J.406®

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 406

FLUVIAL SEDIMENT IN 

WHITEHEAD WATERSHED AND 

WHITEHEAD RESERVOIRS 

NEBRASKA

April 1955 to September 1956

Prepared in cooperation with the 

U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

Soil Conservation Service and the 

U. S. Department of Commerce, 

Weather Bureau
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

FRED A. SEATON, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 406

FLUVIAL SEDIMENT IN WHITEHEAD WATERSHED AND 

WHITEHEAD RESERVOIRS, NEBRASKA 

April 1955 to September 1956

By J. C. Mundorff and P. R. Jordan

Prepared in cooperation with the 

U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

Soil Conservation Service and the 

U. S. Department of Commerce, 

Weather Bureau.

Washington, D. C., 1958

Free on application to the Geological Survey, Washington 25, D. C.
CONTENTS

Page

Abstract. .......................................................................................... 1

Introduction. ....................................................................................... 1

Physical characteristics of the watershed ............................................................. 1

Structures and reservoirs ........................................................................... 4

Method of operation. ................................................................................ 4

Outflow periods .................................................................................... 8

Glossary .......................................................................................... 8

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page 

Figure 1. Map of Whitehead Watershed.............................................................. 2

2. Generalized view of part of Whitehead Watershed showing the relation of soils to geology and

physiographic position................................................................. 3

3. Detention dam 1, Whitehead Watershed .................................................... 5

4. Detention dam 2, Whitehead Watershed .................................................... 5

5. Discharge-tube outlet, reservoir 1 ........................................................ 6

6. Outflow from discharge tube, reservoir 1, June 24, 1955 .................................... 6

7. Vertical stack of automatic suspended-sediment samplers at trash rack, reservoir 1 ........... 7

8. Partly submerged vertical stack of automatic suspended-sediment samplers at trash rack,

reservoir 1........................................................................... 7

9. Water discharge, accumulated rainfall, and suspended-sediment concentration, reservoir 1,

June 23-25, 1955. ..................................................................... 9

10. Reservoir gage height, accumulated rainfall, and suspended-sediment concentration, reservoir

2, June 23-24, 1955 ................................................................... 10

11. Water discharge, accumulated rainfall, and suspended-sediment concentration, reservoir 1,

June 28-29, 1955. ..................................................................... 11

12. Water discharge, accumulated rainfall, and suspended-sediment concentration, reservoir 1,

July 31-Aug. 1, 1956 .................................................................. 12

13. Water discharge, accumulated rainfall, and suspended-sediment concentration, reservoir 1,

Aug. 18, 1956 ........................................................................ 13

14. Percentage of clay, silt, and sand in samples from Whitehead Watershed ..................... 18

15. Relationship of particle size to suspended-sediment concentration of inflow samples ............ 19

TABLES

Page

Table 1. Area and capacity of reservoir 1 from survey of March 1955 ................................. 4

2. Area and capacity of reservoir 2 from survey of March 1955 ................................. 4

3. Summary of outflow periods at reservoir 1................................................. 8

4. Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, inflow to reservoir 1 .......................... 14

5. Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, inflow to reservoir 2.......................... 15

6. Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, outflow from reservoir 2 ...................... 16

7. Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, outflow from reservoir 1...................... 17

8. Chemical analyses, Whitehead Watershed near Syracuse, Nebr............................... 20
FLUVIAL SEDIMENT IN WHITEHEAD WATERSHED AND 

WHITEHEAD RESERVOIRS, NEBRASKA 

April 1955 to September 1956

By J. C. Mundorff and P. R. Jordan

ABSTRACT

This report gives information on the physical characteristics of Whitehead Watershed and on the characteristics of the suspended sediment transported into 

and discharged from the reservoirs. Selected periods 

of significant runoff and outflow from April 1955 to 

September 1956 are discussed.

Particle-size distribution of inflow and outflow 

samples indicates that all the sand entering reservoir 

1 is trapped and that most of the sand entering reservoir 2 is trapped.

Results of chemical analyses of water samples and 

a comparison of suspended-sediment size analyses in 

native water and in distilled water with dispersing agent indicate that significant sediment flocculation 

may occur in the reservoirs.

INTRODUCTION

The study of fluvial sediment in Whitehead Watershed is part of a nationwide investigation of the trap 

efficiency of detention reservoirs. The Geological 

Survey is cooperating with the Soil Conservation Service in the work. The sediment investigation in Whitehead Watershed was directed by P. C. Benedict, regional engineer. D. M. Culbertson, area engineer, 

supervised field operations, compilation of data, and 

preparation of this report.

Records of water discharge were furnished by D. 

D. Lewis, district engineer. Records of precipitation 

were obtained in cooperation with the U. S. Weather 

Bureau.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WATERSHED

Whitehead Watershed is in the central part of Otoe 

County, Nebr. (Seefig. 1.) The watershed is part of 

the dissected till plains of eastern Nebraska. The 

drainage area is approximately 495 acres.

Total relief within the drainage area is about 95 

feet. Slopes generally are 4 to 12 percent and range 

from 100 to 800 feet in length. Figure 1 shows the 

shape of the watershed and the locations of dams 1 

and 2, stabilization structure s, two precipitation 

gages, and sediment sampling points.

Deposits of Pleistocene age mantle the watershed. 

Peorianloess, of late Pleistocene age, forms ?i nearly 

continuous mantle over the eastern half of the area 

and is on divide areas and upper slopes in the western

half of the area. Loess of the Loveland formation, 

which underlies the Peorian loess stratigraphically 

in this southeastern Nebraska area, is not exposed to 

any significant extent. Kansan till, also of Pleistocene age, is generally exposed on moderate to steep 

slopes in the western part of the watershed. The 

Kansan till, which is stratigraphically lower than the 

Peorian loess and the Loveland formation, generally 

is found topographically lower than these formations. 

Late Pleistocene to Recent alluvium mantles the small, 

narrow bottomland areas.

Soil development in the watershed varies mainly 

with parent material, physiographic position, and 

slope. Because climate and vegetation in this small 

drainage basin are homogeneous, they are relatively 

unimportant determinants of profile differences. Soils 

developed on loess are predominant in the eastern 

half of the area and grade into mainly glacial-till soils 

in the western part of the area. Slope, infiltration 

rate, soil p er m eab il i t y, and parent material may 

vary within small areas. Severe erosion has exposed 

the B horizon in small areas of steeply sloping land.

A soil survey of Otoe County, Nebr., jiy indicates 

that 61. 6 percent, or about 305 acres, of the watershed is occupied by soils of the Sharpsburg series, 

which are developed on Peorian loess. Of the 305 

acres, about 155 acres is Sharpsburg silty clay loam; 

112 acres is Sharpsburg silty clayloam, rollingphase; 

and 38 acres is Sharpsburg silty clay loam, eroded 

rolling phase. About 29. 3 percent, or 145 acres, of 

the watershed is occupied by soils of the Carrington 

series, which are developed on glacial till. Of the 

145 acres, about 5 acres is Carrington clay loam; 125 

acres is Carrington clay loam, eroded rolling phase; 

and 15 acres is Carrington loam, eroded rolling phase. 

Soils of the Burchard-Carrington complex, developed 

on glacial till, occupy about 2. 0 percent of the watershed. The Judson-Wabash complex, developed on 

colluvial-alluvial material, occupies about 7. 1 percent of the watershed.

Figure 2 shows the relation between soils, parent 

material, physiographic position, and slope in Whitehead Watershed.

Most of the drainage area is under cultivation; corn, 

sorghum, oats, and wheat are the main crops. Much 

of the steeply sloping land is in native grass or is 

seeded to grasses and legumes, and small areas of 

native grass are along the major channels. Nearly 

all the minor drainageways have been seeded to grass 

to prevent gully formation.

_!/ U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

survey of Otoe County, Nebr.

1950, Soil
N

R.I IE. R.I2E.

^-Nonrecording 

OTi precipitation 

gage

Detention 

dam

/County 

, bridge

Section 12..' 10

'Stabilization 

structure 3

S tabilization 

structure 2

Detention 

dam 2

13 oncrete box-culvert 

outlet

ecording preci^pitatior 

gage

Note: N

sedim

Map of ea

of 

1500 Feet

SCALE

Figure l.--Map of Whitehead Watershed.
1 Sharpsburg series

2 Carrington series

3 Burchard-Carringto

complex

4 Judson-Wabash 

complex

Figure 2. --Generalized view of part of Whitehead Watershed showing the relation of soils to geology and physiogr

inferred. Area shown is about 450 acres.
The major channels of the dendritic drainage system have very steep or vertical banks. The main 

channel leading into the northeast corner of reservoir 

1 is incised 4 to 8 feet below the flood plain. Graded 

or level terraces that are constructed on nearly all 

the cultivated land and on some of the pastureland 

have modified the natural runoff patterns on most of 

the watershed.

STRUCTURES AND RESERVOIRS

Reservoir 1 (fig. 3) has a capacity of 125. 6 acrefeet and a surface area of 13.0 acres at crest of emergency spillway, elevation 1, 144 feet, mean sea 

level; at the top of the drop inlet, elevation 1, 134 feet, 

the capacity is 30. 5 acre-feet and the surface area of 

the reservoir is 5. 0 acres. Table 1 gives the area 

and capacity of 1-foot increments of elevation for this 

reservoir. Reservoir 2 (fig. 4) has a capacity of 4. 25 

acre-feet and a surface area of 1. 29 acres at crest of 

emergency spillway, elevation 1, 152 feet, mean sea 

level; at the top of the drop inlet, elevation 1, 149. 34 

feet, the capacity is about 1. 94 acre-feet and the surface area of the reservoir is about 0. 6 acre. Table 2 

gives the area and capacity for this reservoir.

Drainage from approximately 350 acres flows directly into reservoir 1. Channel-stabilization structures 1 and 2 exert a minor control on runoff from 

the northeast part of the watershed. Drainage from 

approximately 145 acres flows into reservoir 2; outflow from reservoir 2 flows into reservoir 1. Drainage from a very small area passes through stabilization structure 3 near the northeast corner of reservoir 1.

Table 1. --Area and capacity of reservoir 1 from 

survey of March 1955

Table 2. --Area and capacity of reservoir 2 from 

survey of March 1955

Gage height 

(ft)

-11.00

-10.00

-9. 00

-8. 00

-7. 00

-6. 00

-5.00

-4.00

-3.00

-2. 00

-1.00

0.00

1. 00

2.00

3.00

4. 00

5.00

6.00

7. 00

8.00

9. 00

10.00

11.00

Elevation 

(ft)

1, 122

1, 123

1, 124

1, 125

1,126

1, 127

1, 128

1, 129

1, 130

1, 131

1, 132

1, 133

1, 134

1, 135

1,136

1, 137

1, 138

1, 139

1, 140

1, 141

1, 142

1, 143

1, 144

Area 

(acres)

3.32

4. 15

5.00

5. 90

6. 85

7.89

8.90

9.98

11.00

12. 20

13. 50

14.64

16.00

Capacity 

(acre-ft)

0. 5

1.0

2.0

3.3

5. 0

7. 0

9.0

12. 0

15. 0

18.0

22.0

26. 0

30.5

35.5

41.5

48.1

55. 6

64.0

73.6

84.4

96. 7

110.3

125.6

Gage height 

(ft)

8.20

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

13.00

14.00

15.00

16. 00

17.00

18.00

19. 00

Elevation 

(ft)

1, 141. 2

1, 142

1, 143

1, 144

1, 145

1,146

1, 147

1, 148

1,149

1, 150

1,151

1,152

Area 

(acres)

0

.03

. 10

. 16

.22

. 28

.34

.40

.50

.75

1.03

1. 29

Capacity 

(acre-ft)

0

.02

. 09

. 22

.41

. 63

.92

1. 29

1.74

2.33

3. 15

4.25

The deposition of sediment in reservoir 1 is affected by detention dam 2 and, to a lesser degree, by 

the stabilization structures. Flow regulation through 

reservoir 2 is similar to that through reservoir 1 except that the time of detention is shorter because of a 

smaller reservoir capacity and a larger discharge 

tube. The drop-inlet structure at reservoir 1 has a 

concrete riser having a rectangular opening 30 by 24 

inches, and the discharge tube has a circular opening 

18 inches in diameter. The drop-inlet structure at 

reservoir 2 has a metal riser 48 inches in diameter, 

and the discharge tube is 36 inches in diameter. Stabilization structures 1 and 2 have earth spillways; 

stabilization structure 3 has a metal drop-inlet arrangement similar to that of reservoir 2.

METHOD OF OPERATION

During the period April 1, 1955, to September 30, 

1956, sediment was sampled at 14 1 o c at i on s in the 

Whitehead Watershed. (See fig. 1.) Outflow from 

reservoirs 1 and 2 was sampled at locations 1-D, 1- 

U, and 2; and flow upstream from the reservoirs was 

sampled at locations 3 to 13. Locations 10 to 13 were 

not used before June 30, 1956.

Outflow was sampled from reservoir 2 at the 

discharge-tube outlet and from reservoir 1 at the 

discharge-tube outlet and at the trash rack that protects the inlet of the discharge tube. Samples were 

collected at the outlets with a U. S. DH-48 sampler 

(figs. 5 and 6) and at the trash rack with automatic 

suspended-sediment samplers in vertical stacks on 

the upstream corners of the rack (figs. 7 and 8). At 

reservoir 1 samples were also collected at the outlet 

with a continuous suspended-sediment sampler having 

the sampler intake nozzle in a fixed position inside the 

discharge tube.

Inflow to the reservoirs was sampled with a U. S. 

DH-48 sampler at locations 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 

12, and 13 and with automatic suspended-sediment 

samplers at locations 3, 6, 7, and 8. The automatic 

samplers were placed in the channels so that the initial samples were collected when the flow reached a 

depth of about 0.7 foot. Automatic samplers were 

generally arranged in vertical stacks so that successive samples were obtained as the stage increased. 

Manual sampling at locations 5 and 9 was done by a
Figure 3.--Detention dam 1, Whitehead Watershed (June 24, 1955, reservoir elevation

about 1, 140 ft).

Figure 4.--Detention dam 2, Whitehead Watershed (May 5, 1955).
Figure 5.--Discharge-tube outlet, reservoir 1. Note sampler at end of discharge tube.

Figure 6.--Outflow from discharge tube, reservoir 1, June 24, 1955. Water discharge

about 32 cfs.
Figure 7. Vertical stack of automatic suspended-sediment samplers at trash rack,

reservoir 1.

Figure 8. Partly submerged vertical stack of automatic suspended-sediment samplers 

at trash rack, reservoir 1 (June 24, 1955, reservoir elevation about 1,140 ft).
local resident, who was assisted by Geological Survey personnel during periods of major runoff.

Precipitation was measured at a recording gage about a quarter of a mile south of reservoir 1 and at a 

nonrecording gage about 1 mile northeast of reservoir 

1 (fig. 1).

OUTFLOW PERIODS

Seven periods of significant runoff and outflow occurred from April 1, 1955, to September 30, 1956. 

Table 3 gives the maximum gage height, total water 

discharge, and total sediment discharge at reservoir 

1 for these periods.

Table 3. Summary of outflow periods at reservoir 1

Date

1955

Apr. 23-24. ......

Apr. 27-28.......

June 24- 26 .......

June 28-29.. ......

Apr. 1 to Sept. 30,1

1956

July 2-4 .........

July 31-Aug. 3 . .. 

Aug. 18-20, ......

Oct. 1, 1955, to 

Sept. 30, 1956. . .

Maximum 

gage height 

(ft)

2.31

1.21

7.81

2.03

2.07

2.03 

4.55

Water 

discharge 

(acre- ft)

9.32

.60

59.7

6.74

5.95 

25.8

Sediment 

discharge 

(tons)

10

.9

135

11

156.9

a 1 1

1.0 

25

37.0

a Partly estimated.

The largest outflow period was June 24-26, 1955. 

In 12 hours, 4. 30 inches of rain fell at a maximum 

intensity of about 2. 00 inches per hour. At reservoir 

1, peak inflow was 653 cfs, peak outflow was 32. 8 cfs, 

peak concentration of outflow was 3, 400 ppm, maximum instantaneous sediment discharge was 275 tons 

per day, and total sediment discharge was 135 tons. 

Hydrographs of inflow and outflow, continuous concentration of outflow, accumulated precipitation, and 

some instantaneous concentrations of inflow are shown 

on figure 9. Gage-height trace, continuous concentration of outflow, accumulated precipitation, and 

some instantaneous concentrations of inflow at reservoir 2 for the period of June 23-24, 1955, are shown 

on figure 10. Samples at location 3 show that the peak 

concentration of inflow occurred during the initial 

sharp rise in stage.

On June 28-29, 1955, which was an outflow period 

of relatively minor significance, 0.85 inch of rain fell 

in 1. 37 hours at a maximum 30-minute intensity of about 1. 30 inches per hour. At reservoir 1, peak inflow was 95.0 cfs, peak outflow was 28.4 cfs, peak 

concentration of outflow was 1, 530 ppm, maximum 

instantaneous sediment discharge was 115 tons per 

day, and total sediment discharge was 11 tons. Figure 11 shows hydrographs of inflow and outflow, continuous concentration of outflow, accumulated precipitation, and some instantaneous concentrations of 

inflow.

Very minor outflow occurred July 31-Aug. 3, 

1956. On July 31, 1. 97 inches of rain fell between 5 

and 8 p.m., with 1.41 inches falling between 6 and 7 

p.m. At reservoir 1, peak inflow was 131 cfs, peak 

outflow was 20. 4 cfs, peak concentration of outflow 

was 148 ppm, maximum instantaneous sediment discharge was 7. 3 tons per day, and total sediment discharge was 1. 0 ton. Figure 12 shows hydrographs of 

inflow and outflow, continuous concentrations of outflow, and accumulated precipitation.

The second largest outflow period was Aug. 18-20, 

1956. Total rainfall was 2.28 inches from 1 to 7 

a.m., with 1.90 inches falling between 1 and 3 a.m. 

At reservoir 1, peak inflow was 241 cfs, peak outflow 

was 30. 6 cfs, peak concentration of outflow was 1, 110 

ppm, maximum instantaneous sediment discharge was 

93 tons per day, and total sediment discharge was 25 

tons. Hydrographs of inflow and outflow, continuous 

concentration of outflow, and accumulated precipitation are shown in figure 13.

Particle-size analyses of suspended-sediment 

samples are given in tables 4-7. Table 4 lists samples.of inflow to reservoir 1, table 5 lists samples of 

inflow to reservoir 2, table 6 lists samples of outflow 

from reservoir 2, and table 7 lists samples of outflow 

from reservoir 1.

Particle-size distribution of inflow and outflow 

samples is shown graphically in figure 14. The 

particle-size distribution of these samples shows that 

the outflow has a higher percentage of clay than the 

inflow, that most of the sand entering reservoir 2 is 

trapped, and that all the sand entering reservoir 1 is 

trapped.

Figure 15 shows the relationship between the percentage of sediment in a specific size class and the 

suspended-sediment concentration of inflow water to 

reservoirs 1 and 2. The curves in figure 15 indicate 

that, in general, the percentage of clay decreases and 

the percentage of silt increases as. the suspendedsediment concentration increases.

A comparison of suspended-sediment size analyses 

in native water and in distilled water with dispersing 

agent shows that the water is of such chemical quality 

as to induce significant flocculation of sediment during 

certain settling conditions. (See tables 4 to 7.) Results of chemical analyses of water samples collected 

concurrently with suspended-sediment samples are 

shown in table 8.

GLOSSARY

Automatic suspended-sediment sampler: a bottle equipped with intake nozzle and exhaust tube, which 

is mounted in a fixed position and which admits 

water-sediment mixture when the water rises to 

the level of the nozzle. A valve prevents entry of 

water after the bottle is about nine-tenths full.

Flocculation: the formation of larger sediment aggregates caused by coalescence of smaller particles 

that are subjected to certain physicpchemical conditions.
INCHES RAINFALL,IN ACCUMULATED 

SECOND PER FEET CUBIC DISCHARGE,IN WATER 

MILLION PER PARTS IN CONCENTRATION, 
INCHES RAINFALL, ACCUMULATED IN

O fO Ol4k 01

20 

19

rl-18 

UJ 

UJ

u.

H"

X

UJ

X

V6

o

. a:

UJ

co

UJ

 13 «. 

26,000 

24,000 

22,000 

20,000

18,000 

O

die, ooo

s

or

UJ 

CL

CO

rH 14,000

OC 

CL

z

 2l2,000

OC

H

Z 

UJ 

O

-o" 0,000 

o

 8000

 6000

 4000

/" 

8 £ 

JUNE

-» »- - 

^*-

/

.«. 

) 10 II 1

 o-a

**' yr

*

*

 I

h 

i

- /

^ 1

o <

0 i

o

1

\

jll \ 

111

\

1

(

A

1

k^

\o

21 23456

-J

X"

r < UNE 2

EXPLANATION 

Reservoir goge height 

Accumulated rainfall 

Concentration of outflow 

Concentration at location 3 (inflow) 

Concentration at location 4 (inflow) 

Concentration at tocation 5 (inflow)

^^

\ ~A 

) 9 10 II 12 22

Figure 10.--Reservoir gage height, accumulated rainfall, and suspended-sediment concentration, reservoir 2,

June 23-24, 1955.

10
II

INCHES IN RAINFALL, ACCUMULATED 

w to « o 

c

z

V) 

»

J

* n 

j

0

i

>

\

v-

/

~f

1

1

1

1

c

§

^

1 ^ 

S

1

1

!

if 

i i

__ 

^^

4

^

t 

t

(

i

/

WAl 

o

3

t

3

^^

"* 

*r'

Cl IN DISCHARGE, fER 

* 1 W 

o 1 o 

<

< <

H

^.

'/^

COI 

it

RATIO SICENT 

o

8

SECOND PER FEET 

Sa> 

JBIC 

<x> q> ->j 

o o o o 

PARTS IN M, 

o

8

- . 

E 0 

i i § ^ 

3 5 

1 1 

5 ^ 

1 5" 

7 or lcoTion £f/nriowj n at location 9(inflow)

.---

MILL) PER 

o 

o

8

 in now\

of 15-minute intervals _ ..,\Average 

 Outflow J 

 «»... Accumulated rainfall 

 Concentration ofutflow

 ___ ~+.-! - 1.- + ~ ,-,

._-"

i

m

X

T>

Z 

H

O

Z

ON

_. 

 

L

. 

** 

MHMi^B

-.. ' 

I

. Illlilllllll 

____________ ? 

I

cS i o 

- ~~J?Jr-
z\

INCHES IN RAINFALL, ACCUMULATED 

_SECOND PER FEET CUBIC IN DISCHARGE, WATER 

 O

8a.

CD 

O

O 

O

MILLION PER PARTS CONCENTRATION,^ 
ACCUMULATED RAINFALL,IN INCHES

O ro 01 *

O

P 

D

a

g 

i

WATER DISCHARGE,IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

CONCENTRATION,IN PARTS PER MILLION
Table 1*. Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, inflow to reservoir 1

^Methods of analysis: P, pipette; S, sieve; N, in native water; W, in distilled water; C, chemically dispersed; M, m

accumulation

Date

1955

Do. b.........

Do c

1956

July 2 b........

Do. b.........

Do. b.........

Do. b.........

Do. b.........

Do. b.........

Do. b.........

Do. c.. .......

July 31 c.......

Do. c., .......

Do. b.. .......

Do. b.. .......

Do. b.........

Time

7:20 a.m. 

7:20 a.m.

7:1*0 a.m.

6:10 a.m.

dl2:30 p.m. 

dl:30 p.m. 

dl:00 p.m. 

dl:00 p.m. 

dl:05 p.m.

dl:05 p.m. 

dl:20 p.m. 

dl:l5 p.m. 

dl:l5 p.m. 

dl:25 p.m.

3:1*0 p.m. 

9:15 aja, 

9:55 a.m. 

10:00 a.m. 

10:05 a.m.

10:10 a.m. 

10:1*5 a.m. 

7:00 p.m. 

7:00 p.m. 

8:00 p.m.

d 6:1*0 p.m. 

d 6:1*0 p.m. 

d6:25 p.m. 

d6:25 p.m. 

d6:35 p.m.

d6:35 p.nu 

2:1*0 a.m. 

2:1*0 a.m.

Sampling 

location a/

7 

7 

6 

9 

9

9 

7 

8 

9

7 

6 

7 

7 

7

7 

7 

8 

8 

8

9 

9 

7 

10 

6

8 

6 

9 

9 

9

6 

6 

7 

7 

8

8 

9 

9

Suspended sediment

Concentration 

(ppm)

1*9,200 

39,600 

28,200 

6,1*80 

6,1*80

5,920 

ll*,200 

16,300 

8,01*0

3U, 100 

16,300 

100,000 

100,000

58,000 

58,000

U*,700 

58,Uoo 

58,1*00 

5,580

2,260 

810 

1,020 

1,760 

1,620

1,680 

1,310 

6,91*0 

6,91*0 

2,130

100,000 

100,000 

35,200 

35,200 

37,200

37,200 

1*,970 

1*,970

Concentration of 

suspension 

analyzed 

(ppm)

il*, 5oo

11,900 

9,080 

8,360 

7,080

5,710 

3,970 

U,390 

3,260

13,1*00 

12,500

21,500

21,200 

12,100

12,200 

11,100 

26,300 

20,700 

6,180

l*,3l*0 

1,990 

2,520 

3,71*0 

3,780

3,880 

3,21*0 

1*,220 

1*,060 

1,050

5,01*0

It, 700 

7,1*60 

7,310 

7,200

7,200 

1*,280 

li.210

Percent finer than indicated size, 

0.002

18 

22 

12 

35 

15

38 

1*2 

29 

1*9

39 

18 

30 

20 

30

1*3 

26 

19 

12 

1*3

72 

51* 

80 

71 

71

72 

81 

1*9 

21* 

85

27 

9 

30 

5 

27

8 

1*8 

21*

O.OOl*

23 

27 

17 

1*2 

27

kk 

1*9 

35 

56

1*2 

26 

32 

26 

33

1*7 

38 

21* 

17 

1*7

83 

77 

71*

77 

86 

51 

36 

85

29 

12 

3!* 

8 

29

12 

50 

36

0.008

31 

31* 

28 

50 

1*1

52 

52 

1*1* 

62

1*8 

32 

38 

31* 

37

52 

1*8 

31 

26

59 

53 

88

30 

18 

1*1 

15 

35

20 

57

52

0.016

1*3 

1*1* 

39 

60 

56

62 

66 

56 

76

62 

1*7 

1*9 

1*8 

50

63 

60 

1*3 

1*0 

63

91 

91 

89 

90 

88

90 

91 

73 

70 

91*

1*2 

39 

51* 

26 

1*6

35 

72 

68

0.031

65 

70 

71* 

78 

78

81 

81* 

79 

92

81* 

79 

80 

80 

80

83 

81* 

78 

75

91 

89 

97

72 

68 

80 

1*8 

76

68 

87 

87

0.062

98 

97 

97 

93 

93

97 

96 

95 

99

97 

97 

91* 

91* 

97

97 

99 

93 

93 

98

100 

100 

99 

99 

99

98 

97 

100 

98 

100

97 

97 

99 

99 

96

96 

99 

99

0.1

1

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

10

9

9

9

9

9

9

10

9

9

10

10

10

9

9

9

10

9

9

9

9

9

9

10

10
Do. b........

Do. b........

d2:l5 a.m.

9

7

7

8

1,220

21,500

21,500

78,600

2 *7nn

6,890

7 i on

8,1*00

79

30

12

28

87

31*

27

28

91*

39

32

31*

99

1*9

1*8

1*6

100

79

76

76

97

97

95

98

98

98

a Refer to figure 1. b Automatic sampler. c DH-U8 sampler. d Ob

Table 5.--Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, inflow to reservoir 2

of analysis: P, pipette; S, sieve; N, in native water; V, in distilled water; C, chemically dispersed; M, me

accumulation tube/

Date

1955

Do. b........

Do. b........

Do. d........

Do. d........

Do. d........

Do. d........

Do. d........

Do. b........

Bo. b.. ......

Do. d........

1956 

July OT.....

Do, d.......

Do. d.......

Do. d.......

Do. d.......

July 31 d.....

Aug. 18 d.....

Do. d.......

Do. d.......

Do. d... .

Time

c 5«30 a.m. 

c5:35 a.m. 

c 5:38 a.m. 

c 5*UO a.m. 

6:30 a.m.

6:30 a.m. 

6:1*0 a.m. 

7:15 a.m. 

8:30 a.m. 

c 6:00 p.m.

c6:03 p.m. 

c 6:05 p.m. 

6:20 p.m.

c 1:20 p.m. 

1*:00 p.m. 

9:10 a.m. 

9:15 a,m. 

9:20 a.m.

9:25 a.m. 

10:00 a.m. 

7:10 p.m. 

8:15 p.m. 

2:1*5 a.m.

2:1*5 a.m. 

3:15 a.m. 

3:15 a.m*

Sampling 

location a/

3

3 

3 

3

5

1* 

5

3

3 

3 

5

3 

5 

5 

11 

12

13

5 

5 

5

5 

5

Suspended sediment

Concentration 

(ppm)

2ii,600 

20,000 

17,600 

12,600 

6,360

6,360 

17*800 

3,380 

2,210 

3,730

10,700 

16,300 

3,21*0

913 

380 

906 

1,1*90 

1,110

1,180 

320 

733 

210 

5,360

5,360 

5,180 

5,180

Concentration of 

suspension 

analyzed 

(ppm)

9,680 

7,800 

7,120 

1,610 

5,870

U,960 

7,530 

5,080 

3,210 

1,1*70

3,820 

5,610 

2,080

1,1*50 

1,810 

2,520 

3,830 

3,130

1*,190 

1,660 

1,510

5,300

5,130 

5,830 

5,750

Percent finer than indicated size, in 

0.002

2k 

26 

2k 

56

38

17 

25 

kk 

56 

60

1*1 

30 

66

81* 

50 

58 

78 

70

69 

57 

62

51*

27 

52 

25

o.ool*

29 

33 

32 

60 

51

27 

29 

57 

6k 

60

k6 

38 

75

60 

81 

Ik

73

66

6k

1*5 

6k 

k6

0.008

ko 

1*5 

1*5 

67 

61

kk 

33 

66 

71 

60

55 

5o

7k

73

6k 

73 

6k

0.016

55 

60 

65 

75 

75

63 

38 

76 

76 

76

69

65 

81*

95 

71* 

70 

91 

81*

85 

81 

80

85

81 

85 

81

0.031

80 

90 

90 

91 

90

88 

52 

89 

88 

91

89 

87 

91*

95

97

96 

97 

91*

0.062

99 

100 

100 

100 

98

98 

69 

99 

99 

100

100 

100 

100

100 

91* 

93 

100 

99

99 

97 

99 

100 

100

100 

100 

100

0.125

100

99

99 

81 

100 

100

97 

96

100

100 

99 

100

a Refer to figure 1. b Automatic sampler c Obtained from gage-height chart. 
Table 6» Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, outflow from reservoir 2 

of analysis: P, pipette; S, sieve; N, in native water} W, in distilled water; C, chemically dispersed; 

Bate

1955

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

June 28..............

Do.................

Do.................

1956 

July 3...............

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Aug. 18.... .........*.

Do.................

Do.................

Time

5:50 a.m. 

5:50 a.m. 

6:56 a.m. 

6:56 a.m. 

9:18 a.m.

9tl8 a.m. 

12:15 p.m. 

7:06 p.m. 

7:06 p.m. 

7:51 p.m.

9:35 a.m. 

7:05 p.m. 

7:05 p.m. 

8:10 p.m. 

10:05 p.m.

3:00 a.m. 

3:00 a.m. 

U:00 a.m. 

6:U5 a.m.

Sampling 

location a/

2 

2 

2 

2 

2

2 

2 

2 

2 

2

2 

2 

2 

2 

2

2 

2 

2 

2

Suspended sediment

Concentration 

(ppm)

8,730 

8,730 

5,260 

5,260 

1,590

1,590 

1,6UO 

2,320 

2,320 

2,190

1,100 

1,380 

1,380 

658 

719

U,8UO 

U,8UO 

1,5UO 

1,U20

Concentration 

of suspension 

analysed 

(ppm)

7,2UO 

7,310 

.5,860 

6,2UO 

1,310

1,060 

2,180 

2,090 

1,650 

2,ij60

3,280 

1,520 

1,UOO 

88U 

1,21*0

6,000 

6,190 

1,760 

1,6UO

Percent finer than indicated size

0.002

36 

12 

U5 

20 

78

28 

8U 

75 

28 

71

68 

72 

35 

8U

8k

53 

23 

86 

8U

o.ooU

U9 

25

58 

37 

87

50 

90 

85 

U9 

86

70 

75 

61 

86 

87

67 

U2 

93

0.008

62 

38 

72 

53 

89

79 

95 

88 

79 

93

86 

87 

9U 

89

80 

65

97

0.016

79

58 

85 

79 

9U

100 

100 

99 

93

73 

93 

97 

96

91

92, 

86

0

a Refer to figure 1.
Table 7» Particle-size analyses of suspended sediment, outflow from reservoir 1 

of analysis: P, pipette; S, sieve; N, in native water; W, in distilled water; G, chemically dispersed; M

Date

T 2%

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Bo.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

June 28..............

Do.................

1956 

July 3... "777.. .......

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

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

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Tims

6:10 a.m. 

6:10 a.m. 

6:35 a.m. 

9:10 a.m. 

9:10 a.m.

9:15 a.m. 

12:10 p.m. 

12:10 p.m. 

3:10 p.m. 

5:05 a.m.

7:15 p.m. 

7:30 p.m. 

7:00 a.m.

9:1*5 a.m. 

11:30 a.m. 

1:10 p.m. 

2:10 p.m. 

2:30 a.m.

3:1*7 a.m. 

U:30 a.m. 

7sOO a.m. 

9:00 a.m.

Sampling 

location a/

1-D 

1-D 

1-D 

1-D 

1-D

1-D 

1-D 

1-D 

1-D 

1-D

1-D 

1-D 

1-D

1-D 

1-D 

1-D 

1-D 

1-D

1-D

1-D 

1-D 

1-D

Suspended sediment

Concentration 

(ppm)

1,1*80 

1,1*80 

2,100 

1,1*60 

1,1*60

2,280 

1,770 

1,770 

1,510 

1,170

1,1*50 

1,320 

1,11*0

505 

5oo 

1*82 

1*52

121

983 

1,070 

699 

607

Concentration 

of suspension 

analyzed 

(ppm)

1,600 

1,610 

8, 180 

1,700 

1,670

3,970 

2,310 

2,350 

3,710 

2,790

2,090 

1,860 

1,1*90

1,160 

2,51*0 

1,870 

1,110 

721*

1,71*0 

1,600 

961* 

81*1*

Percent finer than indicated size, 

0.002

85 

1*6 

1*1* 

88 

56

67 

86 

1*8 

83 

85

85 

91 

100

96 

76 

80 

77 

86

69 

1*1 

93 

79

.0.001*

87 

78 

57 

96 

80

81 

86 

72 

96 

98

90 

92

87

71* 

1*3 

91* 

81*

. 0.008

91* 

89 

72 

96 

97

91 

96 

90 

98 

100

92 

95

88

86 

71

91

0.016

95 

96 

88 

96 

100

99 

100 

99 

100

97 

96

97 

100 

100 

97 

91

96 

89 

96 

100

a Refer to figure 1.
EXPLANATION 

 Inflow samples

o Outflow samples 

from reservoir I

A Outflow samples

from reservoir 2

PERCENT OF SAND (0.062 TO 2.000 MILLIMETERS)

Figure 14. --Percentage of clay, silt, and sand in samples from Whitehead Watershed.

18
iUU

05 

</> 90 

<

"80 

UJ 

N

</> 70

Z 

^60

Z 

UJ

2 50

Q 

UJ

W 40 

U. 

0

£ 30

UJ

o

£ 20

0.

10

<?c

-H

 Cloy (<0. 004mm) 

A Si It (0.004 to 0,062 mm)

A

H

\

i

 

»

 

& A 

 **-

^ 

AA

A

A

 - 

AA

t_i

A

'

-^

»

^

<

D

4

^

^1

^

1

V

Z i

A

. &&

A

. *

A A «M« t^

 

 

 

 

)0 1000 10,000 

SUSPENDED-SEDIMENT CONCENTRATION,IN PARTS PER 

Figure 15.--Relationship of particle size to suspended-sediment concentration of inflo
Table 8. Chemical analyses, Whitehead Watershed near Syracuse, Nebr. 

/Results in parts per million except as indicate^

Date of

collection

1955

Do. b... ......

Bo. d*.. ......

Bo. £........,

1956

Bo. d.. ......

Bo. .........

Bo. f........

Aug. 18 b. ......

Bo» d... .....

Bo. f........

Calcium

(Ca)

27

8.0

q A

13

8.0

12

23

8.0

9.5

7 £

8.5

21

12

11

6.5

5.0

6.5

18

Magnesium

(Mg)

6.9

2.2

2.8

3.0

2.2

2.U

£ o

2.9

2.5

2.3

2.1

5.3

2.0

2 0

1 0

1.3

2 1

0 Q

Sodium

(Ha)

8.8

l.U

1.1*

3.0

1.3

2.7

6.U

3 7

U.l

3.0

o £

U.6

u.u

U.l

3,9

3.0

3.U

U.I

Potassium

(K)

6.9

3.3

3.5

3.2

2.6

3.1

6.1

O R

11.0

U.7

U.U

U.7

9.1

8.5

6.1

5.8

5.8

2 0

Bicarbonate

(HC03 )

11U

Dissolved

Residue on 

evaporation 

at 180°C

5U

60

81

53

63

129

123

135

79

66

103

106

88

11U

12U

solids

Tons per 

acre-foot

0.07

.08

.11

.07

nQ

1 Q

1 7

.18

.11

.09

.lU

.1U

.12

.16

.17

Hardness <

Calcium, 

magnesium

of.

29

3U

U5

29

Uo

79

32

3U

28

30

7U

38

37

2U

18

25

61

is CaCO-j

Noncarbonate

3

a Sampling location, 1-U.

b Sampling location, 9.

e Sampling location, U.

d Sampling location, 5.

e Sampling location, 2.

f Sampling location, 1-B.
Instantaneous sediment discharge: the rate at which

dry weight of sediment passes a section of a stream SAR = 

or conduit at a given instant.

Percent sodium: the ratio, expressed in percentage, 

of sodium to the sum of the positively charged ions

(calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium)-- The ionic concentrations are expressed in equivaall ions in equivalents per million. lents per million.

Sodium-adsorption-ratio: a ratio for soil extracts and Suspended-sediment concentration: the weight of dry

irrigation waters used to express the relative activ- sediment per unit weight of water-sediment mixity of sodium ions in exchange reactions with soil. ture, expressed as parts per million.

21 IMT.-OUr. SEC., WASH.. D.C. 1,2770