UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

J. A. Krug, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

W. E. Wrather, Director

Water-Supply Paper 968-B

FLOODS OF THE PUYALLUP AND

CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS

WASHINGTON

BY

IRVING E. ANDERSON

Contributions to the hydrology of the United States, 1944 

(Pages 61-124)

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON : 1948

FT sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, 'Washington 2?. D. C*

Price 25 cent*

CONTENTS

Page

. bstract__________________-__________________ 61

Introduction. __________________________ -_______-_-_-_-__ 61

Location and extent of region___________________________________ 61

Acknowledgments __ ___________________________________________ 61

O^ographic and hydrologic characteristics of the region ___________ _ 62

Surface features.______________________________________________ 62

Climate.___________________________________ 63

Runoff.. _____-__-._______________________ 65

Deficiencies in precipitation data__-_---_-__-__-_______-_________ 67

Objectives and selection of areas___________________________________ 68

Piyallup River Basin______________________________________________ 69

Description of area.___________________________________________ 69

Division of area________________________________________ ____ 71

Selection of floods___---_--_-____-________________ 72

Other floods. __ _________1_________ _____________ 73

Records of discharge__----_-_---_-----__-__-----_____-_-___-_-_ 73

Puyallup River near Orting_____.___________________________ 73

Puyallup River at Puyallup_______________________________ 75

Carbon River near Fairfax___----_-___________-_-_-_______ 76

White River at Greenwater___._____________________________ 78

Greenwater River at Greenwater____________________________ 79

Chehalis River near Grand Mound__________________________ 81

Computation procedure__________-_____________________________ 83

Discussion of results__________.________________________________ 103

Chehalis River Basin_r ______-_-_-____-_____-__-________-_____-_-_ 111

Description of area___-__-____----_-_-_---___-_-_--_-_---______ 111

Computation procedure._______________________________________ 112

Comparison of the valley part of the Puyallup River with the Chehalis

River__________________________________________ 116

Conclusion ________________________________________________________ 121

Iidex..__--_-_- _-_-_--_-_-_--___--____-_-_--_____--.______-__ 123

ILLUSTKATIONS

F",ATE 1. Contour map of the Puyallup River Basin showing rivermeasurement and climatologic stations __________________ 70

FIGURE 27. Map of western Washington showing basins investigated and 

cities, streams, and other physical features mentioned in 

the text...________________._________..__ 62

28. Map of western Washington showing mean annual precipitation..--_____________________________________________ 64

m
IV CONTENTS

Page

FIGURE 29. Mean annual altitude-precipitation relation for the southern 

slope of the Olympic Mountains and for the southern and 

western slopes of Mount Rainier.______________________ 68

30. Graphs of discharge for the valley part of the Pryallup River

as computed by two methods___________________________ 93

31. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup

River above Puyallup, Wash., for flood of December 1933. _ 94

32. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup

River above Puyallup, Wash., for flood of January 1934____ 95

33. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup 

River above Puyallup, Wash., for flood of December-January 1937-38--_ _______-_-___________________ 96

34. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup

River above Puyallup, Wash., for flood of April 1938______ 97

35. Altitude-precipitation and altitude-maximum temperature relations for the Puyallup River Basin____________________ 98

36. Altitude-precipitation relations for the Puyallup Piver Basin__ 99

37. Comparison between precipitation and associated direct runoff in the Puyallup River Basin for selected flood periods. __ 105

38. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during

flood of December 1933._____________________________ 106

39. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during

flood of January 1934_____-______.____________________ 107

40. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during

flood of December-January 1937-38--------____________ 108

41. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during

flood of April 1938-_-___-----_-___-----_______-_____ 109

42. Map of the Chehalis River Basin above Grand Mound______ 112

43. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River 

Basin and the Chehalis River for flood of December 5-16, 

1933.. ---_- - - -- -- 117

44. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River 

Basin and the Chehalis River for flood of December 17-31, 

1933.__-________-___-___-_-_-__-_------___-__-__.___ 118

45. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River

Basin and the Chehalis River for flood of January 1934____ 119

46. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River 

Basin and the Chehalis River for flood of December-January 1937-38 __ -_-- __ _-- 120

47. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River

and the Chehalis River for flood of April 1938___________ 121

TABLES

TABLE 1. Temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at selected points in

western Washington_________________________-_________ 63

2. Annual precipitation and runoff characteristics of streams in

western Washington..,________________________________ 66
CONTENTS V

Page

TABLE 3. Precipitation, average temperature, and snowfall for year 

ending December 31, 1938, at stations in the Puyallup River 

Basin and vicinity_____________________________________ 71

4. Gaging stations on streams draining mountainous areas in the

Puyallup River Basin_.________________________________ 71

5. Distribution of area in the Puyallup River Basin with respect

to elevation___________________________________________ 72

6. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from the valley 

part of the Puyallup River Basin for the flood of December 

1933 for 8-hour periods ending 8 a. m., 4 p. m., and 12 p. m__ 85

7. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from the valley 

part of the Puyallup River Basin for the flood of January 1934 

for 8-hour periods ending 8 a. m., 4 p. m., and 12 p. m____ 88

8. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from the valley 

part of the Puyallup River Basin for the flood of DecemberJanuary 1937-38 for 6-hour periods ending 6 a. m., 12 m., 

6 p. m., and 12 p. m___________________________________ 89

9. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from the valley 

part of the Puyallup River Basin for the flood of April 1938 

for 6- hour periods ending 6 a. m., 12 m., 6 p. m., and 12 p. m_ 91

10. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperatures, in 

degrees Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin 

for storm of December 1933_____________________________ 100

11. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperatures, in 

degrees Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin 

for storm of January 1934______________________________ 101

12. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperatures, in 

degrees Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin 

for storm of December-January 1937-38_________________ 102

13. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperatures, in 

degrees Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin 

for storm of April 1938-__-____________________ 102

14. Precipitation and associated direct runoff for selected floods

in the Puyallup River Basin____________________________ 105

15. Peak discharge; in second-feet, and direct runoff, in inches, for 

streams rising in the glaciers of Mount Rainier for floods of 

December 1933, January 1934, December-January 1937-38, 

and April 1938________________________________ 110

16. Mean annual discharge, in second-feet, and annual runoff, in

inches, for streams rising in the glaciers of Mount Rainier__ 111

17. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis

River Basin for storm of December 1933.________________ 113

18. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis

River Basin for storm of January 1934___________________ 114

19. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis

River Basin for storm of December-January 1937-38------ 115

20. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis

River Basin for storm of April 1938____-_______________._ 115

21. Precipitation, direct runoff, and maximum discharge for the 

valley part of the Puyallup River Basin and the Chehalis 

River Basin_________________________________________ 116

FLOODS OF THE PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS 

RIVER BASINS, WASHINGTON

By IKVING E. ANDEKSON

ABSTRACT

The Puyallup and Chehalis River Basins are situated in the southern half of 

western Washington. The two basins are comparable in size and shape but are 

unlike in other characteristics. The Puyallup River rises in the glaciers of Mount 

Rainier and flows through mountainous, foothill, and delta topography. Its 

basin ranges in altitude from sea level to 14,408 feet, and the average annual 

precipitation ranges from 40 inches in the delta to more than 100 inches on the 

slopes of Mount Rainier. The Chehalis River rises in the Willapa Hills and the 

western foothills of the Cascades. Its basin ranges in altitude from sea level to 

a maximum of about 4,000 feet. The greatest annual precipitation in the Chehalis 

Basin has not been measured because of lack of gages, but it probably d~»es not 

exceed that of the Puyallup.

For purposes of this study the Puyallup Basin was divided into two parts, 

mountainous and valley. Although a close comparison was not possible because of 

the lack of precipitation gages, the study indicated that runoff characteristics 

for floods from the Chehalis River and the valley part of the Puyallup River are 

not greatly different.

Consistency between rainfall and run-off in the upper Puyallup, Carbon, and 

White Rivers, tributaries from the mountainous part of the Puyallup River, 

indicated that a computation of mean precipitation based on relation between 

precipitation and altitude gives reasonable results.

The investigation indicated that differences in physical characteristics t etween 

the mountainous and valley parts of the Puyallup River do not greatly affect the 

discharge.

INTRODUCTION

Location and extent of region. The region considered in this report 

is that part of the State of Washington west of the Cascade Pange. 

(See fig. 27.) It has an area of about 24,500 square miles and a population of about 1,200,000 persons, according to ,the 1940 census

Acknowledgments. The preparation of this report, which was made 

possible by an allocation of funds by the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works for a "survey of floods and droughts," was 

under the direction of G. L. Parker, district engineer, whose deep 

interest and constructive criticism added much of value. D. J. F. 

Calkins, office engineer, helped materially with constructive suggestions, advice, and criticism. Preliminary computations were made

61
62 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

FIGURE 27. Map of western Washington showing basins investigated and cities, streams, and other physical

features mentioned in the text.

and several figures prepared by J. W. Allan. Acknowledgments are 

also due the Weather Bureau for weather records and the Puget Sound 

Power & Light Co. for furnishing hourly readings of Lake Tapps. 

The manuscript was reviewed and prepared for publication by the 

Division of Water Utilization, K. W. Davenport, chief.

GEOGRAPHIC AND HYDROLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF

THE REGION

SURFACE FEATURES

The Cascade Range, extending north and south, forms the eastern 

boundary of the region. Crest elevations along the range vary from
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 63

< : ,000 to 8,000 feet. Many extinct volcanoes protrude through the 

TTestern slopes of the Cascades and extend into the zone of eternal 

s; now. Among these volcanoes are Mount Baker (elevation, 10,703 

feet), Mount Rainier (elevation, 14,408 feet), Mount Adams (elevation, 12,307 feet), and Mount St. Helens (elevation, 9,697 feet). The 

Olympic Range, with its axis extending northwest to southeast, lies 

between the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the north and the Chehalis 

reiver on the south. Its highest elevations are comparable to those 

rf the Cascades. The Willapa Hills, much lower than either the 

Cascades or the Olympics, lie in the southwestern part of the region 

i etween the Chehalis and Columbia Rivers.

CLIMATE

Western Washington is subject to the moderating effects of prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean. The Cascades on the east and 

ihe mountains of British Columbia on the north act as barriers that 

protect the region from the climatic extremes characteristic of the 

interior. Temperature variations at several points in the region are 

s-hown in table 1.

TABLE 1. Temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at selected points in western

Washington

Station

^&ti\.t>... .............................

Approximate altitude (feet)

105

182

109

14

159

Mean ternperiod of 

record(°F.)

50.4

52.8

52.4

53.8

50.9

Length of

record 

(years)

47

44

52

49

29

19

Maximum 

(°F.)

92

102

87

92

84

38

Minimum 

(°F.)

23

20

25

28

22

The principal source of precipitation in the region is the water 

^apor from the Pacific Ocean carried inland by prevailing south- 

"TTesterly winds. Moisture-laden air enters the interior either through 

'he gaps occupied by the Columbia and Chehalis Rivers and the 

~!trait of Juan de Fuca or over the Olympics and Willapa Hills, As 

'.his air is forced upward over the mountains, it is cooled by expansion 

"nd produces precipitation to the extent of cooling below the dew

 loint. In summer this cooling is partly offset by the temperature of 

.he land areas, which is higher than that of the ocean; in winter the 

lower temperature of the land areas augments the cooling of the air,

 vhich results in high precipitation in an irregular belt along the 

^acific coast. After passing over the mountains to lower levels 

"hese air masses are warmed by compression and higher land temoerature at those levels. Hence, the tendency is for them to yield

755375 48 2
64 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

FIGURE 28. Map of western Washington showing mean annual precipitation, in inches.

only a relatively small amount of precipitation at lower altitudes. 

The process of expansion and cooling is repeated as the winds ascend 

to cross the Cascades. Prevailing winds from the west and southwest enter the interior through gaps of the Columbia and Chehalis 

Rivers and through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, unobstructed by 

mountains, and produce belts of high precipitation that extend some 

distance inland along the Columbia and Chehalis B.ivers and in that 

part of the region east of the Strait of Juan de FUCF,. The combined 

effect of topography and prevailing winds results ic a wide variation 

in precipitation throughout the region, and, as shown on figure 28, 

the annual averages range from less than 20 inches at places in the 

rain shadow of the Olympics to more than 100 inches on the western 

slopes of the Olympics and Cascades.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 65 

RUNOFF

In general, the principal streams of the region rise in the Olympic 

or Cascade Mountains, the most notable exception being the Chehalis 

River, which has its source in the Willapa Hills. Streams ris'ng hi

*;he mountains are characterized by two high-water periods each year,

*:he first period from October to January, when precipitation is 

" .eaviest, and the second in the spring, when rising temperature 

causes the snow to melt. Such streams, many of them glacis 1, are 

curther characterized by well-sustained low-water flow during m onths 

of little or no precipitation from June through September. The 

Chehalis and North Rivers and other streams draining the Willapa 

Trills have little natural storage in snow and none in glaciers. Fence, 

Mieir flow in summer is very low. Variations in natural storage^ 

combined with variations in precipitation, topography, soil, and 

exposure, produce a variable runoff throughout the regior. In 

"nany localities changes in runoff are abrupt. For example, during 

' 937-38 the Dungeness River in the northeastern part of the Olympic 

^eninsula had a runoff of only 36 inches while the Dosewallips, an 

^djoining basin, had 75 inches. Runoff characteristics for some 

"treams in the region for which records are available for 10 years or

*nore are shdwn in table 2.

Greater floods than those listed in table 2 have occurred, a^ disclosed by investigations of the history of floods in the Skagit River 

^asin. In 1921 James E. Stewart, then hydraulic engineer with the 

jeological Survey, determined, as explained below, that a greater 

%od in the Skagit River Basin occurred between 1804 and 1825 

fprobably about 1815) and another in 1856. He computed the dis- 

'"harge for these floods as 500,000 and 350,000 second-feet, respec- 

'rvely, below the Baker River near Concrete. The height of the 

i arlier flood was marked by deposition of flood sands in protected 

rives and gulches and in crevices in canyon walls and by faint highv^ater marks on canyon walls. The date can be placed no closer than 

804 to 1825, which dates Mr. Stewart determined from his conversation with early white settlers who had been told of the flood by the 

Indians. The flood of 1856 was marked by tree staining, which, 

however, had disappeared by the time of Mr. Stewart's investigations: 

] ^arly white settlers saw the stains and made dependable observa tions 

rs to their height above later floods. Mr. Stewart found mud and 

food sand embedded in deep crevices of cedar bark, which verified 

1 eights established by the early settlers. The date of this flood is 

( efinitely fixed as having occurred between 1854 and 1857 by eramii ation of a group of trees on a sand bar at The Dalles. These trees 

r^ere of uniform growth and were much younger than those nearby at 

Hgher levels, which indicates that the sand bar probably was cleared
1'

ooo

OOi'93

oo£

ooo 

00*

0008*

000

'se

 ^vwwff"""
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 67

of all trees by heavy drift during an unusually high flood. Mr. 

Stewart assumed that new growth started the year after the flood. 

The approximate age of the trees was computed by counting the tree 

rings. The year 1856 was confirmed by study of precipitation 

records, which are available at Vancouver, Wash., for the years since

1853.

DEFICIENCIES IN PRECIPITATION DATA

The maximum annual precipitation recorded within the region 

^vest of the Cascade Mountains is about 130 inches, yet the average 

annual run-off from at least two streams, the Hoh and Quinault 

Rivers, exceeds that amount by nearly 10 percent, indicating that 

the actual precipitation is much higher than that recorded. Joseph 

Jacobs, 1 consulting engineer of Seattle, Wash., describes studies which 

'ed him to conclude that annual precipitation on the south anc1 west 

slopes of Mount Olympus (altitude, 8,150 feet) might exceed 270 

;nches.

Stevens 2 writes:

It is a common practice among engineers, when stream-flow data a.re not 

available and sometimes even when they are to make estimates of stream 

discharge from precipitation records. Such attempts are usually futile in this 

State |Washington], first, because such scattered rainfall stations as are being

*naintained are located in the valleys or in river canyons in situations wlich do

-rot afford records representative of large areas, second, because practically no

-ecords of precipitation have been kept on the higher portions of the drainage 

?asins, the portions that supply most of the water.

Although the number of precipitation stations has increased from 

ibout 40 in 1909 to about 100 in ,1938, there are still only about 14 

stations at elevations above 1,000 feet, which indicates that Mr. 

Stevens' statement is almost as true today as when he wrote it. 

Roughly, half the entire region is at elevations in excess of 1,000 feet,

 Tet it is served by only 14 stations, only two of which are above an 

elevation of 4,000 feet. Figure 29 shows the effect of elevation on

 irecipitation on the southern and western slopes of Mount Rainier 

; n the Puyallup River Basin and on the southern slope of the Olympic

fountains in the Wynoochee River Basin. 

The higher elevations in the region are subject to large accumuations of snow, exceeding 20 feet at Paradise Inn on the south slope 

of Mount Rainier. The depth of the snow is measured daily, but 

no regular measurements had been made of water content of the snow 

'during the period covered by this report. Under such circumstances, 

: t is impossible to segregate accurately runoff caused by melting 

mow from that caused by rain.

1 Some random notes on rainfall and runoff in the State of Washington, unpublished report to WaterResources Division, Washington State Planning Council.

2 Stevens, J. C., Water powers of the Cascade Range: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 2.r>3, pt. 1, 

]-r>. 14-15, 1910.
68 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

WYNOOCH

SMVynooel

/ Wishkah t 

1 PUYALLUP

/dBuckley

Puyallup

IE RIVER BAS

/

ee at Oxbow

eadworks 

RIVER BAS r.^1

Carbon River

IN " "

N ^^-^^Vi

rB

entrance

,. " "

^ ' " 

radise Inn

Peak of Oly

I

npic Mountains

eak of Mount f

-7,915 feet

ainier-14,400 feet

2,000 4000 6,000 8,000 10,000 

Elevation above mean sea level.in feet

12,001-) 14,000 16,000

FIGUBE 29. Mean annual altitude-precipitation relation for the southern slope of the Olympic Mountains 

and for the southern and western slopes of Mount Rainier.

OBJECTIVES AND SELECTION OF AREAS

Practically every stream in the region flows through areas of two 

distinct types of topography the upper mountainous area and the 

lower valley area in which the physical and climati0- characteristics 

are very different. The present study was undertaken to determine, 

if possible, the effect of this difference in characteristics on the behavior of flood runoff.

The Puyallup River, whose basin comprises both mountainous, 

foothill, and delta topography, lends itself fairly well to such a study. 

Stream-flow records are available on both the upper and the lower 

river and on three of its tributaries, so it is possible to segregate the 

runoff of the valley part from that of the mountainous part of the 

basin. Although the average annual runoff from the Puyallup 

River is not so great as for most streams in the region, the flood 

menace is of considerable consequence because of the relatively dense 

population and the highly developed areas in the kwer part of the 

basin.

A comparison between valley runoff of the Puyallup River and that 

of a nearby stream seemed desirable. The Green and Nisqually 

Rivers, in adjacent basins, flow through areas somewhat similar to 

that of the Puyallup River but available records are not sufficient
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 69

to make possible the segregation of the valley runoff. The Ch°-halis 

River, to the south, flows through rolling lowlands, somewhat similar 

to those of the Puyallup River Valley. That river was, therefore, 

chosen for study along with the Puyallup River. The location of 

the Puyallup and Chehalis River Basins is shown on figure 27.

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

DESCRIPTION OF AREA

The Puyallup River rises in the Puyallup and Tacoma Glaciers 

on the western slopes of Mount Rainier, flows 46 miles in a generally 

northwesterly direction to Commencement Bay, into which it empties 

i,t Tacoma. For a distance of 20 miles from its source the river traverses a comparatively high mountainous area with a very steep 

gradient. In this stretch the channel occupies a narrow cr.nyon 

cor a distance of 9 miles. Below this 20-mile stretch the valley widens, 

" he gradient decreases abruptly, and the river flows through rolling 

owlands to its mouth. The Carbon and White Rivers ar3 the 

iirincipal tributaries.

The Carbon River rises in the Carbon and Russell Glaciers on the 

northwestern slopes of Mount Rainier and flows northwestward to

*;he Puyallup River, which it enters about 2% miles below Oting. 

The Carbon River also flows through rugged, mountainous country 

and occupies narrow, precipitous canyons.

The White River is formed by the junction of its east and west 

"orks on the northern slope of Mount Rainier. It has its source in 

"3mmons, Frying Pan, and Winthrop Glaciers. From the jur°,tion 

of the forks, the White River flows almost due west to Buckle^ and

-hence northwestward to the Puyallup River, which it joins a mile 

^ast of the city of Puyallup. Originally, the flow of the White River 

'iear its mouth was divided, one part flowing through the Stuck and 

"^uyallup Rivers to Commencement Bay, and the other through the 

"!)uwamish River to Elliot Bay. In 1914, Pierce and King Counties 

entered into an agreement to dam the outlet into the Duwr.mish 

17jver and to divert the entire flow through the Stuck River into the 

°uyallup River. The Greenwater River, which drains the. western 

rlope of the Cascades from Pyramid Peak on the north to Castle

lountain on the sduth, is the principal tributary of the White Piver. 

mhe White River drains a high, rugged, steep area on the northern 

rJope of Mount Rainier but, unlike the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers, 

:t does not flow through narrow canyons. Below the forks, the 

river meanders back and forth across a rather wide valley flanked 

rn both sides with benches that slope upward to the basin boundaries 

r.nd downward toward Pudget Sound.
70 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

Drainage areas for the Puyallup River and its principal tributaries 

are listed below:

Square 

Stream and point of measurement miles

Puyallup River at mouth______________.________________ 977

Puyallup River just above mouth of White River________ 440

Puyallup River just above mouth of Carbon River_______ 188

White River at mouth_________________________________ 500

White River just above mouth of Greenwater River.______ 217

White River above the Forks ___________________________ 212

Greenwater River at mouth_____________________________ 77

East Fork of White River at mouth_______________ 146

West Fork of White River at mouth___________________ 66

Carbon River at mouth._______________________________ 224

Elevations within the Puyallup Basin range from sea level at 

Tacoma to 14,408 feet at the summit of Mount Rainier. The lower 

ends of the glaciers are between elevations of 4,000 and 5,000 feet.

Above an elevation of 6,000 feet the soil cover is scanty, most of 

the weathered rock particles having been washed down the slopes into 

the valleys. Vegetation is sparse, owing to lack of soil, steep slopes, 

and low temperatures. At lower elevations the soil cover is plentiful, 

and conditions are favorable for the dense growth of timber and 

underbrush. Originally the area below an^elevation of 6,000 feet was 

covered with heavy forests of fir, cedar, and hemlock, but much of the 

timber has been depleted by logging operations and fire. The lowlying plains adjoining the lower Puyallup River are composed of glacial 

outwash, from which the fine material has been eroded. The resulting 

deposit of coarse sand and gravel permits considerable underground 

seepage, with a consequent decrease in surface runoff.

Average annual precipitation, as shovra in figure 28, ranges from 

about 40 inches in the vicinity of Puget Sound to more than 100 inches 

on the upper slopes of Mount Rainier and on the summit of the 

Cascades. At the higher elevations much of the precipitation is snow, 

which reaches a depth of nearly 40 feet in drifts and averages nearly 

20 feet. A summary of climatic data within the area is shown in 

table 3.

The upper Puyallup and Carbon River Basins are in the direct 

path of .the moisture-laden prevailing winds. Tl e White River 

Basin, on the north and east slopes of Mount Rainier, is shaded from 

them. The effect of Mount Rainier in intercepting and deflecting 

prevailing winds is well illustrated in table 3 by comparing the precipitation at Parkway on the leeward side with that of Longmire on 

the windward side, both stations having about the same altitude. 

The average temperature gradient is 2.2° F. per 1,000 feet increase in 

altitude.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPP

I2I»

EXPLAN

Gaging 

6 Weathe

GAGING STATIONS 

I.Puyallup River near Orting 

Z.Puyallup River at Puyallup 

3. Carbon River near Fairfax 

. White River at Greenwater 

5,'Greenwoter River at Greenwater

WEATHER STATIONS

1. Poradi$e Inn

2.Longmire

3.Carbon River Entrance

4. Puyallup

5.Tocomo

6. Parkway 

T.Buekley

CONTOUR MAP OF THE PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN SHOWING RIVER-MEASUREMENT AND CLI OLOGIC STATIONS

46*50'

765375 48 (Face p. 70)

FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 71

TABLE 3. Precipitation, average temperature, and snowfall for year ending Dec. 31, 

1938, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin and vicinity

No. on 

plate 1

1

2 

3

4 

5 

6

7

Station Altitude 

(feet)

5,550 

2.761 

2, 026 

100 

109 

2,628 

685

Average 

temperature (° F.)

39.6 

46.5

51.2 

52.4 

44.1 

51.1

Precipitation 

(inches)

76.23 

63.77 

i 57. 99 

28.94 

27.12 

40.85 

36.92

Snow

Total 

(inches)

484.5 

163.0

1.0 

3.5 

151.2 

5.0

Maximum 

accumulated depth 

(inches)

139 

27

0 

0 

29 

0

1 No record for January, February, or March; total for year computed on basis of record at Longmire. 

DIVISION OP AREA

Rainfall and runoff have been analyzed for the mountainous and 

valley parts of the Puyallup Basin. The mountainous part, as considered in this report, is the part above the gaging stations of the 

upper Puyallup, Carbon, White, and Greenwater Rivers, wHch are 

listed in table 4 and are shown in relation to topography on plate 1; 

this part lias an area of 541 square miles. The valley part is between 

the upper gaging stations (nos. 1, 3-5 on pi. 1) and the station on the 

lower Puyallup River at Puyallup (no. 2); it has a drainage area of 

407 square miles.

TABLE 4. Gaging stations on streams draining mountainous areas in the Puyallup

River Basin

No. on 

plate 1

3

5

Gaging station

Drainage 

ar?a (square 

miles)

170

81

216

74

541

The mountainous part is predominantly above an altitude of 2,000 

feet, the average being about 3,900 feet; the valley part is predominantly below 2,000 feet, average 1,500 feet. Accurate segregation of 

the two parts with respect to altitude is not practicable; the mountainous part as outlined on. plate 1 includes relatively small areas 

below 2,000 feet, whereas Voight Creek and Clearwater River, in the 

valley part, receive the drainage from relatively small areas as high 

as 6,000 feet. These slight nonconformities tend to lessen somewhat 

the significance of differences in flow from the two parts. Table 5 

shows the classification of the areas with respect to altitude.

755375 48 3
72 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

TABLE 5. Distribution of area in the Puyallup River Basin with respect to altitude

(in percent)

Altitude (feet)

0-1,000 

1,000-2,000- - 

3,000-4,000 

5,000-7,000 

7,000-9,000 

Total 

Mountainous part

White River 

plus Greenwater River 

(290 square 

miles)

0 

2 

12 

24 

28 

31 

2 

1

100

Upper Puyallup River 

(170 square 

miles)

. 5 

32 

19 

19 

10 

8 

5 

2

100

Carbon 

River (81 

square 

miles)

0 

12 

21 

21 

27 

14 

3 

2

100

Total (541 

square 

miles)

2 

15 

17 

21 

22 

18 

3 

2

- 100

Valley part 

(407 square 

miles)

45 

21 

18 

11 i 5

100

i Total area above 4,000 feet.

SELECTION OF FLOODS

In addition to the rainfall and runoff studies for the two parts of 

the Puyallup Kiver Basin, comparisons were made between the 

Chehalis River and the valley part of the Puyallup Fiver. Floods* 

were selected, therefore, for two purposes to show differences in 

flood behavior between the mountainous and valley parts of the 

Puyallup River and between the valley part of the P'.iyallup River 

and the Chehalis River.

During December 1933 and January 1934 three floods occurred on 

the Puyallup River; the crest of the first was on December 10, that of 

the second was on December 22, and the third on January 23. The 

two December floods greatly exceeded any previous floods of record, 

overtopping and breaking levees and causing great damage. The 

January flood, though much lower, was included because it followed 

so soon after the two in December. In December 1937, a minor flood 

occurred on the Puyallup River that would be of little interest were 

it not for the fact that the Chehalis River was at that time experiencing its maximum flood of record, which indicated that the flood 

was caused by rain at the lower altitudes. In April 1938 the reverse 

occurred, for a high flood on the Puyallup River and a ITW one on the 

Chehalis River indicated that a major contributing factor to the 

Puyallup* River flood was snow melt at the higher altitudes.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 73 

OTHER FLOODS

Prior to December 1933 the maximum recorded flood on the 

Puyallup Kiver was that of December 1917, which reached a crest 

discharge of 40,500 second-feet, about 6,000 second-feet less than the 

smaller of the two 1933 floods. Other major floods occurred in 1919 

and 1921. However, as only scanty runoff records are available for 

the upper Puyallup and Carbon Rivers prior to 1931, a detailed 

investigation of these earlier floods cannot be made.

RECORDS OF DISCHARGE

On the following pages are presented the records of discharge at 

five stations in the Puyallup River Basin for the selected floods that 

were investigated. These records consist of a station description, a 

table of daily discharge for the entire flood periods, and a table of discharge at indicated time for the days when the discharge was varying 

rapidly. The discharges at indicated times are given in sufficient 

number for a reasonably reliable delineation of the hydrographs for 

the flood periods.

Also included are records of discharge for the Chehalis Ri^er near 

Grand Mound for the floods that were studied. These have been 

included in this section of the report so that all the records of discharge will be available in one place in the report.

PUYALLUP RIVER NEAR ORTING, WASH.

LOCATION Lat. 47°02'30", long. 122°12'20", in SW% sec. 17, T. 18 N., R. 5 E.,

4 miles south of Orting and 7% miles upstream from Carbon River. 

DRAINAGE AREA. 170 square miles. 

GAGE-HEIGHT RECORD. Water-stage recorder graph. 

STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATION. Changes often; defined by frequent current-meter

measurements; extended above 8,000 second-feet.

MAXIMA. Dec. 5-16, 1933: Discharge, 12,700 second-feet (estimated), Dec. 10. 

Dec. 17-31, 1933: Discharge/11,300 second-feet 10:30 p. m., Dec. 21, 

(gage height, 9.57 feet).

January 1934: Discharge, 5,360 second feet 2:30 p. m., Jan. 22 (gage 

height, 8.64 feet).

December-January 1937-38: Discharge, 4,420 second-feet 4:50 p. m., 

Dec. 28 (gage height, 7.63 feet).

April 1938: Discharge, 8,680 second-feet 3:55 a. m., Apr. 18 (gape height, 

9.14 feet).

REMARKS. Records fair. Discharge for period Dec. 5-15, 1933, estimated by 

comparison with records for other stations in Puyallup River Basir. Slight 

regulation by Puget Sound Power & Light Co.'s plant at Electron.
74 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

Discharge, in second-feet, for flood period

1933

Dec. 5.---- 590

6...... 3,000

7 ... 2,700

8 ... 1,900

9 -'6,600

10 ... 12,000

11.-... 7,900

12...... 3,800

13 ... 2,600

14 . 2,300

IS ... 1,700

16. .. 1,210

17 . 1,990

18. . 3,450

Dec. 19.... . 2,800

20. . 4,290 

21..... 7,490

22__... i 4,790 

23..... 2,610 

24.. _ 1,300 

25..... 1,480 

26 2,500 

27..... 2,340 

28 .. 2,470

29...- 2,800 

30-... 2,740 

31 .. 2,360

1934

Jan. 17..... 2,420 

18..... 2,140

19..- 3,000

20.. 3,240 

21..... 3,100 

22..... 3..980

23.. . 2,230 

24 1,670

25... 2,300 

26..... 2,360 

27. . 1,840 

28 1,550 

29..... 1,420 

30. . 1,^20

1937-38

Dec. 25.. 57 

26.. 76 

27 1,05 

28. ... 3,78 

29 2. ftf

Jan.

Period

Dec. 5-16, 1933. . .. 

Dec. 17-31, 1S33. _ 

Jan 17-30, 1934

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 

Apr 15-25 1938

4, 1938 .----- -- --_- 

30.. 1,94 

31 1,39 

1. . 1,16 

2 99.

6 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4

3... 895 

4 721

Secondfoot-days

46,300 

45, 410 

32, 670 

15, 918 

16, 666

1938

Apr. 15 430

16. 513

17 2, 010

18 4, 420

19 2 320

20 1 790

91 1 VW\

99 1 1 fift

23 994

94 ROR

OC Qf\A

Runoff

Inches Acre-feet

10. 13 91, 830 

9. 93 90, 070 

7. 13 64, 800 

3. 48 31, £70 

3. 65 33, 060

i Revised.

Discharge, in second-feet, at indicated time

Hour

12m.......... ........................... ..

4.. 

6.. 

10 

12 

4. 

6 

8 

10 

12m. . 

6-.. 

10 

12.. 

4_ 

6 

8. 

10 

12m . ...

^.. ................. ......................

6-.. 

8- 

10 

12 

19

Dec. 9 

5,250

6,930

8,090

9,730

10,300

11,300

11,900

Dec. 10

12, 400

12, 600

12, 700

12,600

12,400

12,200

12,100

12,000

12,000

11,800

10, 700

9,950

Dec. 11 

9,810

8,800

8,390

7,780

8,250

7,520

6,790

6,120

33

Dec. SO 

3,300

3,690

4,100

5,190

7,400

9,200

9,020

Dec. SI 

7,400

7,230

6,380

6,380

6,210

6,040

6,040

6,040

6,890

9,760

11,300

10,300

Dec. St 

8,120

5,530

4,550

4,870

4,250

4,870

3,820

3,300

2,740

3,430

3,430

1934

Jan SI 

3,560

3,300

3,040

2,980

Jan. 12 

2,980

3,040

3,430

3,820

4,100

4,400

5,030

5,030

4,550

3,960

3,960

3,690

Jan. S3 

3,560

3,300

2,740

2,470

2,140

1,890

1,690

1,460

1,600

1,550

1,600

1,500

1937

Dec. 27

1,130

1 

' 660

2,860

Dec. 88

3,840

3,500

3,360

3,170

3,190

3,660

4,200

4,380

4,100

3,990

3,560

Dec. S9 

3,270

3,100

3,000

2,8£0

2,430

9 4fifi

2,160

2,180

2,270

1938

Apr. 17

2,550

2,820

9 4fift

P CQA

4,070

Apr. 18 

4,310

S

een

8,040

6,210

4,800

3

Kf\n

S

AAft

2

QOfl

9 Wft

2,460

Apr. 19

f) AClf\

2 eon

2 17(\

2 inn

2,140

2,160

2 100

2 1 ^n
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS

PUYALLUP RIVER AT PUYALLUP, WASH.

75

LOCATION. Lat. 47°12'20", long. 122°19'30", in NE>4 sec. 20, T. 20 N., R. 4 E.,

1 mile northwest of Puyallup, 3% miles downstream from Stuck River, and 7

miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is mean sea level (general

adjustment of 1929). 

DRAINAGE AREA. 948 square miles. 

GAGE-HEIGHT RECORD. Water-stage recorder graph. 

STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATION. Well defined by current-meter measurements;

extended above 40,000 second-feet. 

MAXIMA. Dec. 5-16, 1933: Discharge, about 57,000 second-feet 2:30 a. m.,

Dec. 10 (gage height, 31.0 feet, present datum).

Dec. 17-31, 1933: Discharge, 46,000 second-feet 5:30 a. m., Dec. 22

(gage height, 27.5 feet, present datum). 

January 1934: Discharge, 28,900 second-feet 9 a. m., Jan. 23 (gage height,

21.9 feet, present datum).

December-January 1937-38: Discharge, 19,000 second-feet 12:05 a. m.,

Dec. 29 (gage height, 18.6 feet).

April 1938: Discharge, 33,900 second-feet 11:05 a. m., Apr. 18 (gage

height, 23.6 feet). 

REMARKS. Records good. Large part of flow of White River diverted into

Lake Tapps above station. All diverted water returned to river above gage.

Discharge, in. second-feet, for flood periods

1933

Dec. 5 . 2,820

6 - 15,200

7 - 14,400

8 8,960

9 .. 26,400

10 .. 53,400

11 ,. 32,400

12- 18,700

13 13,600

14 10,900

15..... 8,250

16-.... 6,000

17 6,920

18 . 21,300

Dec. 19 .. 16,800

20 16,300

21 . 35,200

22..... 44,400

23 35,500

24 17,900

25 . 13,400

, 26 .. 15,400

27....- 12,900

28 - 9,900

29. 9,130

30 7,900

31 7,120

1934

Jan. 17..... 6,010

18. .. 5,290

19... .. 8,120

20. 12,500

21..-. 11,200

22-..- 16,800

23..... 25,700

24.-- 14,500

25..... 10,500

26...- 10,000

27...- 8,730

28.-.. 7,310

29. ... 6,930

30..... 6,190

Period

Dec. 5-16, 1933 ... .. ... . .. ..

Dec. 17-3-1, 1933 . ......

Jan. 17-30, 1934. .. . . ......

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938. - . ......

Apr. 15-25, 1938 .. ........ ...... ..... . . .....

1937-38

Dec. 25. _ 2, 530

26 3, 990

27 . 4,740

28.... 14,400

29 . 15,400

30-... 13,900

31-.. 9,100

Jan. 1 .. 6,110

2.... 4,520

3.... 3,780

4-.. 3,080

Observed

Secondfootdays

211, 030

270, 070

149, 780

81,550

95,380

Runoff

(acrefeet)

418, 600

535, 700

297, 100

161, 800

189, 200

1938

Apr. 15..... 2,640 !<?.

... 2,990

17..... 8,620

IS 27,900

17. . _ 16,600

20 10,200

21.. 7,510

22. .... 5,640

23 4,960

24 4,080

25 4,240

Adj-isted for

change in

Change

in 

contents 1

(acre-feet)

-4,830

-4,920

-8,960 -44

-4, 770

contents

Runof

in

acre-feet

413, 801

530,800

288, 101

161, 801

184,400

Runoff

in

inches

8.17

10.49

5.68

3.20

3.65

1 Gain or loss in storage in Lake Tapps.
76 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

Discharge, in second-feet, at indicated time

Hour

12 m.... ...................................

4~ ....... ........... _._--_ 

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

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

10 

12---- 

2 a. m_. 

4. _ ... ......... ___ ... _ ..---.-.-..

6 - .- : 

8 

10 

12m. 

2 p. m ..................... .... ....

6 - . 

8 - 

10- 

12.- 

4... ____ ........ _ .-, __ . __ --------

e._ . 

8-. .

10- - 

12m. ....... -. .... 

t::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

10.. 

12.. ........ . . . . .-

19

Dec. 9

24,800

31,600

38,000

42,800

47,600

50,700

53,300

Dec. 10

56,800

56,800

56,200

55,200

54,200

53,900

53,300

53,000

52,000

51,000

48,500

46,100

Dec. 11 

43,700

40,800

37,800

34,700

32,700

30,800

29,700

28,000

26,700

25,600

24,000

22,900

33

Dec. tl 

36,100

34,600

33,400

33,100

33,700

35,500

39,200

Dec. Hi 

42,900

45,500

45, 700

45, 400

44,800

44,400

44,100

44,400

45,100

44,800

44,400

44,100

Dec. US 

42,300

41,000

39, 500

38,200

37,600

36,700

35,800

32,800

30,700

29,200

27,100

25,000

1934 .

Jan. til 

14,700

16,700

19,000

21,800

24,700

26,500

27,100

Jan. 8S 

27,100

27,400

9« nnn

28,600

28,300

28,000

26,200

24,700

23,500

21,800

20,400

19,000

Jan. 84 

17, 700

16,700

15,700

15,000

15,200

14,-<00

13,700

13,400

12, 700

12,500

11,800

10,900

1937

Dec. $7 d fidn

4 >U/1

5,500

8,190

Dec. «8 

9,770

11,400

12,600

13,100

13,800

14,400

14, 800

15,400

16,700

18, 100

18,700

19,000

Dec. 89 

18,100

17,600

16,400

15,900

15,600

15,100

14,600

14,100

14, 100

13,800

13,400

13,100

1938

Apr. ir 7 lifi

9 non

10,200

11,900

14,100

16,400

18,400

Apr. 18 

21,800

24,900

27,600

30,600

33,300

33,900

33,000

30,600

28,500

26,400

24,900

22,600

Apr. 19 

20,600

19,300

18,200

17,400

17,200

16,700

15,700

15,200

14,200

13,400

13,400

12,200

CARBON RIVER NEAR FAIRFAX, WASH.

LOCATION. Lat. 47°01'30", long. 122°02'00", in SW^ sec. 2.% T. 18 N., R. 

6 E., ly* miles northwest of Fairfax and 12 miles upstream frcm Voight Creek. 

DRAINAGE AEEA. 81 square miles. 

GAGE-HEIGHT RECORD. Water-stage recorder graph.

STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATION. Fairly well defined by current-meter measurements; extended above 1,300 second-feet.

MAXIMA. Dec. 5-16, 1933: Discharge, about 8,030 second-feet 6:30 p. m., Dec. 9 

(gage height, 10.2 feet).

Dec. 17-31, 1933: Discharge, about 5,480 second-feet 10:30 p. m., Dec. 

21 (gage height, 8.08 feet).

January 1934: Discharge, about 3,380 second-feet 6 a. n^., Jan. 23 (gage 

height, 6.20 feet).

December-January 1937-38: Discharge, 1,460 second-feet 6 p. m., Dec. 

28 (gage height, 3.83 feet).

April 1938: Discharge, 5,560 second-feet 4 a. m., Apr. 18 (gage height, 

6.98 feet).

REMARKS. Records good except those above 1,500 second-feet and those for 

Dec. 24-26, 1933, which were estimated by comparison with records for other 

stations in Puyallup River Basin, which are poor.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 77

Discharge, in second-feet, for flood periods

Dec. 5-._

6 

7

8 

8 

10 

11....

12..,.

13 

14 .

15 .

16..-.

17 

18 

1

.. 392

.. 1,710

.. 1,080

.. 820

.. 4,810

- 4,300

.. 2,360

.. 3,790

.- 1,510

- 1,420

 1,380

- 1,380

-t,580

.. 2,180

933

Dec. 19 .

20-

21..

22-

23-

24

25-

26-

27-

28-

29-

30-

31...

.... 1,620

... 2,060

... 3,720

... 3,980

... 2,580

... 1,800

... 1,500

... 1,400

-.. 1,360

... 1,180

1 080

... 995

.-- 875

1934

Jan. 17......

18.. 

19.. 

20 

21......

22__.___

23......

24...:..

25..-,.-

26......

27 

28 -

29.. .

30 

815

695

896

1,480

1,420

2,040

2,730

1,440

1,120

1,080

935

785

767

737

1937-28

Dec. 25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30- ..

31 .

2 ..

3 ..

4 

268

330

423

1,250

1,150

794

610

479

400

344

1938

Apr. 15. .

16 ..

17 ..

18 ..

19 -

20 .

21 .

22. .

23 ..

24 .

25 .

256

336

2,010

3,660

1,460

958

739

676

606

526

470

Period

Dec. 5-16, 1933-..-.-.. ..........................................

Dec. 17-31, 1633--.----....----. _ ...- __ .--. _ .....................

Jan. 17-30, 1934. .................. ............. .......... .......

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938 .-- .-- - . ..... . _ . _ -

Apr. 15-25, 1938--..-.-- - ... ...... ........... .............

Secondtoot-days

22,952 

27, 910 

16,940 

7,198 

11,697

Kunoff

Inches

10.53 

12. FJ 

7.76 

3.30 

5.36

Acre-feet

45,520 

55,360 

33,600 

14,280 

23,200

Discharge, in second-feet, at indicated time

Hour

12m.................... ...................

4-.. 

6--- 

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

10-- 

12 

2a.m. 

4.-. . . 

6--... .-.. ..........................

8- 

10-. 

6.. ... 

8.-. .................................

10..-. ...I... .......................

12-.- .... 

2a.m. _________ . ____ . ..........

4------.- _ .................... ___ - .....

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

8-........................... ..........

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

12m.......................................

2p.m.. __ .. ......

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

6-.--..-.....,.... .. ... .. .

8-- . . 

10.- . .

12--. -. .--- ._. _. .. _ . .

19

Dec. 8 

790

760

940

Dee. 9 

1,200

1,700

2,620

3,580

4,600

5,590

6,360

6,470

6,950

7,910

6,590

5,810

Dee. 10

5,480

5,150

5,040

4,710

4,490

4,080

4,280

3,980

3 7RH

1 RRfl

3 OOA

3,000

33

Dec. SI 

2,740

2,910

3,480

4,280

5,260

5,480

5,150

Dec. 22 

4,490

3,980

3,780

3,680

3,780

3,980

4,030

4 080

3,880

3,680

3,580

3,480

Dec. 23 

3,380

3,280

3,000

2,580

2,350

2,280

2,280

9 94.fl

o 01 n

2 91fl

2,210

1934

Jan. 22 

1,720

2,000

2,280

2,660

3,090

3,280

3,180

Jan. 2S 

3,180

3,380

3,380

3,090

2,910

2,500

2,280

2,180

2,070

1,960

1,860

Jan. 24

1,540

1,620

1 540

1,480

1,440

1,380

1,360

1,320

i ^fin

1,260

1 240

1937

Dec. 27 

35?

450

63?

843

Dee. 28 

895

931 97,-

1,001

1,010

1,140

1,301

1,410

1,461

1,361

1,361

1,361

Dec. 29 

1,361

1,310

1,291

1,241

1,201

1,170

1,161

1,221

1 9*7l1

I

OQiT

1,310

1938

Apr. 17 

1,620

2,040

2,430

2,850

3,630

4,020

4,440

Apr. 18 

4,860

5,420

5,000

4,440

4,030

3,640

3,390

2,910

2,800

2,470

2,140

2,250

Apr. 19 

1,920

1,760

1,610

1,560

1,460

1,420

1,330

1,280

1,240

1,200

1,150

1,110
78 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

WHITE RIVER AT GREENWATER, WASH.

LOCATION. Lat. 47°08'50", long. 121°38'50", in SE}£ sec. 10, T. 19 N.. R. 9 E., 

three-quarters of a mile southeast of Green water, three-quarters of a mile 

upstream from Green water River, and 25 miles upstream from Buckley. 

DRAINAGE AREA. 216 square miles. 

GAGE-HEIGHT RECORD. Water-stage recorder graph.

STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATION. Defined by current-meter measurements; extended above 3,600 second-feet.

MAXIMA. Dec. 5-16, 1933: Discharge', 10,500 second-feet 8:30 p. m., Dec. 9; 

gage height, 9.13 feet 5 p. m., Dec. 9.

Dec. 17-31, 1933: Discharge, 12,100 second-feet 9 p. m., Dec. 21 (gage 

height, 9.38 feet). »

January 1934: Discharge, 5,440 second-feet 2:30 a.."IT., Jan. 23 (gage 

height, 6.20 feet).

December-January, 1937-38: Discharge, 2,010 second-feet 6 a. m., Dec. 30 

(gage height, 3.99 feet).

April 1938: Discharge, 5,440 second-feet 5:45 a. m., Apr. 18 (gage height, 

5.66 feet). 

REMARKS. Records good except those over 4,000 second-feet, which are poor.

Discharge, in second-feet, for flood periods

6

7 -

8 

9 i

10 

11 

12 

13 ..

14 

15 

16 .

17- 

18 

1<

772

2,920

1,820

1,380

6,620

8,830

5,070

3,880

3,100

2,460

2,140

1,840

2,970

4,340

>33

Dec. 19.. .

20 

21 

22 __

23. 

24 

25 -.

26 

27 ...

28 

29 ...

30 .-.

31- .-

3,320

4,090

7,900

9,220

6,460

3,930

2,810

2,360

2,150

2,080

2,220

2,150

1,940

1934

Jan. 17.. 

18.. 

19----

20.--..

21.. 

22 -

23.. 

24 ....

25...--

26-. 

27 

28..--.

29- 

30.. 

1,270

1,160

1,510

1,800

2,150

3,500

4,250

2,580

2,010

1,870

1 1, 650

1,500

1,440

1,440

1937-38

Dec. 25 

26 .:

27 

28.....

29 

30 

Jan. 1 

2 ...

3.... .

4.....

eei eei

661

1,730

1, 82.0

1,050 9C-)

7S«

72.4

1938

Apr. 15 .-

16 

17- -

18 

19 

20. 

21 

22 ..

23 --

24 -

25 .-

601

788

2,210

4,640

2,900

1,920

1,530

1,420

1,310

1,260

1,180

Period

Dec. 5-16, 1933. _. . .-. .. 

Dec. 17-31, 1933--.. _.. .-.._ . 

Jan. 17-30, 1934- -- - -

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938 .... 

Apr. 15-25, 1938 - ..-. . ..-..- -, . 

Secondfoot-days

40, 832 

57, 940 

28, 130 

11, 715 

19, 759

Runoff

Inches

7.05 

9.99 

4.84 

2.02 

3.40

Acre-feet

80,990 

114,900 

55,800 

23, 240 

39,190

i Revised.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 79

Discharge, in second-feet, at indicated time

Hour

12 m______._ _ _ _ _._._

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

6.. _ . _

8.. --.--.-__--.--.....-..__-.._...._.....

10--- 

12-- _ 

2 a. m__-_- ___ --..---...--. ___ ....

4--. ... ... ..

6--- . - - ....----

8----. _._ _____________________

10--- - 

12m. .....-_ ..

4--- . 

6-.- - - .

8-- - . .. .. ..

10--. __.. - ... ... . ..

12--- 

2 a. m_ ....... ___ -_ __ _-. _ . __ ---_-

4.. . 

6-.. 

8.. __ 

10.-. ...... ... ... ......... .-

12m...................... ......... ....

4.-. _ -_- -_.____ ________ ______

6-- ..

8... .... ...........-.... -.-_.. .

10... .... ... ... . ..-._ . ....

12..-. -. ..........

18

Dec. 9 

7,470

9,160

9,540

9,730

10,300

Dec. 10 

10,200

9,780

9,590

9,780

9,590

9,020

8,450

7,550

6,830

6,290

Dec. il 

5,750

5,580

5,410

5,240

4,730

4,730

4,560

4,300

4,560

4, 56U

4,300

33

Dec. tl 

6,110

6,830

9,780

11, 600

Dec. 2% 

9,600

9,030

8,650

8,650

9,030

9,030

9,410

9,600

9,410

9,030

8,650

8,270

Dec. 23 

8,080

8,270

7,340

6,980

6,460

5,780

5,610

5,440

5,100

4,760

1934

Jan. n 

2,500

Jan. M 

2,150

2,220

2,360

3,450

4,250

_. <;Qft

4,760

4,760

5,100

Jan. S3

5,270

4,590

4,250

3,530

3,370

3,130

1937

Dec. 28 

1,300

1,420

1,710

1,760

1,750

Dec. 89 

1,700

1,680

1,680

1,680

1,680

1,660

1,760

1,870

1,960

2,610

Dec. 30 

2,010

2,010

2,010

1,960

1,990

1,830

1,780

1,710

1,660

1,620

1,580

1,520

1938

Apr. 17 

1,940

2,280

2,500

2,900

3,400

3,800

4,320

Apr. 18 

4,860

5,200

5,440

5,320

5,200

4,860

4,420

4,320

4,100

4,000

3,700

3,500

Apr. 19 

3,400

3,300

3,300

3,100

3,000

2,900

2,700

2,610

2,520

2,520

2,380

2,310

GREENWATER RIVER AT GREENWATER, WASH.

LOCATION. Lat. 47°09'15", long. 121°38'00", in ftW^NW^ sec. 11, T. 19 N., 

R. 9 E., 1 mile upstream from mouth, 1 mile east of Greenwate.", and 17 

miles east of Buckley. 

DRAINAGE AREA. 74 square miles. 

GAGE-HEIGHT RECORD. Water-stage recorder graph. 

STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATION. Defined by current-meter measurements; extended

above 1,000 second-feet.

MAXIMA. Dec. 5-16, 1933: Discharge, 4,140 second-feet 11:45 p. m., Dec. 9 

(gage height, 9.24 feet, site and datum then in use).

Dec. 17-31, 1933: Discharge, 3,440 second-feet 3:30 a. m., Dec. 23 (gage 

height, 8.23 feet, site and datum then in use).

January 1934: Discharge, 1,960 second-feet 4:30 a. m. to 6:30 a. m., Jan. 

23 (gage height, 6.00 feet, site and datum then in use).

December- January 1937-38: Discharge, 586 second-feet 7 a. m. to 9 a. m., 

Dec. 30 (gage height, 3.93 feet) .

April 1938: Discharge, 1,410 second-feet 9:40 a. m. to 11 a. m., Apr. 18 

(gage height, 5.33 feet).

REMARKS. Records excellent except those above 1,500 second-feet, vhich are 

fair.

755375 48
80 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944 

Discharge, in second-feet, for flood periods

1933

Dec. 6 _ 190

6- 768

7.. - 586

8. 443

9 _. 2,170

10..... .. 3,720

11 .... 2,020

12....... 1,310

13....... 1,040

14 .... 845

15 .- 705

16 . 585

Dec. 17 ... 691

18 .. 1,350

19...... 1,060

21 .. 2,270

22 . 3,090

23...... 2,880

24 .. 1,610

25...... 1,140

26 .. 885

27 . 785

28 ... 725

29...... 705

30 -. 665

31...... 625

1934

Jan. 17...... 389

18...... 375

19...... 428

20...... 548

21...... 705

22...... 1,190

23... 1,780

24...... 1,080

25...... 765

26...... 725

27...... 685

28...... 605

29...... 585

30...... 565

1937-38

Dec. 

Jan.

Period

Dec. 5-16, 1933........................................................

Dec. 17-31, 1933....-.-......-.........-..-..-.-...... .............

Jan. 17-30, 1934

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan 

Apr. 16-25, 1938

4,1938 

25. 24

26 ... 23

27. 24

28 . 36

29 -.. 48

30 ... 56

31. 47

1 401

2 ... 33

3. 29

4 . 26.

Secondfoot-days

14, 382 

19, 631 

10,425 

3,895 

6,183

1 

8 

1 

1

0 

5 

5

D 

5 

5 

I

1938

Apr. 15...... 189

. 16 - 227

17 . 579

19...... 930

20 ... 658

21...... 530

22 - 470

23 -- 450

24 . 450

25 . 440

Runoff

Inches Acre-feet

7. 23 28, 530 

9. 87 38, 940 

5. 26 20, 680 

1. 96 7, 730 

3.10 12,260

Discharge, in second-feet, at indicated time

Hour

2 a. m__ _ . ________ __ .. __ .

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

6.-- ..

8.. 

10.- -

12m _ 

2 p. m _________________ ......

4.-. ... .... ....... ..

6.- - 

8.-. ... .... ... ...... ....

10... -

12. .... . .

4.-. 

6.-. 

8... . ....... ...... -

10 

12m _____ .. __ ...... _ .. _ ... _ .

4... ___ ... _____ . ___ . ___ .. ....-

6..- . .

8.-. ... ... 

10.- -

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

2 a m. 

4...- . ..... ......

6.- ..

8... . 

10.- 

12m ______ ... __ ... __ ... _-_ 

19

Dec. 9

524

632

860

1,240

1,600

1,960

2,200

2,670

3,720

4,070

4,070

4,140

Dec. 10 

4,000

3,930

3,930

4,000

4,070

4,000

3,930

3,720

3,510

3,300

3,090

2,880

Dec. 11

2,740

2,530

2,320

2,200

2,080

2,020

33

Dec. 88 

3,300

3,230

3,090

2,950

2,880

2,880

2,880

2,880

3,020

3,160

3,300

3,370

Dec. 23 

3,440

3,440

3,370

3,230

3,090

2,950

2,740

2,600

2,460

2,'320

2,200

2,140

Dec. 24 

2,020

1,900

1,780

1,720

1,660

1,610

1634

Jan. 22 

825

825

825

845

905

988

1,160

1,360

1,560

1,660

1,780

1,840

Jan. S3 

1,900

1,960

1,960

1,960

1,900

1,780

1,720

1,660

1,560

1,510

1,410

],360

Jan. 84 

1,310

1,240

1,180

1,140

1,080

1,040

1937

Dec. 29 

460

460

465

465

470

470

470

480

495

510

525

540

Dec. SO

555

570

576

586

581

£76

570

665

560

545

635

525

Dec. SI 

520

510

500

490

480

475

1938

Apr. 17 

325

370

420

470

520

560

608

658-

718

790'

900

990

Apr. 18 

1, 110

1,200

1,290

1,350

1,410

1,410

1,350

1,320

1,260

1,230

1,170

1,140

Apr. 19 

1,080

1,050

1,020

960

930

900
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS

CHEHALIS RIVER NEAR GRAND MOUND. WASH.

81

LOCATION Lat. 46°47', long. 123°02', in NE % sec. 22, T. 15 N., R. 3 W., at 

Meadow, 1% miles southwest of Grand Mound and about 6 mile? downstream from Skookumchuck River. Datum of gage is 123.27 feet above 

mean sea level (general adjustment of 1929).

DRAINAGE AREA. 928 square miles.

GAGE-HEIGHT RECORD. Staff gage read once daily Dec. 5-31, 1933, and Jan. 

17-30, 1934. Water-stage recorder graph Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938, 

and Apr. 15-25, 1938.

STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATION. Well defined by current-meter measurements; 

extended above 30,000 second-feet.

MAXIMA. Dec. 5-16, 1933: Discharge, about 10,000 second-feet Dec. 11. 

Dec. 17-31, 1933 Discharge, about 46,000 second-feet Dec. 21 or 22. 

January 1934: Discharge about 25,000 second-feet Jan. 23. 

December-January 1937-38: Discharge, 48,400 second-feet 11:30 a. m., 

Dec. 29 (gage height, 18.39 feet).

April 1938: Discharge, 13,000 second-feet 9:30 p. m., Apr. 18 (gage height, 

10.70 feet).

REMARKS. Figures of daily discharge for floods of December 1933 and January 

1934, published in Water-Supply Paper 767, were computed from gage 

reading once daily. For purpose of this investigation, daily dischrrges for 

these floods were computed from a graph based on the gage readings made 

once daily and shape of recorder graph for North River near Raymond. 

All discharges shown in various tables were derived in this way and vary from 

those previously published in Water-Supply Paper 677. The records published herein do not supersede the records published in Water-Supply Paper 

767 but are intended only for the purpose of this report. These revised 

records are fair. Records for December 1937, January and April 1938, 

when water-stage recorder was operating, are good.

Discharge, in second-feet, for flood periods

1933

Dec. 5 -. 3,110

8. . 13,500

7..... 25,100

8 - 21; 500

9..... 19,200

10. . 22,700

11. . 38,300

12..... 27,700

13..... 20,400

14 .... 16,300

15..... 12,800

16..... 9,840

17 .. 10,500

18 . 22,100

Dec. 19..... 42,900

20 37,400

21..... 43,000

22 .. 44,800

23 .. 39,900

24 .. 29,400

25.. 17,300

26- 15,900

27..... 18,000

28. . 14,000

29. 11,900

30 11,900

31 9,780

1934

Jan. 17. 9,620

18.. 7,950

19.. 7,920

20..... 13,700

21..... 17,000

22..... 18,500

23. . 24,800

24.- 21,000

25..... 16,000

26..... 11,100

27..... 7,950

28..--- 5,970

29..... 5,010

30..... 4,210

1937-38

Dec. 25... . 3,370

26 ... 6, 790

27 . 14,600

28 . 26,800

29. 46,300

30.... 35,800

31.... 25,300

Jan. I.... 17,600

2.. . 11,400

3 . 7,860

4.... 5,840

JTcI iUU

Dec. 5-16, 1933........ .................. ......................... _ .

Dec, 17-31, 1933.--.-... ..................... ...........-.- . 

Jan. 17-30, 1934-......................................................

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938--.-----------..-...-------.- __ . __ ..

Apr. 16-25, 1938... ...................... ............-.-......... 

Secondfoot-days

230,450

368,780

170, 730

201, 660

55,950

1138

Apr. 15. 1,690

16. 2,8lO

17 5,040

18 10,700

19.. 11,000

20 .. 7,100

21..... 5,040

22 .. 3,860

23 3,370

24. 2,810

 25 .. 2,530

Rurofl

Inches

9.24

14.78

6.82

8.10

2.24

Acre-feet

457, 100

731,500

338,600

400,000

111,000
82 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944 

Discharge, in second-feet, at indicated time

1937

12m _

4--.--

6......

8......

10-.-...

12.... . .

4..'....

6-. 

8__ 

10-. .

12m 

4- --

6-. 

10.. 

12.-.-.

Dec. S8 

......... 25,300

-- 28,000

. 31,000

. . 35,200

- .. 38,200

- .. 40,700

--------- 42,800

Dec. 29 

......... 44,200

- -. 44,900

- .-- 46,300

-------- 47,700

-------- 48,400

 ....- 48,400

...... _ 47,700

.---. 47,000

--.-. 46,300

.--. 44,900

..... . 43,500

--------- 42,100

Dec. SO

i.. .............

6- 

8----..-......

10-. .. ......

12m... ... -,

4-..--... ...

6. ...... -

8.. ......--

10-..-..-. ......

12.. -.... 

Dec. SI

4_. ............ ,

6_- ....... 

8.-- 

10- ...........

12m.... .

41,400 

40,000 

38,800 

37,600 

36,400 

35,200 

34,600 

33,400 

32,800 

32,200 

31, 000 

30,400

29,400 

28,900 

28,000 

27,100 

26,200 

25,800

1938

Apr. 18

4... --------

6_ !. 

8_ _-_-.-

10.. ........

12m... ........

4.---.-.-.---.

6-.. .--.. 

8.-. ........

10 .. ......

12-..-..-....-.

Apr. 19

4---- ------

6_ 

8- 

10..----....--.--

12m-..-.. -.

7,860 

8,450 

9,260 

9,890 

10,500 

11,200 

11,700 

12,200 

12,700 

13,000 

13,000 

13,000

12,700 

12,400 

12,200 

11,700 

11,200 

11,000

Apr. 19 Con. 

2 p. m 'in Finn

4-... ..........

6-. .......... -

8.-. ...-. -..-.-

10 

12 .........

Apr. SO

I ...........

6 

8 ----- -

10 

12m. --...-. ..-

4

6_... ..... .

8_. -..--.. 

10 

12.. 

- 10,300

.. 9,890

- 9,470

- 9,050

- 8,850

 8,450

- 8,250

7 860

- 7,480

- 7, 290

- 7,100

- 6,730

- 6,550

-_ 6,370

- 6,190

Mean discharge for 8-hour periods ending 8 a. m., 4 P- m-, 

of December 1933 and January 1934

and 12 p. m. for floods

December 1933

Day 

5 . 

6- 

7 ... -

9.. .*.. 

10. 

11 ...

19

13 

14..

15 

16 

17 

18 

Secondfeet 

........... 2,330

2,740 

4,260 

 8,790

13,100 

18, 600 

 23.000

26,200 

26,200 

 23.700

21,200 

19.700 

. 18,800

19,000 

19,800 

 . 20,800

21,900 

25,500 

-. 37,300

40,400 

37.100 

 . 31,600

27,200 

24, 300 

-.. 22,100

20, 300 

' 18, 700 

... . 17,500

16,200 

15,200 

_ ... ___ 13,800

12, 800 

11,800 

_ .... __ 10,600

9,650 

9,280 

 9,470

10,300 

11,700 

 15,600

20,400 

30,400

Day

10

20 . 

21 

22 ---.

OO

24-.... -------

25 

26 .

27 

29 -..

30 

31-. -.

Secondfeet 

---------- 41,800

44, 600 

42,400 

 ... -.- 39,000

36, 900 

36,200 

.... 39,600

43, 800 

45, 500 

... ... 45,500

45, 000 

43,800 

 41,900

40,300 

37, 400 

 34,200

29,000 

24,900 

 . 20,900

16.800 

14, 100 

 14,200

16,000 

17, 600 

 18,500

18,300 

17,100 

---.--. 15,300

14,000 

12,700 

 -- 11,600

11,800 

12,300 

--------- 12,300

12,000 

11,300 

 ..... 10,400

9,740 

9,190

January 1934

Day 

17.1. 

18 

19 

20 

21-..-. .

22 

23 

24 

25 

26-.-.

27 

28 ..

29- -.

30 

Secondfeet 

.................. 9,840

9,740 

9.280 

 8,720

7,980 

7,150 

.-. _ ... _____ 7,050

7,610 

9,090 

... _ .... .... _- 11,400

13,600 

16, 100 

 . 17,700

17,100 

16, 300 

 17,000

18, 300 

20, 300 

... 23,900

25, 500 

24,900

21,000 

19, 200 

--... . 17,600

16,000 

14, 300 

 .... . 12,400

11,000 

9,840 

 ..- 8,720

7,890 

7,240 

 6,500

5,940 

5,480 

-- .... 5,290

5,010 

4,730 

 4,450

4,180 

3,990
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 83

Mean discharge, in second-feet, for 6-hour periods ending 6 a. m., 12 m., 6 p. TO., 

and 12 m. for floods of December 1937-January 1938 and April 1938

1937-38

Dec. 25.. ...... 3,540

3,440 

3,300 

3,300 

26......- . 3,600

4,670 

7.690 

11,300 

27 ........ 13,500

14,400 

14,600 

15,600 

28........... 18,000

22,300 

29,800 

39,300 

29. ....... 44,600

47,700 

47,500 

44,200 

30........... 40,300

36,700 

33,800 

31,400

Dec. 31......... 27,200

26,700 

24, 400 

22,200 

Jan. I.......... 19,700

18,200 

16,800 

15,400 

2.......... 13,600

12,100 

10,800 

9,780 

3.......... 8,850

8,150 

7,420 

6,980 

4.......... 6,490

6,100 

5,730 

5,350

1938

Apr. 15... ... .... 1,740

1,690 

1,690 

1,760 

16....-.. 1,920

2,420 

3,160 

3,710 

17. 4,070

4,390 

5,390 

6,540 

18.... ... 8,190

10,200 

12,000 

12,900 

19-- . 12,500

11,400 

10, 300 

9,230 

20.. . . 8,280

7,370 

6,610 

6,010

Apr. 21 ........... 5,630

5.160 

4,740 

4,490 

22............ 4,230

3,980 

3,780 

3,720 

23- ..... 3,560

3,430 

3,260 

3,120 

24.... ........ 3,000

2,880 

2,780 

2,680 

25......... 2,660

2,590 

2,460 

2,360

COMPUTATION PROCEDURE

On any river during a given time interval the difference in flow 

past two points, when adjusted for channel storage, is the contribution from the intervening drainage area. In determining natural 

yield from the valley part of the Puyallup Kiver, channel storage was 

computed on the basis of mean rate of change in stage at five gaging 

stations and the channel area involved. The mean rate of change 

recorded at the upper four gaging stations listed in table 4 WF,S used 

to compute the volume of channel storage in the stretch of river between the four gaging stations and the Dieringer power plant on the 

Stuck Kiver. (See pi. 1 for location.) Kate of change of stage at the 

station on the Puyallup Kiver at Puyallup was used to determine 

channel storage in the stretch below Dieringer power plant. These 

rates of change of stage were applied to areas of river surface in the 

river reaches as defined above, as determined by multiplying their 

respective river lengths by the approximate surface widths. The 

river lengths were obtained from a report by the Corps of Engineers, 

United States Army,3 and the river widths were assumed to be th e same

* Report of Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, to Chairman of the Senate Committee for Comnrerce, 74th 

Gong., 2d sess., Mar. 2,1936.
84 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

as those measured at the gaging stations. The river surface so computed hi the respective reaches is as follows:

Mean surface area 

Green water River, mouth to gaging station at Green- (square feet)

water__________________________________.._ 316, 800

White River, Dieringer power plant to gaging station

at Greenwater____________________________ 32,472,000

Carbon River, mouth to gaging station near Fairfax, _ 8, 448, 000 

Puyallup River, mouth of Stuck River to upper gaging

station near Orting_____________________________ 12, 672, 000

River-surface area assigned to upper gaging stations_____.___-____-_______________ 53, 908, 800

Stuck River, Dieringer power plant to mouth._______ 5, 280, 000

Puyallup River, mouth of Stuck River to gaging station at Puyallup___________--_.___________ 5, 280, 000

River-surface area assigned to gaging station at 

Puyallup_________------.___-_--.. 10, 560, 000

The storage in Lake Tapps, which is subject to retaliation for the 

generation of electric energy at the Dieringer power plant, was added 

to the storage tabulated above. The surface leveLef Lake Tapps is 

observed hourly by power-plant attendants. The sum of the discharges measured at the gaging stations on the mountain tributaries 

was deducted from the flow at Puyallup as corrected for channel storage to determine the discharge from the valley part of the Puyallup 

River Basin, as shown hi tables 6, 7, 8, and 9.

A much quicker but possibly less accurate method of determining 

yield from the valley part is by use of a time internal for synchronizing 

peaks at upper stations and the lower gaging station at Puyallup. 

Then by simple subtraction the inflow is ascertained. An average lag 

interval of 8 hours was used for each station as determined by a study 

of the time of travel of two floods. This method was u^ed on one flood 

to check results determined by using channel storage. Plows from the 

valley part as computed by both methods for the period December 

5-14, 1933, are shown in figure 30.
TABLE 6. Computation of'mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley part of Puyallu

periods ending 8 a. m., 4 P- m-, and 1

Date

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

Corrected

for channel

storage

Puyallup

River near

Orting

C

Riv

F

Dec. B... ................................................ ...... 2,421

2,524 

3,501 

6 ................ ............................... . ...... 7,682

18, 090 

20,020 

7.............................. .............. .. .......... lb,810

14,020 

11,950

8-...... ...--..- .-.-..-.,--.-..- .......... ....... 9,752 a 916

8,236

9 ............ ......... .................................. 9,173

25,100 

46, 540

10........... . ............................................ 56,010

53,880 

50,260

11 .... .. ..- ...--.....-......-.-... -I.----.. 40,680

31,140 

25,430

12.................. .......................................... 21,050

18,820 

16,400

13..'.................................. ....................... 13,9W)

13,520 

12,980

14...._______......._____.______....-.-.-....._. 11,120

11,170 

10,300

15.................._........_.. .........._................. 8,676

8,781 

7,562

2,436 

3,028 

6,399 

11, 650 

18,770 

19, 080 

16, 010 

12, 990 

11,070 

9,239 

8,258 

8,246 

14, 670 

33, 590 

49, 160 

55, 430 

52, 860 

49, UO 

37, 440 

28,700 

23,230 

19. 660 

17, 440 

15,040 

13,490 

12,480 

11,540 

10, 520 

10, 080 

9, 171? 

7,945 

7,850 

6,930

330 

343 

999 

2,951 

3,04b 

3,083 

2,940 

2,795 

2,408 

2; 168 

1,896

I,605 

2,689 

5,878 

10, 530 

12, 490 

12,250

II,370 

8.966 

7,950 

6,808 

4,842 

3,560 

3,090 

2, 808 

2,524 

2,b78 

2,300 

2,300 

1 1\1 

1*900 

1,710 

1,540
TABLE 6. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley part of Puyallu

periods ending 8 a. m., 4 P- m-> Qnd 12 p. m

Date

1

17.... ... ...-.... ... . ...... ....... ........

18-... .- -_-- -_.- -_-. -.

19 .--. ...-- ....... ... . . . .. -...

20..... .-.. -._-- - --- .-.

21 .. ...... . ..-. ..... ........

22

yA............ ................... .............................

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

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

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

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

2

5,941 

6,106 

5,988 

5,230 

5,974 

9,682 

19,400 

24,080 

20, 690 

17, 350 

16, 860 

15, 800 

18, 590 

15, 010 

21, 680 

35, 420 

35, 760 

34, 650 

44,080 

44, 550 

44, 640 

40, 910 

3h, 450 

28, 980 

21, 22fl 

17, PSD 

14, 920 

12, 900 

13, 010 

14,240 

14, 480 

15, 800 

15,680

Corrected 

for channel 

storage

3

6,355 

6,218 

5,953 

5,954 

7,952 

14,640 

20, 320 

23, 050 

19, 020 

16,580 

15, 920 

14, 360 

13,200 

15,680 

25, 110 

34,580 

35,040 

38, 140 

42, 650 

43,520 

43, 150 

39, 650 

33, 720 

26, 220 

1Q non 

15,880 

13,480 

12,800 

13, 040 

14, 340 

14.280 

14, 750 

14, 510

Puyallup 

River near 

Orting

4

1,360 

1,210 

1,150 

1,100 

1,390 

3^516 

4,004 

3,292 

3,002 

2,815 

2,860 

2,574 

2,491 

3,316 

7,089 

7,178 

6,125 

9,030 

6,446 

4,614 

3,274 

3,341 

2,702 

1,790 

1, 540 

1, 2.W 

I,0b6 

1,146 

1, 451 

1,898 

2,512 

2,558 

2, 401

C

Ri

F
28 ..-.-....----. ..-----.--.-.-_--..--....----.----

29 ..---- -- ._ -._..-.-.- - -... --- ---.--.

30 ... .. -----------------------

31 - -- -- .......... ......... -------

13, 340

12,990 

11, 850 

9,915

10,320 

9,748 

8,625

9,540 

9,218 

7,950

8,102 

7,826 

7,310

7,215 

7,001

13, 110

12,320 

10, 690 

10, 160

8,871 

10, 120 

11, 130

10,040 

9,910 

12,880

12, 160 

9,7 iQ 

11,520

11,450 

9,806

1,999

2,482 

2,451 

2,375

2,430 

2,629 

2,745

2,742 

2,830 

2,770

2,724 

2,724 

2,604

2, 350 

2,172
TABLE 7. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley part of Puyal

periods ending 8 a. m., 4 p-m., and 

Date

1

Jan. 17 -

18 - -- . 

19- - .--.- -

20 .. . - ....... .............

21-.----.....-----.... ..----.......---........--...........-._

22 - ..- 

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

^.. .........................................................

25 _ --- - .__-_ 

26.---.. _-_- _._ _ ......

28 - _- . -.-__.

29----.......-.--......--.... . ..... ......

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

SO-----...----.-...-.--........-... ...................

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

2

6,418 

6,012 

4,975 

5,515 

5,402 

4,962 

7,678 

11,890 

13,460 

12,850 

11,160 

9,842 

11,220 

12, 740 

11,600 

15,460 

24, 010 

27, 580 

27,290 

21,890 

16, 780 

14, 880 

11,790 

10,120 

10, 850 

10,650 

9,788 

10,440 

10,080 

8,902 

8,704 

8,391 

7,479 

7,239 

7,072 

6,598 

7,334 

6,979 

6,032 

6, 650

Corrected 

for channel 

storage

3

6,690 

6,042 

6,065 

5,471 

5,320 

6,172 

9,511 

12,940 

13,810 

12,010 

10,460 

10,120 

11,960 

' 12,520 

12,540 

17,820 

25,660 

27,140 

24, 780 

19,680 

15,290 

12, 780 

10,930 

9,379 

8,208 

8,681 

9,140 

8, 625 

8,140 

7,841 

6,968 

6,466 

6,375 

6,205 

6,002 

6,105 

6,088 

5,736 

5,619 

5,840

Puyallup 

River near 

Orting

4

2,375 

2,290 

2,198 

2,150 

2,115 

2,220 

2,948 

3,658 

3,658 

3,282 

2,965 

2,955 

3,398 

3,090 

3,212 

4,489 

4,208 

3,170 

1,921 

1,558 

1,576 

1,541 

1,902 

2,149 

2,268 

2,446 

2,445 

2,360 

2, 7,2 

2,002 

1,852 

1,765 

1,630 

1,550 

1,502 

1,430 

1,420 

1,398 

1,300 

1,375

R
TABLE 8. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley part of Puyallup 

for 6-hour periods ending 6 a. m., 12 m., 6 p. m

Date

1

1937 

Dec. 25.. ___---_--________ _.,____ ................................. ..

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

27 -------------------- -.---- -- - --. 

28... ..................... .. -.._-__-.....------ .-.-.--_--.

>

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

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

31... ...........---.......-.........-....... ...... ........

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

2

2,585 

2,440 

2,440 

2, 690 

2,837 

3,515 

4,953 

4,748 

4,149 

4,227 

4,653 

6,317 

10, 520 

13, 470 

15,250 

18,220 

17, 830 

15,750 

14, 430 

13,600 

13, 910 

15, 080 

 14,360 

12,580 

10, 270 

9,578 

8,303 

7,753

Corrected 

for channel 

storage

3

2,895 

2,910 

2,910 

3,020 

3,412 

4,338 

4,805 

4,397 

4,100 

4,355 

5,058 

8,462 

12,620 

14,020 

16, 070 

18, 200 

17, 070 

14, 870 

13, 570 

13,220 

14, 250 

14, 030 

13, 000 

11,250 

9,867 

9,163 

7,888 

7,568

Puyallup 

River near 

Orting

4

580 

587 

600 

597 

600 

778 

853 

810 

738 

794 

1,100 

2,128 

3,680 

3,253 

3,990 

3,968 

3,173 

2,613 

2,237 

2,232 

2,053 

2,038 

1,793 

1,628 

1,517 

1,418 

1,350 

, 1, 297

C

Riv

F
TABLE 8. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley part of Puyall

for 6-hour periods ending 6 a. TO., 12 m., 6 p. m., a

Date

1

1938

2

3 ---- - - --- ---------- --- -- - 

4_ --------_.---- --......-_-__---_------_-_._.- --___---.

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

2

6,912 

6,300 

5,967 

5,437 

4,763 

4,510 

4,462 

4,395 

3,793 

3,673 

4,003 

3,798 

2,988 

2,887 

3, 213 

3,237

Corrected 

for channel 

 storage

3

6,863 

6,303 

5,983 

5,430 

4,837 

4,660 

4,448 

4,312 

3,868 

3,540 

3,615 

3,613 

3,137 

3,083 

3,237 

3,167

Puyallup 

River near 

Orting

4

1,220 

1,163 

1,118 

1,077 

1,039 

976 

967 

941 

890 

889 

871 

831 

723 

735 

727 

698

R
ompuiaiion of mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley part of Puya

periods ending 6 a. m., 12 m., 6 p. m., a

Date

1

1938 

Apr. 15 ---_ - ---_ - - _--------.-----.-.--..-- --

16 _.._ --_ ---- -_-- -

18 - - -- . - ..- - - _-

19... ..-............. ..... ... - -- 

20. - - - - -- ---- -

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

2

2,287 

2,487 

2,890 

2,928 

2,372 

2,488 

3,200 

3,762 

3,803 

5,939 

9,667 

15,220 

23,280 

31,550 

31,600 

25,620 

20,100 

17,320 

15,450 

13, 330 

11, 070 

10, 770 

9,907 

9,014 

7,765 

8,085 

7,695 

6,702

Corrected 

for channel 

storage

3

2,282 

2,652 

2,600 

2,710 

2,540 

2,903 

3,050 

3,977 

5,122 

7,403 

12,080 

18, 210 

27,280 

30, 330 

28,720 

22,820 

18, 210 

15,160 

13, 480 

11,750 

10,310 

9,540 

8,648 

8,028 

7,262 

7,072 

6,583 

6,161

Puyallup 

River near 

Orting

4

417 

420 

420 

428 

450 

500 

530 

633 

1,293 

1,607 

2,473 

3,938 

7,012 

5,353 

3,253 

2,692 

2,480 

2,302 

2,203 

' 2, 130 

2,023 

1,835 

1,648 

1,518 

1,428 

1,337 

1,257 

1,197

C

Ri

F
TABLE 9. Computation of mean discharge, in second-feet, from valley, part of Puya

periods ending 6 a. m., 12 m., 6 p. ~m., and 12 

Date

1

Apr. 22.. ........... . ._ _ . . -.

23..... ... .... . .-- _.-- -

24.-...--- - - . -- ... ..-.

25 _ ._ -

Puyallup River at 

Puyallup

Observed

2

5,407 

5,838 

5,900 

5,633 

4,888 

5,032 

4,939 

4,996 

4,010 

3,937 

4,175 

4,152 

3,808 

4,202 

4,611 

4,540

Corrected 

for channel 

storage

3

5,619 

5,859 

5,648 

5,552 

5,158 

5,118 

4,870 

4,973 

4,463 

4,584 

4, 361 

4,478 

4,193 

4,410 

4,082 

4,078

Puyallup 

River near 

Orting

4

 1, 175 

1,173 

1,155 

1,117 

1,065 

1,017 

958 

935 

918 

900 

864 

832 

812 

797 

782 

761

R
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 93 I

8 9 10 II 12 13 14 15 16

FIGURE 30. Graphs of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River as computed by two methods.
94 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

Accumulated snow depth at Paradise lnn,7a.m 

Precipitation at Carbon River entrance,5p.m.

15 20 

December 1933

FIGURE 31. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup River above Puyallup, Wash., for

flood of December 1933.

Records for the Puyallup River near Orting for December 1933 are 

much less satisfactory than those for other stations. Discharge was 

estimated December 5-15 on the basis of records at nearby stations. 

The occurrence during late, December of a radical change in the stagedischarge relation and the impossibility of closely determining when 

the change occurred introduce some uncertainty. For this reason it 

seemed inadvisable to compute the flow for the floods of December 

1933 for intervals of less than 8 hours. During December 1937 and
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 95-

-150

| 50 

1

40

30

Accumulated snow depth at Paradise Inn, 7a.m. 

Precipitation at Carbon River entrance, 5p.m.

Valley p

-Mountainous part

15 16 ,17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 3O 31

January 1934

FIGURE 32. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup River above Puyallup, Wash., for

flood of January 1934.

January and April 1938, when the discharge determination^ were 

more accurate, computations were made on a 6-hour basis. Discharge 

graphs for the mountainous and valley parts for 6- and 8-hour periods 

are shown in figures 31 34.

Precipitation records are available only at four places witlin the 

Puyallup Basin, namely, Puyallup and Buckley in the valley part and 

the Carbon River Entrance and Parkway in the mountainou^ part. 

(See pi. 1 and table 3.) Paradise Inn, on the south slope of Mount
96 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

30

25

20

15

10

 Accumulated snow depth at Paradise Inn, 7 o.m

 Precipitation at Carbon River > entrance, 5p.m.

Valley part

Mountainous part

-200i

-o c-IOOo .E

-o23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 I 2 3 4 5 6 

December 1937 January 1938

FIGURE 33. Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup River above Puyallup, Wash., for 

flood of December-January 1937-38.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 97

Accumulated snow depth at Paradise Inn, 7a.m. 

Precipitation at Carbon River entrance, 5p.m.

Volley part

Mountainous port

 200i

-S 150

- 5 -IOO5 50

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

April 1938

FIGURE 34 Climatologic and discharge data pertaining to the Puyallup River above Puyallup Wash., for

flood of April 1938.
98 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

40

30 

50

30

ro

60

30

10

0

10

5

n

i.Puyallup

XBuc"'ey

^v

1 ^arbon River

"\

Freezing temperoture'~\

^Buckley

Freezing ti

^allgp

ox.

Freezing t

Buckley

Puyallup

Carbon River

entranc

Buckley/-^ ^

S*^ ''

yS ^ **

Puyallup

entrance

^^^po

0Carbon River entrance

P< 

mperature-\

Carbon River

\

mperature-%

radise Inn*^-

entrance

\iP<

N

parbon River entrance

X

Pare

e'^^ ^--

^^ Parkway

X

dise Inn

, ^\

\

Protected a

FL 30D PERIOD OF

DECEMBER 5-31, 1933

adise Inn

- - ___

FLOOD PERIOD OF

JMl

^^

FLC

APF

radise Inn

\

^v

ARY 17-30,

-\

)OD PERIOD

tIL 15-25, 19

FLOOD PERIOD

934

 "

OF

38

OF

DECEMBER 25, 193", TO

JANUARY 4, I93<?

adise Inn

FLC)OD PERIOD OF

APRIL 15-25. I9JS

^\

\ \

\ \>--Ex

\ X

rea-^\ \

\\

posed area

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 IO.OOO 12,000 

Altitude, in feet

FIGURE 35. Altitude-precipitation and altitude-maximum temperature relations for the Puyallup Eiver

Basin.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 99

ou

20

10

0

10

5

0 

Carbon River

entrance

/

/ x

/ /

X,Buckley

°Puyollup

/ '

'

1

Carbon River

entrance

S'^

/ />

/ /

0 /c^Buckley 

Puyajlup

/

3" ~""^"1^-

Parkway ^^

' ^-^

^ 

O- 

-- Parkway

\

^v

\ \

\ \Por

\\

\ N

\

\

Protected art

__^ ^v ^^"-^^

x

FLOOD PERIOD OF

DECEMBER 5-31,1933

idise Inn

\

\^-Expos«

\ \

I0 "^\ \

\ \

FL<

d area

50D PERIOD OF

JANUARY 17-30. 1934

radise Inn

^

\,

\ NV^.

\

\

Protected area-^

-Exposed area 

\

\

\ \

\

O 2,000 4,000 . 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000

Altitude, in feet

FIGUKE 36. Altitude-precipitation relations for the Puyallup Eiver Basin.

Rainier, is close enough to the basin to be considered representative 

of the part exposed to the prevailing winds. The computation of 

mean daily precipitation or. even the mean precipitation for the entire 

flood period by the commonly accepted isohyetal or perpendicularbisector (Thiessen) method is impossible for several reasons lack of 

gages, inability to define accurately the limits of rain-shadow influence 

of Mount Rainier, and lack of information as to water content of accumulated snow. Computation of mean precipitation for the period 

as a whole instead of by days was based on altitude. One b£ sic assumption was necessary, that is, water content of snow. Newly 

fallen snow ordinarily has a water content of about 10 percent. Accumulated snow, or snow that melts partly as it falls, is denser and 

frequently has a water content of as much as 40 percent. A mean 

water content of 20 percent was assumed.

For each flood period under investigation a precipitation-elevation 

relation was defined by use of available records; 20 percent of the
100 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

increased or decreased snow depth was assumed to represent depth of 

water to be deducted from or added to rainfall during- the period to 

give the net precipitation available for runoff. The possibility that 

decreased snow depth might be caused by compaction of the snow, 

as well as by melting, must be kept constantly in mind. For each 

period two relations were determined between precipitation and 

elevation; one for the exposed area and one for the area shaded by 

Mount Rainier (the White River and Greenwater River Basins above 

Greenwater). The first relation, which is based on records from four 

gages, is fairly well defined. The elevation, at and above which 

precipitation available for runoff was zero, was approximated from a 

plot of maximum temperature-elevation relations, as shown on figure 

35. The elevation at which the curve crossed 32° F. was considered

TABLE 10. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperature, in degrees 

Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin for storm of December 1933-

1933

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

3............. 4............:

5 _ ....

6______ .......

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

8.. .......'.

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

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

11 

12.... ___ .

13 ..........

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

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

16.... ......

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

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

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

20 

21 

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

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

24 

25. .........

26.... ......

27.... ......

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

29 

30 

31. 

Puyallup (altitude 

100 feet) i

Precipitation

0.41 

Tr. 

.01 

.55 

2.22 

.46 

.20 

2.87 

1.50 

.19 

.15 

.36 

.40 

.13 

Tr. 

1.90 

.68 

.69 

1.17 

1.46 

1.76 

.05 

.14 

.87 

.64 

.02 

.23 

.64 

.04

Temperature

Maximum

49 

48 

46 

45 

53 

51 

47 

47 

55 

55 

55 

55 

52 

44 

40 

43 

52 

49 

50 

55 

57 

56 

52 

42 

36 

48 

47 

47 

53 

52 

50

Mini-, 

mum

30 

33 

36 

37 

41 

43 

39 

41 

41 

42 

43 

41 

36 

39 

32 

29 

38 

38 

38 

40 

40 

48 

33 

30 

33 

34 

40 

40 

44 

43 

39

Buckley* 

(altitude 

685 

feet)

Precipitation

0.41 

.09

.79 

2.30 

.35 

.26 

3.14 

1.91 

.16 

.01 

.40 

.32 

.50

1.39

.86 

.52 

1.58 

1.57 

1.68 

.04 

.30 

1.14 

.57 

.04 

.17 

.37 

.14 

.01

Carbon 

River Entrance 1 

(altitude 

2,026 

feet)

Precipitation

0.29 

.39 

.21 

.59 

3.84 

.32 

1.01 

3.89 

1.94

.75

1.16- 

.40 

2.11 

1.45 

.92 

2.24 

1.67 

2.22 

.46 

.86

1.48

.15 

.28 

.35 

.13

Parkway 3 

(altitude 

2,628 feet)

Precipitation

0.49 

.70 

.80 

.89 

2.10 

.50 

.30 

4.17 

2.10 

.20 

.B8

.20 

.61 

.20 

2.10 

1.50 

1.60 

2.25 

2.20 

2.21

.20 

.22 

.20 

Tr. 

Tr. 

.91 

1.10

Snow 

depth

1.8 

5:2 

7.5 

9.5 

13.5 

11.0 

6.5 

4.0 

2.1 

2.0 

1.0 

4.8 

11.7 

14.8 

11.0 

13.0 

15.0 

11.5 

7.0 

5.5 

5.0 

8.0 

12.0 

15.0 

14.0 

13.0 

12.0 

11.0 

11.0

Paradise Inn * 

(altitude 5,550 feet)

Precipitation

0.21 

.40 

.80 

.60 

2.23 

.93 

.63 

.52 

4.12 

.93 

1.15 

.51 

1.31 

.44 

.52 

.40 

.83 

1.59 

.42 

1.73 

2.99 

1.86 

.29 

.94 

1.51 

.08 

.18 

.98 

.43 

.26

Snow 

depth

Tr. 

2.0 

6.0 

14.0 

20.0 

34.0 

42.0 

48.0 

48.0 

28.0 

22.0 

26.0 

30.0 

44.0 

49.0 

54.0 

58.0 

64.0 

80.0 

84.0 

71.0 

54.0 

50.0 

54.0 

61.0 

70.0 

68.0 

62.0 

62.0 

61.0 

61.0

Temperature

Maximum

47 

49 

37 

29 

30 

34 

35 

30 

36 

40 

40 

47 

38 

32 

28 

22 

30 

37 

31 

32 

36 

39 

26 

27 

31 

34 

35 

37 

36 

35 

33

Minimum

31 32' 

22 

19' 

19- 

26 

23 

23 

26 

33 

32 

31 27~ 

20' 

18 

15- 

16 

27 

26- 

25 

30 

21 

20- 

17 

20- 

2T 

31 30' 

31 

31 

20>

1 Gage read at 5 p. m. 

1 Gage read at 7 p. m.

* Gage read at 4 p. m. 

« Gage read at 7 a. m.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 101 I

to be the maximum elevation from which runoff could occur. On this 

basis, elevation 8,000 feet was considered the upper limit of runoff 

for the flood periods of December 1933 and April 1938 and 10,000 feet 

for the flood period of January 1934. During the flood period of 

December 1937 and January 1938, when records of temperature were 

incomplete, the increase in snow depth at Paradise Inn indicated that 

no runoff occurred above elevation 5,500 feet. The precipitationelevation curve for the rain-shadow area is based on one precipitation 

gage (at Parkway) and is drawn to conform in shape with that for the 

exposed area. Only the White and Greenwater River Basins above 

the gaging stations at Greenwater were considered as being in the 

shaded area. The curves of relation are shown on figures 35 a,nd 36. 

Flood-period precipitation for' any basin was computed by scaling 

from the curve of relation a mean for each zone of thousand-feet range 

in elevation, multiplying it by the fraction of the total area involved, 

and adding the products. During the period from Decembe^1 1937 

to January 1938 precipitation for Parkway seems to be especially 

high. It has, therefore, been neglected and the curve as determined 

for the exposed area has been used to determine the mean for the 

White River area. Climatologic data for the periods under investigation are given in tables 10, 11, 12, and 13. The location of the 

weather stations is shown on plate 1.

TABLE 11. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperature, in degrees 

Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin for storm of January 1934

1934

16.-.--.. 

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

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

19..-. .._...

20.... . ....

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

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

23.-.. ...

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

25.. .

26.. ... 

27.---.-.. .

28. -.--.._.....

29. 

30..- 

Puyallup (altitude l 

100 feet)

Precipitation

0.07 

.83 

.15 

 .06 

2.00 

.10 

.35 

1.26 

.71 

.01 

.39 

.01

.17

Temperature

Maximum

37 

56 

47 

43 

53 

51 

50 

53 

53 

44 

48 

56 

52 

49 

48 

52

Minimum

26 

35 

34 

26 

36 

39 

43 

42 

43 

30 

40 

46 

38 

37 

39 

39

Buckley 2 

(altitude, 

685 

feet)

Precipitation

0-10 

.63 

.17 

.03 

1.83 

.10 

.39 

1.65 

.50

.62 

.06

.19

Carbon 

River Entrance ' (altitude 

2,026 

feet)

Precipitation

1.53

.17 

2.19 

1.54 

.57 

2.72 

.69

.79

.25

Partway ' 

(altitude 

2,628 feet)

Precipitation

2.21

1.57 

Tr. 

.86 

2.92 

Tr.

.87 

.20

.23

Snow 

depth

11.4

10.0 

9.7 

9.5

9.1 

9.0 

8.6 

8.5 

7.9 

7.9 

9.7 

9.1 

9.1 

9.1

9.1

8.1

Paradise Inn * 

(altitude 5,550 feet)

Precipitation

0.62 

.49

.93 

1.26 

1.78 

1.90 

2.56 

.19 

.62 

1.28 

1.37

.42

Snow 

depth

105 

110 

114 

114 

113 

114 

123 

124 

118 

120 

122 

118 

118 

118 

117 

121

Temperature

Maximum

?1 

?4 

f4 

28 

f6 

?6 

?2 

43 

40 

44 

?3 

?4 

f5 

50 

52 

49

Minimum

15 

26 

21 

18 

18 

18 

21 

28 

18 

11 

14 

16 

17 

32 

39 

27

1 Qage read at 5 p. m. 

1 Gage read at 7 p. m.

» Q age read at 4 p. m. 

4 Gage read at 7:30 a. m.
102 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

TABLE 12. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperature, in degrees 

Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin for storm of December 1937- 

January 1938

[Measured in afternoon]

1937-38

Dec. 15_. _ ......

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

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

18........... _

19 .

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

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

22_.______._

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

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

25 

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

27... ..

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

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

30........ .

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

Jan. 1......

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

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

4-----.....

Puyallup (altitude 

100 feet)

Precipitation

0.10 

.43 

.27

.13 

Tr. 

.42

.18 

.90 

.82 

2.53 

.32 

.48

.02

Temperature 1

Maximum

54 

56 

56 

46 

48 

42 

44 

43 

39 

36 

41 

44 

50 

57 

55 

45 

53 

50 

47 

39 

48

Minimum

44 

46 

45 

41 

41 

39 

38 

37 

29 

33 

31 

32 

32 

46 

47 

40 

42 

31 

31 

35 

29

Buckley 

(altitude 

685 

feet)

Precipitation

0.04 

.51 

.36

Tr. 

.38 

.14 

1.40 

1.14 

1.84 

.36 

.58 

.01

Carbon 

River 

Entrance (altitude 

2,026 

feet)

Precipitation

1.-16 

1.16 

.96

.11 

.02 

.36 

.27 

1.30 

1.73 

.82 (3) 

1.40

Parkway 

(altitude 

2,628 feet)

Precipitation

0.10 

.66 

.70

Tr. 

Tr. 

2.00 

.90 

2.50 

3.00 

2.10 

.75 

.60

Snow 

depth

0.0

15.6

Paradise Inn 

(altitude 5,550 feet)

Precipitetion

0.80

.08

Tr.

.14

.84

2.10

.96

2.44

2.10

1.3f

1.26

1.13

Tr.

Snow 

depth

42.0

125.0

Temperature

Maximum

34 

34 

34 

34 (2) 

(2) 

(2 ) 

(2) 

( 2 ) 

(2 ) 

(2 ) 

(') 

( 2 ) 

(") 

(2 ) 

(2) 

(") 

(2 ) 

(2 ) 

(2) 

(')

Minimum

28 

30 

22 

24 

24 

26 

20 

17 

10 

8 

10 

18 

16 

30 

30 

18 

18 

23 

20 

27 

32

1 Temperatures at Puyallup not available; those shown are for Tacoma.

a Record missing. s included in the following measurenrent.

TABLE 13. Precipitation and snow depth, in inches, and temperature, in degrees 

Fahrenheit, at stations in the Puyallup River Basin for storm of April 1938

1938

Apr. 10--...-..-...

11 -

12-....-. ..

13 ..........

14.... ......

15 

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

17-. .. -.

18 ..........

1Q

20-..,..... .

21. 

23 _________

24 

25 ..........

Puyallup ' (altitude 

100 feet)

Precipitation

0.16 

.12

.18 

.40 

1.45 

.30

.22

Tr.

Temperature

Maximum

60 

58 

60 

61 

63 

58 

62 

61 

58 

58 

64 

66 

63 

62 

62 

62

Minimum

'37 

33 

40 

33 

38 

38 

48 

51 

46 

51 

30 

41 

47 

35 

41 

47

Buckley 2 

(altitude 

685 

feet)

Precipitation

0.10 

.14 

.01

.20 

.56 

1.98 

.81

.24

.02 

.08

Carbon 

River 

Entrance l (altitude 

2,026 

feet)

Precipitation

0.21 

.18

.82 

2.33 

1.16

.57

Parkway 3 

(altitude 

2,628 feet)

Precipitation

0.07

.04 

.14 

.82 

1.02

.07 

.05

.20

Tr.

Snow 

depth

18.0 

17.0 

16.0

13.0 

12.0 

10.0 

8.0 

6.5 

4.5

3.0

Paradise Inn 4 

(altitude 5,550 feet)

Precipitation

Tr. 

""Tr"."

0.2f 

.2f 

.24 

3.35 

Tr.

-

Tr. 

Tr.

Snow 

depth

171 

169 

168 167' 

169 

169 

168 

163 

158 

158 

158 

156 

156 

156 

155 

154

Temperature

Maximum

48 

35 

39 

44 

37 

44 

41 

43 

38 

39 

47 

41 

37 

47 

42 

39

Minimum

22 

24 

19 

24 

28 

28 

29 

35 

24 

23 

24 

33 

30 

24 

29 

29

1 Gage read at 5 p. m. ' Gage read at 7 p. m. 3 Gage read at 4:30 p.m. « Gage read at 7:30 a. m.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 103

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Precipitation during December 1933 was heavy and practically 

continuous; a total of 21 inches fell at Buckley, 30 inches at Paradise 

Inn, 28 inches at Parkway, 20 inches at Puyallup, and 29 inches at the 

Carbon River entrance. Most of this precipitation fell on December 

5, 8-9, 17-23 and caused corresponding rises on December 6, 10r 

18, and 22. As the temperature on the upper slopes of Mount Rainier 

was low December 1-9 much of the precipitation during that period 

occurred as snow,»48 inches having accumulated at Paradise Inn during the period December 1-8. The first rise, that of December 6r 

showed a much greater unit runoff from the valley part than from the 

mountainous part as a result of this accumulation of snow on-the 

upper slopes. (See fig. 31.) In sharp contrast, temperatures were 

high December 10-12, even on the upper slopes, and during thi& 

period precipitation ranged from 4.4 inches at Puyallup to 6.2 inches 

at Paradise Inn. The unit runoff from the two areas was about the 

same. In addition, snow depth at Paradise Inn was reduced from 

48 inches to 22 inches. On December 13 temperatures on the upper 

slopes dropped again and stayed low until December 20, so that 

practically all of the precipitation during that period was snc^v, the 

accumulated depth at Paradise Inn increasing from 22 inches to 84 

inches. During this period a third rise, that of December 18, occurred. 

Heavy precipitation occurred again December 20-22, ranging from 

4.4 inches at Puyallup to 6.6 inches at Paradise Inn. During this 

period snow depth at Paradise Inn was reduced from 84 inches to 50 

inches. As the temperatures were low, it is possible that this reduction in snow depth was due partly to compacting and partly to m elting. 

The discharge shows that runoff from the mountainous part of the 

basin was considerably less than from the valley part for this period, 

which indicates that much of the rain on the upper slopes wae probably absorbed by the snow.

Enough precipitation fell during the first 18 days of January 1934 

to continue runoff at a fairly high rate. Heavy precipitation January 

19-22 ranged from 3.7 inches at Puyallup to 7.5 inches at Prradise 

Inn. As temperatures were very low on the upper slopes, much of the 

precipitation during the period was snow, a total of 19 inches falling at 

Paradise Inn. Snow accumulation at Paradise Inn was reduced from 

a maximum of 124 inches during the storm to 118 inches by January 

23. It is reasonable to suppose that much of the rain on the upper 

slopes was absorbed by the snow, resulting in very little runoff from 

the upper slopes. This supposition is substantiated by the discharge 

graph for the period (fig. 32), which shows a much greater unit runoff 

from the valley part.
1-04 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

The high water of December 28-29, 1937, was caused primarily by 

heavy rains on the lower slopes of Mount Rainier and in the valley 

part. During 3 days, December 26-28, precipitation ranged from 4.2 

inches at Puyallup to 5.9 inches at Paradise Inn. During the last 

Jhalf of December, 13.24 inches of precipitation fell at Paradise Inn,

-and accumulated snow depth increased by 83 incl es. The entire 

period was very cold, reaching a minimum of 8°. The upper slopes

-of Mountfc Rainier, at least those above the altitude of Paradise Inn, 

probably contributed little if any runoff during, tl ^ period. The

-discharge graph for the period (fig. 33) shows that the valley part had

-nearly twice as great a unit runoff as the mountainou^ part. 

, During the flood of April 1938 most of the area yTas contributing 

:runoff. The discharge graph for the period (fig. 34) shows relatively little difference in unit runoff between the valley and mountainous parts. Heavy precipitation April 15-18 caused a peak on 

the 18th. Precipitation ranged from 2.2 inches at Puyallup to 4.2 

inches at Paradise Inn. Whether or not snow melted at the higher 

altitudes during the period is difficult to determine. At Paradise 

Inn the depth of snow was reduced by 11 inches, but this reduction 

may have been due to compacting rather than molting. Some of 

the rain that fell at Paradise Inn may have been absorbed by the

-accumulated snow so that actually less than the recorded amount, 

4.2 inches, was available for runoff. At Parkway, however, which 

is at a considerably lower altitude than Paradise Inn, 12 inches of 

«now that accumulated on April 15 had completely disappeared by 

April 21. This evidence at Parkway therefore suggests that considerable snow melted at least as high as Paradise Inn and possibly 

Mgher.

The bulk of the glaciers on Mount Rainier lie f.bove 6,500 feet 

altitude and contributed negligible flood runoff. Any glacial runoff 

that may have been produced by melting of the tongues, which reach

-down to 5,000 feet, was probably.slight and may b^ considered as 

.part of the seasonal base flow.

The total direct runoff for each basin for each flood period is shown 

in table 14. Precipitation as given in the table represents the mean 

ior each basir as determined from the altitude-precipHation relations 

iby the methods previously outlined. Precipitation and runoff for 

the White and Greenwater Rivers have been combined because both 

«,re in the shaded area and precipitation for both is based on records

-obtained at Parkway.

Direct runoff was computed from plotted hy-drogrr.phs of flood discharge, as shown on figures 31-34, and by drawing on these hydrographs a line estimated to represent the base flow or the flow that 

would have been maintained irrespective of the storm. The area
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 105

.-above the estimated base flow line and within the hydrograph c* total 

^discharge is equal to the volume of direct runoff ascribed to tin indicated storm periods. This area was planimetered and converted into 

inches over the tributary areas.

TABLE 14. Precipitation and associated direct runoff for selected floods in the

Puyallup River Basin

Flood period

Dec. 5-31, 1933......................

Jan. 17-30. 1934.-..-....-.--.-.-....

Direct runoff. _ ................

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938 ---.

Apr. 15-25, 1938. -_ -_ 

Mountainous part

Upper 

Puyallup 

River 

(inches)

24.2 

15.33

9.8 

2.54

4.3 

2.05

5.2 

2.70

Carbon 

River 

(inches)

24.0 

16.29

10.2 

2.86

3.5 

1.92

5.9 

3.72

White and 

Greenwater Rivers 

(inches)

19.3 

12.72

9.3 

2.07

2.7 

.78

5.2 

2.05

Average 

(inches)

21.5 

14.06

9.6 

2.34

3.3 

1.35

5.3 

2.50

Valley 

part 

(inches)

23.8 

15.26

8.7 

3.38

5.4 

2.89

4.3 

2.71

Approxinate altitude of 

uT'per limit 

of runoff 

(feet)

8,000 

10,000 

5,500 

8,000

Figure 37 shows a plot of total storm precipitation and associated 

direct runoff for the mountainous and valley parts. The portions 

of the points indicate generally comparable behavior between valley 

and mountainous parts. The erratic plotting of the storm of January 

17-30, 1934, for the mountainous part may be due to undisclosed

Apr. 15-25,1938

/Z

/ 

/ 

/

/ 

/

^-*Av

X^J^Dec

/

Jan. 17-30,193

X

25,1937, to Jai

/

/

*

. 4,1938

^ 

^

/

Dm

^

x- 

.^ ^

.5-31, 1933 v--

^ ^

EXPLANATION

o Valley part 

x Mountainous part

_ -~° ""'

^ 

^

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Direct runoff, in inches

FIQUEE 37. Comparison between precipitation and associated direct runoff in the Puyallup River Basin

for selected flood periods.
106 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

20 25 30

December la"*"* 

FIGURE 38. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during flood of December 1933.

difference in hydrologic conditions or to deficiency in l^,se data. The 

general consistency between valley and mountain data, indicated by 

figure 37, suggests that for the limited examples given the differences 

in physical or hydrologic characteristics are not reflected in material 

differences in the rainfall-runoff relation as here displayed.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 107

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

January 1934 

FIGURE 39. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during flood of January If34.

The volumes of direct runoff from each of the three mountain areas 

associated with the storms listed in table 14 are consistent with one 

another if the respective amounts of precipitation are considered. The 

consistency indicates substantial similarity in hydrologic characteristics and indicates the relatively uniform hydrologic condition? that 

prevail in this region during the winter rainy period. The White and
108

40

CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 I 2 3 4 5 

December 1957 Jorvory (938

FIGURE 40. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during flood of December-January 1937-38.

Greenwater River Basins in the rain-shadow of Mount Rainier generally had less precipitation than the other two areas.

The effect of Mount Rainier as a moderating influence on the leeward or northeast slope has already been.referred to in connection 

with precipitation where the marked difference between the Parkway
FLOODS OF PTJYALLTJP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 109" I

14 15 16 17 16 19 20 21 22 23

April 1938 

FIGURE 41. Daily discharge of streams draining Mount Rainier during flood of April W%.
110 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

and Carbon River Entrance records was noted. This effect is more 

strikingly shown by runoff either, for a flood period or on a yearly 

basis. Discharge graphs for streams rising in Mount Rainier for each 

of the flood periods considered are shown in figures 38-41. In tables 

15 and 16 are tabulated runoff data by flood periods and by years for 

all streams rising in the glaciers of Mount Rainier. These tables 

indicate that the White River, which drains the shaded northeast 

slope, has a consistently lower unit runoff than the other basins, particularly those of the south slope.

TABLE 15. Peak discharge and direct runoff for streams rising in the glaciers of 

Mount Rainier for floods of December 1933, January 1934, December-January 

1937-38, and April 1938

Flood period

Dec. 5-S1, 1933 

Peak discharge:

Direct runoff. .. _ -._-..- __ -- _ .----.inches.-

Jan. 17-30, 1934 

Peak discharge:

Dec. &5, 1937, to Jan. 4, 1938 

Peak discharge:

Apr. IB-SB, 1938_ 

Peak discharge:

Northeast 

slope, 

White 

River

12, 100 

56.0 

12.85

5,440 

25.2 

2.04

2,010 

9.31

.85

5,440 

25.2 

2.17

Northwest slope

Carbon 

River

8,030 

99.1 

16.29

3,380 

41.7 

2.86

1,460 

18.0 

1.92

5,560 

68.6 

3.72

Upper 

Puyallup 

River

12, 700 

74.7 

15.33

5,360 

31.5 

2.54

4,420 

26.0 

2.05

8,680 

51.1 

2.70

Southwest 

slope, 

Nisqually 

River

25,000 

99.2 

21.99

12,300 

48.8 

i.23

8,850 

35.1 

3.89

9,620 

38.2 

3.06

Southeast 

slope, 

Upper 

Cowlitz 

River

36,600 

128 

20.34

18,600 

61.8 

3.90

4,700 

16.4 

1.31

15,700 

54.7 

4.74

Tables 14-16 show that the contribution of the White River is far 

less than that of either the upper Puyallup or the Carbon River. 

The White River Basin comprises over 25 percent of th^ entire area 

of Puyallup River Basin, so that any reduction in its runoff would 

be strikingly felt in the basin as a whole. Large amounts of snow 

storage and high precipitation on the upper slopes would seem, to 

indicate that Mount Rainier is a definite flood menace. However, 

Mount Rainier in protecting the White River Basin from the moisture-laden winds and at high altitudes in reducing the temperature 

below freezing point so that the precipitation falls as snow, has tended 

to reduce flood runoff from the mountain areas to such an extent 

that the lower Puyallup Basin is greatly benefited. Moreover, pre-
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 111

TABLE 16. Annual mean discharge, in second-feet, and annual runoff, in inches 

for streams rising in the glaciers of Mount Rainier

Water year

1931-32:

1932-33:

1933-34:

1834-35:

Runoff.-. _ --...--.-.- __ ....-.-..inches.. 

1S35-36:

Runoff. .. ___ ... ___ . __ ... _ ___inches_.

1936-37:

1937-38:

1931-38:

Runoff.. _ .. _ __ .; _ _ . _ _ ....inches..

Northeast 

slope, 

White 

River

861 

54.25

3,040 

65.39

1,186 

74.60

922 

57.96

713 

44.92

717 

45.04

916 

57.53

908 

57.10

Northwest slope

Carbon 

River

433 

i 72. 74

506 

i 84.80

578 

i 96. 75

427 

'71.52

389 

i 65.34

370 

62.07

435 

72.93

448 

75.16

Upper 

Puyallup 

River

715 

'157.25

866 

i 69. 24

977 

i 78. 03

739 

i 59. 02

636 

. 1 50. 86

607 

48.50

705 

£6.33

749 

59.89

Southwest 

slope, 

Nisqually 

River

1.350 

73.69

1,500 

81.53

1,677 

91.00

1,325 

71.94

1,114 

60.65

1,058 

56.98

1,277 

68.75

1,329 

72.08

Southeast 

slope, 

upper 

Cowlitz 

River

1,700 

80.66

2,030 

96.07

2,331 

110. 30

1,862 

88.01

1,518 

71.99

1,368 

66.20

1,625 

76.88

1,781 

84.30

i Based on revised drainage area.

cipitation reaching the slopes of Mount Rainier above elevations of 

8,000 feet may be relatively small because the storm clouds usually 

hang at or below that level. However, an invasion of a deep mass of 

warm air associated with rainfall may releass much snow and ice at 

higher altitudes. Such conditions existed during the flood of F^c^mber 1937 4 in northern California, where a temperature 7° to 8° F. 

above normal increased the flood-contributing area by about 10,000 

to 12,000 square miles.

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

DESCRIPTION OF AREA

The Chehalis River rises in the Willapa Hills in southwestern 

Washington, flows generally northeastward to Chehalis, there turns 

abruptly to the northwest and flows into Grays Harbbr at Aberdeen. 

(See fig. 27.) The principal tributaries are the Newaukum and 

Skookumchuck Rivers, which rise in the western foothills of the 

Cascade Range. The entire basin is low, ranging in altitude from 

sea level to about 4,000 feet. In this report only that part of the 

basin above the gaging station near Grand Mound, an area of 928 

square miles, is considered. (See fig. 42.)

* McGlashan, H. D., and Briggs, R. C., Floods of December 1937 in northern California: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 843, pp. 56-65, 1939.
112 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

FIGUBE 42. Map of the Chehalis River Basin above Grand Mound.

Rainfall in much of the basin above Grand Mound is affected by 

the shadow effects of the Willapa Hills. Centralia and Rainbow 

Falls State Park (Ceres), in the interior, have an annual mean precipitation of 45 inches and 52 inches, respectively. Just outside 

the area, precipitation is much higher. Oakville and Brooklyn to 

the west and Mayfield to the southeast have annual mean precipitations of 50 inches, 68 inches, and 62 inches, respectively; these stations 

lie in the unobstructed path of prevailing southwest winds, which 

approach the mainland through the Chehalis and Columbia River 

gaps.

COMPUTATION PROCEDURE

Stream-flow records for the period covered by this report are available from only one gaging station in the Chehalis River Basin, that 

near Grand Mound. A description of that station and the discharge 

records are included with the records for the Puyallup River Basin in 

the section, "Records of discharge." (See pp. 181-F3). A waterstage recorder was instated at the Grand Mound station in October
FLOODS OF PTJYALLTJP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 113

1934; only daily gage readings were available during the floods in 

December 1933 and January 1934. Daily discharge was computed 

originally on the assumption that one daily gage reading represented 

the mean for the day. In this report the discharge was revised on 

the basis of a gage-height graph defined by the daily gage readings 

and the shape of the continuously recorded gage-height grr.ph for 

the gaging station on North River near Raymond. Discharges 

during the floods of December 1933 and January 1934 wer^ computed for 8-hour periods. During the floods of December-January 

1937-38 and April 1938 discharge was computed for 6-hour periods 

because the water-stage recorder then in operation provided a more 

dependable gage-height record and thereby justified greater refinement in computing discharge.

TABLE 17. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis River Basin 

for storm of December 1938

[Measured in afternoon]

1933

Dec 1

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

3 ^. ...........

b. ...........

6 -.

7-.. ...

8 

9.-.-. -...

10 - -

11..... _ ....

12 .

13 

14. 

15 

16 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29- .

30 

11

Centralia l 

(altitude, 

182 feet)

0 28

.22

.13

1.08

2.17

.40

.39

3.95

1.15

.29

.16

.19

.39

.26

2.40

1.60

.67

1.66

1.07

.90

.01

.15

1.14

.58

.18

,40

Tr.

RainbowFalls 

State Park 

(Ceres) a 

(altitude, 

212 feet)

6.35

.19

.15

1.00

2.43

.52

.27

2.57

1.17

.36

.36

10

.45

.26

.04

1.89

.67

1.87

1.41

1.04

.07

.31

1.15

fia

.03

.14

.67

.06

.02

Cathlamet ' 

(altitude, 

470 feet)

1.45

1.59

3.70

1.40

.17

5.26

4.75

.35

.57

.18 .16'

.94

.09

(")

2.80

1.23

1.00

1.80

3.22

1.18

.67

.31

1.60

.01

.06

1.06

.04

.01

Castle 

Rocks 

(altitude, 

120 feet)

0.76

.37

.22

1.25

2.91

.78

.18

5.40

1.41

.21

.38

.44

.39

.11

2.07

1.47

.97

2.12

2.26

1.89

.09

.49

.21

1.11

.63

.13

.31

.03

Headworks 3 

(altitude, 

985 feet)

Tr.

0.97

.13

.06

1.61

2.37

.40

.16

2.84

1.35

.65

.50

.46

.39

.15

.01

2.87

1.73

1.30

2.34

1.55

.85

.23

.33

.95

.49

.01

.17

.42

.04

Mayfield* 

(altitude, 

600 feet)

0.36

.48

.28

.46

.86

1.96

1.54

.23

1.28

2.26

.24

.38

.36

.45

.38

.73

2.26

1.68

.98

2.16

2 28

.56

.38

1.12

.82

.14

.36

.28

Oakville i 

(altitude, 

85 feet)

0.45

.30

.12

2.06

1.86

.44

.17

4.21

1.73

.56

.38

.07

.70

.13

.15

3.30

1.54

.64

2.66

1.53

1.64

.15

.21

.90

.88

.02

.19

.80

' .08

.02

Brooklyn' 

(altitude, 

180 feet)

O QO

.33

.26

3 in

1.84

.74

Cfl

5.13

1.53

Q7

.85

.83

.28

.20

3 QO

1 £4

07

2.78

1 no

1.75

.15

.24

1.24

.40

.32

1.24

.15

04

i Gage read at 6 p. m.

* Measured in the afternoon.

3 Gage read at~5 p. m.

4 Measured in the morning.

5 Included in the following measurement.
114 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

Precipitation records were available at only two places in the basin, 

Centralia and Rainbow Falls State Park (Ceres). As previously 

pointed out they are located in a zone of comparatively light precipitation. Several other rain gages are available outside the basin 

but within reasonable distances of it. (See fig. 42 and tables 17-20.) 

All the available gages are at altitudes below 1,500 feet; hence a 

computed mean cannot be considered representative of the entire 

area. Run-off depths for the Newaukum and Skookumchuck Rivers, 

tributaries of the Chehalis River, for 2 years of record greatly exceeded those for the entire Chehalis River Basin above Grand Mound 

for the same period, which indicates that the eastern prrt of the basin 

has a much higher precipitation than the basin as a whole, a difference 

nor disclosed by the limited number of available precif ftation records 

in the basin. Therefore, neither the method of perpendicular bisectors nor the method developed for computing mean areal precipitation in the Puyallup River Basin can be applied to the Chehalis Basin 

because of lack of gages at the higher altitudes and lack of contour 

maps for a part of the basin.

TABLE 18. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis River Basin 

for storm of January 1934

[Measured in afternoon]

1934

16- .....

17_-_ ---------

10

19. 

20---. ._-_-..

21-.---.----..

22. --_______.

23- 

24. 

25---.. .._-_.

26- .

27. 

28- 

9Q

3(J

Centralia i 

(altitude, 

182 feet)

Tr.

0.53

.03

08

1.15

.48

.82

1.27

.48

.17

(19

Rainbow 

falls 

State Park 

(Ceres) 2 

(altitude, 

212 feet)

Tr.

0.63

.08

.90

.49

.66

.80

.34

.18

(19

.03

Cathlamet 2 

(altitude, 

470 feet)

0.75

.39

.09

2.09

.78

(s)

4.77

.79

.50

.48

Castle 

Rock 2 

(altitude, 

120 feet)

0.03

.91

.05

.12

1.45

.77

1.32

1.40

1.05

.43

Tr.

Headworks 3 

(altitude, 

985 feet)

0.06

.81

.17

1.28

.36

.38

1.19

.59

.44

.03

Mayfield 4 

(altitude, 

600 feet)

0.36

.43

1.03

1.38

.53

.84

1.15

.96

.37

.43

Oakville ' 

(altitude, 

85 feet)

0.50

.75

.10

.16

1.46

.60

.88

1.98

.37

.42

Tr.

.04

Brooklyn 2 

(altitude, 

180 feet)

0.11

1.00

.04

2.65

1.75

1.32

2.72

.04

.46

.72

.28

1 Qage read at 6 p. m.

> Measured in the afternoon.

3 Qage read at 5 p. m.

4 Measured in the morning.

8 Included in the following measurement.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 115

TABLE 19. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis River Basin 

for storm of December 1937-January 1938

1937-38

16 

17 

18 

19

20 

21 

22 ______

23 . 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

9

3 

4 

Centralia ' 

(altitude 

182 feet)

0.13

QO

.47

.27

.03

.63

.35

2.10

1.48

1.83

.24

.30

Tr.

Rainbow 

Falls State 

Park 

(Ceres) 2 

(altitude 

212 feet)

0.23

.88

.56

.13

.06

.37

.58

1.40

1.72

2.06

.31

.44

.04

Cathlamet 2 

(altitude 

470 feet)

Castle 

Rock 2 

(altitude 

120 feet)

0.02

1.39

.62

.02

.07

.13

1.01

.34

2.40

2.17

1.56

1.05

.47

Tr.

.02

Headworks 3 

(altitude 

985 feet)

0.15

.68

.49

.51

.90

.45

.27

2.35

1.65

1.65

.30

.71

.01

Oakville « 

(altitude 

85 feet)

0.86

.75

.02

. .03

.14

.43

.32

1.57

.99

3.17

1.38

.55

.14

16

Brooklyn 2 

(altitude 

180 feet)

0.3C

1.43

1.13

.01

.02

Tr.

.02

.2?

.1C

.86

2.34

1.4?

3.14

.64 .sf

.17.

.Of

.01

.01

Mineral * 

(.altitude 

1,440 feet)

0.26

.86

( )

.41

( )

( )

(8)

(8)

«

(«)

(')

13.0

1 Gage read at 6 p. m.

2 Measured in the afternoon.

3 Gage read at 5 p. m.

4 Gage read at 8 a. m.

5 Measured in the morning.

6 Included in the following measurement.

TABLE 20. Precipitation, in inches, for stations in or near the Chehalis River Basin

for storm of April 1938

1938

Apr. 10 .

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18. .

19 

20 

21 - 

22 

23 

24 

25 

Centralia l 

(altitude 

182 feet)

0.31

.14

.01

.13

.34

1.11

.30

.01

.22

.01

.05

Rainbow 

Falls State 

Park 

(Ceres) 2 

(altitude 

212 feet)

0.23

.03

.60

.42

1.24

.45

.08

Cathlamet 2 

(altitude 

470 feet)

6.41

.08

1.89

.68

( )

4.21

.16

Castle 

Rock 2 

(altitude 

120 feet)

0.25

.30

.26

.70

1.83

.29

Tr.

Headworks 3 

(altitude 

985 feet)

0.04

.03

.01

.29

.72

.53

.05

Tr.

.03

Tr.

Oakville « 

(altitude 

85 feet)

0.07

.08

.27

.73

1.03

' 1.14

.02

.17

.01

Brooklyn 2 

(altitude 

180 feet)

Tr.

0.13

.05

1.11

.87

2.43

.63

.13

.02

Mineral 5 

(altitude 

1,440 feet

0.01

.04

.13

.49

1.25

2.05

1 Gage read at 6 p. m.

2 Measured in the afternoon. 

8 Gage read at 5 p. m.

* Gage read at 8 a. m.

4 Measured in the morning.

6 Included in the following measurement.
116 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

COMPARISON OF THE VALLEY PART OF THE PTJYALLTJP 

RIVER WITH THE CHEHALIS R1VFR

Because of lack of precipitation data in the Chehalis River Basin 

satisfactory comparisons between it and the valley part of the Puyailup 

River Basin cannot be made. However, precipitation at one place 

in each basin at comparable altitudes can be used as an index of the 

relative amount in each basin. Precipitation as shown in table 21 

is that recorded at Puyailup in the valley part of the Puyailup Basin 

and at Centralia in the Chehalis Basin.

TABLE 21. Precipitation, direct runoff, and maximum discharge for the valley 

part of the Puyailup River Basin and the Chehalis Rive- Basin

[Precipitation indicated for valley part of Puyailup River Basin was measured at Puyailup; that for Chehalis 

River Basin was measured at Centralia]

/

Dec. 6-31, 1933:

Runoff,.... _____ . .....

Jan, 17-30, 1934:

Runoff.... _ ,. ___ .

Dec. 25, 1937, to Jan, 4, 1938:

Runoff.. ...... ____ ....

Maximum discharge >. . . .

Apr. 15-25, 1938: 

Precipitation.. _____ .

Runoff ____ ._, _____ ..

Flood period

________________ _« ____ inches..

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

__ . __________________ inches..

- .-. . - . -do....

 do... .

______________ . ________ inches..

 .. do 

Vs Hey part 

of Puyailup 

Ri^er Basin

19.32

15.26

58.9

6.11

3.38

34.7

5.67

2.77

26.2

2.55

2.34

39.4

Chahelis 

River 

Basin

21.49

19.22

49.0

5.03

3.53

27.5

6.06

6.60

51.4

2.17

1.56

13.9

i Maximum for 8-hour period. ' Maximum for 6-hour period.

As Centralia and Puyailup are at about the same altitude, the precipitation records at those cities for the same storms should be comparable. The fact that Centralia has greater precipitation at times 

than Puyailup does not necessarily mean that the precipitation of the 

Chehalis River Basin is greater than that of the valley part of the 

Puyailup River, which reaches much higher altitudes and probably 

has a higher mean altitude. It is significant that for each flood analyzed the ratio of the maximum rate of discharge per square mile to 

the depth of runoff in inches was greater for the valley part of the 

Puyailup River Basin than for the Chehalis, which ind: cates that the 

valley part of the Puyailup River has characteristics favorable for 

greater concentration of discharge. This probably is due to its smaller 

area and steeper slopes.

Flood runoff during the period December 5-31,1933, was somewhat 

greater in the Chehalis Basin than in the valley part o* the Puyailup 

Basin. The individual records of precipitation in and near the two 

areas show that precipitation probably was greater in the Chehalis
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 117

10 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 '18

FIGURE 43. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River Basin and the ChehaMs River for

flood of December 5-16, 1933.

Basin: Centralia (altitude, 182 feet) had about 10 percent more than 

Puyallup (altitude, 100 feet); Mayfield, within 10 miles of the Cv °halis 

Basin (altitude, 600 feet), had about 20 percent more than Puckley 

(altitude, 685 feet). Furthermore, unusually high precipitatior during 

December 1933 at Cougar, Naselle, Wynoochee Oxbow, and Cf.nto, all 

in the southern part of the region, seems to indicate that the storm 

center was nearer to Centralia than to Puyallup.
118 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

20 

10

FIGURE 44. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup Biver Basin and the Chehalis Biver for 

flood of December 17-31, 1933.

Flood runoff during the period January 17-30, 1934, again was 

greater in the Chehalis Basin, but evidence indicating greater precipitation in the Chehalis Basin during this period is not conclusive; 

Centraha had slightly less that Puyallup, but Mayfeld had about 

20 percent more than Buckley.

During the period December 25, 1937, to January 4, 1938, precipitation in the Chehahs Basin greatly exceeded that for the valley 

part of the Puyallup Basin; it was nearly 7 inches at Centraha as compared with less than 6 inches at Puyallup, and more than 13 inches at 

Mineral, within 15 miles of the eastern watershed of the Chehahs Basin 

at an altitude of 1,440 feet, as compared with 6 inches at Carbon 

River Entrance at a much higher altitude. A considerable amount of
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 119

35

30

25

7 20

10

Puyallup River, valley pa rt

Chehalis River

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 3l 

January 1934

FIGURE 45. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River Basin and the Chehalis River for

flood of January 1934.

snow storage at the higher altitudes of the valley part of the Puyallup 

River Basin was retained during the flood.

During the period April 15-25, 1938, precipitation in the Crehalis 

Basin was somewhat less than in the Puyallup Basin; Centralia had 

about 15 percent less than Puyallup, and Mineral about 25 percent less 

than Carbon River Entrance. In addition, there was some snov melt 

in the upper reaches ot the valley part of the Puyallup River.

According to available records, precipitation during January 1934 

was about the same in both basins, and the resulting runoff differed
120 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

IV

60

50 

£

1 

«

o

3

oto

£ 40

Q. 

4 * 

« 

<D

H1

 o

C 

O

V

<o

* 30

c

<s

D> 

O

.C V

(A

5 20 

10. 

0

-J

/ 

/ 

/ 

I 

1 

1 

I /

II 

II 

; 1

'- ' /

/ / 

/ / 

/ /

/ /

/ /

/^.

l\

1 \

i \ 1 \

1 \ 

I 

1 

I 

1 

/

/V^puyi

vx

 '

*Chehalis R

y 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

 \ 

v

\ 

\

allup River,

\ 

\

V

\

iver

i/alley part

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ \

X 

X

x -~k

V,

>v

25 26 27 28 29 3O 31 1 2 34 5 

December 1937 Jan M ory 1938

FIGUEE 46. Graph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River Basin and the Chehah's River for 

flood of December-January 1937-38.

by less than 5 percent, indicating that runoff character sties in the two 

basins are about the same. In general the difference in direct runoff 

between the two areas is not greater than can be explair ed by indicated 

differences in precipitation. Discharge graphs for the two basins are 

shown in figures 43-47.
FLOODS OF PUYALLUP AND CHEHALIS RIVER BASINS 121

60

50

e

« 40

730

20

10

 Puyallup River, valley part

Vchehalis River 

\\

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

April 1938

FIGURE 47. Qraph of discharge for the valley part of the Puyallup River Basin and the Chehalif River for

flood of April 1938.

CONCLUSION

Precipitation records in western Washington are inadequate both 

in number and in distribution. Even in the Puyallup River Basin, 

where the distribution of gages is more adequate than for the region 

as a whole, this investigation has shown that more gages are desirable. 

Moreover, there is need for additional measurements of snow cover 

and its water density.

The computed means of precipitation for the area are probably 

fairly accurate, as is evidenced by the general consistency between rainfall and associated direct runoff for the upper Puyallup and Carbon 

Rivers, which drain adjoining areas with similar'physical characteristics. Even with inadequate precipitation records, differeroes in 

runoff from separate basins can be accounted for by comparison of
122 CONTRIBUTIONS TO HYDROLOGY, 1944

individual records obtained in those basins under similar conditions, 

especially in regard to altitude. Sometimes it may be possible to 

establish comparisons of runoff characteristics between two basins 

even if fairly satisfactory records of precipitation are available in only 

one of the areas. Such comparisons are, of course, rot definite but 

they do furnish an index of possible flood behavior. Comparisons of 

this kind made between the Chehalis River Basin and the valley part 

of the Puyallup River Basin, indicate that characteristics of the two 

are not far different.

The comparison of rainfall and associated direct runoff in the 

Puyallup River Basin indicates that in this regior differences in 

physical characteristics of mountainous and valley areas exert very 

little influence on resulting flood runoff as compared to differences in 

precipitation. This result is, of course, affected somewhat by the 

fact that definite and accurate segregation of the mountainous and 

valley parts was not possible.

This investigation has shown that the exposure of the drainage 

areas in western Washington to the prevailing moisture-laden winds 

tends to cause greater precipitation and consequent runoff. This 

effect has been shown by comparison of rainfall and runoff for the 

White River Basin, in the rain shadow of Mount Rainier, with other 

streams rising on that peak. Contrary to widespread opinion, Mount 

Rainier frequently acts as an influence tending to reduce flood runoff 

in the lower Puyallup River Basin.
INDEX

Page 

Abstract . . 61

Acknowledgments for aid . .. . 61-62

Brooklyn, precipitation at ------ -_ 113-115

Buckley, altitude-maximum temperature relations at,--__-__-______- 98 

altitude-precipitation relations at .. 98,99 

precipitation at 100,101,102,103

Carbon River, discharge 106,107,108,109,110-111 

near Fairfax.-______--.___-_ 76-77 

precipitation in..- . .- 105 

runoff for. _._______________ 105,110

Carbon River Entrance, altitude-maximum

temperature relations at.- 98 

altitude-precipitation relations at_ -------- 98,99

precipitation at___.. 94,95,96,97,100,101,102,103

Castle Rock, precipitation at---.____... 113-115

Cathlamet, precipitation at. ... . 113-115

Centralia, precipitation at_........... 113-115,116

Ceres. See Rainbow Falls State Park.

Chehalis River, comparison of, with Puyallup

River 116-121

graph of discharge for ---. 117,118,119,120,121 

near Grand Mound .-- - ---- 81-82

Chehalis River Basin, description of area... 111-112 

discharge in...... . 116

precipitation in -- - 112-115,116,118-120 

run-off in.----.-.---.. ------_------ 116-118

Climate 63-64, pi. 1

Computation procedures---- -- 83-102,112-115

Flood of April 1938, altitude-maximum temperature relations for.-... 98 

altitude-precipitation relations for..... 98

climatologic and discharge data for -.-._-- 97

discharge of streams during- __... _ 83,

91-92,109,110,116,121

precipitation during.... 102,104,105,115,116,119

results of-.. 104

runoff for--- ------------------- 105,110,116

snow depth during----.-- ... 102

temperature during.. . 102 

Flood of December 1933, altitude-maximum

temperature relations for --------- 98

altitude-precipitation relations for ----- 98,99

climatologic and discharge data for ------- 94

discharge of streams during. _____. __ 82, 

85-87,106,110,116,117,118

precipitation during . 100,103,105,113,116 

results of--.------.----. ._ 103

runoff for....--- 105,110,116

snow depth during-...______..._ 100,103

temperature during__._ ... ....._ 100,103

Flood of December-January 1937-38, altitudemaximum temperature relations 

for .... 98

altitude-precipitation relations for........ 98

climatologic and discharge data for...... 96

Page 

Flood of December-January 1937-38, Ccn.

discharge of streams during....- .. .._ 83,

89-90, 108, 110, 116, 120 

precipitation during................_... 102,

104, 105, 115, 116, 118-119 

results of.---. ----------_____.__.... 104

runoff for._._____..____... 105,110,116 

snow depth during..._____...__ 102,104 

temperature during__.._______... 102 

Flood of January 1934, altitude-maximum

temperature relations for. --. ._ 98 

altitude-precipitation relations for.---._ 98,99 

climatologic and discharge data for___ 95 

 discharge of streams during.____-_ 82, 

88, 107, 110, 116,. 119 

precipitation during....._........____._ 101,

103, 105, 113, 116, 119-120

results of.--.. --___ __ ...- 103 

runoff for...__..___._____ 105,110,116 

snow depth during......._.....__.... 101

temperature during......__...._........ 101

Gaging stations.._...... _.._....._ 71, pi. 1

Greenwater River, at Greenwater_ ...._ .. 79-80 

precipitation in__...__..__.___ 105 

run off for........ __....__..__ 105

Headworks, precipitationat_......_...... 113-115

Location and extent of region.

Mayfield, precipitation at.............._. 113-115

Nisqually River, discharge. 106,107,108,109,110-111 

runoff for.---- ---.__.........__... 110

Oakville, precipitation at................ .. 113-115

Paradise Inn, altitude-maximum temperature

relations at._................... 98

altitude-precipitation relations at _.. 98,99 

precipitation at..____..... 100,101.102,103,104 

snow depth at.. 94,95, 96,97,100,101,102,103,104 

temperature at....-i.__. ._,____ 100,101,102

Parkway, altitude-precipitation relations at. 99 

precipitation at... ....... 100,101,102,103,104

snow depth at_____.______ 100,101,102

Precipitation in the region..._______... 63-64, 

66-68,70-71,95-105

Puyallup, altitude-maximum temperature relations at...____________ 98 

altitude-precipitation relations at.____ 98,99 

precipitation at.____ 100,101,102,103,104,116 

temperature at..___________._ 100,101

Puyallup River, at Puyallup_________ 75-76 

climatologic and discharge data for.... 94,95,96 

comparison of, with Chehalis River_.. 116-121 

graph of discharge.. .. 93,117,118,119,120,121 

near Orting ....__.____.__ 73-74

123
124 INDEX

Page 

Puyallup River Basin, altitude-maximum

temperature relations for....__. 98

altitude-precipitation relations for.... __ 98,99

description of area._..__.___.._.. 69-71 

discharge in......._ __..__,__.. 116

division of area. .. _.__ . __ 71-72 

drainage areas.___ __ ...__ 70, pi. 1 

precipitation within............. 95-105,116,118

runofi in_.-.._......__..__..... 105,116

snow depth in.__...-___ ... 100,101,102 

temperature in...__ .._...... 100,101,102

Rainbow Falls State Park, precipitation at. 113-115 

RunofE in the region........._....... ... 65-67

Stephens, J. C., quoted____________ 67 

Surf ace features of the region.... .... 62-63

Temperature in the region. ..._...... 63,71,100

Page

Topography of the region.___ __..... 62-63, 

68-70,71-72, 111, pi. 1

Upper Cowlitz River, discharge. . --. 106, 

107,108,109,110-111

runoff for..__. ____..__.._.. 110

Upper Puyallup River, discharge..__..__ 106,

107,108,109,110-111

precipitation in_ ____..__.___ 105 

runoff for..__ ____.__.._ 105,110

Weatherstations.., ... .. pi. 1

selection of floods for stuc'y .. 72

tributaries-.._. -.....-- _.. .. 70,71

drainage areas of__ ___ ___ 70,71,84

White River, at Greenwater . ._ .. 78-79 

discharge.. . 106,107,108,109,110-111 

precipitation in.._____.-.-.______ 105 

runoff for.. .- ---.--.... 105,110

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