

30

28

31

33

30

30

23

25

24

24

32

33

29

25

22

25

30

31

Aug.

26

22

24

24

27

27

27

27

20

23

22

27

30

32

34

30

30

27

28

29

28

28

26

27

27

33

34

37

38

65

41

Sept.

3»

38

35-

3£

37

51

54

44

4549-

47

46

49

47

44

42

42

42

39

40-

40

41

39

39

38

37

36

35

4fr

38

Monthly discharge of San Saba River near San Saba, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. SO,

1921.

Month.

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

117 

530 

150 

105 

108 

265 

106 

141 

398 

52 

65 

54

530

Minimum.

84 

102 

104 

88 

89 

106 

61 

43 

32 

18 

20 

35

18

Mean.

97.0 

146 

119 

97.6 

97.3 

137 

83.8 

63.5 

98.5 

29.6 

29.7 

41.8

86.6

Kun-ofl in

acre-feet.

5.960 

8,690 

7,320 

6,000 

5,400 

1 8,420 

4,990 

3,900 

5.860 

1,820 

1,830 

2,490

62,700
COLORADO BIVER BASIN. 47

NORTH LLANO RIVER NEAR JUNCTION, TEX.

LOCATION. 500 feet above remains of old Wilson dam, 1 mile below mouth of Bear 

Creek, 2% miles above North Llano highway bridge, 3 miles northwest of Junction, 

Kimble County, and 4 miles above confluence of North Llano and South Llarto 

rivers.

DRAINAGE AREA. 803 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; poetroute map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill» 

of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. September 14, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Overhanging chain gage on left bank; read by W. M. Keen.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from highway bridge 2J miles below 

station.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock. Channel straight above and 

below for 400 feet, with a series of pools and rapids. Left bank high, clean, and 

not subject to overflow; right bank low, wooded, and subject to overflow during 

high stages. One channel at all stages; current sluggish at gage during low and 

medium stages. A solid rock ledge of approximately 2 feet vertical fall at site of 

old dam serves as a permanent control for medium and low stages, except slight 

effect from accumulation of moss during low stages.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 1.64 feet at 9 a. m. 

October 1 (discharge, 78 second-feet); no flow August 13-29.

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 18.00 feet during night of September 15, 

1915 (discharge not determined); no flow during several periods.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that about 1,200 acres have been declared irrigated by diversion above the station. 

During low stages, such diversions materially reduce flow at the station.

REGULATION. No indication that flow at station is regulated.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation practically permanent. Rating curve well 

defined below 120 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths twice daily. Daily diecharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table. Records 

good.

Discharge measurements of North Llano River near Junction, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 13

Mar. 1

Made by 

Dudley andFellows. . . .

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.44

1.60

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

32.3

63.6

Date.

Apr. 25

Aug. 7

Made by 

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.33

.96

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

19.8

o.2

> Estimated.
48 SURFACE WATER SUjPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of North Llano River near Junction, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

:!.. ............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

68

49

43

41

38

38

35

33

30

29

26

24

25

24

24

26

26

26

26

26

29

29

33

35

36

41

36

35

32

32

32

Nov.

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

29

26

26

26

26

41

32

32

32

29

29

29

29

29

26

26

26

56

41

36

35

35

Dec.

35

35

35

35

35

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

29

29

29

28

26

26

26

26

26

26

%

26

26

26

26

26

26

Jan.

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

29

32

32

30

29

29

29

29

29

9Q

29

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

Feb.

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

24

24

24

24

24

22

22

22

22

26

26

26

24

23

22

22

09

22

22

45

Mar.

59

45

35

32

29

28

28

30

25

25

25

25

25

35

29

28

25

25

41

32

32

32

32

32

28

26

26

26

24

24

24

Apr.

25

25

25

25

25

25

24

22

22

22

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

28

23

22

19

18

18

18

18

18

16

May.

14

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

15

17

15

13

13

13

13

13

13

22

19

17

16

15

13

13

13

14

12

12

12

12

12

June.

10

10

10

9.1

9.1

9.1

9.1

9.1

14

10

9.8

9.8

14

13

13

11

10

9.8

8.3

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

11

13

12

9.1

7.6

6.4

July.

5.3

5.3

5.3

4.2

3.5

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.5

2.5

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

2.5

2.5

2.1

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.1

1.1

1.1

Aug.

1.1

.8

- .8

.6

.5

.3

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

9.1

6.4

Sept.

4.2

2.8

2.5

2.1

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.1

1.6

16

11

9.1

NOTE. No flow Aug. 13-29.

Monthly discharge of North Llano River near Junction, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Month.

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

68 

56 

35 

32 

45 

59 

28 

22 

14 

5.3 

9.1 

16

68

Minimum.

24 

26 

26 

26 

22 

24 

16 

12 

6.4 

1.1 

0 

l.»

0

Mean.

33.1 

31.7 

29.5 

27.3 

24.9 

30.1 

20.9 

13.7 

9.73 

2.74 

.67 

2.60

18.9

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

2.040 

1,890 

1,810 

1,680 

1,380 

1,850 

1,240 

842 

579 

168 

41. S 

155

13,700
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 49

LLANO RIVER NEAR JUNCTION, TEX.

LOCATION. 100 feet north of Kerrville-Junction road, a quarter of a mile northeast 

of Oliver's ranch house, 3 miles below confluence of North Llano and South Llano 

riVere, 3£ miles east of Junction, Kimble County, and 4 miles above creek entering 

river from south.

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,700 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. September 13, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff, graduated from 0 to 7.5 feet, attached to tree on right bank, 

and inclined staff, graduated from 7.0 to 14.7 feet, and a vertical staff, 14.6 to 20.3 

feet; the two latter sections are 100 feet upstream from low-water vertical staff 

read by Sadie Oliver.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading at Mason road crossing a quarter of a 

mile above gage, or from cable 400 feet above gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock, clean, and permanent. Channel; 

straight for 700 feet above and 350 feet below gage. Left bank of medium height,, 

slightly wooded, and subject to overflow during high water; right bank clean,, 

high, and not subject to overflow. One channel at all stages, except during 

extreme flood, when a small part of the flow may follow a slough that leaves the 

river a short distance above the gage, passes to the south of Oliver's ranch house,, 

and enters the main stream below the gage. Such conditions do not occur, however, at intervals more frequent than 10 to 15 years and will not greatly affect 

records. Rock ledge 75 feet below gage, forming a fall of approximately 3 feet, 

serves as permanent control for low and medium stages.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 2.9 feet at 9 a. m. 

March 19 (discharge, 880 second-feet, determined from extension of rating curve), 

minimum stage, 1.48 feet from August 17 to August 29 (discharge, 48 second-feet). 

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 26.3 feet at 3 a. m. September 16, 1915 

(discharge not determined); minimum stage, 1.32 feet August 23-28, 1918 (discharge, 13 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show 

that about 2,500 acres have been declared irrigated by diversions above station 

and about 1,300 acres below station. Diversions materially reduce flow at station 

during low stages.

REGULATION. Slight regulation from water-power plant on South Llano River at 

Junction.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well denned from 

24 to 250 second-feet; extended above 250 second-feet. Gage read to hundredths 

once daily, but observer's work doubtful. Daily discharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table, except March 19 and August 30, when 

discharge was determined from extension of rating curve and subject to large error. 

Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Llano River near Junction, Tex., during the year ending Sept.

SO, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 14

Mar. 1

Made by Gat'e 

height.

Feet. 

1.75

1.96

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

124

180

Date.

Apr. 25

Aug. 8

Made by 

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.62

1.50

Discharge.

See.-ft. 

102

53.9
50 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART Till.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Llano River near Junction, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1.. ............ >>

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

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

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

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

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

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

9.............. 10..............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

198

198

151

151

151

151 

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

134

151

151

142

160

160

151

151

151

151

142

142

142

142

142

134

134

142

Nov.

142

142

142

142

142

142 

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

179

160

151

151

151

Dec.

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

151

142

134

134

134

142

142

142

134

134

134

134

134

134

134

134

142

142

Jan.

142

142

142

142

142

142 

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

Feb.

142

142

142

142

142

142 

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

134

134

134

134

134

142

142

142

Mar.

142

142

142

142

142

142 

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

142

208

880

142

142

142

134

134

125

125

125

125

116

116

109

Apr.

109

109

116

116

116

116 

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

116

87

87

87

87

87

80

80

May.

80

87

87

87

87

87 

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

June.

87

87

87

87

87

87 

87

87

87

87

87

198

198

125

125

116

116

116

109

109

109

198

198

109

109

94

94

87

94

87

July.

94

94

94

94

94

94 

94

94

94

94

94

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

87

80

80

74

74

74

74

74

69

Aug.

69

63

58

58

58

58 

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

S65

250

Sept.

151

116

94

80

74

63 

63

63

63

63

63

58

58

58

58

58

58

52

52

69

69

69

69

69

69

69

69

69

69

69

Monthly discharge of Llano River near Junction, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

198 

179 

151 

142 

142 

880 

116 

87 

198 

94 

865 

151

880

Minimum.

134 

142 

134 

142 

134 

109 

80 

80 

87 

69 

48 

52

48

Mean.

151 

150 

143 

142 

141 

162 

108 

86.8 

112 

86.4 

84.6 

70.1

120

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

9,280 

8,930 

8,790 

8,730 

7,830 

9,960 

6,430 

5,340 

6,660 

5,310 

5,200 

4,170

86,600

NOTE. See "Accuracy" in station description.

BARTON SPRINGS AT AUSTIN, TEX.

LOCATION. Barton Springs issue from channel of Barton Creek 1,600 feet above 

Austin-Bee Cave highway bridge, half a mile above confluence of Barton Creek 

with Colorado River, and half a mile southwest of Austin, Travis County.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 1,1918, to September 30, 1921. Daily records of flow 

of Barton Creek, which approximates flow of Barton Springs as the ordinary 

flow of the creek is from the springs, have been published from April 25, 1917, 

to September 30, 1918. Miscellaneous discharge measurements of Barton Creek 

were made from 1894 to 1906 and during 1916 and 1917.
GUADALTJPE RIVER BASIN. 51

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading Barton Creek above and below the 

springs in order to determine the flow of smings as indicated in the following table:

Discharge measurements of Barton Creek and determination of discharge of Barton Springs 

at Austin Tex., during the year ending Sept. 30,

Date.

 Oct. 2 

23 

Nov. 6 

20 

Dec. 4 

23 

Jan. 12 

26 

Feb. 16

Mar. 2 

18 

Apr. 1 

11

Made by 

T. Twichell.... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twichell 

and McCashin. 

T. Twiehell.... 

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

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

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

Discharge 

of creek 

below 

springs.

Sec.-ft. 

53.9 

46.4 

45.1 

41.7 

38.9 

36.6 

35.2 

34.1

31.7 

31.0 

47.7 

42.3 

556

Discharge 

of creek 

above 

springs

Sec.-ft. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

0 

0 

7.4 

0 

426

Discharge 

of 

springs.

Sec.-ft. 

53.9 

46.4 

45.1 

41.7 

38.9 

36.6 

35.2 

34.1

31.7 

31.0 

40.3 

42.3 

130

Date.

Apr. 18 

May 2 

16 

30 

June 11 

July 2 

16 

30 

Aug. 5 

8 

1§ 

27 

Sept. 26

Made by 

T. Twiehell.... 

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

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

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

C. E. McCashin 

T. Twiehell.... 

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

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

R. G. West.... 

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

T. Twiehell.... 

R. G. West.... 

T. Twiehell....

Discharge 

of creek 

below 

springs

Sec.-fi. 

326 

142 

97.3 

66.9 

54.4 

54.1 

47.5 

40.4 

38.3 

39.0 

34.2 

32.0 

74.1

Discharge 

of creek 

above 

springs.

Sec.-ft. 

194 

64.4 

25.5 

o2.0 

ol.O 

<* 2.0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

o2.0

Discharge 

of 

springs.

Sec.-ft. 

132 

77.6 

71.8 

64.9 

53.4 

52.1 

47.5 

40.4 

38.3 

39.0 

34.2 

32.0 

72.1

a Estimated.

GtTADALUPE RIVER BASIN.

GTTADALTTPE RIVER NEAR COMFORT, TEX.

LOCATION. On Comfort-Kerrville road 100 feet upstream from Boerner Crossing and 

3^ miles west of Comfort, Kerr County.

T>RAINAGE AREA. 909 square miles (measured on topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 

1 inch 25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. December 16, 1917, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff in two sections on left bank; read by Robert W. Faust.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Low-water measurements made by wading. No highwater section available.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of rock, sand, and gravel. Left bank composed of clay, slightly wooded, and not subject to overflow; right bank low, 

wooded, and subject to overflow. Control shifts.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 25 feet during 

night of June 12 (discharge not determined); minimum discharge, 33 secondfeet September 26-30.

1917-1921: Maximum stage, about 41 feet on August 21, 1919, determined from 

flood marks near gage (discharge not determined); minimum stage, 0.80 foot 

August 2, 1918 (discharge, 0.4 second-foot); probably caused by diversions.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Few pumping plants along stream about 7 miles above station. 

Records of the Board of Water Engineers for State of Texas show that a total 

of about 400 acres have been declared irrigated by diversion above the station.

REGULATION. At Kerrville and Center Point dams are constructed and water used 

for mill purposes, but the effect of the regulation is slight, except during low stages. 

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve fairly well 

defined below 400 second-feet and extended above. Gage read to hundredths 

once daily, but not regularly. One reading a day may not be true index of discharge during low periods, owing to storage and intermittent pumping above gage. 

Daily discharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to rating table 

October 1 to December 16 and by shifting-control methnH from December 17 to 

September 30. Records fair.
52 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Discharge measurements of Guadalupe River near Comfort, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Feb. 9

Made by 

R. G. West............

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.88

1.87

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

84.3

83.0

Date.

July 26

Sept. 12

Made by 

T. Twichell. ...........

West and Twichell. ....

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.74

2.04

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

50.0

77.4:

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Guadalupe River near Comfort, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

84 

84 

84 

83 

83

79 

76 

76 

76 

73

70 

70 

67 

67 

64

64 

64 

64 

61 

61

61 

61 

61 

62 

64

64 

67 

67 

70 

70 

72

Nov.

73 

73 

76 

76 

79

79 

79 

79 

79 

79

83 

83 

83

84 

86

86 

90 

93 

101 

104

106 

108 

112 

112

402 

372 

350 

327 

312

Dec.

312 

312 

312 

297 

290

282 

268 

253 

248 

226

201 

178 

154 

132 

132

112 

102 

102 

102 

102

102 

102 

99 

99 

99

99 

99 

99 

99 

99 

99

Jan.

98 

98 

97 

97 

97

97 

97 

97 

99 

101

101 

97 

97 

97 

97

99 

101 

101 

101 

101

101 

101 

102 

104 

108

108 

108 

108 

108 

106 

104

Feb.

102 

99 

99 

95 

95

92

88 

88 

84 

81

81 

81 

82 

84

84

84 

84 

88 

88 

86

84 

84 

84 

84 

84

84 

84

Mar.

91 

303 

170 

147 

126

116 

106 

106 

126 

170

170 

147 

147 

147 

126

126 

126 

147 

218 

194

170 

147 

147 

147 

126

106 

106 

106 

106 

99 

99

Apr.

99 

102 

102 

102 

106

106 

456 

333 

201 

178

154 

154 

132 

112 

112

112 

110 

108 

108 

104

97

93 

93 

93

93 

93 

93 

93 

93

May.

93 

93 

93 

93 

93

93 

88 

86 

83 

83

79 

79 

76 

76 

76

76 

112 

154 

112 

112

93 

84 

76 

70 

70

64 

61 

61 

58 

56 

56

June.

53 

56 

58 

61 

61

61 

61 

61 

64 

67

58

408 

318

231 

177 

154 

154 

154

132 

132 

132 

112 

112

102 

93 

76 

76 

61

July.

86 

86 

84 

80 

79

79 

79 

76 

76 

74

73 

70 

67 

67 

64

64 

62 

61 

61 

61

58 

58 

58 

56 

53

51 

51 

51

48 

46 

46

Aug.

46 

46 

46 

46 

46

46 

46 

46 

46 

46

46 

46 

46 

46 

46

43 

41 

36 

36 

36

39

43 

43 

41 

41

43 

43 

44 

46 

46 

46

Sept.

46- 

46 

46- 

44 

43

43 

43 

40

78- 

54 

49

47

44 

42 

42 

42 

40

40 

37

36 

36 

34

33 

33 

33 

33

33

NOTE. Discharge interpolated on following days when gage was not read: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7. 

14, 21, and 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19, and 26, Jan. 1, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6, 13 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10, 17,

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , . ,, . 

Nov. 2fi and Sept. 11. Stage was above limit for which rating curve is defined on following dates: June 12, 

25.0feet; June 13, 4.1 feet; Sept. 9,11.4feet; and Sept. 10, 5.0 feet.

Monthly discharge of Guadalupe River near Comfort, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,1921.

Month.

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

84 

312 

108 

102 

303 

456 

154 

86 

46

Minimum.

61 

99 

97 

81 

91 

93 

56 

46 

36

Mean.

70 

168 

101 

87 

141 

131 

83.8 

65.3 

43.8

Run-off 

in 

acre-feet.

4,300 

10,300 

6,210 

4,830 

8,670 

7,800 

5,150 

4,020 

2,690

NOTE. See footnote to daily-discharge table.
GUADALTJPE RIVER BASIN. 53

GTJADALUPE RIVER AT NEW BRAUNFELS, TEX.

LOCATION. At highway bridge on San Antonio-Austin post road, 700, feet below International & Great Northern Railway bridge, 1 mile below mouth of Comal River, 

and 1 mile northeast of center of New Braunfels, Comal County.

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,760 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. March 13, 1918, to December 30, 1899; January 27, 1915, to 

September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder, attached to downstream side of middle pier of 

highway bridge: inspected by engineers from Austin office. A vertical staff gage 

in three sections attached to trees on left bank 200 feet below highway bridge, 

and one section on east side of left pier of highway bridge was read from January 

27, 1915, to September 28, 1917, when recorder was installed. Gage used from 

March 13, 1898, to December 30, 1899, was an inclined staff gage near the present 

highway bridge; relation between datum of inclined gage and that of the vertical 

staff gage not known. During normal flow, levels show 0.08-foot fall between 

intake of recorder and vertical staff gage location. Vertical staff gage in well of 

recorder set to read same as vertical staff downstream.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from upstream side of bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed "of solid rock with pockets of coarse gravel. 

Banks gravel, clay, and rock, slightly wooded, high, and not subject to overflow. 

Rock and gravel shoal just below gage serves as control; changes slightly.

EXTREMES or DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

28.6 feet at 3 a. m. September 10 (discharge, 56,600 second-feet, determined from 

extension of rating curve); minimum stage, 1.27 feet about September 29 (discharge, 210 second-feet).

1898-1899; 1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, that of September 10, 1921;- 

minimum stage, 1.23 feet at 6.20 p. m. May 30, 1918 (discharge, 188 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Some water diverted for irrigation above station in Kerr and Comal 

counties, and for water-power, water-works, and other municipal uses in Kerr, 

Kendall, and Comal counties; amount not known.

REGULATION. Flow at this point slightly regulated by operation of power plants 

on Comal River.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation changes slightly. Rating curve well defined 

between 250 and 40,000 second-feet. Operation of water-stage recorder satisfactory except as shown in footnote to daily-discharge table. Daily discharge 

ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily gage height obtained from 

recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeter; for days of considerable 

fluctuation in stage, by averaging discharge for intervals of the day; shifting- 

. control method used October 6 to March 30, and April 15 to June 11. Records good.

Discharge measurements of Guadalupe River at New Braunfels, Tex., during the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

14

Feb. 14

Mar. 15

Made by 

E.G. West............

C.E Ellsworth........

E.G. West............

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

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

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

H. C. Pritchett.........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.23

2.20

0 I C

919

2.74 

2.32

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

E.V7

U7

544

504

4QO

758 

625

Date.

Apr. 20

May 9

Aug. 22

Sept. 7 

22

Made by 

D. A. Dudley..........

E.G. West -........-

Twichell and West. .... 

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.58

2.33

2.04

2.00

1.78

1.72 

2.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

738

599

473

470

380

380 

703
54 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, ofGuadalupe River at New Braunfels, Tex., for the year

ending Sept. SO, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11

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

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

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

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

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

19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct.

561

579

625

592

579

556

556

552

538

548

543

543

538

538

588

548

534

534

534

538

543

534

534

543

574

579

588

566

552

543

561

Nov.

538

538

534

552

548

538

538

525

530

538

556

556

538

574

592

584

561

552

552

548

543

538

534

530

530

588

620

650

700

675

Dec.

630

597

584

570

561

556

552

548

552

556

566

570

574

561

552

543

548

548

548

552

552

548

543

538

538

534

530

525

534

534

530

Jan.

530

525

520

512

512

507

507

507

502

498

502

507

507

507

502

502

502

498

498

498

502

507

516

548

592

552

534

530

530

516

502

Feb.

498

494

494

489

480

494

502

502

498

498

494

494

494

489

494

494

494

502

512

498

502

512

507

498

494

494

494

494

Mar.

690

759

685

685

680

630

588

579

566

556

803

660

1,500

1,170

770

700

660

640

620

606

597

630

705

675

655

645

635

615

597

597

597

Apr.

588

584

588

635

650

[3,700

1,580

1,060

994

928

898

852

820

781

759

737

726

720

690

680

705

650

May.

650

602

610

602

592

610

570

520

520

520

June.

520

520

507

502

498

507

494

471

484

484

534

694

11,400

7,950

1,800

1,320

1,120

988

880

814

764

720

695

685

700

720

665

645

625

620

July.

606

602

592

579

574

566

579

566

566

570

566

552

574

520

530

534

534

520

507

498

494

489

480

480

476

471

471

466

458

453

453

Aug.

448

444

440

431

 427

431

431

427

419

415

415

411

411

411

407

403

399

399

399

399

395

395

399

399

399

395

395

407

395

395

395

Sept.

395

395

395

403

395

403

391

407

6,580

25,600

3,060

1,150

1,180

1,060

940

880

886

814

786

742

726

665

665

665

665

665

665

665

665

665

NOTE. Gage heights partly estimated Apr. 11,18-20, May 9,13, 29, June 1, and Sept. 22-30. Discharge 

estimated by comparison witn records of flow at other stations Apr. 6-10,12-14,26-30, May 1-8, and 14-28. 

Discharge interpolated Apr. 19, May 30 and 31.

Monthly discharge ofGuadalupe River at New Braunfels, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Month.

January. .................................................

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

625 

700 

630 

592 

512 

1,500

11,400 

606 

448 

25,600

Minimum.

534 

525 

525 

498 

480 

556

471 

453 

395 

391

Mean.

556 

563 

554 

515 

497 

693 

1,260 

591 

1,310 

527 

411 

1,790

769

Run-off 

in

acre-feet.

34,200 

33,500 

34,100 

31,700 

27,600 

42,600 

75,000 

36,300 

78,000 

32.400 

25,300 

107,000

558,000

NOTE. See footnote to daily-discharge table.
GUADALTJPE RIVER BASIN. 55 

GUADALUPE RIVER NEAR GONZALES, TEX.

LOCATION. Just below dam of Gonzales Water Power Co., 1 mile above Guadalupe 

highway bridge, in Gonzales, Gonzales County, 1J miles below mouth of San 

Marcos River.

DRAINAGE AREA. 3,630 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; postroute map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by "Robert T. Hill, of 

the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. July 1, 1915, to September 30, 1921. The United States 

Weather Bureau has obtained records from the gage at the power house of Gonzales 

Water Power Co. since September 1,1904.

GAGE. United States Weather Bureau gage at tailrace of Gonzales Water Power Co.'s 

plant. From July 1, 1915, to September 30, 1920, vertical staff in-three sections 

on right bank, just below highway bridge a mile downstream, was used. Curve 

showing relation between gage readings at the two sites has been developed.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from cable one-fourth mile below bridge and 1J 

miles below gage, or by wading near bridge. Measurements made from highway 

bridge, above stage of 22 feet when banks are overflowed at cable section.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of gravel and sand; channel above and below 

station straight for 500 feet. Banks composed of gravel and clay; right bank medium high, wooded, and subject to overflow; left bank high and not subject to 

overflow except at extremely high stages. At bridge, left bank protected by 

levee which is not overflowed, except during unusually high stages; right bank at 

bridge is overflowed at stage of about 27 feet. Control is rock and gravel shoal 

about 200 feet downstream from gage; shifts. At a stage of about 21.5 feet (discharge, 11,400 second-feet) water begins to enter an old channel, locally known as 

"Cross Timbers" on right bank 1 mile above gage and returns to main channel 

below gage. Consequently, all records of discharge greater than 11,400 secondfeet do not represent the total flow of the stream, but only that in the main channel.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 30.7 feet September 

12 (discharge, 29,300 second-feet); minimum stage, 0.7 foot September 4 (discharge, 

310 second-feet, determined from extension of rating curve).

1915-1921: Maximum stage, 34.1 feet at 7 p. m. October 18,1919, from Weather 

Bureau records at Gonzales dam (discharge, 43,600 second-feet, determined from 

extension of rating curve); minimum stage, 0.02 foot at 5.30 p. m. October 20, 1918 

(discharge, 155 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Some water diverted above the station for irrigation and municipal 

uses, but the amount is small in comparison with the total run-off. As rainfall is 

nearly sufficient for general farming, irrigation is intermittent and it is extremely 

difficult to estimate the amount of water used.

REGULATION. Flow at this point regulated somewhat by operation of water-power 

plants. Power house of Gonzales Water Power Co. is j ust above gage.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation fairly permanent. However, measurements 

are made 1 mile below gage and owing to operation of turbines at Gonzales dam, 

at which gage is located, there may be variations in the relation between stage 

at the dam and discharge at the measuring section. Rating curve for main 

channel well defined from 400 to 10,000 second-feet, and poorly defined from 10,000 

to 28,000 second-feet. Above 11,400 second-feet, some water enters old channel 

on right bank about 1 mile above gage, locally known as "Cross Timbers," and 

returns to main channel below gage. United States Weather Bureau gage read 

once daily to tenths. One reading daily may not be true index to discharge, owing 

to operation of turbines just above gage and due to rapid fluctuations. 

Daily discharge ascertained by applying daily gage height to rating table. 

Records poor.
56 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Discharge measurements ofGuadalupe River near Gonzales, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Feb. 13

Mar. 26

Made by 

R fi Want

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

H. C. Pritchett.........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

ol.94 i on

1.53

2.27

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

766

757

636

1,020

Date.

Apr. 26

July 19

29

Made by 

R.G. West............

C. E. McCashin........

R.G. West............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.54

1.70

1.45

1.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,230

722

688

406

a Gage height from United States Geological Survey gage. Gage heights after this date are from United 

States Weather Bureau gage at Gonzales dam.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, ofGuadalupe River near Gonzales, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25. .......... .«

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

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

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

29. .............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

870

830

710

990

910

950

950

950

910

670

870

830

830

830

670

790

710

910

830

790

790

790

630

790

790

790

790

830

790

630

Nov.

790

790

790

790

790

750

630

790

790

630

790

790

710

710

710

790

790

790

790

790

630

830

830

830

830

830

870

870

870

950

Dec.

950

910

870

870

710

870

870

870

830

830

830

630

830

790

790

790

790

790

630

790

790

790

790

790

710

710

870

790

790

790

790

Jan.

790

630

790

790

790

790

790

790

630

7913

790

790

790

790

790

670

670

790

790

790

790

670

790

790

910

870

830

830

710

710

Feb.

790

790

790

790

790

630

790

790

790

790

750

750

630

830

790

790

790

790

790

670

830

790

790

790

790

590

790

Mar.

790

990

2,790

1,530

1,120

910

830

830

790

790

790

1,850

8,040

1,940

12,500

5,200

1,350

1,170

1,080

1,040

990

990

990

950

1,040

950

950

1,040

1,040

1,040

1,040

Apr.

1,040

1,040

790

1,040

2,650

1,480

1,990

6,470

25,500

14,100

3,500

2,650

2,270

2,180

1,990

1,850

1,530

1,580

1,530

1,480

1,480

1,440

1,440

1,220

1,400

1,350

1,260

1,480

1,260

1,220

May.

1,080

1,040

990

950

950

950

910

910

910

910

1,040

990

1,170

1,120

870

1.040

1,040

1,040

1,040

990

1,170

1,170

1,300

1,260

1,170

1,080

1,040

1,040

750

990

990

June.

990

990

990

1,400

1,800

950

870

870

870

870

790

750

2,510

4,110

7,130

8,390

2,420

1,900

1,620

1,400

1,220

1,350

1,620

1,260

1,040

1,080

1,990

1,300

1,620

1,530

July.

1,040

990

790

790

950

910

790

790

790

790

910

3,540

1,990

750

750

710

670

830

790

710

670

670

670

590

670

670

670

630

630

590

510

Aug.

590

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

590

590

590

590

590

510

590

590

590

590

590

590

430

590

590

590

590

590

590

390

550

550

550

Sept.

550

550

510

310

510

510

510

510

510

550

14,100

29,300

15,900

3,170

2,320

1,900

1,660

1,530

1,530

1,400

1,260

1,220

1,170

1,120

990

1,120

1,080

990

990

990

Monthly discharge ofGuadalupe River near Gonzales, Tex., for the year ending Sept. SO,

1921.

Month.

July......................................................

T he year ...........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

990 

950 

950 

910 

830 

12,500 

25,500 

1,300 

8,390 

3,540 

590 

29,300

29,300

Minimum.

630 

630 

630 

630 

590 

790 

790 

750 

750 

510 

390 

310

310

Mean.

813 

785 

802 

772 

767 

1,850 

3,010 

1,030 

1,850 

879 

554 

2,960

1,340

Run-off 

in 

acre-feet.

50,000 

46,700 

49,300 

47,f.OO 

42,600 

114,000 

179,000 

63,300 

110,000 

54,000 

34,100 

176,000

966,000
GUADALUPE RIVER BASIN.

GtTADALUPK RIVER BELOW CtTERO, TEX.

LOCATION. Three-fourths mile upstream from Heards Bridge on Arneckville road, 1 

mile south of Dietze farmhouse, 2 miles below Clinton Bridge, 2J miles southeast 

of Cuero, Dewitt County, and 8 miles below dam used for power development.

DRAINAGE AREA. 5.020 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; 

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. 

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. August 6, 1916, to September 30, 1921. (Fragmentary from 

May 29, 1919, to August 10, 1920). From December 26, 1902, to December 31, 

1906, and August 19, 1915, to August 6, 1916, a station was maintained at Schleicher's Bridge, 4 miles above this point. Discharge at the two sites practically 

the same.

OAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder on left bank; inspected by E. B. Dietze.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from cable 40 feet upstream from gage or by 

wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight above and below station for 1,000 feet. 

Bed composed of gravel and small rock; clean and shifts slightly. Left bank 

composed of sand and dirt, covered with brush and open timber, and is 20 feet 

high, but at stages above a gage height of 20 feet is overflowed, the water submerging an area for one-fourth mile back from river; right bank composed of sand 

and dirt, covered with brush and trees on sloping side and cultivated land on top; 

high, and not subject to overflow. Rock and gravel rapid 250 feet below gage 

serves as a control during low and medium stages; shifts slightly.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

16.36 feet at 12.15 a. m. September 15 (discharge, 12,500 second-feet); minimum 

stage, 0.88 foot at 10 a. m. September 8 (discharge, 260 second-feet).

1916-1921: Maximum stage occurred about October 20, 1919, when recorder 

was not in operation, and reached a height of about 32.15 feet as determined from 

flood marks on gage house (discharge not determined); minimum stage from 

water-stage recorder, approximately 0.58 foot from 9 to 10 a. m. November 1, 1917 

(discharge, 80 second-feet, determined from extension of rating curve).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. There are numerous small diversions above station for irrigation and 

municipal uses, but flow is probably not materially affected thereby, except 

possibly during extremely low stages.

REGULATION. Flow partly regulated during low and medium stages by operation of 

water-power plants upstream, chiefly by a plant about 8 miles above.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation fairly permanent. Curve well defined between 

200 and 15,000 second-feet. Operation of water-stage recorder not satisfactory. 

Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily gage height 

obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeter, except as 

noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records fair.

'Discharge measurements of Guadalupe River below Cuero, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 17

Jan. 7

Feb. 12

Mar. 25

Apr. 30

July 19

Made by 

H.C. Pritchett.........

.....do..................

R.G. West... .........

H.C. Pritchett.........

R.G. West............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.04

1.96

1.89

2.86

2.78

2.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

876

844

756

1,130

1.400

906

Date.

July 28

A 11 IT 10

Sept. 13

14

14

15

Made by 

.....do...................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.64

1.50

13.22

14.56

15.10

16.33

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

687

631

09,690

068.840

0*9,790

o610,000

a Surface velocities observed and coefficient of 0.90 used to reduce to mean velocity. 

b Accuracy of measurement doubtful owing to accident to meter'.'
58 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, ofGuadalupe River below Cuero, Tex.,for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1....... .

2........... .

3..............

4..............

5......... . .

6..........

7...

8. .............

9......... . .

10... .

11..

12..... 13......; . .

14......... . .

15.......

16... . .

17......... . .

18..............

19....... . . .

20... .

21... .

22. ......

23...

24.......

25...

26... .

27. ......

28....... .

29. ....

30. ........

31.....

Oct.

874

817

811

874

842

880

874

887

805

817

874

817

880

829

805

769

787

874

880

880

842

854

842

835

900

939

998

1 '991 090

Nov.

874

913

906

880

874

835

829

874

874

854

829

861

829

868

880

868

900

906

913

854

848

874

874

868

874

880

874

1,160

1,230

1,090

Dec.

1,020

1,040

1,010

972

939

932

932

900

868

861

861

842

920

906

874

880

829

842

842

854

880

894

894

880

OOA

854

861

854

01 I

854

Jan.

842

848

811

854

854

848

848

868

835

900

854

874

854

868

887

811

900

874

854

861

861

781

829

868

868

RQJ.

965

1,030

Q7R

906

QOft

Feb.

894

811

835

835

829

829

842

823

817

823

811

793

787

781

787

781

799

793

817

829

842

835

829

835

823

787

787

811

Mar.

811

926

1,520

3,020

2,050

1,280

1,100

1,020

965

900

861

932

2,580

5,900

4,380

7,100

6,780

2,160

1,490

1,380

1,280

1,240

1,200

1,180

1,140

1,010

Apr.

}l,010

887

887

2,350

2,500

2,120

3,900

7,580

9,770

11,000

10,400

2,400

2,240

1,840

1,450

May.

1,090

1,220

1,340

1,280

1,100

1,280

1,060

1,050

1,170

1,140

1,100

1,340

1,240

1.100

991

1

890

June.

890

1,340

1,790

1,140

[l, 140

1,600

1,820

2,120

3,100

5,180

6,460

6,780

3,580

2,120

1,900

1,600

1,940

4,220

3,820

3,580

2,650

1,790

1,980

1,980

1,450

July.

1,280

1,100

1,060

[ 900

932

1,010

3,580

5,340

3,820

1,640

1,000

868

932

835

848

1,250

854

739

667

727

751

763

679

655

661

685

Au,e.

649

697

667

655

667

637

595

673

625

649

631

613

619

589

565

601

607

607

565

613

496

619

583

559

530

559

474

541

589

565

571

Sept.

577

583

535

513

541

541

583

513

595

571

1,140

6,780

9,600'

11,100 12,100

4,540

2,280

2,010

1,820

1,710

1,600

1,520

1,450

1,420

1,340

1,240 i,2sa

1,340

1,560

1,75&

NOTE. Braced figures show estimated mean discharge for periods included. Discharge estimated also 

on Apr. 4. Owing to incomplete gage-height record discharge partly estimated on following days: May 

18, June 6, 7,11,13,14,19, 20, 21, 26, 29,30, July 1, and Sept. 5-10. Discharge on following days determined 

from one reading of staff gage daily: Apr. 3,16, 30, May 8, July 6, and 10.

Monthly discharge ofGuadalupe River below Cuero, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30,1921.

Month.

October. .................................................

March. ...................................................

April.....................................................

May......................................................

July......................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,090 

1,230 

1,040 

1,030 

894 

7,100 

11,000 

1,340

6,780

5,340 

697 

12,100

12,100

Minimum.

769 

829 

811 

781 

781 

811 

887

655 

474 

513

Mean.

871 

900 

890 

873 

817 

1,910 

2,940 

1,140 

2,380 

1,250 

600 

2,440

1,410

Kun-ofl 

in 

acre-feet.

53,600 

53,600 

54,700 

53,700 

45,400 

117,000 

175,000 

70,100 142, ooa

76,900 

36,900 

145,000

1,020,000

SAN MARCOS RIVER AT SAN MARCOS, TEX.

LOCATION. Just below Cape Ginning Co.'s mill, 300 feet southwest of main San 

Marcos-Luling highway, 1 mile southeast of San Marcos, Hays County, 1J miles 

above mouth of Blanco River, and 1£ miles below dam of San Marcos Utilities Co., 

and the large springs that furnish a constant supply for the stream.

DRAINAGE AREA. Indeterminate.
GUADALUPE RIVER BASIN. 59

RECORDS AVAILABLE. June 10, 1915, to January 19, 1916; March 13, 1916, to September 7, 1921, when station was abandoned except for periodical measurements of 

the springs. Miscellaneous measurements made from 1894 to 1903.

GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder on left bank, 300 feet below Cape Ginning Co.'s 

mill. Gage used June 10, 1915, to January 19, 1916, was vertical staff gage attached to the sewer trestle of San Marcos Utilities Co., 1,000 feet below AustinSan Antonio highway bridge, \\ miles above present site. Relation between 

datum of staff gage and that of water-stage recorder not known.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from San Marcos-Luling highway 

bridge half a mile above gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of gravel and sand with heavy aquatic 

growth which causes changes in control during practically the entire year. Channel straight for 200 feet above and below the station. Water clear, deep, and with 

scarcely any sediment except during floods caused by local rains. Left bank 

wooded, high, and not subject to overflow; right bank wooded, low, and subject 

to overflow, the water spreading back a short distance to a second bank.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year determined by leveling 

from flood marks, 38.84 feet on September 10 (discharge not determined); minimum stage not recorded, owing to intake pipe being partially clogged.

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, that of September 10, 1921; minimum 

stage, 0.34 foot at 12.50 p. m. September 26, 1918 (discharge, 11 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. A concrete dam just above the San Marcos-Luling road bridge makes a 

pond for Rogers's resort, and serves as a diversion dam for an irrigation plant on 

left bank; diversion intermittent, but when used takes about 95 second-feet from 

river. A water wheel is used to pump the water for irrigation and the water that 

passes through it is returned to the river above Cape Ginning Co. 's dam. About 

1,000 feet above the station is a dam constructed for the purpose of creating a 

pond from which water was pumped to the southbank lands. Only pumping 

plant or diversions between station and mouth of Blanco River is about 250 feet 

below gage. Beckman dam just below mouth of Blanco River is used to impound 

water for irrigation. During ordinary stages in San Marcos and Blanco rivers, 

this dam backs water up San Marcos River a distance of three-quarters of a mile, 

but flood stages in Blanco River create backwater at the station. Records of the 

Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show that about 1,000 acres have 

been declared irrigated in Hays County by diversions from San Marcos River. 

Although a large part of this area is located above the station little water is used 

for irrigation, as ordinarily the rainfall is sufficient to mature crops. Water is 

diverted above the station by the San Marcos Utilities Co. for municipal uses.

REGULATION. Flow during low and medium stages regulated by dams above, the 

greatest effect being that produced by the power dam of the San Marcos Utilities 

Co. in the upper part of San Marcos, near the springs. This dam backs water 

over the springs that form the source of supply of the river during ordinary stages. 

Water is stored at this point throughout the afternoon and evening and released 

during the morning. Large fluctuations are also caused by operation of water 

wheel at Cape Ginning Co.'s mill.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent, owing to aquatic growth in 

channel. Rating curve fairly well denned between 40 and 360 second-feet; 

" extended above 360 second-feet and subject to large error. Operation of waterstage recorder not satisfactory. Daily discharge ascertained by shifting-control 

method, using mean daily gage height obtained from recorder graph by inspection 

or by use of planimeter, except as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. 

Records poor.
60 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Discharge measurements of San Marcos River at San Marcos, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date,

Oct. 27

Nov. 19

23

Dec. 6

Jau. 8

Feb. 14

Mar. 7

Made by 

C. E. Ellsworth. .......

H. C. Pritchett.........

R. G. West.. ..........

C. E. Ellsworth........

R. G. West............

.....do..................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.26

2.15

2.27

2.22

2.30

2.24

1.75

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

167

149

172

158

171

158

111

Date.

Mar. 28

July 15

29

Aug. 22

Sept. 7

Made by 

H. C. Pritchett.........

T.Twichell. ...........

R.G. West............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.40

2.53

2.20

1.95

2.03

1.45

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

172

179

150

140

141

98.7

Daily, discharge, in second-feet, of San Marcos River at San Marcos, Tex., for the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8. ........ ...

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

181

176

181

172

168

168

176

168

172

172

168'

168

172

163

172

168

163

172

163

168

168

168

158

163

163

158

154

154

154

Nov.

1 >;s

158

150

150

1^«

1 f\n

1 t\4.

150

146

150

150

146

150

138

154

146

142

142

146

146

158

158

154

154

154

146

154

150

150

Dec.

150

146

146

146

1 f^rt

146

142

i ^?ft

i Qft

146

146

1OQ

1 ^4.

150

150

ld.9

146

146

146

146

142

138

142

150

150

150

150

Jan.

150

146

142

154

154

1 ZA

154

150

146

146

150

150

150

146

1 ^ft

134

146

146

14.fi

150

146

146

146

1 ^rt

142

142

146

ld.9

142

Feb.

142

142

138

142

1 A O

142

142

1QQ

134

134

1OQ

138

134

134

142

115

138

138

134

.......

.......

Mar.

158

130

130

1S4

110

.......

163

172

Apr.

163

163

163

176

294

268

255

oar:

243

232

226

232

232

238

226

226

238

238

232

221

May.

216

226

221

226

216

216

216

195

200

205

200

205

200

205

200

195

18R

186

181

176

1X1

176

176

176

176

176

June.

172

172

172

168

168

172

168

168

200

9QJ.

176

168

168

168

168

163

163

168

168

163

163

172

158

163

150

158

July.

163

163

168

150

1^1

158

1 ^J.

158

158

inn

150

150

154

146

146

146

134

126

142

142

126

126

130

134

138

154

154

150

Aug.

146

1 fvl

146

146

1 *vt

1 ^fl

142

150

150

146

146

134

126

126

134

130

13S

142

130

122

126

126

126

126

130

118

115

Sept.

115

122

126

126

118

125

126

NOTE. Backwater from Blanco River on Apr. 4 and 7, gage heights 3.4 and 6.7 feet respectively. Discharge, Apr. 8, not determined because stage (5.7 feet) was above limit for which rating curve is defined. 

Discharge from one reading of staff gage a day on Mar. 6 and 28. Discharge partly estimated, because of 

incomplete gage-height record, Sept. 7. No record Mar. 8-27, and Sept. 8-30.

Monthly discharge of San Marcos River at San Marcos, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,

1921.

Month.

May......................................................

July......................................................

September 1-7. ...........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

181 

158 

154 

154 

142 

226 

294 

168 

154 

126

Minimum.

154 

138 

134 

134 

115 

176 

160 

126 

1U 

115

Mean.

167 

151 

145 

147 

137 

200 

172 

148 

138 

123

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

10,300 

8,980 

8,920 

9,040 

7,610 

12,300 

10,200 

9.100 

8,480 

1,710

NOTE. See footaote to daily-discharge table.
GUADALUPE RIVER BASIN. 61

SAN MARCOS RIVER AT OTTINE, TEX.

LOCATION. At highway bridge one-fourth mile southwest of Ottine, Gonzales County, 

4 miles below mouth of Plum Creek and, 10 miles above confluence of San Marcos 

and Guadalupe rivers.

DRAINAGE AREA. Indeterminate.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. June 22, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Chain gage attached to upstream handrail of bridge; read by J. H. Kaine. 

Gage used from June 22 to October 12, 1915, was a vertical staff under the highway bridge, but gage heights have been reduced to datum of succeeding gage by 

means of a curve showing relation between readings of the two gages. Gage 

used from October 13, 1915, to March 15, 1920, was vertical staff in four sections 

attached to trees on left bank about 400 feet above bridge.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from downsjtream side of highway bridge, or 

by wading at shoal 200 feet above bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of sand, rock, and gravel; shifts. Banks 

high and wooded; not overflowed except by extremely high water. Channel 

straight above and below station for 150 feet. Low-stage control formed by shoal 

150 feet below gage. During high stages in Guadalupe River, back-water affects 

stage-discharge relation.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 35.5 feet at 11.30 

a. m. April 8 (discharge, 19,500 second-feet, determined from extension of rating 

curve); minimum stage, 1.42 feet at 7 a. m. July 27 (discharge, 99 second-feet).

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded 37.5 feet at 7.30 a. m. May 16, 1920 (discharge not determined); minimum stage, 1.06 feet at 7 p. m. August 26 and 27, 

1917, and 6.30 p. m. July 31, 1918 (discharge, 26 second-feet). Stages not comparable owing to shifting control and changes in datum of gages.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Small amounts of water are diverted above the station for irrigation 

and municipal uses, but only a small part of the total run-off is used (see "San 

Marcos River at San Marcos"). Little, if any, water is diverted below the station.

REGULATION. Flow regulated by the operation of a small cotton gin a short distance 

above the station. The operation of several small water-power plants in the 

upper drainage basin near San Marcos and Martindale does not materially affect 

the flow at this station.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve well defined 

between 100 and 15,000 second-feet. Gage read twice daily to tenths from 

October 1 to February 12, and to half-tenths from February 13 to September 30, 

but mean of two readings daily may not be true mean, owing to power regulation 

above. Daily discharge ascertained by applying mean daily gage height to 

rating table; shifting-control method used August 5 to September 30. Records 

good.

Discharge measurements of San Marcos River at Ottine, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 18 Jan. 7

Feb. 13

Mar. 26

Made by 

H. C. Prltchett........

R. G. West. ...........

.....do..................

H. C. Pritchett.........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.75

2.68

2.34

3,38

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

226

91 Q

186

 311

Date.

Apr. 25

July 20

29

Made by 

R. G. West. ...........

R. G. West. ...........

height.

Feet. 

4.72

2.62

2.28

2.03

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

524

211

178

131

38956 WSP 528 23 5
62 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Marcos River at Ottine, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18...............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

234

216

258

216

246

216

195

206

222

246

216

240

258

228

228

258

246

240

240

240

234

258

240

258

283

258

240

228

258

234

Nov.

258

222

258

270

240

234

258

258

228

234

246

258

228

240

211

234

222

228

234

228

228

222

228

246

368

283

338

310

Dec.

283

258

246

234

216

216

228

240

222

216

228

228

216

222

216

211

228

228

216

O1R

228

216

206

211

216

211

216

206

211

216

Jan.

206

222

216

211

216

216

216

211

216

206

21«

216

211

Oil

200

9no

200

200

211

1QC

200

200

200

216

310

270

240

240

222

200

Feb.

216

211

206

206

200

200

200

200

206

200

200

200

190

190

190

190

200

211

211

211

206

200

200

200

190

195

190

200

Mar.

258

1,880

907

296

296

258

246

216

222

216

228

6,500

4,100

12,300

3,100

604

462

324

353

368

338

338

310

310

310

310

310

296

283

270

283

Apr.

258

310

270

679

1,320

755

4.400

17,800

6,430

1,400

1,230

1,100

926

793

888

736

660

622

604

586

622

586

532

532

514

568

888

532

496

479

May.

445

429

496

413

383

383

368

383

368

383

310

413

368

338

324

338

338

496

398

413

398

338

296

283

296

296

296

296

296

283

283

June.

283

283

413

1,290

496

368

283

270

283

283

270

793

2,640

2,360

831

586

514

514

429

429

604

983

532

413

429

964

462

296

296

296

July.

283

283

296

296

270

270

270

296

353

283

1,100

1,980

429

258

234

234

240

222

216

216

211

185

185

195

258

170

128

185

185

195

190

Aug.

185

185

190

190

190

180

165

170

165

165

170

175

170

155

165

165

170

141

114

128

118

136

136

132

118

118

128

141

141

165

160

Sept.

128

128

136

136

118

128

118

136

180

3,900

13,600

2,810

1,120

774

413

479

445

413

398

368

363

368

353

338

324

338

338

324

383

353

Monthly discharge of San Marcos 'River at Ottine, Tex., for the year ending Sept. SO, 1921.

Month.

July......................................................

September ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

283 

368 

283 

310 

216 

12,300 

17,800 

496 

2,640 

1,980 

190 

13,600

17,800

Minimum.

195 

211 

206 

195 

190 

216 

258 

283 

270 

128 

114 

118

114

Mean.

238 

249 

224 

217 

201 

1,180 

1,580 

360 

630 

326 

156 

980

527

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

14,600 

14,800 

13,800 

13,300 

11,200 

72,600 

94,000 

22,100 

37,500 

20,000 

 9,590 

58,300

382,000
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII. 63

SAN ANTONIO RIVER BASIN. 

SAN ANTONIO RIVER AT SAN ANTONIO, TEX.

LOCATION. At South Alamo Street Bridge in San Antonio, Bexar County, 4 miles 

below San Antonio Springs, source of normal flow of river, and 1| miles above 

mouth of San Pedro Creek.

DRAINAGE AREA. Indeterminate.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. January 26, 1915, to September 30, 1921. Miscellaneous 

discharge measurements were made from 1895 to 1906.

GAGE. Gurley graph water-stage recorder on right bank at downstream side of bridge. 

Gage used from January 26, 1915, to February 28, 1916, was vertical staff attached 

to downstream side of middle pier of Commerce Street Bridge. Gage used from 

February 29, 1916, to April 8, 1920, was vertical staff attached to upstream side 

of second bent of Presa Street Bridge. Relation of readings on different gages 

not determined. Discharge at various g|ages is probably not materially different.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from upstream side of bridge or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel is straight for 100 feet below gage and curved 

above. Bed composed of sand, gravel, and silt. Control formed by gravel bar; 

shifts.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 20.14 feet about, 

3 a. m. September 10, determined from flood marks on gage (discharge, 15,300- 

second-feet, determined by slope method using values of 0.035 and 0.050 in 

Kutter's formula for two parts of the channel); minimum* stage, 0.85 foot at South 

Alamo Street gage at 8 a. m. August 21, caused by regulation at power dam above 

gage (discharge, 42 second-feet, determined from extension of rating curve and 

subject to error). Minimum natural-flow stage, 1.25" feet on August 21 and 22 

(discharge, 64 second-feet).

1914-1921: Maximum stage recorded, that of September 10, 1921 (see above); 

minimum stage, 0.58 foot on several days during November and December, 191& 

(discharge, 7.0 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Quantity of water diverted above gage not known but it is believed 

to be immaterial. Considerable land is irrigated from diversions below the gage.

REGULATION. The operation of water wheels at the Guenther flour mill just above 

the gage causes frequent but unimportant fluctuations in stage.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent; a pronounced shift in control 

was caused by high water on September 10. Rating curve used October 1 to 3 

a. m. September 10, well defined from 75 to 650 second-feet; curve used from 

3 a. m. September 10 to September 30, fairly well denned from 100 to 2,000 secondfeet. Both curves extended to 15,300 second-feet (gage height, 20.14 feet), the 

discharge being determined by slope method using Kutters formula with values 

of 0.035 and 0.050 for "n" in two parts of the cross section. Operation of waterstage recorder satisfactory, except as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. 

Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily gage height 

obtained from recorder charts by inspection or by use of planimeter, or for days of 

considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging discharge for intervals of the day; 

shifting-control method used March 1-7 and March 13 to June 25. Records good.

The normal flow of San Antonio River comes from springs within the city limits,, 

but two tributaries from the north furnish considerable run-off at times of heavy 

precipitation. Changes in stage during low flow are believed to be due to pumping 

from deep wells for the city water supply and the use of artesian water for irrigation, 

in areas adjacent to the river, for it is thought that the wells draw from the underground 

reservoir that feeds the river by springs.
64 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Discharge measurements of San Antonio River at San Antonio, Tex., during the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 17

26

Dec. 8

Jan. 8

25

Feb. 8

Mar. 11

Apr. 11

20

Made by 

C. E. Ellsworth........

.....do.................

.....do.................

H. C. Pritchett.........

F- B, Kinnisnn ._

E.G. West............

.....do.................

0. E- MnOstshin .,, .

H. C. Pritchett.........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.70

1.72

1.68

1.64

1.64

1.62

9 ^1

1.73

1.74

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

115

120

109

99.2

106

97.7

391

123

108

Date.

May 6

July 26

Sept. 8

10

10

10

21

Made by 

R.G. West. ...........

C.E. Ellsworth........

T. Twicbell. ...........

.....do.................

.....do.................

T. TwicheU. ...........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.76

1.74

1.41

1.38

3.31

20.14

8.94

5.57

3.13

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

105

88. f

75. 3

75.8

622

al5,300

62,090

866

153

a Discharge determined by slope method using Kutter's formula with values of 0.035 and 0.050 for "n'> 

in 2 parts of the section. 

6 Discharge corrected for rapidly falling stage=2«,200 second-feet.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Antonio River at San Antonio, Tex., for the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22 .............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

9O

30..............

Q1

Oct.

121

121

123

126

123

126

116

116

114

111

116

114

114

140

126

112

114

121

121

121

121

121

121

120

118

116

116

114

114

116

118

Nov.

121

116

11*

116

116

116

116

121

114

118

111

107

112

128

114

 

114

112

114

114

112

112

114

114

112

123

182

116

116

116

114

Dec.

114

114

114

114

112

112 '112

112

112

112

111

111

112

111

109

109

111

111

109

114

114

112

111

107

109

111

112

109

111

111

112

Jan.

112

111

114

114

112

112

112

111

105

112

112

112

111

112

112

111

114

111

111

109

112

112

109

107

105

103

100

100

102

100

102

Feb.

98

98

100

100

100

100

105

102

98

98

98

98

95

95

98

100

98

102

97

97

100

100

97

97

98

95

94

98

Mar.

414

206

130

128

130

130

133

128

121

121

213

128

126

128

128

128

130

130

128

126

140

155

128

128

130

130

126

126

126

128

126

Apr.

128

118

123

126

128

130

309

143

116

128

118

123

126

121

121

116

112

112

111

109

111

105

107

105

105

111

, 103

103

105

103

May.

116

102

103

102

103

103

103

103

109

105

105

105

103

102

100

105

118

118

100

98

97

94

97

92

90

89

86

86

85

88

85

June.

84

83

83

82

81

81

80

79

77

77

125

250

111

105

105

105

105

112

111

111

109

109

109

109

219

111

98

103

98

94

July.

95

93

90

93

93

92

92

92

90

90

89

88

88

87

86

85

85

84

83

82

81

80

80

79

79

77

76

76

75

73

72

Aug.

74

73

74

73

73

71

70

73

71

71

70

69

69

67

70

70

68

69

69

67

64

64

65

66

66

67

68

66

73

68

68

Sept.

6^

6^

67

65

6^

67

67

72

737

3,190

222

IS?

172

166

166

166 ie4 leo

wo

1?6

150

146

142

136

134

132

126

115

128

119

NOTE. No gage-height record and discharge interpolated Oct. 24, 25, Jan. 23, 24, July 10-15,17-21, ard 

Aug. 22-26. Owing to incomplete gage-height record discharge partly estimated as follows: Oct. 3, 26, 

Jan. 22,25, June 25,26, July 9,16, Aug. 27, and Sept. 10.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER BASIN. 65

Monthly discharge of San Antonio River at San Antonio, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

July.....................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum. I Minimum.

!

126 

182 

114 

114 

105 

414 

309 

118 

250 

95 

74 

3,190

3,190

111 

107 

107 

100 

94 

121 

103 

85 

77 

72 

64 

65

64

Mean.

119

118 

111 

109 

98.4 

144 

123 

99.7 

107 

84.7 

69.2 

250

119

Run-off in 

acre-feet .

7,320 

7,020 

6,820 

6,700 

5,460 

8,850 

7,320 

6,130 

6,370 

5,210 

4,250 

14,900

86,400

SAN ANTONIO RIVER AT CALAVEBAS, TEX.

LOCATION. One-fourth mile south of San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway station in 

Calaveras, Wilson County, 1 mile below mouth of Calaveras Creek, and 10 miles 

below mouth of Medina River.

DRAINAGE AREA. 1,870 square miles (measured on topographic map of Texas, 

compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, 

scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. March 12, 1918, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff in five sections on left bank near old brick plant; Read by 

I. M. Smith.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from highway bridge half a mile upstream from 

gage or by wading below gstge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of sand and clay and free from vegetation; 

shifts. Channel straight above and below station for 150 feet. Left bank high, 

wooded, and not subject to overflow; right bank steep, wooded, and subject to 

overflow only at extremely high stages. Old bricks piled into channel form a 

semipermanent low-water control. 

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 42.0 feet at 4 a. m. 

September 11 (discharge not determined); minimum stage, 0.9 foot August 29 

and September 1-7 (discharge, 89 second-feet).

1918-1921: Maximum stage recorded, that of September 11, 1921 (see above); 

minimum stage, 0.14 foot at 8.30 a. m. September 14, 1918 (discharge, 15 secondfeet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Medina dam and reservoir, with a storage capacity of 254,000 acre-feet, 

is located on Medina River about 50 miles above its confluence with the San 

Antonio. Four miles below the Medina dam are the diversion works with a 

capacity of 850 second-feet. Probably about 10,000 acres were under irrigation 

in this project in 1920-1921.

REGULATION. The ordinary flow may be slightly affected by storage and diversions 

on Medina River.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve fairly well 

defined between 30 and 1,500 second-feet, and extended above by use of AVoT 

method using one measurement at a discharge of 11,000 second-feet as a basis. 

Gage read to hundredths twice daily and oftener during floods. Mean of two 

readings a day may not be true index to discharge, owing to rapidly changing 

stages. Daily discharge ascertained by shifting-control method. Records fair 

for low and medium stages and poor for high stages.
66 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Discharge measurements of San Antonio River at Calaveras, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 6

Feb. 10

May 5

July 27

Made by 

D. A. Dudley..........

R. G. West. ...........

.....do.................

T. Twichell. ...........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.64

2.34

2.27

1.31

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

200

180

176

118

Date.

Sept. 8

9

20

Made by 

Twichell and West. ....

.....do.................

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

12.72

5.48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

97.1

a 1,890

319

a Rapidly rising stage.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Antonio River at Calaveras, Tex., for the year

ending Sept. 1921.

Day.

1... ...........

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

150

150

154

154

154

154

170

170

158

154

158

158

158

158

158

162

170

166

170

170

170

174

174

170

218

456

208

188

188

Nov.

198

198

188

188

198

1Q8

198

198

198

218

198

262

414

374

OOO

208

208

208

208

208

208

218

218

99Q

<?1f»

603

456

240

Dec.

240

218

218

218

218

218

218

218

208

208

208

208

208

208

208

208

208

208

208

1QO

208

208

208

158

224

224

224

Jan.

213

203

203

203

203

203

203

1QO

193

1QO

203

224

203

193

193

1QQ

193

184

184

184

184

421

435

234

9^M

203

203 mo

1Q3

193

Feb.

193

179

179

184

184

174

174

174

179

174

170

166

179

179

174

174

174

174

174

170

170

170

170

170

Mar.

491

3,630

2,240

806

648

470

298

298

274

262

854

374

286

274

OftO

251

240

240

240

240

414

513

374

f)Af\

218

208

9flft

1QR

Apr.

198

188

188

198

198

208

274

2.030

618

348

298

262

262

251

251

251

229

218

248

218

229

229

208

208

208

198

198

184

184

184

May.

218

208

188

184

179

174

174

174

179

170

166

166

166

158

158

158

208

870

322

188

184

184

170

166

166

162

158

158

158

158

June.

158

158

154

142

142

142

142

138

138

138

251

498

633

262

208

198

198

188

174

162

162

158

154

150

146

310

240

218

543

335

July.

198

174

158

154

146

146

138

146

146

146

146

154

174

162

146

138

138

122

126

122

122

122

115

115

115

118

115

115

118

108

108

Aug.

112

108

108

104

104

101

98

95

98

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

89

98

95

Sept.

89

89

89

89

89

89

89

95

1,770

7,620

3,230

774

663

573

498

414

310

251

322

310

274

262

262

262

240

310

442

218

902

NOTE. Stage (39.2 feet) Sept. 11, above limit for which rating curve is defined. Discharge partly estimated on following days: Sept. 13-16 and 18-19.

Monthly discharge of San Antonio River at Calaveras, Tex., for the year ending Sept. SO,

1921.

Month.

February. ...............................................

March....................... .......... . .......

April.. ...................................................

July.....................................................

August ..................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

456 

603 

240 

435 

193 

3,630 

2,030 

870 

633 

198 

112

Minimum.

150 

188 

158 

184 

166 

198 

184 

158 

138 

108 

89

Mean.

178 

250 

213 

216 

176 

529 

298 

202 

221 

137 

95.4

Run-off in

acre-feet.

10.900 

14,900 

13, 100 

13,300 

9,780 

32,500 

17,700 

12,400 

13,200 

8,420 

5,870

NOTE. See footnote to daily-discharge table.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER BASIN. 67

SAN PEDRO CREEK AT SAN ANTONIO, TEX.

LOCATION. At south end of Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway culvert, 50 feet west of 

tracks, 700 feet south of its terminal, 200 feet south of Arsenal Street crossing, four 

blocks south of City Hall, 1 mile above mouth of Salsamora and Martinez creeks, 

2 miles below San Pedro Springs, its source, and 2\ miles above confluence with 

San Antonio River.

DRAINAGE AREA. Indeterminate.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. July 20, 1916, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Gurley 7-day water-stage recorder installed March 14. Attended by engineers of city of San Antonio. Prior to that date a vertical staff, attached to wall 

of building No. 713 Commerce Street, on upstream side of bridge on left bank was 

used and was read by G. H. Cumberland.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading below gage or from bridge in vicinity.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed and banks composed of smooth concrete; permanent. 

Low-stage control is a 4 by 4 inch timber bolted across bed of flume. Channel 

straight above and below station.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage from water-stage recorder, 8.6 feet 11.30 

p. m. September 9 (discharge not determined); minimum stage, 0.41 foot at 9 p. m. 

August 14 (discharge, 4.0 second-feet). There was backwater from Alazan Creek 

on September 9 and 10.

1916-1921: Maximum stage recorded, that of September 9,1921; minimum stage 

recorded, 1.30 feet, December 10-11, 1918 (discharge, 0.7 second-foot). Stages 

not comparable, owing to change in location of gage.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. None.

REGULATION. No dams, reservoirs, or controlling works that permanently regulate 

the flow.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent October 1 to March 14, and permanent, March 15 to September 30. Rating curve used prior to March 14 poorly 

defined; curve used March 15 to September 30, well defined from 0 to 10 secondfeet, poorly defined from 10 to 200 second-feet, and extended above by means of 

Kutter's formula with a value of 0.014 for "n" at a 6.0-foot gage height. October 1 

to March 14, daily discharge ascertained by shifting-control method; March 15 to 

September 30, by applying to rating table mean daily gage height obtained from 

recorder chart by inspection or by use of planimeter, except as noted in footnote 

to daily-discharge table. Records poor prior to March 14, and good thereafter.

Entire flow of San Pedro Creek, except during times of heavy precipitation, is furnished by San Pedro Springs, and the flow at this station is believed to be that which 

reaches San Antonio River. Martinez and Salsamora creeks carry no water except 

during heavy local rains, and have been known to be dry for several years at a time.

Discharge measurements of San Pedro Creek at San Antonio, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 17

Nov. 6

Dec. 8

Jan. 8

25

Feb. 8

Mar. 14

14

Apr. 11

Made by 

C. E. Ellsworth........

D. A. Dudley..........

H. C. Pritchett.........

E.G. West............

.....do.................

.....do.................

C. E. McCashin........

height.

Feet. 

1.80

1.89

1.75

1.69

1.58

1.58

1.58

o.51

.52

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

10.2

10.8

9.6

8.1

9.2

9.8

9.2

8.8

9.6

Date.

May 6

8

2

July 27

9

21

Made by 

H. C. Pritchett.. .......

R. G. West............

.....do.................

.....do.................

T. Twichell.. ..........

R. G. West............

T. Twichell............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.48

.50

2.44

.56

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

8.4

7.2

8.6

7.9

7.4

7.4

8.9

201

10.7

Gage at new location beginning with this measurement.
68 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Pedro Creek at San Antonio, Tex., for the year

ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

'9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22. .............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

9.9

9.9

9 Q

Q Q

10

13

12

13

33

10

10

10

11

11

11

11

18

9.9

9.9

11

11

Nov.

11

11

11

13

12

11

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

13

13

16

13

13

12

11

Dec.

9 9

9 9

q 9

9.9

9 Q

9 A

9 4

9 A

9.4

9 4

9 4

a

i

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

Q 0

8.5

a 9

8.2

8.2

O O

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

Jan.

8.2

8.2

& 9

8 9

7 Q

7 Q

8.2

o o

8.2

8.5

8.8

9.1

9 4

9 Q

9.9

10

7.6

7.4

7.4

7.6

8.5

9 g

9.4

9 A

9

1

8.8

8.8

8.8

9.1

9.1

Feb.

9 A

9 1

9 1

9 A

9 A

9 A

9 4

9 4

9

1

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

9

1

9 1

9.1

9

1

9

1

9.1

9 1

9

1

9.1

9.1

Mar.

102

23

12

9.6

9.6

9.4

9.4

9 J44 

36

10

9.4

9.4

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

12

12

ao

7.5

9.2

9.5

9.0

9.0

8.5

8.5

Apr.

8.0

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.0

22

9 0

9.0

9.0

9 o

8.5 a2

8.0

ao

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

May.

8.5

8.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

9.5

8.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

9.5

9.0

12

as

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

8.0

7.5

7.0

7.0

9.0

9.0

8.5

8.5

June.

8.5

8.0

8.0

7.5

5.6

6.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

9.5

20

24

9.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

16

7.5

7.0

10

7.5

7. 6

July.

7.5

9.0

10

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

8.5

7.5

7.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

* 8.0

8.-0

ao

8.0

7.5

7.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

Aug.

7.0

7.5

7.5

8.0

7.5

7.0

7.0

6.5

6.0

5.2

5.6

5.6

5.2

4.8

6.0

5.6

5.2

5.6

5.6

5.6

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.0

6.0

8.0

7.5

7.5

Sept.

7.5

7.5

6.0

5.2

5.2

6.0

5.6

12

12

11

11

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

10

10

10

10

9.5

9.5

10

10

12

NOTE. Discharge partly estimated, owing to incomplete gage-height record, as follows: Mar. 24,26, Apr ^ 

16, 30, June 10 and 11. Discharge interpolated Mar. 25, Apr. 15, and 29. Backwater from Alazan Creek 

existed probably from 9 p. m. Sept. 9 to 7 a. m. Sept. 10, and water overflowed from San Antonio River 

into San Pedro Creek probably from 2 a. m. to 7 a. m. Sept. 10.

Monthly discharge of San Pedro Creek at San Antonio, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,.

1921.

Month.

March. ...................................................

April.....................................................

May.....................................................

July.....................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

33 

16 

10 

11 

9.4 

102 

22 

12 

24 

10 

8.0

Minimum.

9.9 

11 

8.2 

7.4 

8.8 

7.5 

8.0 

7.0 

5.6 

7.5 

4.8

Mean.

11.7 

11.9 

9.02 

8.71 

9.07 

13.6 

8.89

a 37

9.19 

7.76 

6.44

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

719 

708 

555. 

536. 

504 

836 

529 

515 

547 

477 

396-

6,320
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 19&L, PART VIII. 69 

NTJECES RIVER BASIN. *

NTTECES RIVER NEAR COTONIA, TEX.

LOCATION. Just below suspension highway bridge near Oswald's ranch, 2 miles east 

of Cinonia, Zavalla County, 8 miles northeast of Crystal City, and 20 miles above 

dam on Winter Garden ranch.

DRAINAGE AREA. 2,060 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps; postroute map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, 

of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. July 5, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff in 6 sections installed May 6, 1918, on right bank', 200 feet below 

highway bridge; read by C. C. Oswald. From July 5, 1915, to September 23, 

1917, gage used was vertical staff in 7 sections on right and left banks. September 

24, 1917, to May 5, 1918, Dexter water-stage recorder near concrete control. All 

gages set at same datum and at approximately the same location.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from downstream side of bridge or by wading

on crest of concrete control.

"CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of clay and gravel; free from vegetation; 

subject to shift prior to September 23, 1917. Banks high and wooded, and not 

subject to overflow, except during extremely high water. Channel straight above 

and below station. An artificial concrete control was completed at the site of 

the gage on September 23, 1917; point of zero flow, 0.85 foot.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 6.3 feet at 7 p. m. 

March 1 (discharge, 339 second-feet); minimum stage, 1.12 feet from 7 p. m. 

AugustJ.8 to 7 a. m. August 31 (discharge, 1.9 second-feet).

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 49.1 feet September 23, 1919, determined 

by leveling from flood marks (discharge not determined). According to local 

residents, the greatest flood on record occurred in 1913, when the river reached 

a stage of about 53 feet by present gage datum. No flow during several periods 

of record.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water diverted above station for irrigation; amount not 

known.

RE GULATION. None.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent. Rating curve well defined for all 

stages. Gage read to hundredths twice daily. Daily discharge determined by 

applying mean daily gage height to rating table. Records good.

Backwater from a dam 40 feet high, about 20 miles below station extends within 

2 miles of station when reservoir is full. A large part of the flow of the river is known 

to seep into the bed just below Uvalde and return to the surface just above the station. 

The condition of the underground water may have an effect on this return water and 

thus help to equalize the flow.

Discharge measurements of Nueces River near Cinonia, Tex., durmg the year ending Sept.

SO, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 10

May 2

Made by 

D. A. Dudley.............................................................

B. G. West...............................................................

height.

Feet. 

1.54

1.85

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

17.3

a 35. 4

aMeasurement poor owing to bad measuring section.
70 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second'feet, of Nueces River near Cinonia, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1......

2..............

3..............

4......

5..............

8........ ....

7..............

8..............

V.. ............

10..............

11..............

12......

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17....... ...

18..............

19..............

20... ...........

21.....

22. ............

23..............

24. .............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

11

11

11

11

11

11

13

13

13

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

15

28

25

23

22

19

18

17

16

15

15

Nov.

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

21

17

16

15

15

20

19

17

16

16

16

18

16

18

16

16

15

15

15

15

15

14

Dec.

14

13

13

13

12

12

TO

12

12

19

12

12

15

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

Jan.

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

Feb.

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

18

18

18

18

16

16

16

18

16

16

16

16

18

16

16

Mar.

256

145

40

21

18

18

18

18

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

32

34

36

37

36

Apr.

36

36

35

34

33

32

34

46

33

31

30

30

29

28

28

27

26

26

25

25

24

24

24

23

22

91

20

20

20

20

May.

26

31

30

30

29

29

29

29

29

29

34

30

30

29

26

22

20

19

18

21

25

24

21

18

17

17

18

16

16

18

17

June.

17

15

15

14

14

13

13

12

12

12

12

14

13

41

59

35

25

20

20

18

17

17

16

15

14

13

13

13

12

12

July.

11

11

10

8.9

8.9

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.6

7.2

7.2

6.4

5.7

5.4

5.0

4.4

4.2

3.9

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

Aug.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

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

2.4

Sept.

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.8

8.8

8.9

10

107.y

5.0

4.4

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.4

3.4

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.6

2.6

2.8

2.6

2.8

2.6

Monthly discharge of Nueces River near Cinonia, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

October............................. . ........... ......

November............... . .... . ..

December. .......................... ......... . .

January. ..................................... ...........

February................ .......

March............................... . . ........ .....

April.................. ....

June,. ....................................................

July......................................................

September ...............................................

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

28 

21 

17 

17 

17 

256 

46 

34 

59 

11 

3.0 

10

256

Minimum.

11 

14 

12 

17 

16 

17 

20 

16 

12 

3.0 

1.9 

2.2

1.9

Mean.

14.2 

15.9 

14.4 

17.0 

18.0 

32.7 

28.1 

24.0 

17.9 

8.34 

2.32 

3.98

18.1

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

873 

946 

885 

1,050 

889 

2,010 

1,670 

1,480 

1,070 

390 

143 

237

11,600

NTJECES RIVER NEAR THREE RIVERS, TEX.

LOCATION. At San Antonio, Uvalde & Gulf Railroad bridge 1 mile -west of Kittie,

2 miles southeast of Three Rivers, Live Oak County, and half a mile below mouth

of Frio River. 

DRAINAGE AREA. 15,600 square miles (measured on standard topographic maps;

post-route map; and topographic map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T.

Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles). 

RECORDS AVAILABLE. July 1, 1915, to September 30, 1921. 

GAGE. Vertical staff in four sections, attached to piers of railroad bridge; read by

M. L. Mouser. 

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by -wading near gage or from high-way bridge

half a mile below gage.
NUECES RIVER BASIN. 71

 CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of adobe shale; does not change greatly. 

Channel sltaight above and below station. Banks wooded, high, and not subject 

to overflow, except at extremely high stages. Location of high-water control not 

known; shoal just below gage probably forms low-water control.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 28.5 feet at 8.50 

a. m. September 10 (discharge, 9,450 second-feet, determined from extension of 

rating curve); no flow August 8-29, September 6, and 7.

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded 46.0 feet at 5 a. m. September 18, 1919 

(discharge not determined); no flow during several periods of record.

ICE. None reported. ^

DIVERSIONS. Records of the Board of Water Engineers for the State.of Texas show that 

about 10,000 acres have been declared irrigated by diversions from the stream 

above the station.

REGULATION. None of consequence.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve well defined 

below 7,000 second-feet, and extended above that point by use of area and velocity curves. Gage read to nearest tenth once daily. Daily discharge determined 

by shifting-control method. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Nueces River near Three Rivers, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 8

Feb. 11

May 5

Made by 

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.80

1.20

5.48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

56.2

8.8

661

Date.

July 28

Sept. 21

Made by 

T. TwicheU. ...........

R.G. West............

Gage

Feet. 

1.06

2.64

.Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

3.8

104

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Nueces River near Three Rivers, Tex.,for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1.. ............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

 16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

18

18

15

15

15

15

12

12

12

12

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

7.2

38

22

18

15

12

12

9.5

9.5

18

57

68

68

57

364

4%

Nov.

616

536

245

150

121

94

81

68

57

47

38

47

38

47

38

38

38

38

38

31

 

38

31

26

22

22

22

229

52

28

24

Dec.

20

16

14

14

14

14

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

11

11

11

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

Jan.

9.5

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

Feb.

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

Mar.

12

1,570

1,480

1.830

456

278

536

456

278

400

476

556

476

295

173

114

88

62

52

42

34

28

6,630

4,510

2,980

1,260

836

556

436

400

476

Apr.

616

516

364

205

1,400

.7,240

8,450

3,320

3,710

1,540

1,210

836

980

1,030

1,030

1,080

1,190

245

189

142

128

114

100

100

100

88

74

62

52

May.

1,540

556

278

364

658

456

400

278

221

476

556

456

221

173

536

1,140

1,340

2,190

1,480

702

295

229

181

165

150

121

94

81

57

47

68

June.

57

47

31

38

26

22

22

18

22

1,510

556

3,630

2,130

1,980

596

312

400

702

1,060

1,160

746

702

746

884

1,080

1,290

1,620

1,740

1,340

165

July.

135

107

57

31

26

22

1,480

245

107

57

38

31

286

88

62

158

114

28

16

11

8.4

6.2

4.2

2.4

1.2

34

11

4.0

2.4

1.2

.6

Aug.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.4

346

7.2

Sept.

1 7

6

6

1

1

6

6,400

9,450

8,600

2,070

1,210

860

1,060

1,480

1,210

956

364

173

100

52

34

24

24

24

20

20

16

286

NOTE. No flow Aug. 8-29, Sept. 6, and 7.
72 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Monthly discharge of Nueces River near Three Rivers, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30,.

1921. 

Month.

October. .................................................

November. ......... ......

December. ............................... ...... .......

January. .................................................

February. .«. ............... ......... . ....

April......................................................

June.....................................................

July.....................................................

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

496 

616 

20 

12 

12 

6,630 

8,450 

2,190 

3,630 

1,480 

34G 

9,450

9,450

Minimum.

7.2 

22 

8.4 

9.5 

9.5 

12 

52 

47 

18 

.6 

0 

0

0

Mean.

47.2 

96.7 

10.7 

11.9 

11.2 

896 

1.220 

500 

821 

102 

11.4 

1,150

405

Run-ofl in 

acre-feet.

2,900 

5,750 

658 

732 

622 

55, 100 

72,600 

30,700 

48,800 

6,270 

701 

68,400'

293,000

NUECES RIVER AT CALALLEN,

LOCATION. At old pump house for city of Corpus Christi, half a mile northwest of 

Calallen, Nueces County, 18 miles west of Corpus Christi, 8 miles above Nueces 

Bay, and half a mile above edge of tidewater and breakwater dam.

DRAINAGE AREA. 16,700 square miles (measured on post-route map; and topographic 

map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T. Hill, of the United States Geological 

Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. August 12, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff attached to pipe-line support of old pump house; read by John 

W. Cunningham.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading at the breakwater or from cable 125 

feet below gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of clay and gravel. Channel straight above 

and below station. Left bank wooded, low, and bordered by levee constructed 

to prevent overflow; right bank wooded, medium in height, and not subject to 

overflow. The breakwater dam, which is a loose rock fill half a mile below, serves 

as control. It leaks badly and is subject to change during floods. Flood damage 

is repaired by dumping loose rock on the crest.

EXTREMES OF STAGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 7.25 feet at 8 a. m. and 

4 p. m. September 15; minimum stage, 1.20 feet 4 p. m. August 8 to 8 a. m. September 2.

1915-1921: During September, 1919, the river reached a stage of about 12 feet, 

as determined from flood marks on the gage. This was not only the highest stage 

reached during the period covered by records, but probably exceeds any that occurred for many years prior to the establishment of this station. Discharge indeterminate because of lowlands on left bank being overflowed for a width of". 

several miles. No flow August 23-28, 1918.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water taken from river for irrigation immediately above 

station, and river water is also used for irrigation throughout the drainage above. 

The city of Corpus Christi pumps water just below the gage for municipal supply. 

They reported a consumption of 922 acre-feet during 1918.

REGULATION. None of consequence.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent because of leakage through and 

repair to the breakwater dam. Rating curve is poorly defined. Gage read to 

hundredths twice daily. Daily discharge not computed because of changing 

control and insufficient discharge measurements. Records poor. No discharge 

measurements were made at this station during the year.
NUECES RTVER BASIN. 73

Daily gage height, infect, of Nueces River at Calallen, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. SO,

1921.

Day.

1..... .........

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14........... ..

15..............

16..............

17.... ......

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29.............. 

30.............. 

31..............

Oct.

1.60

1.60

1.58

1.52

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.50

1.50

1.45

1.48

1.50

1 xf\

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.45

1.45

1.50

1.52

1.58

1.62

1.60

1.60

1.62

1.60 

1.62 

1.62

Nov.

1 60

1.60

2.22

2.78

2.40

2.35

2.20

2.05

2.00

2.05

2.05

1.85

1.80

1.85

1.82

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.65

1.60

1.75 

2.00

Dec.

2.00

1.85

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.82

1.80

1.78

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.72

1.72

1.72

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70 

1.70 

1.70

Jan.

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

. 1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70 

1.70 

1.70

Feb.

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

Mar.

1.70

1.95

3.15

3.65

3.72

3.62

2.80

2.45

2.50

2.58

2.35

2.32

2

EO

2.65

2.58

2.35

2.18

2.05

1.98

1.92

1.88

1.80

1.75

3.25

4.55

5.35

5.96

S

on

3.12

2.55 

2.28

Apr.

2.12

2.30

2.60

2.20

2.12

2.62

4.20

5.00

5.90

6.58

6.92

6.65

4.85

3.10

3.15

3.12

3.12

3.20

3.15

2.62

2.25

2.08

2.00

1.95

1.90

1.85

1.80

1.75

1.72 

1.70

May.

1.72

1.72

3.00

2.60

2.15

1.95

2.60

2.50

2.30

2.22

2.18

2.40

2.55

2.45

2.25

2.50

3.05

3.35

3.50

3.80

3.45

3.00

2.30

2.45

2.20

1.90

1.80

1.75 

1.70 

1.70

June.

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.68

1.65

1.65

1.62

1.60

1.60

1.60

2.62

4.32

4.48

3.45

2.52

2.45

2.28

2.55

3.25

3.15

2.85

2.22

2.50

3.00

3.25

3.50

3.65 

3.80

July.

3.20

2.60

2.00

1.90

1.85

1.78

1.70

1.72

3.50

2.28

2.25

1.95

1.75

1.70

1.70

1.90

1.82

1.72

1.70

1.75

1.70

1.60

1.50

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.35

1.35 

1.35 

1.35

Aug.

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.32

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.22

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

Sept.

1.20

1.25

1.58

1.52

1.48

1.40

1.35

1.30

1.85

3.85

4.28

5.35

6.35

7.08

7.25

5.15

3.15

3.52

3.30

2.78

2.50

2.20

1.98

1.88

1.78

1.68

1.65

1.65

2.25 

3.70 

..*...

FRIO RIVER NEAR DERBY, TEX.

LOCATION. At International & Great Northern Railway bridge 900 feet below mouth 

of Leona River, 400 feet below highway bridge, and 4 miles south of Derby, Frio 

County.

DRAINAGE AREA. 3,500 square miles (measured on post-route map and topographic 

map of Texas, compiled in 1899 by Robert T, Hill, of the United States Geological 

Survey, scale 1 inch=25 miles).

RECORDS AVAILABLE. August 1, 1915, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Vertical staff attached to railway bridge pier; read by John A. Head or E. L. 

Willingham.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from railway bridge or highway bridge, or by 

wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of rock, sand, and gravel. Channel curved 

above and below station, but straight at gage for 150 feet. Banks wooded, high, 

and not subject to overflow. A concrete dam, 50 feet below gage, serves as control during low and medium stages; location of high-water control not known. 

Point of zero flow, gage height 0.07 foot, except when affected by moss on control.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 6.7 feet during 

night of June 14 (discharge, 2,310 second-feet); no flow during several periods.

1915-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 18.5 feet September 18, 1919 (discharge 

not determined); no flow during several periods of each year.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Small areas are irrigated by diversion in the headwaters, but available 

information does not show that water is taken from the stream immediately above 

the station.
74 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

REGULATION. None.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation permanent except when affected by aquaticgrowth on control. Rating curve well defined below 2,000 second-feet. Gag& 

read twice daily to nearest half-tenth from October 1 to March 30 and to hundredths from April 1 to September 30. Daily discharge ascertained by applyingmean daily gage height to rating table. Discharge for low-water periods from 

October 1 to March 30 subject to considerable error on account of gage being read 

only to nearest half-tenth. Records good except as otherwise noted.

Discharge measurements of Frio River near Derby, Tex., during the year ending Sept. S0r

1921.

Date.

Nov. 9 

May 3 

4

Made by 

D. A. Dudley ............................................................

E.G. West ..............................................................

.....do...................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.30 

.30 

.29

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

7.1 

7.T 6.6-

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Frio River near Derby, Tex., for the year ending Sept. SO, 

1921.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4 ........

5.* ...........

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15. .............

16..............

17..............

18.............

19..............

20..............

21.......... .

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

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

7.3

15

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

Nov.

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

'7.3 7.3

7 S

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

11

15

11

13

11

11

11

8.6

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

Dec.

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

8.6

7 S

7.3

7.3

11

7.3

7.3

7.3

7 1

7.3

7.3

7 9

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

Jan.

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7 1

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7 1

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

Feb.

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

11

10

10

8.0

7.3

7.3

8.0

7.3

8.6

8.6

7.3

8.6

8.6

7.3

7.3

7.3

Mar.

7.3

109

1,340

267

179

63

29

19

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

13

15

15

15

15

12

12

13

15

14

14

15

15

Apr.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

320

81

42

27

18

12

9.3

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.0

7.3

6.0

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

3.4

3.4

4.0

May.

7.3

13

8.0

6.0

5.3

2.7

3.4

4.7

4.0

2.5

4.0

6.0

3 A

2.3

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.6

136

82

20

27

17

10

8.6

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

June.

7.3

7.3

6.7

5.3

3.4

2.0

1.2

494

1,980

1,800

251

175

84

44

18

16

12

10

10

10

10

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

July.

7.3

6.0

6.0

4.7

3.4

3.4

4.0

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

2.5

1.8

1.6

1.4

.9

.3

Aug. Sept,.

1.250

1.370

145

41

15

6.0

2.5

1.8-

.9

.3

NOTE. No flow June 9-11, July 18 to Sept. 10, and Sept» 21-30.
EIO GRANDE BASIN. 7& 

Monthly discharge of Frio River near Derby, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. SO, 1921.

Month.

October. .................................................

December. ..............................................

February ................................................

March ................................................

April ....................................................

May.....................................................

July.....................................................

August ..................................................

September ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

15 

15 

11 

7.3 

11 

1,340 

320 

136 

1,980 

7.3 

0 

1,370

1,980

Minimum.

2.0 

7.3 

7.3 

7.3 

7.3 

7.3 

3.4 

1.6 

0 

0 

0 

0

0

Mean.

3.62

8.54 

7.46 

7.30 

7.99 

75.7 

22.8 

13.7 

166 

1.84 

0 

94.4

33.9

Run-off to 

acre-feet.

223; 

508 459' 

449' 

444 

4,650 

1,360 

842 

, 9,880 

113 0' 

5,620'

24,50fr

RIO GKRANDE BASIN.

RIO GRANDE NEAR SAN MARCIAL, N. MEX

LOCATION. In sec. 19, T. 7 S., R. 1 W., at Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 

bridge 1 mile south of San Martial. No important tributaries in immediatevicinity of station.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. January 29. 1895, to December 31, 1921, when station was 

discontinued.

GAGE. Inclined staff established January 29, 1895, and destroyed by flood in 1896. 

Wire gage established in its place at same datum. This was soon abandoned and 

gage heights have since been obtained by measuring with graduated rod from 

bridge deck to water surface. Gage datum unchanged.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed sandy and very shifting; broken by several bridgepiers. No information relative to control section.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum mean daily stage during period October 1, 

1920, to December 31, 1921, 15.9 feet on June 20 (discharge, 19,400 secondfeet); minimum mean daily discharge, 90 second-feet on October 5. 1921.

1895-1921: Maximum mean daily discharge, 33,000 second-feet on October 11, 

1904 (gage height, 13.75 feet); no flow for periods of varying length each year.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water diverted for irrigation above station.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent; not affected by ice. Owing to 

the shifting control, determinations of daily discharge are based almost entirely 

on frequent current-meter measurements.

COOPERATION. Records furnished by United States Reclamation Service, and. 

reduced to three significant figures by United States Geological Survey.
76 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Rio Grande near San Martial, N. Mex.,for the period 

Oct. 1, 1920, to Dec. 31, 1921.

Day.

1920-21. 

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

«... ...........

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

120..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

 29..............

30. .............

31..............

Oct.

115

120

124

110

on

110

121

121

121

101

128

128

129

129

129

179

220

917

257

257

917

310

400

602

602

602

602

629

Nov.

629

629

629

709

7no

699

675

699

703

706

703

706

760

895

975

1.090

960

823

825

827

760

829

810

790

790

785

781

783

784

786

Dec.

782

776

765

743

717

696

678

662

648

636

622

610

605

603

601

601

602

603

606

612

618

624

630

635

639

641

641

639

635

628

619

Jan.

» 

621

632

fiJO

662

663

fifi9

664

661

664

667

fifid

fi79

678

705

731

762

743

725

706

732

752

770

829

891

950

927

908

896

867

Feb.

QOQ

810

775

753

806

865

QOfi

niq

QQO

840

782

725

719

782

819

877

QOC

990

856

724

644

628

fifid

700

719

742

765

Mar.

765

1,400

1,360

1,530 i <nn

1,700

1.840

1,630

1,510

1,520

1,510

1,510

1 ^9ft

950

950

950

596

590

586

589

1,320

1,990

1,810

1,550

1,290

1,290

1,610

1,430

1,210

Apr.

1,240

1,030

981

924

858

897

935

972

972

Q79

572

282

150

282

282

150

150

736

752

768

784

400

600

400

930

1,290

1,020

1,050

1,020

988

May.

722

988

722

500

4,010

3,700

4,380

5,040

5,490

5,180

4,570

3,660

3,080

2,850

3,080

3,590

3,870

3,770

4,020

4,120

4,220

3,560

3,850

3,220

3,940

3,760

3, 560

3,800

3,600

4,020

3,860

June.

3,780

3,870

4,560

8,100

7,440

10,500

11,400

11,500

12,300

12,700

11,400

12,800

13,600

13,400

14,600

15,700

16,800

16,200

18,500

19,400

16,200

13,300

12,800

10,500

9,530

7,420

5,790

5,240

4,500

3,710

July.

3,470

3,060

2,780

2,850

2,640

2,460

2,420

2.010

1,960

1,570

1,240

1,240

1,040

1,090

830

900

1,260

1,200

1,070

S23

2,120

2,230

3,530

5,660

10,900

8,650

8,670

8,920

6,200

5,930

5,210

Aug.

5,460

4,910

4,540

3,810

1,990

1,930

1,770

1,440

1,390

2,950

2,000

1,790

2,680

2,220

2,120

2,350

2,350

2,100

1,430

1,330

2,380

4,510

2,400

2,570

2,800

2,800

2,690

2,470

2,310

2,190

2,070

Sept.

2,080

2,110

1,970

1,820

1,570

1,490

1,320

1,170

1,060

940

826

769

651

612

525

4,300

823

697

615

503

434

860

760

670

519

496

435

378

326

347

Day.

1921. 

1...........

2............

3...........

4...........

5...........

6...........

7...........

8...........

9...........

10...........

Oct.

328

310

302

310

346

333

447

447

404

419

Nov.

573

542

513

486

473

452

474

535

588

585

Dec.

843

772

729

818

908

993

890

780

900

835

Day.

11...........

12...........

13...........

14...........

15...........

16...........

17...........

18...........

19...........

20...........

Oct.

390

366

397

420

412

414

462

433

420

404

Nov.

655

710

764

733

729

712

668

612

542

596

Dec.

880

720

766

767

973

968

940

898

854

786

Day.

21...........

22...........

23...........

24...........

25...........

26...........

I 27...........

28...........

29...........

1 30...........

31...........

Oct.

399

418

346

440

471

485

520

546

539

553

562

Nov.

683

702

677

631

587

565

781

781

864

803

Dec.

741

774

804

862

952

1,040

1,130

1,110

1,100

1,060

1,220
RIO GRANDE BASIN. 77

Monthly discharge of Rio Grande near San Mardal, N. Mex.,for the period Oct. 1,1920, to

Dec. 31, 1921.

Month.

1920-21. 

October. .................................................

December. ...............................................

January..................... ..............

February. ...............................................

March....... ........

April........................ . ......... .

July......................................................

August. ..................................................

September.................. . . . . ..... ..... .

The year. ..........................................

1921. 

October. .................................................

November................. .. ....... ......... .... .

December. ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

629 

1,090 

782 

950 

990 

1,990 

1,290 

5,490 

19,400 

10,900 

5,460 

4,300

19,400

562 

864 

1,220

Minimum.

90 

629 

601 

621 

628 

586 

150 

500 

3,710 

823 

1,330 

326

90

302 

152 

720

Mean.

239 

775 

649 

732 

801 

1,330 

746 

3,510 

10,900 

3,350 

2,570 

1,040

2,220

421 

634 

897

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

14, 700 

46,100 

39, 900 

45,000 

44,500 

81,800 

44,400 

216, 000 

649, 000 

206,000 

158,000 

61,900

1, 610, 000

25,900 

37,700 

55,200

BIO GRANDE BELOW ELEPHANT BUTTE DAM, N. HEX.

LOCATION. In T. 13 S., R. 4 W., 1 mile below Elephant Butte dam, in Sierra County.

Nearest tributary, Mescal Canyon, enters half a mile downstream. 

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. October 1, 1916, to September 30, 1921. 

GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder on left bank, 1 mile below dam. 

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from car and cable at gage. 

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of compact gravel; should be permanent.

Control located at gravel bar at mouth of Mescal Canyon, which shifts. 

ICE. Stage-discharge relation not affected by ice. 

REGULATION. Flow controlled by Elephant Butte dam which forms reservoir having

capacity of 2,638,000 acre-feet. 

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. No data. 

'COOPERATION. Records furnished by United States Reclamation Service, and

reduced to three significant figures by United States Geological Survey. 

38956 WSP 528 23 6
78

Daily dit

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

;, in second-feet, of Rio Grande below Elephant Butte dam, N. Mex., for 

the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7.......... ...

8..............

9..............

10.......... . .

11...... . .

12............ .

13..............

14.......... . .

15 ...

16 ...

17...... . . .

18..............

19.... .. .

20..............

21...... . . .

22.......... .

23..............

24...... .

25............ .

26..............

27..............

28.......... ...

29..............

30............

31..............

Oct.

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,920

639

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

Nov.

525

1,060

1,060

1,060

1,070

1,080

1.080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

542

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

Dec.

704

1,090

1,090

1,090

1,090

1,080

1,090

1,080

1,080

1,090

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1,080

1 ftQft

1.090

361

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

.Tan.

5

15

15

15

16

15

15

15

15

16

15

86

93

Q«J

Q1

83

83

83

83

84

83

83

83

83

84

70

5

5

5

6

Feb.

6

6

7

6

6

12

11

16

91

27

662

852

939

905

912

951

945

999

940

951

943

QfCA

1,100

1,430

1,440

Mar.

1,450

1,450

1,460

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,430

1,430

1 **Qfl

1 *}Afl

1,370

1,370

1,370

1,360

1,360

1,360

1,380

1 440

1^450

1,450

1,440

1,440

1,430

1 430

1^430

Apr.

1,440

1,420

1,420

1,440

1,350

1,280

1,260

1,260

1,280

1,380

1,310

1,260

1,260

1,260

1,260

1,310

1,400

1,400

1,340

1,290

1,270

1,280

1,290

1,460

1,490

1,490

1,550

1,500

1,540

1,490

May.

1,510

1,470

1,460

1,460

1,480

1,840

1,820

1,790

1,790

1,790

1,800

1,820

1,790

1,820

1,790

1,790

1,790

1,820

1,760

1,800

1,800

1,790

1,800

1,820

1,820

1,830

1,950

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

June.

1,980

1,980

1,990

2,020

2,000

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1,980

1 980

1^990

2,000

2,220

2,400

2,070

2,080

2,100

2,100

2 100

2,100

July.

2,090

2,090

2,080

2,090

2,100

2,100

2,110

565

1,380

2,040

2,040

2,050

2,060

2,070

2,070

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

1,280

2,120

Aug.

2,120

2,120

2,020

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

917

690

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,090

2,090

2,090

2,090

Sept.

2,080

2 080

2' 080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,120

2,090

2,080

2,08C

2,05C

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,100

2,100

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

2,080

Monthly discharge of Rio Grande below Elephant Butte dam, N. Mex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

October. . ............................ ...................

November. ..............................................

January.......................... . . ..... .............

February. ...................... . . .

March ............................... ..................

April......................... .

May.....................................................

June. ........................

July.....................................................

August. ..................................................

September ........................ .... ..........

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,920 

1,080 

1,090 

93 

1,440 

1 460 

1,550 

1,980 

2,400 

2,120 

2,120 

2,120

2,400

Minimum.

1 

1 

1 

5 

6 

1,360 

1,260 

1,460 

1,980 

565 

 690 

2,050

1

Mean.

888 

610 

595 

47.0 

657 

1,410 

1,370 

1,780 

2,030 

2,000 

2,030 

2,080

1,290

Run off in 

acre-feet.

54,600 

36,300 

36,600 

2,890 

36,500 

86,700 

81,500 

109,000 

121,000 

123,000 

125,000 

124,000

937,000

PECQS RIVER NEAR DAYTON, N. MEX.

LOCATION. In sec. 13, T. 18 S., R. 26 E., 3 miles east of Dayton, Eddy County, half

a mile above mouth of Penasco River. 

DRAINAGE AREA^p-Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. March 24, 1905, to September 30, 1921. 

GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder on right bank; installed August 27, 1914, at

same site and datum as staff gage installed September 7, 1905. Original gage,

which was 100 feet below mouth of Penasco River and half a mile below present

gage, was washed out September 6, 1905.
RIO GRANDE BASIN. 79

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from cable.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of sand and gravel; shifts, especially during 

high stages. Right bank consists of clay; left bank of sand; both banks are overflowedvat stage of about 11.5 feet. No well-defined control.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum mean daily discharge during year, 25,000 

second-feet June 6, estimated from flow over McMillan spillway and headgates; 

minimum mean daily discharge, 58 second-feet October 10.

1905-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 15.9 feet for 5 or 6 hours during morning 

of September 18, 1919 (discharge .not determined; probably exceeded previous 

maximum of 50,300 second-feet on July 25,1915, which was derived from discharge 

at Lake McMillan and included flow of Penasco River). Minimum stage, 2.45 

feet July 26 and 27, 1916 (discharge, 23 second-feet).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water is diverted above station for irrigation; quantity 

not known, but not in conflict with rights of Carlsbad project of the United States 

Reclamation Service, which serves about 20,000 acres in the vicinity of Carlsbad 

and stores part of the water used near Carlsbad in Lake McMillan, 10 miles below

REGULATION. None.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent, but periods of change are covered 

by frequent discharge measurements. Two rating curves used. One from 

October 1 to July 31, well defined from 60 to 340 second-feet, and one from August 

1 to September 30 well defined from 80 to 800 second-feet, and poorly defined 

above. Mean daily gage heights determined from recorder graph, or staff gage 

readings; period of use of recorder or frequency and refinement of staff gage 

readings not known. Daily discharge determined by applying mean daily gage 

height to rating table, except April 24 to September 19, when shifting-control 

method was used, and on May 26, June 5-8, 18, and 19, when discharge was estimated by the outflow of McMillan spillways and headgates. Records good.

COOPERATION. Daily-discharge record and results of discharge measurements furnished by the United States Reclamation Service.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River near Dayton, N. Mex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 1

Nov. 1

18

Dec. 10

31

Jan. 21

25

Feb. 23

Mar. 31 

Apr. 23

May 2

Made by 

J.R.Yateso.. .........

.....do................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do................. 

.....do.................

Robinsb and Haralsonb. 

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.25

4.90

5.14

5.09

5.52

5.70

5.45

4.92

4.69 

4.40

4.20 

4.14

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

235

168

212

205

293

337

278

169

134 

91

98 

89

Date.

May 17

21

24

27

31

16

30

July 11 

Aug. 9

26 

Sept. 19

Made by 

J.R.Yates... .........

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

Robins and Hamill. . . . 

J. R. Yates.. ..........

.....do................. 

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

9.55

7.50

10.50

9.55

6.80

10.00

8.65

6.94

8.00 

7.90

8.00 

6.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2,349

773

3,762

2,088

521

2,387

1,624

525

854 

623

644 

140

a Employee of United States Reclamation Service. 

& Employee of New Mexico Hydrographic Survey.
80 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Pecos River near Dayton, N. Mex.,for the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9.............. 10...............

n.. ............

12..............

13..............

H..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19. .............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

176

120

81

70

64

59

59

59

58

66

72

70

76

76

76

90

105

81

74

71

72

74

105

142

136

142

142

136

128

136

Nov.

169

215

265

294

265

224

200

209

209

196

196

196

196

 192

192

205

213

213

209

205

196

192

191

187

187

187

196

Dec.

192

192

192

192

192

196

209

228

211

205

198

198

209

209

220

259

254

257

259

265

269

269

265

265

292

Jan.

323

311

311

304

294

285

285

285

274

265

269

265

254

246

246

242

238

248

287

350

336

299

292

287

276

269

269

287

304

311

OO7

Feb.

276

265

265

261

254

244

248

248

252

254

259

254

254

254

254

246

240

230

230

224

196

182

178

176

174

176

.178

220

Mar.

234

218

224

224

201

187

174

166

160

152

152

149

149

149

146

144

142

136

133

141

191

187

162

155

146

133

139

133

146

133

130

Apr.

123

117

112

109

108

109

105

104

101

101

91

91

90

85

78

85

82

82

82

78

78

86

91

82

78

94

94

90

91

92

May.

86

91

99

91

88

98

92

88

88

84

81

72

72

72

91

160

2,666

1,725

800

392

772

2,607

1,520

3,014

3,088

4,966

2,015

1.129

772

718

521

June.

392

437

772

830

7,736

25,000

9,000

5,000

2,681

1,904

1,487

1,487

2,015

2,311

1,042

1,454

1,587

4,500

3,434

2,533

1,978

1,656

1,725

1,135

772

580

504

504

407

437

July.

287

265

323

504

1,487

1,978

1,725

2,163

2,274

1,587

1,042

668

521

470

486

407

363

311

254

234

287

1,487

2,200

1,760

1,421

1,520

1,621

1,690

1,978

2,348

1,904

Aug.

1,523

1,232

1,107

803

747

1,045

1,076

803

625

506

524

803

863

1,295

1,490

1,590

2,580

2,655

2,205

1,798

1,359

1,327

1,359

984 '747

647

582

506

425

380

425

Sept.

543

366

456

456

395

314

279

247

218

190

181

172

163

163

172

181

181

163

139

139

139

139

217

172

164

147

139

131

115

108

Monthly discharge of Pecos River near Dayton, N. Mex.,for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

October........................... ......... ............

February ................................................

April.. ...................................................

May.....................................................

July- ....................................................

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in 'second-feet.

Maximum.

176 

294 

.292 

350 

276 

234 

123 

4,970 

25, 000 

2,350 

2,660 

543

25,000

Minimum.

58 

169 

192 

238 

174 

130 

78 

72 

392 

234 

380 

108

 *M 58 i -*m

Mean.

92.8 

207 

233 

284 

232 

162 

93.7 

908 

2,840 

1,150 

1,100 

220

1 628 UK

Run-off 

in acre-feet.

5,710 

12,400 

14,300 

17, 500 

12,900 

9,960 

5,580 

55,800 

169, 000 

70,700 

67, 600 

13,100

455,000

NOTE. See "Accuracy."

PECOS RIVER AT CARLSBAD, N. MEX.

LOCATION. In SE. } sec. 6, T. 22 S., R. 27 E., at Green Street Bridge in Carlsbad, 

Eddy County, 300 feet downstream from Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 

station, 1,500 feet above mouth of Dark Canyon, and 2,000 feet below Hagerman 

dam.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. May 28, 1903, to March 31, 1908; May 13, 1914, to September 

30, 1921.
RIO GRANDE BASIN. 81

GAGE. Stevens 8-day water-stage recorder, attached to downstream end of middle 

bridge pier, installed June 1, 1920; inspected by J. R. Yates, Genaro L6pez, 

Frank Smith, and W. R. White. Gage used from May 28, 1903, to October, 1904, 

was inclined staff gage at present site. From October, 1904, to March 31, 1908, 

vertical staff gage at the same site used, and from May 18, 1914, to June 1, 1920, 

gage was vertical staff, attached to upstream side of middle pier of bridge.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from bridge or by wading.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of gravel and rock; but considerable changes 

have taken place, due to sand deposits. Banks of medium height; not subject 

to overflow. Location of control not known.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year from water-stage 

recorder, 10.22 feet at 7 p. m. June 7 (discharge, 16,200 second-feet); minimum 

stage, 0.62 foot at 7.30 a. m. May 1 (discharge, 69 second-feet).

1903-1908; 1914-1921: Maximum stage recorded, about 21.0 feet August?, 1916 

(discharge, 85,700' second-feet); minimum discharge, 30 second-feet September 

30, 1918.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Large quantities of water are stored, a few miles above station at Lakes 

McMillan and Avalon by the United States Reclamation Service for irrigating 

lands near Carlsbad. Water is also diverted for irrigation in valleys adjacent to 

river above Lake McMillan. Capacity of storage reservoirs in connection with 

the Carlsbad project, 58,500 acre-feet. Considerable water seeps into the river 

between the storage reservoirs and the gaging station, the quantity depending 

on the amount being used for irrigation between the two points.

REGULATION. Flow at this point completely controlled by storage reservoirs of the 

Carlsbad project, except during extreme floods.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation practically permanent during the year. Rating 

curve fairly well defined for all stages. Operation of water-stage recorder satis, 

factory. Daily discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily 

gage height obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeteror for days of considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging discharge for intervals 

of the day. Records good.

COOPERATION. Gage-height record furnished by United States Reclamation Service.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River at Carlsbad, N. Mer. , during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 17

Jan. 6

Feb. 24

Mar. 26

May 28

Made by 

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do................. 

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.97

1.01

.76

.73

73

.71

8.95

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

165

200

102

95.1 

86.0

92.7

613,600

Date.

! 10

21

July 8 

30

Sept. 28

Made by 

J. R. Yates.............

.....do..................

.....do..................

Dudley and Yates. ..... 

J, R. Yates.............

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.65

4.85

4.02

5.25 

3.30

.83

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

7,580

4,740

3,370

4,420 

2,370

no

» Engineer of United States Reclamation Service.

6 Velocities observed at 0.2 depths and coefficients used to reduce to mean velocities.

1 Discharge at Avalon dam; reported by engineers of United States Reclamation Service.
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Pecos River at Carlsbad, N. Mex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8....;.........

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

95

100

103

103

106

222

114

204

362

133

117

114

114

117

123

126

136

139

151

251

207

123

117

162

126

117

153

123

111

107

159

Nov.

142

120

126

156

120

133

166

117

152

159

159

159

152

156

162

196

233

188

142

142

142

166

200

200

196

180

90

109

180

Dec.

184

184

180

184

180

133

148

170

170

170

173

170

166

166

173

173

170

159

170

184

184

184

180

176

176

173

173

173

170

176

176

Jan.

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

176

176

176

176

176

173

173

180

180

180

200

238

212

184

188

184

134

184

188

188

188

196

208

208

Feb.

208

229

283

283

246

208

196

176

114

109

111

170

117

111

111

109

111

156

114

98

98

98

95

103

114

114

109

Mar.

80

78

76

78

80

231

224

145

111

90

on

87

87

106

117

120

109

87

85

85

85

85

90

85

90

90

90

92

92

92

Apr.

95

95

98

95

92

92

90

95

95

92

98

95

92

98

95

92

on

95

92

92

90

92

92

92

90

90

90

90

90

92

May.

95

98

95

95

98

98

92

87

90

90

87

87

87

87

90

90

92

92

90

90

85

85

90

87

85

83

83

85

90

248

420

June.

285

106

2,710

5,700

6,680

14,800

12, 700

6,540

5,190

1,510

1 330

2, 070

2,840

2,530

1,830

74^

1,470

3,220

4,760

3.580

3,370

139

859

1,160

970

670

188

156

133

July.

117

109

109

408

3,520

3,450

2,680

3,940

1,100

638

1,080

1,870

634

449

111

100

103

145

109

103

103

1,180

940

490

1,500

1,960

2,180

2.320

2,250

Aug.

i 400

748

559

123

114

839

1,690

1,040

370

250

111

109

114

402

1,410

1,350

2,180

3,400

2,690

885

1,270

126

223

637

117

125

474

296

111

109

Sept.

mo

114

114

117

120

IflQ

106

106

109

111

126

123

111

114

111

111

109

114

117

109

111

120

130

123

126

126

120

111

100

NOTE. Discharge, June 17 and 18, estimated because of backwater; July 3 and 10 partly estimated 

because of incomplete gage-height record.

Monthly discharge of Pecos River at Carlsbad, N. Mex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

362 

233 

184 

238 

283 

231 

98 

420 

14, 800 

3,940 

3,400 

130

14,800

Minimum.

95 

90 

133 

173 

95 

76 

90 

83 

106 

100 

109 

100

76

Mean.

143 

157 

173 

186 

146 

105 

92.9 

106 

3,150 

1,190 

765 

115

527

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

8,790 

9,340 

10,600 

11,400 

8,110 

6,460 

5,530 

6,520 

187,000 

73,200 

47,000 

6,840

381,000
RIO GRANDE BASIN. 83

PECOS RIVER NEAR MALAGA, IS. HEX.

LOCATION. In sec. 18 or 19, T. 24 S., R. 29 E., 3£ miles southeast of Malaga, Eddy 

County, and 4J miles below mouth of Black River.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. May 1, 1920, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Gurley water-stage recorder installed December 30, 1920, on right bank, replacing the Friez water-stage recorder used prior to that date; inspected by W. F. 

Gerlach.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from cable.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed composed of solid rock covered with sand; shifts. 

Right bank solid rock and steep; left bank sand and high. Control is a rock ledge 

overlain by sand, 500 feet below gage; shifts slightly.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year from water-stage recorder, 

12.85 feet at 1 a. m. June 8 (discharge, 22,000 second-feet); minimum stage, 3.66 

feet from 6 p. m. April 24 to 3 a. m. April 25 (discharge, 86 second-feet).

1920-1921: Maximum stage, that of June 8, 1921; minimum stage, 3.63 feet at 8 

p. m. September 1, 1920 (discharge, 63 second-feet, determined from extension 

of rating curve).

In September, 1919, the river reached a stage of 26.4 feet (discharged not determined).

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. The Carlsbad project of the United States Reclamation Service, with 

reservoirs of a capacity of 58,500 acre-feet, diverts a large part of the natural runoff above Carlsbad, N. Mex. During the season of irrigation considerable water is 

returned to the stream by seepage from lands in the vicinity of Carlsbad. In addition to the water used by the Carlsbad project, some diversions are made for irrigation in the basin above the storage reservoirs of the Carlsbad project.

REGULATION. Operation of a water-power plant of 300 horsepower capacity above station, just below Carlsbad, N. Mex., owned and operated by Carlsbad Electric Light 

& Power Co., does not materially regulate flow at gage. The flow is, however, 

regulated to a large extent by waters stored in the reservoirs of the Carlsbad project. 

In the season of irrigation the effect of the regulation is decreased by return seepage 

waters, but during winter the flow depends on water released at the reservoirs.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve used October 1 

to May 30 well defined from 100 to 900 second-feet; curve used May 31 to September 30, well defined from 50 to 16,000 second-feet. Operation of water-stage recorder satisfactory, except as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. Daily 

discharge ascertained by applying to rating table mean daily gage height determined from recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeter, or for days of 

considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging discharge for intervals of the day; 

shifting-control method used May 31 to June 2. Records good.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River near Malaga, N. Mex., during the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

Oct. 2

30

Nov. 19

Dec. 11

30

Feb. 19

Mar. 26

Apr. 30 

May 28

June 8

Made by 

J.R.Yateso.. .........

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do................. 

.....do.................

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.28

4.22

4.40

4.29

4.29

4.19

3.95

3.80 

3.97

11.7

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

278

248

300

276

281

243

190

127 

165

15,600

Date.

10

15

15

17

22

July 8 

Aug. 25

Sept. 27

Made by 

.....do.................

.....do.................

J. R. Yates............

.....do.................

Yates and Dudley. 

J.R.Yates... .........

.....do.................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

9.90

8.95

7.70

7.66

5.45

8.05

8.08 

5.40

4.25

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

8,020

4,920

2,890

2,950

837

3,460

c4,550 

1,070

292

o Employee of United States Reclamation Service. 

6 Employee of New Moxipn WvdrraraDhic Service.

c Rapidly rising stage.
84 SURFACE WATEK SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Pecos River near Malaga, N. Mex.,for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1.. ............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11... ...........

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28. .............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

241

257

313

217

213

237

305

277

500

365

245

281

190

273

217

265

289

265

305

289

374

321

265

345

383

309

217

194

233

245

221

Nov.

213

253

249

237

261

253

281

285

261

221

229

245

261

273

277

273

277

325

333

269

253

253

261

269

277

277

313

313

257

277

Dec.

273

ins

301

301

313

301

261

289

309

309

281

285

289

257

261

261

265

265

293

293

277

261

281

285

297

297

317

QOQ

313

297

117

Jan.

OQ7

301

305

ooc

301

OQ7

QIQ

285

nCC

QQQ

q-io

OQQ

305

OQ7

297

301

QAQ

O01

325

Q17

010

q/vj

293

Qrtl

301

OQQ

301

OAK

9Q7

297

Feb.

301

313

333

341

353

361

285

265

233

221

175

150

253

205

154

136

205

217

245

233

297

257

221

221

198

194

221

309

Mar.

317

269

175

150

157

157

361

345

285

225

175

161

165

154

16i

253

293

249

190

179

147

172

175

186

190

190

183

183

175

168

150

Apr.

161

161

161

144

140

144

147

144

161

168

175

172

201

179

175

179

179

179

175

179

179

164

100

91

103

126

130

113

100

120

May.

130

126

147

137

130

161

157

147

130

147

133

140

140

140

164

164

179

161

154

154

194

164

175

329

383

209

175

165

150

209

636

June.

433

472

1,400

3,240

4,210

4,790

13,300

17,200

7,380

4,510

2,840

1,290

1,800

3,000

2,920

2,080

1,300

3,800

2,630

4,740

4,050

3,800

747

220

1,500

1,150

622

751

460

386

July.

349

1

300

[2,900

2,100

3,330

2,510

420

1,090

1,620

1,310

459

583

314

245

216

241

180

174

221

1,540

521

798

1,680

1,840

2,160

2,120

Aug.

1,980

992

394

740

331

237

297

1,760

1,350

665

668

372

305

260

256

1,030

1,560

1,450

3,730

3,580

1,370

1,560

716

336

686

372

264

426

605

310

260

Sept.

289

272

264

284

310

264

230

223

212

193

190

216

253

237

220

216

220

212

209

216

212

220

220

226

276

256

268

256

245

237

NOTE. Discharge partly estimated, owing to incomplete gage-height record as follows: Oct. 25-30; 

Nov. 8-13; Dec. 26 to Jan. 1; July 9 and Aug. 23-25. No gage-height record July 2-8; discharge estimated 

by comparison with records for other stations.

Monthly discharge of Pecos River near Malaga, N. Mex.,for the year ending Sept. 30,1921.

Month.

October. .................................................

April.....................................................

July.....................................................

September. ..............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

500 

333 

329 

333 

361 

361 

201 

636 

17,200

3,730 

310

17,200

Minimum.

190 

213 

257 

285 

136 

147 

91 

126 

220

237 

190

91

Mean.

279 

268 

290 

304 

246 

205 

152 

185 

3,230 

1,160 

931 

238

623

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

17,200 

15,900 

17,800 

18,700 

13,700 

12,600 

9,040 

11,400 

192,000 

71,300 

57,200 

14,200

451,000
RIO GRANDE BASIN. 85-

PECOS RIVER NEAR ANGELES, TEX.

LOCATION. In T. 26 S., R. 29 E., just below Pecos Valley Railroad1 bridge crossing 

Delaware Creek at its mouth, 2 miles north of New Mexico-Texas State line, 2£ 

miles southeast of Red Bluff, Eddy County, N. Mex., and 8} miles northwest oL 

Angeles, Reeves County, Tex.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured. j

RECORDS AVAILABLE. May 27, 1914, to September 30, 1921.

GAGE. Stevens continuous water-stage recorder, at first outcropping of rock on rightl 

bank about 600 feet below railroad bridge and mouth of Delaware Creek; inspected 

by H. N. White and C. L. Vowell.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from cable half a mile downstream.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed and banks composed of sand, gravel, and rock; banksnot subject to overflow. Control formed by a series of rapids 200 feet below 

gage; shifts.

EXTREMES or DISCHARGE. Maximum stage during year occured during period of. 

missing record; minimum stage, 0.01 foot at midnight March 8 (discharge, 85 > 

second-feet, determined from extension of rating curve).

1914-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 21.5 feet at 10 a. m. August 8, 1916,. 

measured by leveling from flood marks (discharge not determined); minimum i 

discharge, 80 second-feet February 27, 1919.

ICE. Stage-discharge relation not seriously affected by ice; open channel rating, 

assumed applicable.

DIVERSIONS. The Carlsbad project of the United States Reclamation Service, with 

reservoirs having a capacity of 58,500 acre-feet, diverts a large part of the natural 

run-off above Carlsbad, N. Mex. During the season of irrigation, considerable 

water is returned to the stream by seepage from lands near Carlsbad. In addition . 

to the water used by the Carlsbad project, some diversions are made for irrigation 

in the basin above the storage reservoir of the Carlsbad project.

REGULATION. The operation of a water-power plant of 300 horsepower capacity above 

station, just below Carlsbad, N. Mex., owned and operated by Carlsbad Electric 

Light & Power Co., does not materially regulate flow at gage. The flow is, however, regulated to a large extent by waters stored in the reservoirs of the Carlsbad project. In the season of irrigation the effect of the regulation is decreased 

by return seepage waters, but during the winter the flow depends on water re- - 

leased at the reservoirs.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent. Rating curve well defined1 

from 120 to 22,000 second-feet; extended beyond these limits. Operation of 

water-stage recorder not satisfactory. Daily discharge ascertained by applying 

to rating table mean daily gage height obtained from recorder chart by inspection 

or by use of planimeter, or for days of considerable fluctuation in stage by averaging 

discharge for intervals of the day. Shifting-control method used October 1 to 

December 11, and July 8 to September 30. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River near Angeles, Tex., during the year ending Sept.

30, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 18

Dec. 11

Jan. 21

Feb. 21

22

Made by 

D. A. Dudley..........

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do..................

Dudley and Fellows. . . .

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.52

v\

.59

4.0

.49

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

253

261

314

227

261

Date.

Apr. 14

May 12

July 7

A no* 9

Made by 

D. A. Dudley..........

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.26

.20

3.73

1.65

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

151

132

4,650

1,280
86 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PAET VIII.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Pecos River near Angeles, Tex., for the year ending

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

2§... ...........

27... ...........

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

290

280

270

261

223

219

233

90S

266

475

977

238

233

197

228

210

238

247

949

occ

261

320

272

396

396

3fW

223

219

223

214

Nov.

210

201

214

210

210

219

277

272

247

228

238

256

261

oco

247

.242

242

261

282

293

233

219

223

247

261

Ofifi

252

219

Dec.

219

238

261

266

266

266

288

977

272

247

947

242

242

947

266

252

949

949

oco

OCR

256

266

266

272

977

266

Jan.

Ben

293

293

OQQ

OQQ

288

OQQ

282

9gg

277

277

OOQ

242

9fi1

266

272

277

OQO

282

303

288

282

282

979

OKO

947

OOQ

Feb.

238

947

238

ooo

IRQ

180

193

238

238

272

282

303

303

977

OAO

qnn

^14

287

OCfi

210

OOQ

266

228

210

9ft1

180

176

233

Mar.

977

947

91Q

172

158

165

QQ

100

197

158

185

193

201

1Q7

147

1 to

189

206

219

193

185

180

ISO

172

189

176

185

IRQ

Apr.

176

180

1QC

189

1QQ

180

176

176

165

165

140

143

14?

143

140

100

140

136

127

140

1 ctf

147

147

133

140

May.

136

136

140

1 KA

143

Tin

147

14°.

147

136

140

140

136

140

176

150

136

136

136

206

193

210

200

147

206

214

June.

eon

354

3 CWV)

July.

i °.flft

4.060

2 fion

9 ^on

2,860

2.820

786

7QK

1,350

1,660

768

565

320

860

549

1,600

1,870

2,120

2,140

Aug.

2 100

1*240 '

 670

201

1, 070

9QS

443

3,100

1,240

421

340

690

303

223

I 400

Sept.

| 250

Ofifi

OQO

OQO

247

228

OOO

99ft

914

214

233

272

OKC

247

238

247

242

94.9

252

947

9fifi

256

261

309

298

288

303

282

293

NOTE. Owing to incomplete gage-height record, discharge partly estimated on following days: Apr. 

13-14, May 24, 29, June 2, July 7,12,13,16,17, 26, 27,30, and 31. Aug. 1. 2,14, 27, and 28. Discharge, Aug. 

23, determined from one staff gage reading. Braced figures snow estimated mean discharge for periods 

Included.

Monthly discharge of Pecos River near Angeles, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Month.

April.....................................................

July.....................................................

The year. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

475 

293 

288 

303 

314 

277 

193

4,060

309

Minimum.

197 

201 

219 

233 

176 

88 

127 

136

214

88

Mean.

266 

242 

258 

271 

243 

179 

156 

160 

3,670 

1,110 

1,180 

258

665

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

16,400 

14,400 

15,900 

16,700 

13,500 

11,000 

9,280 

9,840 

218,000 

68,200 

72,600 

15,400

481,000

NOTE. See footnote to daily-discharge table.
RIO GRANDE BASIN. 87

PECOS RIVER ABOVE BARSTOW, TEX.

LOCATION. Three-quarters of a mile below headgate of Biggs irrigation project, 1 

mile east of Patrole siding on Pecos Eiver Eailroad, li miles above headgate of 

Barstow Irrigation Co., 14 miles northwest of Barstow, Eeeves County, and 10 

miles northwest of Pecos.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. February 1, 1916, to May 11, 1921, when station was temporarily discontinued.

GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder on right bank, inspected by D. H. Armstrong.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading or from cable 150 feet below gage.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Channel straight 100 feet above and 300 feet below station. 

Bed composed of gravel, clay, and sand; not permanent. Right bank clay, clean, 

and fairly permanent; left bank loose and covered with salt cedar. Both banks 

are overflowed at gage height about 10 feet. Shoal 250 feet below gage serves as 

control; shifts during high water.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage duiing period October 1, 1920, to May 

11, 1921, from water-stage recorder, 3.01 feet at 3 a. m. October 26 (discharge, 407 

second-feet); minimum stage occurred during period of missing record.

1915-1921: Maximum stage from water-stage recorder, 12.1 feet at 6 a. m. 

August 10, 1916 (discharge not measurable above a stage of about 11 feet because 

banks are overflowed); minimum discharge, 22 second-feet June 24, 1917.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. In addition to water used in New Mexico by the Carlsbad and other 

projects, several large diversions are made above the station in Texas. The 

principal projects in Texas which divert above the station are the Arno, Porterville, Farmers Independent, and Biggs. (The Arno and Porterville did not 

divert in 1921.) According to the records of the Board of Water Engineers for the 

State of Texas, these projects have declared a total of about 7,500 acres irrigated. 

The principal projects below the station are the Barstow, Grandfalls, Imperial, 

and Zimmerman which have declared a total irrigated area of about 30,000 acres.

REGULATION. Storage in connection with the Carlsbad project controls the run-off 

during parts of the year. The operation of a water-power plant of 300 horsepower 

capacity below Carlsbad does not affect the flow at this point.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation practically permanent during the period. 

Rating curve well defined for all stages. Operation of water-stage recorder not 

satisfactory. Daily discharge determined by applying to rating table mean 

daily gage height obtained from recorder graph by inspection or by use of planimeter, except as noted in footnote to daily-discharge table. Records poor.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River above Barstow, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 17

Dec. 10

Feb. 22

Made by 

.....do..................

.....do..................

Dudley and Fellows.. . .

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.09

1.93

2.20

1.11

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

244

212

253

106

Date.

Mar. 24

Apr. 13

May 11

Made by 

.....do..................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.97

.69

.79

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

93.2

68.8

68.8
88

Daily di

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PAET VIII.

, in second-feet, of Pecos River above Barstow, Tex., for the period Oft. 

17, 1920, to May 11, 1921.

Day.

1....... .............................

2..... ...............................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Oct.

140

124

149

151

147

156

171

226

260

358

970

195

149

140

145

Nov.

171

192

188

206

198

218

213

239

295

238

211

216

222

233

238

243

248

258

295

289

234

214

238

238

979

273

272

275

Dec.

244

211

213

243

251

256

258

260

241

219

234

239

239

229

229

231

260

Jan.

253

251

251

256

265

261

263

258

253

250

246

230

260

253

253

248

255

251

258

258

258

295

302

275

248

251

253

250

248

231

Feb.

202

174

166

149

152

219

258

261

253

206

168

149

142

138

134

130

125

121

117

112

108

103

106

134

113

99

94

91

Mar.

140

222

231

231

279

161

135

116

111

205

216

183

147

124

110

108

104

102

203

244

1C5

117

102

86

92

87

78

78

78

78

78

Apr.

78

77

78

78

77

76

75

75

76

76

76

70

64

62

62

69

64

70

68

62

May.

63-

711

74.

70'

71

68.

74-

NOTE. No record October 1-16, Dec. 22 to Jan. 1 (range of stage 2.01 to 2.28). Apr. 21 to May 4, and May 

12 to Sept. 30. No gage-height record and discharge interpolated Nov. 12-16, Feb. 14-21, Mar. 23, and Apr.. 

12. Gage height partly estimated owing to incomplete record Oct. 17, Nov. 17,24, 25, Jan. 2, Feb. 22, Mar.- 

24, Apr. 13, and May 5.

Monthly discharge of Pecos River above Barstoiv, Tex., for the period Oct. 17, 1920, to

May 11, 1921.

Month.

October 17-31............................................

November. ..............................................

April 1-20........ ........................................

May 5-11.. ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

358 

295 

260 

302 

261 

279 

78 

74

Minimum,

i

124 

171 

211 

231 

91 

78 

62 

63

Mean.

t

186 

237 

239 

257 

151 

142 

71.6 

70.1

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

5,530 

14,100 

9 990 

15' 300 

8,390 

8,730 

2,840 

973

NOTE. See footnote to daily-discharge table.

PECOS RIVER NEAR GRANDFAIXS, TEX.

LOCATION. At site of old highway bridge where Grandfalls-Fort Stockton road formerly crossed Pecos River, 1 \ miles upstream from present Grandfalls-Fort Stockton 

road crossing at Iron Bridge, 2 miles below diversion dam for silt-line canal of 

Imperial Irrigation Co., 3 miles south of Grandfalls, Ward County, 4J miles abovediversion dam of Zimmerman project, and 21 miles south of Monahans.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.
RIO GEANDE BASIN. 89

"RECORDS AVAILABLE. November 6, 1915, to September 30, 1921. Records were 

taken at Iron Bridge, 1J miles downstream from November 6, 1915, to August 3, 

1917. Discharge at both points believed to be the same.

*GAGE. Stevens water-stage recorder, installed August 9, 1917, on downstream side 

of old bridge pier near left waters edge; inspected by A. J. Adcock. Prior to 

August 3, 1917, a Stevens water-stage recorder at Iron Bridge. Backwater from 

Zimmerman dam compelled the relocation of the station.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made by wading near gage, from cable 50 feet above 

gage, or during extremely high stages at Iron Bridge.

 CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Bed of stream clean, smooth, solid rock, and permanent, 

except small deposits of sand and gravel. Channel straight for 100 feet above 

and below station. One channel below gage height of 8 feet; above this stage, 

both banks, which are dirt and wooded, subject to overflow. Rock ledge extending diagonally across stream just below gage serves as low-water control.

EXTREMES OP DISCHARGE. Maximum and minimum stages during year probably 

occurred during periods of missing record.

1915-1921: Maximum stage from water-stage recorder, 9.6 feet from 2 to 6 a. m. 

September 25, 1919 (discharge, 13,000 second-feet); minimum discharge less than 

0.7 second-foot April 17, 1916.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Station is 2 miles below diversion of silt-line canal of the Imperial 

Irrigation Co., 18J miles below diversion for the Imperial reservoir (17,000 acrefeet capacity), 25 J miles below diversion for Ward County Water Improvement 

District No. 2 (of which the old Grandfalls project is a part), and 4£ miles above 

diversion for Zimmerman project. Available data show that tracts aggregating 

approximately 143,000 acres are irrigable between station and lower limits of 

Carlsbad project of the United States Reclamation Service. Records of the 

Board of Water Engineers for the State of Texas show total number of acres declared 

irrigated in Texas above station to be about 58,000. The effect of diversions is 

somewhat counterbalanced by water returned to stream by seepage. The only 

diversion of importance below the station is that for the Zimmerman project 

which has declared an irrigated area of 2,005 acres.

REGULATION. Slight regulatory effect caused by operation of storage reservoirs on 

Carlsbad project.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation not permanent; change small for high stages, 

but considerable for low stages. Rating curve well defined for all stages. Operation of water-stage recorder not satisfactory. Daily discharge determined by 

applying to rating table mean daily gage height, obtained from recorder graph 

by inspection or by use of planimeter, or for days of considerable fluctuation in 

stage, by averaging discharge for intervals of the day; shifting-control method 

used October 1 to January 10, and January 21 to May 21. Records fair.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River near Grandfalls, Tex., during the year ending

Sept. SO, 1921.

Date.

Nov. 16

Dec. 9

Jan. 18

Feb. 18 

Mar. 23

Made by 

.....do..................

.....do..................

Dudley and Fellows.... 

D. A. Dudley..........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.30

1.63

.65 

.55

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

177

190

284

31.6 

15.9

Date.

May 10

July 6

Aug. 4

Made by 

.....do..................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.48

.48

1.03

3.03

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

15.4

13.4

92.4

998
90

Daily dit

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

<e, in second-feet, of Pecos River near Grand/alls, Tex.,/or the year ending 

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Oct.

390

114

58

39

30

27

23

23

22

20

18

18

20

52

52

32

27

28

28

27

25

25

25

37

63

96

131

120

93

63

Nov.

114

142

145

142

139

136

142

151

148

160

175

172

166

160

169

178

196

208

208

208

215

190

169

151

148

145

151

220

Dec.

199

178

178

122

190

190

190

224

325

242

208

202

208

215

212

202

196

199

1QQ

202

202

202

202

199

Jan.

117

160

202

212

91^

91 c

231

254

265

261

265

261

270

275

280

425

345

qnn

280

oqc

196

196

193

193

193

Feb.

ion

101

169

145

14.9

139

154 toe

117

106

91

7S

73

66

48

43

32

34

28

23

19

20

22

20

19

22

28

Mar.

qc

28

27

27

27

28

27

23

23

22

17

16

16

16

16

16

18

23

16

17

16

16

14

12

12

12

12

13

13

14

Apr.

14

15

16

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

14

13

12

11

11

12

12

May.*

12

12

13

13

14

16

18

16

14

13

13

13

13

14

15

16

17

16

18

18

18

June.

1,980

2.100

1.980

2,040

2,460

3,420

7,560

5,140

4,090

3,660

1,680

982

1,150

906

July.

83

116

524

1 CAfl

1 860

1 Q9ft

1 860

1*980

1,150

598

999

1,230

790

365,

275

114

54

30

22

19

18

17

142

142

290

1,010

Aug.

1,180

1 230

1*230

946

242

308

212

112

801

199

242

163

96

91

291

845

Sept.

20-

NOTE. Owing to incomplete gage-height records, daily discharge partly estimated on following days: 

Dec. 8-9, June 29, and July 26-30. No record May 22 to June 15, and June 30 to July 5 (high water during 

these periods); Aug. 21 to Sept. 14 (maximum stage,3.63 feet; minimum, 0.7 foot); and Sept. 16-30. Discharge Sept. 15 from one staff gage reading.

Monthly discharge of Pecos River near Grandfalls, Tex.,for the year ending Sept. 30,1921.

Month.

May 1-21.................................................

July 6-31... ..............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

390 

220 

325 

425 

190 

35 

17 

18 

7.560 

1,980 

1,230

Minimum.

18 

114 

122 

117 

19 

12 

11 

12 

906 

17 

91

Mean.

57.1 

169 

206 

245 

81.2 

19.0 

15.0 

14.9 

2,800 

.660 

512

Kun-ofl in

acre-feet.

3,510 

10,100 

12,700 

15.100 

4,510 

1.170 

892 

621 

77,800 

34,000 

20,300
RIO GRANDE BASIN.

PECOS RIVER NEAR COMSTOCK, TEX.

91

LOCATION. At Pecos High Bridge of Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway 

Co., 11 miles west of Comstock, Val Verde County, 18 miles east of Langtry, and 

14 miles by stream above confluence with Rio Grande; below all tributaries.

DRAINAGE AREA. Not measured.

RECORDS AVAILABLE. May 1, 1900, to September 30, 1921. (Also gage heights for 

1898.)

GAGE. Vertical staff attached to downstream side of bridge pier on left bank; read 

by W. A. Clare.

DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. Made from cable, 1,000 feet above bridge.

CHANNEL AND CONTROL. Banks and stream bed composed of rock and gravel; water 

flows through a series of rapids and pools in a canyon approximately 300 feet deep; 

banks not subject to overflow. Stage-discharge relation at low stages changes 

slightly.

EXTREMES OF DISCHARGE. Maximum stage recorded during year, 12.8 feet at 11 a. m. 

June 13 (discharge, 18,500 second-feet); minimum stage, 0.30 foot 8 a. m. June 5 

to 8 a. m. June 6 (discharge, 262 second-feet).

1900-1921: Maximum stage recorded, 35.75 feet April 6, 1900 (discharge not 

determined); minimum discharge recorded, 106 second-feet July 29 to August 1, 

1918.

ICE. None reported.

DIVERSIONS. Considerable water is diverted and stored above the station for irrigation. Lakes McMillan and Avalon of the Carlsbad project of the United States 

Reclamation Service, which have a combined capacity of 58,500 acre-feet, are 

located on Pecos River a few miles above Carlsbad, N. Mex. In addition to the 

water stored in New Mexico, water from Pecos River is used to irrigate large 

areas of land near Barstow and Grandfalls, Tex. There are no diversions below 

the station. Return waters tend to equalize effects of diversions in lower part of 

drainage basin.

REGULATION. Flow partly controlled by storage and diversions for irrigation above 

station. No water-power plants of any consequence operated in the drainage 

basin, except a public utility plant of about 300 horsepower, near Carlsbad, N. 

Mex.

ACCURACY. Stage-discharge relation changes slightly. Rating curve well .defined 

from 260 to 13,000 second-feet and fairly well defined from 13,000 to 40,000 secondfeet. Gage read to quarter-tenths twice daily. Daily discharge determined by 

applying mean daily gage height to rating table; shifting-control,method used 

July 1 to September 30. Records good.

Discharge measurements of Pecos River near Comstock, Tex., during the year ending Sept.

30, 19tl.

Date.

Nov. 13

Made by 

H.B.Kinnison.... .......................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.82

1.01

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

439

497
'-92

Daily di

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII.

:, 'in second-feet, of Pecos River near Comstock, Tex., for the year ending 

Sept. 30, 1921.

Day.

1.... ..........

2..............

q

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

 10. .............

11..............

^12.. ............

13..............

14..............

15..............

.16..............

t7..~. »»...»

l&.. ............

19

20.............

21......... ..

22..............

23..-.. ......... "24

25 ...........

26.............

.27 

28-....... ...

29 .

30....... .......

31 ...... .....

Oct.

381

364

347

Q£7

332

332

Afin

420

O-Q1

381

364

^7

347

347

347

347

332

316

316

qo^>

QO^>

9..A7

364

381

440

420

381

Q.Q1

347

^47

34.7

Nov.

347

364

364

381

364

364

381

347

Q531

381

420

440

420

<l4ft

420

420

420

440

420

420

440

460 400

fini

505

CAR

CAR

KAC

505

Dec.

AQf)

460

460

460

460

505

505

AQn

505

482

482

460

460

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

460

460

4fift

460

460

460

Afit)

460

460

460

482

Jan.

ton

AQn

AQt)

A. 89

482

>CA

460

460

460

505

505

enc

505

505

505

505

505

505

EAR

505

505

EAR

505

505

CAC

K.AK

505

505

Feb.

482

482

460

460

KAC

505

460

505

505

505

482

440

400

400

qoi

qo-l

381

400

400

^tfi4

364

364

347

347

347

347

460

Mar

400

OQ1

OQ1

OQ1

381

QQ1

OQ1

364

347

Q A T

9.47

9.S1

OQ1

OQ1

OQ1

364

364

QQ1

400

400

364

364

364

9.47

364

009

9^17

^47

Apr.

347

347

347

qqo

047

9QQ

294

294

316

OAO

9QQ

316

Q1A

O1A

3O9

OQQ

9Q1

OAO

Q-IA

9.1 n

294

288

283

OQO

9fi7

9fi7

267

267

May.

9<U

000

O7K

OAT

9fi7

979

OQO

OQO

97Q

OQO

9.47

°.1A

OQQ

OQO

OOQ

OQO

00ft

901

901

OQQ

OQO

OQQ

OQC

OQQ

OQO

OQQ

OQft

OQQ

OQQ

288

283

June.

OQO

97Q

O7K

275

OftO

740

935

302

OQQ

OQO

1 ftnn

1,910

9,800

3 Q7A

2,870

3 O1A

3

O1A

3,580

2 ERA

2

KfiA

2,560

2,870

3,450

3

KQA

4,100

4,100

4,380

3,090

July.

1,430

1,110

1, 150

1,270

1 040

QAA

QAO

740

655

600

K7K

575

1,430

1,750

i 7^A

1,750

1 7K.ft

i ion

1,000

1,080

1,150

QOK

QAQ

740

655

575

528

710

482

440

460

Aug.

460

440

440

440

AQt)

A on

1 040

'(Wft

770

655

575

 528

528

482

482

710

655

K7K

K.7K.

770

ftOQ

KCA.

505

482

1,270

1,430

1,270

505

4ft9

K7K

710

Sept.

628

575

K7K

550

528

440

528

528

740

460

AAf\

AA(\

440

AA(\

400

400

381

381

364

364

im

^tfu.

364

364

332

333

^47

1RJ.

364

400

Monthly discharge of Pecos River near Comstock, Tex., for the year ending Sept. 80, 1921.

Month.

-July......................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

460 

505 

505 

505 

505 

420 

347 

347 

9,800 

1,750 

1,430 

740

9,800

Minimum.

316 

347 

420 

460 

347 

332 

267 

267 

262 

440 

440 

332

262

Mean.

362 

428 

459 

491 

423 

370 

302 

287 

2,460 

981 

660 

440

637

Run-off in 

acre-feet.

22,300 

25,500 

28,200 

30,200 

23,500 

22,800 

18,000 

17,600 

146,000 

60,300 

40,600 

26,200

461,000
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1921, PART VIII. 93

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS. 

Miscellaneous discharge measurements in Texas during the year ending Sept. 30, 1921.

Date.

10

10

10

Oct. 6

Dec. 6

Aug. 8

8

16

Oct. 16

Jan. 27

Aug. 26

Oct. 12

Jan. 25

Feb. 27

Apr. 20

May 19

June 25

June 11

July 2

Sept. 20

Feb. 7

Sept. 7

Mar. 8

Jan. 26

Jan. 28

27

27

Stream.

.....do.................

.....do................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

Tributary to 

.....do.................

.....do................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

Saba River. 

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

.....do.................

Locality.

low mouth of Leon and 

Lampasas rivers.

Tex.

Old gaging station near

Bronte, Tex. 

.....do.......................

tin, Tex. '

Tex. 

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

.....do.......................

Riomedina, Tex.

above Del Rio, Tex., and 

25 miles above mouth.

miles above Del Rio, Tex.

bridge near Del Rio, Tex.

Pacific Railroad bridge 

near Devils River, Tex.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.13

3.97

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

«331, 000

a!43, 000

o!60, 000

a 34, 500

26. S

21.3

66

76.7

184

70

64

14.5

6.6

15

9.3

15.2

7.S

13.5.

12.3

5.8

4.2

3.2

7.9

329

316

50

283

393

417

448

a Slope measurement. 

38956 WSP 528 23 7

6 Estimated.

INDEX.

A.

JTi

Accuracy of data and results, degrees of...... 4-5

Acre-foot, definition of....................... 2-3

Angeles, Tex., Pecos River near............. 85-86

Appropriations, record of.................... 1

Austin, Tex., Barton Springs at............. 50-51

Colorado River at....................... 29-32

Colorado River near..................... 93

evaporation near........................ 32

Mill Spring near......................... 93

B.

Ballinger, Tex., Colorado River at........... 24-25

Barstow, Tex., Pecos River above........... 87-88

Barton Springs at Austin, Tex.............. 50-51

Belton, Tex., Little River near.............. 93

Brazos River at Waco, Tex.................. 18-19

near College Station, Tex................ 20-21

Brazos River basin, Tex., gaging-station records in.......................... 18-23

Bridgeport, Tex., West Fork of Trinity

River at......................... 10-12

Bronte, Tex., Colorado River near.......... 93

Brushy Creek at Round Rock, Tex.......... 93

C.

CalaUen, Tex., Nueces River at.............. 72-73

Calaveras, Tex., San Antonio River at....... 65-66

Cameron, Tex., Little River at.............. 21-23

Carlsbad, N. Mex., Pecos River at........... 80-82

Chadwick, Tex., Colorado River near........ 25-27

Cinonia, Tex., Nueces River near............ 69-70

College Station, Tex., Brazos River near..... 20-21

Colorado River at Austin, Tex.............. 29-32

at Ballinger, Tex...............i........ 24-25

at Columbus, Tex....................... 33-34

at Marble Falls, Tex..................... 28-29

at Smithville, Tex....................... 93

at Wharton, Tex........................ 35-36

near Austin, Tex........................ 93

near Bronte, Tex........................ 93

near Chadwick, Tex..................... 25-27

Colorado River basin, Tex., gaging-station

records in........................ 24-51

Columbus, Tex., Colorado River at.......... 33-34

Comal River at New Braunfels, Tex......... 93

Comfort, Tex., Guadalupe River near....... 51-52

Computations, results of, accuracy of........ 4-5

Comstock, Tex., Pecos River near........... 91-92

Concho River near Paint Rosk, Tex......... 41-42

near San Angelo, Tex................... 38-40

Control, definition of........................ 2-3

Cooperation, record of....................... 10

Corpus Christi, Tex., cooperation by......... 10

Page.

Cuero, Tex., Guadalupe River below........ 57-58

Current meters, Price, plate showing........ 2

D.

Dallas, Tex., cooperation by................. 10

Elm Fork of Trinity River near......... 16-17

Trinity Riverat........................ 14-16

Data,accuracy of............................ 4-5

explanation of........................... 3-4

Dayton, N. Mex., Pecos River near.......... 78-80

Del Rio, Tex., Devils River at............... 93

Derby, Tex., Frio River near................ 73-75

Devils River at Del Rio, Tex.........."...... 93

near Devils River, Tex.................. 93

District offices,list of........................ 6

E.

Elephant Butte dam, N. Mex., Rio Grande

below........................... 77-78

Ellsworth, C. E., and assistants, work of... 10 

Evaporation near Austin, Tex............... 32

F.

Fort Worth, Tex., cooperation by........... 10

West fork of Trinity River at............ 12-14

Friez water-stage recorder, plate showing.... 3

Frio River near Derby, Tex................. 73-75

G.

Gaging station, typical, plate showing....... 2

Georgetown, Tex., San Gabriel River below.. 93 

Gonzales, Tex., Guadalupe River near....... 55-56

Grandfalls, Tex., Pecos River near.......... 88-90

Guadalupe River at New Braunfels, Tex.... 53-54

below Cuero, Tex........................ 57-58

near Comfort, Tex....................... 51-52

near Gonzales, Tex...................... 55-56

Guadalupe River basin, Tex., gaging-station

records in........................ 51-62

Gurley printing water-stage recorder, plate

showing......................... 3

Junction, Tex., Llano River near............ 49-50

North Llano Elver near................. 47-48

L.

Little Riverat Cameron, Tex................ 21-23

near Belton, Tex........................ 93

Llano River near Junction, Tex............. 49-50

M.

Malaga, N. Mex., Pecos River near.......... 83-84

Marble Falls, Tex., Colorado River at........ 28-29

95
96 INDEX.

Page. 

Medina River near Riomedina, Tex......... 93

Menard, Tex., Noyes canal near............. 93

San Saba River at...................... 43-44

Mill Spring near Austin, Tex................ 93

N.

New Braunfels, Tex., Comal River at........ 93

Guadalupe River at..................... 53-54

North Concho River at San Angelo, Tex..... 36-38

North Llano River near Junction, Tex...... 47-48

Noyes canal near Menard, Tex.............. 93

Nueces River at Callallen, Tex.............. 72-73

nearCinonia, Tex....................... 69-70

near Three Rivers, Tex.................. 70-72

Nueces River basin, Tex., gaging-station

records in....................... 69-75

O. 

Ottine, Tex., San Marcos River at........... 61-62

P.

Paint Rock, Tex., Concho River near........ 41-42

Pecos River above Barstow, Tex............ 87-88

at Carlsbad, N. Mex..................... 80-S2

near Angeles, Tex....................... 85-86

near Comstock, Tex..................... 91-92

near Dayton, N. Mex.................... 78-80

near Grandfalls, Tex..................... 88-90

near Malaga, N. Mex.................... 83-84

Pecos Valley Lines, cooperation by.......... 10

Peterson, B. J., work of..................... 10

Price current meters, plate showing.......... 2

Publications, data concerning............... 6-9

B.

Rio Grande below Elephant Butte dam, N.

Mex............................. 77-78

near San Marcial, N. Mex................ 76-77

Rio Grande basin, N. Mex. and Tex., gagingstation records in................ 75-92

Riomedina, Tex., Medina River near........ 93

Round Rock, Tex., Brushy Creek at........ 93

Run-off in inches, definition of............... 2

S.

Salado Creek below Salado, Tex............. 93

San Angelo, Tex., Concho River near........ 38-40

North Concho River at.................. 36-38

Page,

San Antonio River at Calaveras, Tex........ 65-66

at San Antonio, Tex..................... 63-65

San Antonio River basin, Tex., gaging-station

records in........................ 63-68-

San Antonio, Tex., cooperation by.......... 10>

San Pedro Creek at...................... 67-6&

San Gabriel River below Georgetown, Tex... 93 

San Marcial, N. Mex., Rio Grande near...... 76-77"

San Marcos River at Ottine, Tex............ 61-62

at San Marcos, Tex...................... 58-60-

San Pedro Creek at San Antonio, Tex....... 67-68-

San Saba River above San Saba, Tex........ 93

at Menard, Tex.......................... 43-44

near San Saba, Tex...................... 45-46

Second-feet, definition of..................... 2

per square mile, definition of............ 2

Smithville, Tex., Colorado River at.......... 93-

Stage-discharge relation, definition of........ 2

Stevens continuous water-stage recorder,

plate showing.................... 3-

T.

Terms, definition of......................... 2

Texas, cooperation by....................... 10

Three Rivers, Tex., Nueces River near...... 70-72

Trinity River at Dallas, Tex................ 14-16

Elm Fork of, near Dallas, Tex........... 16-17

West Fork of, at Bridgeport, Tex........ 10-12

West Fork of, at Fort Worth, Tex....... 12-14

Trinity River basin, Tex., gaging-station

records in........................ 10-17

U.

United States Reclamation Service, cooperation by.......................... 10

United States Weather Bureau, cooperation

by............................... 10

W.

Waco, Tex., Brazos River at................ 18-19

Water-stage recorders, plate showing........ 2

Wharton, Tex., Colorado River at........... 35-36

Work, authorization of...................... 1

scope of.................................. 1-2

division of............................... 10

Z.

Zero flow, point of, definition of............. &

O