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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATURAL WATER LOSS 

IN SELECTED DRAINAGE BASINS

Prepared in cooperation with the

RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL DIVISION OF THE 

WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION FOR NEW YORK CITY

and the SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 846

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Harold L. Ickes, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

W. C. Mendenhall, Director

Water-Supply Paper 846

NATURAL WATER LOSS 

IN SELECTED DRAINAGE BASINS

BY

G. R. WILLIAMS AND OTHERS

Prepared in cooperation with the

RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL DIVISION OF THE 

WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION FOR NEW YORK CITY

AND THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON : 1940

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. ------- Price 15 cents

CONTENTS

Page

Abstract-- -.--....-.____________________________________________ 1

Introduction. -_________-__________________________.__.__......_.__ 1

Administration and supervision_______..________. ___._____..__ 1

Acknowledgments. ____________________________________________ 2

Significance of water loss_________-_________________________________ 3

Previous studies.__________________________________________________ 4

Method of determination.__________________________________________ 5

Selection of suitable drainage basin______________________________ 5

Sources of data______________________________________________ 6

Computation of areal rainfall.__________________________________ 6

Adjustments to computed rainfall.______________________________ 8

Adjustments to computed water loss._____________________________ 11

Accuracy of results______-___--________________________________ 11

Presentation of results_____________________________________________ 12

Mean annual water loss________________________________________ 12

Annual water loss_______-__________.__________________________ 19

Discussion of results___-__---__-_____-_____________________________ 47

Relation between water loss and temperature__._____-_______---__--_- 48

Index. ______-_____-__-------____--._______________________ 61

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page 

PLATE 1. Map of the United States showing determinations of mean

annual water loss, in inches, for selected river basins________ 52

2. Map of the United States showing generalized lines of mean

annual water loss and lines of mean annual temperature____ 52

FIGURE 1. Sketch of West River Basin showing location of adjacent 

rainfall stations, measured rainfall for the 1933 water year, 

and diagram for computing areal rainfall by the Thiessen 

method.______________________________________________ 8

2. Sketch of West River Basin showing location of adjacent 

rainfall stations, measured rainfall for the 1933 water year, 

and isohyetal lines for computing areal rainfall___________ 9

3. Rainfall-altitude relation for the period 1919-23, 1929-33, for

rainfall stations in and adjacent to the West River Basin, Vt_ 10

4. Graph showing comparison of annual mean temperature and 

annual total degree-days above 32° F. for selected temperature stations___-_--______-___--_-__-____------__-_--_- 50

5. Comparison of mean annual water loss and mean annual temperature for selected basins with mean annual precipitation in 

excess of 20 inches_______________________-____--------_ 53

in
IV CONTENTS

TABLES

Page 

TABLE 1. Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss_____________ 13

2. Precipitation and run-off, by water years_________--________ 19

3. Mean annual temperature and total degree-days above 32° F. for

selected stations_____________________-__-_____-_---_-__- 51

4. Summary of precipitation, water loss, and temperature for

selected areas__________________________________________ 52

5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years____. 54
NATURAL WATER LOSS IN SELECTED DRAINAGE

BASINS

By G. R. WILLIAMS and OTHERS

ABSTRACT

Determinations of areal rainfall, run-off, and water loss, comprising largely 

evaporation from land surfaces and transpiration by vegetation, are essential in 

indicating the hydrologic characteristics of river basins.

' This report is primarily a statistical study that presents the results of computations of annual water loss, or annual rainfall minus annual run-off, for river 

basins in the humid or semiarid regions east of the Rocky Mountains. The 

basic period for which the computations are made is the water year,^r year ending September 30. ivc^ , U eAs it is impracticaHio presentljn. this report) all the basic data used in arriving 

at the results, only sample computations are given. The various steps in the 

computations and the probable accuracy of the results are discussed, i

The drainage areas for which data are presented are those above river-measuring stations that have records for 3 years or more. For each area there are 

determinations of annual rainfall, annual run-off, and annual water loss for each 

year of record as well as the means for the period of record. Results are given 

for about 200 drainage areas with an aggregate period of record of more than 

2,000 years. As an illustration of the magnitude involved, the annual water loss 

from the eastern streams draining directly into the Atlantic Ocean varies more or 

less closely with latitude from about 20 inches as an average in northern New 

England to about 30 inches in Georgia.

As the annual water loss from a basin is affected by the temperature, a supplemental study was made of the relation between water loss and temperature. 

For 28 drainage areas selected in various parts of eastern and central United 

States, average temperatures were computed for each year of the period shown 

in table 1. The results indicate a relation between average annual water loss 

and average annual temperature.

INTRODUCTION

ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION

A project for studies of floods and other hydrologic phenomena was 

undertaken in November 1935 by the Research and Statistical Division of the Works Progress Administration for New York City. The 

project was sponsored by the College of Engineering, New York 

University. Technical direction and guidance were furnished by the 

Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior, and the 

Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 

the Survey furnishing supervisory personnel. The project was 

terminated June 30, 1936.

1
2 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

The Works Progress Administration for New York City operated 

during this project under the general direction of V. F. Bidder, administrator. Thorndike Saville, Dean of the College of Engineering, 

New York University, director, and G. R. Williams, of the Geological Survey, vice director of the project, supervised the research 

and investigation. Mt. Williams maintained close and continuous 

contact with the project under the general direction of N. C. Grover, 

chief hydraulic engineer, and R. W. Davenport, chief of the division 

of water utilization, Geological Survey.

The material presented in this report constitutes the results of one 

of the items of this project, which included a study of natural water 

loss for drainage basins selected with a view to the sufficiency of ramfall and run-off records to produce reasonably reliable results. The 

word "basin" is used at many places in this report to refer to the area 

upstream from the gaging station at which the run-off is measured. 

Therefore, under this usage the reference is to the entire basin of any 

given stream only when the gaging station is located near the mouth.

The results of the original computations were later summarized and 

arranged for publication together with explanatory text. The study 

of the relation between water loss and temperature was no)t part of 

the original project but was made in the Washington office by the 

division of water utilization in 1937.

It should be emphasized that this report is primarily a statistical 

study and that no attempt has been made to include a comprehensive 

discussion or analysis of the results.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Members of the staff of the Water Resources Committee of the 

National Resources Committee arranged for the participation in the 

project by the Geological Survey and the Soil Conservation Service. 

Thorndike Saville, dean of the College of Engineering, New York 

University, maintained a stimulating and sympathetic relationship in 

the supervision of the project. C. S. Jarvis, hydraulic engineer, Soil 

Conservation Service, served as a consultant and from the background 

of his extensive knowledge of hydrology rendered valuable assistance.

The success of the project was due in large part to the cooperative 

attitude of the administrative officials of the Works Progress Administration, and especially of R. C. Urban, the administrative 

project supervisor.

Acknowledgment is due the technical and clerical personnel for its 

help and cooperation.

Some results of the work of other investigators have been included 

in this report, and appropriate footnotes have been added to the tables 

to indicate the sources of the data. H. B. Kinnison, district engineer, 

Geological Survey, Boston, Mass., furnished results of studies made in
SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER LOSS 6

his office for drainage areas on the Swift and Westfield Rivers in Massachusetts. The records of rainfall and run-off for river basins in 

Pennsylvania were taken from the publications of the Pennsylvania 

Department of Forests and Waters, which since 1921 have presented 

the mean annual rainfall as well as the mean annual run-off for the 

tributary basins above all river-measurement stations in the State. 

The data for river basins in Ohio were obtained from a study of the 

Miami, Scioto, and Raccoon River Basins by J. C. Prior. 1

The detailed study of the area on West River in Vermont incorporated the results of a study by Barrows.2 Figures taken from the 

above reports have been presented to the nearest tenth of an inch in 

accordance with the degree of refinement used in this study.

SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER LOSS

As used in this study, the water loss of a drainage basin is the 

difference between the average rainfall over the basin and the run-off 

from the basin for a given period. The basic period used is in general 

the water or hydrologic year, which ends September 30. At that time 

there is over most of the country a smaller quantity of water held in 

surface-water channels, in ground water, in soil moisture, in lakes, and 

in the form of ice or snow than at any other time of the year. Obviously, the water loss for a given year determined as indicated above 

may be affected by the differences in the quantities of water held in 

the basin in the above-mentioned ways at the beginning and end of the 

year. By the selection of the general reference date of September 30, 

these discrepancies are reduced to a minimum, and the watgr loss is 

essentially the precipitation that passes into the air through evaporation and transpiration. In this study, the effect of differences in 

inventories of water held in a drainage basin at the beginning and ^ad 

of a year is further reduced by using the mean annual water loss! of 

several years.

An additional factor affecting the validity of the calculation of the 

water loss in the way described relates to the adjustments for the deep 

movement of water in the ground into and out of drainage basins, 

without regard to watershed lines. There is little, if any, information 

on which to base a definite estimate of the magnitude of this factor, 

other than the certainty that apparently it cannot be generally large 

in the basins presented in this report. The latter decision is reached 

because of the widely varying ground formations underlying the 

basins studied herein. Opportunity is thus afforded for display of the 

influence of deep ground-water movement hi accordance with the 

magnitudes associated with such varying conditions. The general

» Prior, 3. C., Run-off formulae and methods applied to selected Ohio streams: Ohio State Univ., Eng. 

Exper. Sta., Bull. 49,1929.

* Barrows, H. K., Precipitation and run-off and altitude relations for Connecticut River: Am. Qeophys. 

Union, Sec. Hydrology, Trails., pp. 396-406,1933.
4 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

uniformity and systematic relations shown by the data, irrespective of 

such conditions, seem to preclude the effect of deep ground-water 

movement as a factor of substantial magnitude.

Run-off or stream flow represents the part of the precipitation that 

remains after the demands of evaporation, transpiration, and deep 

ground-water flow have been satisfied. Therefore rim-off is appropriately considered in the hydrologic cycle a residual component of 

precipitation rather than a percentage assessment on precipitation.

In this report the term "rainfall" is used to include all forms of 

precipitation and is interchangeable with the term "precipitation."

The relation between rainfall and water loss and between rainfall 

and run-off varies from season to season and even from day to day 

within the s'ame season and is dependent upon rainfall intensity, the 

condition of the vegetation, soil moisture, temperature, snow cover, 

relative humidity, and wind velocity. The conception of water loss 

and stream flow as certain percentages of the rainfall may be seriously 

misleading.

In hydrologic studies where drainage-basin characteristics are to be 

examined and compared, water loss and run-off may conveniently be 

expressed as depth in inches on the basin area. When considering 

individual storms it is a common practice to compute in percentage the 

rainfall that appears as run-off, but for monthly, seasonal, or yearly 

comparisons the run-off and water-loss components of rainfall are 

preferably expressed in inches.

On the basis of the treatment herein run-off and water loss must 

together equal the rainfall. In humid or subhumid regions a knowledge 01 any two of the three elements involved in the relation makes 

it possible to determine the third. For example, if the run-off from 

a basin has been measured and the water loss in a region of similar 

characteristics respecting the occurrence of evaporation and transpiration has been determined the two may be combined to give an 

indication of the rainfall on the basin.

PREVIOUS STUDIES

Several investigators in the field of hydrology during the past four 

decades have considered determinations of water loss of major importance and have made studies relating thereto. One of the pioneers 

in this work was Henry Gannett, of the Geological Survey. Gannett 

was one of the first to get away from the method of using percentages 

to express the relative magnitude of rainfall and run-off and to adopt 

instead the actual magnitudes expressed as depth in inches over an 

area. He was also one of the first to consider run-off as a residual of 

rainfall after losses. He prepared maps 3 showing mean annual rain3 Gannett, Henry, Distribution of rainfall, Papers on the conservation of water resources: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 234, pp. 7-9, 1909. Also in Surface water supply of the United States, 1911, 

pts. 1-12, pis. 1, 2, U. S. Qeol. Survey Water-Supply Papers 301-312,1912.
METHOD OF DETERMINATION 5

fall and mean annual run-off in the United States and in doing so 

made use of water-loss and run-off information to determine precipitation in areas where there were few if any rainfall stations. In an 

unpublished manuscript Gannett wrote that he considered the term 

"water loss" a misnomer, as the so-called loss really supports vegetation.

Another early study of interest was made by J. C. Hoyt,4 of the 

Geological Survey. It contained information on monthly and yearly 

rainfall, run-off, and water loss for 15 river basins in the northeastern United States. In this study water loss was given in inches 

as well as in percentages of rainfall.

Other more recent studies containing water-loss computations are 

available. One of these is a report by W. G. Hoyt and others * 

which contains annual water-loss computations for seven of the 

longest run-off records in the humid regions of central and eastern 

United States. Some of the results of that study are presented in 

this report.

METHOD OF DETERMINATION

The fundamental procedure in making water-loss computations is 

merely to subtract the known values of run-off from a drainage basin 

from the known volume of rainfall which fell on the same drainage 

basin in a corresponding period of time. However, numerous considerations enter into the application of the procedure, and many 

complications arise. The number of drainage basins which through 

sufficient basic information and otherwise are suited to water-loss 

studies is comparatively small. The considerations and processes of 

treatment that have been applied are described in the following 

sections.

SELECTION OF SUITABLE DRAINAGE BASIN

An important requisite is to select a river basin for which there 

are sufficient reliable data to insure the determination of dependable 

results. If the investigator has the choice of several basins in a given 

region, as in this study, the problem of satisfying this requisite is 

simplified.

There must be at least 3 years of run-off records. That condition 

being met the adequacy of the number and distribution of rainfall 

observation stations usually determines whether or not a given area 

is selected for study. It is necessary that the rainfall stations be 

well distributed over the drainage area, but what is more important 

in hilly regions is that they be so distributed in altitude that the 

mean altitude of the rainfall stations approximates the mean altitude

4 Hoyt, J C., Comparison between rainfall and run-off in the northeastern United States: Am. Soc. 

Civil Eng. Trans., vol. 59, pp. 431-520, 1907.

5 Hoyt, W. G., and others, Studies of relations of rainfall and run-off in the United States: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 772,1936.

, 154646 40 2
6 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

of the basin, thereby tending to compensate for the variation of rainfall with altitude. Because of the relative scarcity of rainfall stations, the latter requirement practically eliminates from the study 

all basins in mountainous regions, and accordingly the computations 

are for the most part confined to basins in rolling country or plains. 

Exceptions to this are the computations made for one drainage area 

in Vermont and several in Pennsylvania and northern Georgia.

The period of record for which computations can be made is determined by the years of available run-off records. Therefore, the first 

step is to determine the location of available stream-gaging stations points where run-off has been measured. The drainage areas 

above these stations are then outlined, and the rainfall stations 

within or adjacent to the area are plotted, on standard Geological 

Survey base maps on a scale of 1:500,000. The lengths of all records 

are noted on these maps, as well as the elevations of the rainfall 

stations.

SOURCES OF DATA

In general, the equivalent run-off depths, in inches, for water 

years were taken directly from the records of surface water supply 

in the water-supply papers of the Geological Survey. The annual 

depths of rainfall at individual stations for water years corresponding to the stream-flow records were computed from the monthly 

totals published by the Weather Bureau.

COMPUTATION OF AREAL RAINFALL

After the annual rainfall depths at the available stations within 

and adjacent to the selected drainage basin were compiled, the 

average rainfall on the basin for each year was computed. Three 

methods were available for combining the individual station records 

into an areal average, (1) computing the arithmetic mean of the 

rainfall stations; (2) drawing isohyetal lines and computing a weighted 

average; (3) weighting the rainfalls at individual stations by geometrically constructed areas, commonly known as the Thiessen 

method.6

The first method was used where the rainfall observations were of 

comparatively uniform magnitude, or where the weights of the respective observations would be about equal. In such basins it became 

evident by inspection that the arithmetic average of the station 

rainfalls would give practically the same result as a weighted average.

The second or isohyetal method is more laborious than the other 

methods, is dependent on individual judgment in drawing isohyetal 

lines, and is no more accurate than the other methods, especially 

if the data are meager. Consequently it was discarded.

 Monthly Weather Review, p. 1082, July 1911.
METHOD OF DETERMINATION

The third method is quicker than the second and is less dependent 

on individual judgment. Its application is developed more fully 

below. Other studies have tended to show that where the rainfall 

observations are not favorably distributed the isohyetal method may 

have no advantage in accuracy over the Thiessen method. In this 

study the basin rainfalls were computed by the Thiessen method or 

by taking an arithmetic mean of the station rainfalls.

A comparison of the isohyetal method with the Thiessen method 

was made for the record of the 1933 water year for that part of the 

West River Basin above the gaging station at Newfane, Vt. The 

computations by the two methods are given below, and the corresponding diagrams are shown in figures 1 and 2.

Computation of mean rainfall by Thiessen method

Rainfall station 

1

Total. .......................... ......................

Measured 

rainfall 

(inches)

2

45.90

59.84

48.36

48.09

202. 19

50.55

Area of basin 

nearest to rainfall station 

(square miles)

3

16.6

19.9

46.1

225.4

308.0

Column 2 

times 

columns

4

762

1,191

2,229

10,840

15,020

48.8

Computation of mean rainfall by isohyetal method

Average rainfall between isohyetals (inches) 

1

43.5.................................................................. .......

44.5 ... .............. ...-.......... .-...- ._- . -...

45.5...... .......................... ..........................................

46 5

47.5.............................................................. ... . .....

48.5..........................................................................

49.5............ . . .. ._......-.-... -._..._.__._..____.__.-___...._

50.5.............................................. ..... . .... .. .

51.5.....................................................................:....

52.5..........................................................................

53.5_._..._.___....____._.._____... _____________ ..............................

54.5.................................................................. .....

55.5..........................................................................

Total................................................... ...... . ....

Mean rainfall, in inches. _________________________

Area of basin 

between isohyetals 

(square miles)

2

1 0

18.6

30.7

OC O

72.3

34.6

28.2

21.8

22.4

19.2

12.2

7.7

3.2

308.0

Column 1 

times 

column 2

3

83

828

1,397

1,637

3,434

1,678

1,396

1,101

1,154

1,008

653

420

178

14, 967

48.6

The result obtained by the isohyetal method was very close to 

that obtained by the Thiessen method. In this example, partly 

due to the fact that of the eight basic rainfall stations, only one was 

within the basin and the other seven were outside of it, the isohyetal 

lines may not have conformed to the variations associated with the
NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

topography within the basin. For example, according to the isohyetal lines shown on figure 2 the rainfall decreases upstream from 

South Londonderry. This may be contrary to fact, as the basin 

rises in this region to a relatively high altitude, which is usually associated with greater rainfall. If an altitude-rainfall relation could 

be determined for individual years, the position of the isohyetal 

lines might, by the use of a topographic map, be altered to conform

Rutland(Elev.6IO') 

39.45"

^Cavendish(Elev.SOO') 

45.90"

South/Londonderry 

(Elev/l,000'H8.09\

-A.BellowsFalls(Elev.300') 

/> 44.44"

Somerset (Elev. 2,080') 

59.84"

Benm'ngton fElev.840') 

38.96"

GAGING STATION

48.36"

^Wilmintfton (Elev.1,640') 

54.94"

8rattleboro(Elev.333'l 

O 49.22"

FIGURE 1. Sketch of West River Basin showing location of adjacent rainfall stations, measured rainfall 

for the 1933 water year, and diagram for computing areal rainfall by the Thiessen method.

to the changes of rainfall with topography. The Thiessen method 

may not have produced greater accuracy in this respect, but it had 

the advantage of being less laborious.

ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPUTED RAINFALL

As previously stated it is desirable in computations of the mean 

rainfall of a drainage basin in which rainfall varies with altitude that 

the mean altitude of the rainfall stations correspond closely to that 

of the basin. In mountainous regions this requirement is rarely 

satisfied, as the available rainfall stations are usually located at low
METHOD OF DETEKMINATION 9

altitudes often in the valleys. In order that the computation of 

average rainfall for a mountainous basin may even approximate 

actual conditions over the entire area, it is necessary to make adjustments to the rainfall data. Such adjustments have been applied in 

the study of the area on the West River above Newfane, Vt.

The first step is to derive an altitude-rainfall relation. (See fig. 3.) 

In many basins this cannot be done with any degree of success, as

O Rutland (Elev.6libi 

39.45"

Cavendish (Elev.8001) 

45.90"

SoutmLondonderry 

(Elev.lOOO') 48.09

oBellows Falls (Elev.3000 

w 44.44"

GAGING STATION

Newfane (Elev.4501) 

48.36"

Bennington(Elev.840') 

38.96" Wilminoton(Elev.l,640') 

54.94"

Brattleboro(Elev.333'l 

O 49.22"

FIGURE 2. Sketch of West River Basin showing location of adjacent rainfall stations, measured rainfall for 

the 1933 water year, and isohyetal lines for computing areal rainfall.

the influence of altitude is obscured by that of variable exposure 

and air currents in different parts of the basin. Moreover, for shorter 

periods, as a year or less, there may be, in a limited sense, the fortuitous 

areal distribution characteristic of individual storms. Usually such 

a relation can be reliable only when determined on the basis of the 

means over several years.

In this example the mean annual rainfall for the stations in and 

adjacent to the basin for the total period under consideration (1919-23, 

1929-33) were plotted against altitude as shown in figure 3. It is
10 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

evident that although the mean annual rainfalls at the lower altitudes 

are somewhat scattered, only one of the station records used in the 

computations deviated more than 4 percent from the mean curve.

The weighted mean altitude of the rainfall stations was taken as 

1,020 feet, using weightings obtained by the Thiessen method. The

2,500

2,000

H

U 

UJ 1,500 

U.

z

u

Q

-J 1,000

500

0

 Mean altitude

S.Londonderry

oBennington

QRutland/

of drainage basir

/

/^Weighte

^PCavendish

/

oNewfane

0 Br 

owsF

1 1 1 1

attleboro 

alls

1 1 1 1

i^. /

y Wilmin

/

d mean altitude o

1 1 I 1

^/Somerset

/

ston

'rainfall stations

1 1 1 1

35 40 45 50

MEAN ANNUAL RAINFALL IN INCHES

55

FIGUEE 3. Rainfall-altitude relation for the period 1919-23,1929-33, for rainfall stations in and adjacent, to

the West River Basin, Vt.

weighted mean altitude of the drainage basin is 1,760 feet.7 The 

difference in mean rainfall between these two altitudes was 6.8 inches 

as indicated by the curve. This figure was applied as a positive 

correction to the- mean rainfall, resulting in an adjustment of 17 

percent. The mean water loss for the period was increased 46 percent. These results are illustrative of the errors that may be encouni Am. Geophys. Union Trans., 1933, p. 402.
METHOD OF DETERMINATION 11

tered in determining areal rainfall in mountainous regions, where 

the data are insufficient to adjust for altitude.

ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPUTED WATER LOSS

The purpose of this study is to determine water loss for land areas 

only. The water loss from a prevalent water surface is, of course, 

entirely an evaporation loss and in general over periods of time of a 

year or more, and except under certain conditions favorable for 

excessive evaporation from vegetation, it is believed to be greater 

than the combination of losses that occur from land.

Three of the drainage areas selected in Massachusetts include the 

surfaces of large reservoirs, and it is thought that the computations 

do not give a reliable figure for the loss from the land area without 

appropriate adjustment therefor. Accordingly, adjustments to the 

mean annual water loss were computed. An example of the determination of the adjustment for the drainage area on the South Branch 

of the Nashua River above Wachusett Dam at Clinton, Mass., is 

given below.

Drainage area =108.84 square miles. 

Water surface=4,735 acres=7.40 square miles. 

Mean annual water loss for total area 22.03 inches. 

Approximate mean annual evaporation from water surf ace = 25 inches. 

(Water loss y (total _ (water loss from v/(landi (evaporation fromy (water 

from total area) area) land area) area)' water area) area) 

Let x=water loss from land area.

_ (22.03) (108. 84) - (25) (7.4) 

X ~ 101.44 

^2,398-185^ 2, 213 

101. 44 101. 44 

= 21.8 inches.

The mean annual evaporation of 25 inches is not exact but was 

selected after an examination of the scant information available.8

This example shows that when the percentage of water area is small 

and evaporation differs slightly from the water loss from the land 

area the amount of the adjustment is comparatively negligible. The 

need for such correction can usually be determined only by trial.

ACCURACY OF RESULTS

From the foregoing it is evident that there are decided practical 

limitations to the accuracy of results of studies of water loss. Even 

though refinement is attempted, little faith can be put in the results 

if the rainfall observations are not adequately distributed. Moreover, 

rainfall records at individual stations may be unrepresentative owing 

to exposed or unduly sheltered positions of rain gages, inability to 

make accurate measurements of snowfall, and shortcomings of the 

observers. The records of yearly run-off may also be subject to slight

»Am. Soc. Civil Eng. Trans,, vol. 99, p. 708,1934.
12 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

inaccuracy, but it is believed to be relatively negligible compared 

with the inaccuracy inherent in computations of areal rainfall. \^

PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

MEAN ANNUAL WATER LOSS

Table 1 (pp. 13-18) presents the mean annual precipitation, mean 

annual run-off, and mean annual water loss for the years of record 

covered in this study.

The drainage areas in table 1 are presented in the same geographic 

order that is followed in the Geological Survey water-supply papers 

and are grouped according to the following order and arrangement: 

North Atlantic basins, South Atlantic basins, Ohio River Basin, St. 

Lawrence River Basin, Hudson Bay Basin, upper Mississippi River 

Basin, Missouri River Basin, lower Mississippi River Basin, and 

eastern Gulf of Mexico basins. No computations were made" for 

basins west of the 104th meridian.

The first column in table 1 gives the drainage area, which is designated by the name of the gaging station at which the run-off is measured. A few of the drainage areas represent only that portion of the 

total drainage area that lies between two or more main-stream or 

tributary gaging stations. These were selected only if rainfall observations were not available over the entire drainage area. The run-off 

for such restricted drainage areas is the difference between the run-offs 

at appropriate groups of the several gaging stations and is, of course, 

because of accumulated errors in the difference, subject to greater 

inaccuracy than a single observed record.

The second column gives the period studied in water years, which 

end September 30. The period does not necessarily represent and 

should not be confused with the period of available record of run-off 

at the gaging station. For reasons previously stated the period 

studied is generally less than that of the record of run-off. No period 

extends beyond 1934 because more recent run-off records had not 

been published at the time the basic computations were made (1935 

36). Where data were taken from other published records the period 

corresponds to that used in those records. For example, for basins 

in Pennsylvania, the period studied begins in 1921, as that was the 

first year for which basin rainfalls were published by the Department 

of Forests and Waters. Other periods to be studied wTere determined 

by the availability of rainfall records.

The remaining columns in table 1 give the mean annual precipitation, mean annual run-off, and mean annual water loss for the periods 

listed in the second column. The results are usually the arithmetical 

averages of the individual values for each year, given in table 2, 

computed to the nearest tenth.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 13

The mean annual water loss is shown graphically in plate 1, where 

each value is plotted approximately in the center of the basin studied.

TABLE 1. Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss

Merrimack River Basin

Gaging station

South Branch of Nashua River at Clinton, Mass. 1 . - . .

Period 

studied 

(water 

years)

1904-33 

1902-33

1904-33

Mean annual 

precipitation 

(inches)

43.8 

43.0

41.9

Mean annual run-off 

(inches)

21.8 

18.5

18.7

Mean annual water 

loss 

(inches)

22.0 

24.5

23.2

Connecticut River Basin

West River at Newfane, Vt. 2 __ ______ . __ .-..._

Middle Branch of Westfield River at Goss Heights,

Mass.3

f 1920-23 

\ 1929-33 

1920-34 

/ 1920 

1 1922-34

} 46.5 

45.4 

} 45.6

25.0 

22.4 

25.9

21.5 

23.1 

19.6

Delaware River Basin 4

Perkiomen Creek at Graters Ford, Pa _ __ _ .___

1921-34 

1924-34 

1921-34 

1924-34 

1925-34 

f 1921-22 

\ 1926-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

( 1921-26 

\ 1928-34 

1929-34 

1932-34 

1929-34 

1921-34 

1927-34 

1932-34 

1932-34 

1932-34 

1921-34

41.9 

42.8 

42.7 

43.2 

43.6

} 42.1

44.2 

45.6 

} 43.6

41.3 

46.9 

41.1 

45.9 

44.0 

46.4 

48.4 

48.3 

43.2

24.6 

23.6 

23.2 

23.1 

22.4

21.3

26.1 

22.7

26.7

20.4 

18.2 

18.2 

28.2 

18.9 

16.4 

17.0 

15.5 

17.0

17.3 

19.3 

19.5 

20.1 

21.2

20.8

18.0 

22.9

16.9

20.9 

28.7 

22.9 

17.7 

25.1 

30.0 

31.4 

32.8 

26.2

Susquehanna River Basin 4

Fishing Creek at Bloomsbura, Pa- _______ __ . ..

West Branch of Susquehanna River at Bower, Pa_ .... 

West Branch of Susquehanna River at Renovo, Pa_ _ _ West Branch of Susiuehanna River at Williamsport, 

Pa.

Driftwood Bran ch of Sinnemahoning Creek at Sterling 

Run, Pa.

North Bald Eagle Creek at Beech Creek Station, Pa,.

1921-34 

1921-34 

f 1921-31 

\ 1933-34 

1921-34 

1932-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-28 

1921-34 

1921-26 

1921-28 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-34

1921-34 

1921-34

f 1921-28 

\ 1934 

1921-34

35.9 

36.3

} 37.3

38.3 

38.8 

36.4 

40.5 

40.9 

44.6 

45.4 

43.4 

41,4 

40.2 

38.4

42.0 

42.0

} 39.8 

37.9

17.3 

17.2

17.6

17.6 

15.7 

16.8 

18.4 

27.5 

17.8 

24.9 

27.3 

23. Q 

20.6 

20.1

20.2 

22. 1

20.8 

17.8

18.6 

19.1

19.70

20.8 

23.1 

19.6 

22.1 

13.5 

2fi.8 

20.5 

16.1 

18.3 

19.6 

18.3

21.8 

19.8

19.0 

20.1

1 Rainfall and run-off data of the water division of the Metropolitan District Commission.

2 Results adjusted on basis of altitude-rainfall relation. See p. 10.

3 Data compiled by H. B. Kinnison, district engineer, Geological Survey, Boston, Mass. 

4 ,Rainfall and run-off data compiled by PemisylvaniarBepartirrent of Forests and Waters.

153646 40 3
14 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 1. Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss Continued

Susquehanna River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Period 

studied 

(water

Mean annual

precipitation

(inches)

Mean annual run-off

(inches)

Mean annual water

loss 

(inches)

Pine Creek at Cedar Run, Pa......_.... ...-__ 1921-34

Lycoming Creek near Trout Run, Pa.-.-.----------- 1921-34

Loyalsock Creek at Loyalsock, Pa.... - 1926-34

Penn Creek at Penns Creek, Pa...._.__..-_...._-_-,-.{ Jg^lf 4 }

Mahantango Creek East near Dalmatia, Pa_._ ___ 1930-34

Frankstown Branch of Juniata River at Williamsburg, 1921-34

Pa.

Juniata River at Newport, Pa_ __.---.---__-____--. 1921-34

Shaver Creek near Petersburg, Pa _-__________ 1931-34

Standing Stone Creek near Huntingdon, Pa_.._____ 1931-34

Raystown Branch of Juniata River at Saxton, Pa. - -. - 1921-34

Dunning Creek at Yount, Pa-...-.. -....... ..... 1931-34

Brush Creek at Gapsville, Pa.---.. ...- ...----..- 1932-34

Great Trough Creek near Marklesburg, Pa_____.. 1931-34

Aughwiek Creek near Orbisonia, Pa_-._____.._. 1932-34

Tuscarora Creek near Port Royal, Pa__________ 1921-34

Cocolamus Creek near Millerstown, Pa-.-_-_--.-. 1931-34

Sherman Creek at Shermandale, Pa___..______ 1930-34

Conodoguinet Creek near Hogestown, Pa..---____ 1930-34

Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern, Pa__________ 1921-34

Tipper Little Swatara Creek at Pine Grove, Pa____ 1921-32

West Conewago Creek near Manchester, Pa___ __ 1930-34

Codoras Creek at Spring Grove, Pa................... 1930-34

South Branch of Codoras Creek near York, Pa____ [ Jg^flfl

Conestoga Creek at Lancaster, Pa..................... [ ig$fe£l

Muddy Creek at Castle Fin, Pa...................... 1930-34

Savannah River Basin

Broad River near Carlton, Ga_._____________. 1903-12

Altamaha River Basin

Ocmulgee River near Jackson, Ga.____...___.. 1907-15 

Oconee River near Greensboro, Ga._............__.. { Jgi^l }

Suwannee River Basin

Suwannee River at Fargo, Qa...____________ 1928-31

Apalachicola River Basin

Ohattahoochee River near Norcross, Ga_ ______ 1905-23 

Flint River near Woodbury, Ga...................... [ Hifl^Q

Flint River between Culloden and Woodbury, Ga._ [ JgJ^O

33.2

37.9

39.4

41.9

40.7

40.2

38.9

36.9

39.2

38.4

38.0

36.4

38.1

39.5

39.6

40.9

41.7

40.2

42.7

42.0

39.8

42.1

50.0

36.7

39.7

16.7

19.0

21.4

17.2

14.9

17.0

16.2

13.1

13.1

15.0

13.3

15.3

12.7

15.8

16.3

14.9

15.1

12.9

21.2

21.3

12.6

14.4

20.0

12.4

13.7

52.5 23.9

48.6

50.7

18.3

20.5

54.8 23.0

58.2

48.4

48.8

28.2

19.0

16.0

Choctawhatchee River Basin

Ohoctawhatchee River near Newton, Ala- 1923-24 

1926-27 57.1 18.2

Escambia River Basin

Oonecub River near Andalusia, Ala. 1905-19 

1930-33 53.3 19.4
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 15

TABLE 1, Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss Continued

Mobile River Basin

Tallapoosa River at Wadley, Ala _ ____ ..............

East Fork of Tombigbee River near Fulton, Miss. .... 

Mulberry Fork of Black Warrior River near Garden 

City, Ala. 

Sipsey Fork of Mulberry Fork of Black Warrior River 

near Sipsey, Ala.

1908-15 

1924-33 

1929-33 

( 1929-31 

( 1933 

/ 1929-31 

X 1933

55.5 

52.6 

58.6

} 56.8 

} 54.8

29.6 

20.2 

19.0

25.5 

23.9

25. » 

32.4 

39.6

31.2 

30.9

Pearl River Basin

1929-33 

( 1929 

X 1931-33

55.5 

| 55.7

16.6 

23.7

38.8 

32.0.

Ohio River Basin

ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN *

Tionesta Creek at Nebraska, Pa. _________ _ ...

French Creek at Carters Corners (Kimmeytown), PaRed Bank Creek at St. Charles, Pa .. ____ . ......

Stony Creek at Johnstown, Pa __ __ ___ _ . . .

Blacklick Creek at Blacklick, Pa......................

MONONGAHELA RlVEE BASIN *

Youghiogheny River at Friendsville, Md._ ...........

Youghiogheny River at Connellsville, Pa.. ___ ....

Laurel Hill Creek at Ursina, Pa ____________

Turtle Creek at Trafford, Pa. _ ......................

CHAETIEES CEEEK BASIN * 

Chartiers Creek at Carnegie, Pa. ... _ -... _ ------

BEAVEE RIVER BASIN <

Little Shenango River at Greenville, Pa. ..............

Pymatuning Creek near Orangeville, Pa- ... . ....

Slippery Rock Creek at Wurtemburg, Pa. __ . .......

Connoquenessing Creek near Hazen, Pa-..-. _ __ .

RACCOON CEEEK BASIN ' 

Raccoon Creek at Adamsville, Ohio.. ___ . ___ .

1926-34 

1921-34 

/ 1921 

X 1923-28 

1921-34 

/ 1926-32 

X 1934 

1921-30 

1921-28 

1922-34 

192:1-34 

1925-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

/ 1921-22 

X 1927-34

1927-30 

1921-34 

f 1921-29 

[ 1932-34 

1921-34 

1921-34 

1921-34

f 1921-30 

X 1933

1921-33 

1921-34 

1921-34 

f 1921-22 

X 1927-34 

f 1921-22 

1927-34 

f 1921-32 

X 1934 

1921-34

1916-27

40.1 

39.8

} 40.7 

41.9 

} 41.8 

43.2 

40T. 4 

38.8 

38.8 

38.9 

39.5 

40.7 

42.9 

43.8 

42.8 

44.0

\ 45.9

47.7 

45.9

\ 45.6

45.7 

46.1 

37.0

39.5

38.6 

37.0 

37.0

38.5 

35.9

39.4 

38.4

41.9

20.2 

21.8

24.1 

23.5 

24.9

21.8 

25.4 

23.9 

19.9 

20.9 

20.2 

23.1 

20.2 

22.3 

22.6 

21.0 

22.2

26.0 

24.1

22.8

22.2 

30.5 

19.4

17.7

16.7 

14.7 

14.1

17.7 

16.8

17.7 

18.3

10.0

19.9 

18.0

16.3

18.4 

16.8

21.4 

15.0 

14.9 

19.0 

18.0 

19.4 

17.6 

22.7 

21.6 

20.3 

23.0

23.8

21.7 

21.9

22.7

23.5 

15.6 

17.8

21.8

21. » 

22.3 

22.9

20. a

19.0

21.7 

20.1

22. ft

* Rainfall and run-off data compiled by Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters.

* Data compiled in Ohio State University Engineering Experiment Station Bull. 49,1929.
16 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 1. Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss Continued

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Period 

studied 

(water 

years)

Mean annual

precipitation

(inches)

Mean annual run-off 

(inches)

Mean annual water

loss 

(inches)

SCIOTO RIVER BASIN « 

Scioto River at Grigg's Dam and at Dublin, Ohio.- j ^922-24 } 

-Scioto River ta Columbus, Ohio.---.----------------- 1899-1908

MIAMI RIVER BASIN 5

Miami River at Dayton, Ohio.-._- ._- 1894-1918 

WABASH RIVER BASIN

Wabash River at Logansport, Ind __ _ - 1924-33

Salamonie River at Dora, Ind_-__-_- _------------ 1931-33

Mississinewa River at Marion, Ind__ - . 1931-33

Eel River at North Manchester, Ind 1931-33

West Fork of White River near Noblesville, Ind ( 193^33 } 

Fall Creek at Millersville, Ind 1931-33 

East Fork of White River at Seymour, Ind. ' 1928-33 

Flatrock Creek at St. Paul, Ind 1931-33

St. Lawrence River Basin

STREAMS TRIBUTARY TO LAKE MICHIGAN

Thornapple River near Caledonia, Midi 1932-34

Muskegon River at Newaygo, Mich._..............-- 1932-34

STREAM TRIBUTARY TO LAKE HURON

'Tittabawassee River at Freeland, Mich-.------------- \ 1916-20 \

[ 1932-34 ) 

STREAMS TRIBUTARY TO LAKE ERIE

River Rouge at Detroit, Midi..... ... .... .- 1932-34 

Huron River at Barton, Midi . .- .--- 1915-20

Hudson Bay Basin

Red River at Fargo, N. Dak.... ...._...__.__ | }g^I^ 

Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak.«._..... . 1882-1934

{

1Q22 24 1 

192&-33 /

Upper Mississippi River Basin

CHIPPEWA RIVER BASIN 

Jump River at Sheldon, \Vis- __--------------- 1916-34

TREMPEALEAU BIVER BASIN 

Trempealeau River at Dodge, Wis .__ 1915-19

BLACK RIVER BASIN 

Black River at Neillsville, Wis ._ _ ___ 1915-34

LA CROSSE RIVER BASIN 

La Crosse River near West Salem, Wis__-_--------- 1915-34

WISCONSIN BIVER BASIN

Rib River at Rib Falls, Wis.____......._....... 1926-34

Yellow River at Sprague, Wis_---_.........._.__.._. 1927-34

Kickapoo River at Gays Mills, Wis_.-.-_-__-_-_---- _ 1915-33

ROCK RIVER BASIN 

Sugar River near Brodhead, Wis.___--__......___-_ 1915-34

39.6

36.7

37.7

38.3

37.0

39.7

31.8

37.5

37.0

41.7

42.0

12.6

11.2

13.7

11.6

10.7

9.8

13.3

12.0

15.2

12.4

32.0

30.1

29.7

28.6

31.7

9.3 

10.2

6.0 

9.2

20.8

20.9

19.5

0.6 

1.2

30.5

30.3

30.1

28.8

31.6

32.5

12.9

9.6

10.0

12.4 

6.3 

9.3

5 Data compiled in Ohio State University Engineering Experiment Station Bull. 49, 1929. 

s Data compiled in Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 772, 1936.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 17

TABLE 1. Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss Continued

Missouri River Basin

Gaging station

Period 

studied 

(water 

years)

Mean annual

precipitation

(inches)

Mean annual run-off 

(inches)

Mean annual water

loss 

(inches)

GEAND RIVEE BASIN 

Grand River near Wakpala, S. Dak_____._ ..._. 1931-33

MOEEAU RIVEE BASIN 

Moreau River at Promise, S. Dak___-_._ _ 1931-33

WHITE RIVEE BASIN 

White River near Oacoma, S. Dak_ _. ..... . .. 1929-33

NIOBEAEA RIVEE BASIN

Niobrara River near Spencer, Nebr.....__... 1928-33 

JAMES RIVEE BASIN

James River at Jamestown, N. Dak--..__..-.____ 1929-32 

James River near Scotland, S. Dak. _ . - 1931-33

PLATTE RIVEE BASIN

Middle Loup River at St. Paul, Nebr ............. 1929-33

North Loup River near St. Paul, Nebr.... . ... 1929-33

Elkhorn River at Waterloo, Nebr .. .. 1930-33

KANSAS RIVEE BASIN

Republican River between Wakefleld and Scandia, / 1920-24 1

Kans. \ 1929-33 /

Kansas River at Wamego, Kans., minus Kansas / 1920-25 1

River at Ogden and Big Blue River at Randolph. \ 1930-33 /

Kansas River between Topeka and Wamego, Kans_.- 1920-33

Smoky Hill River between Lindsborg and Ellsworth, 1931-33

Kans. 

South Fork of Solomon River at Alton, Kans_,....... j 1920~2

Solomon River between Niles and Beloit, Kans....... 1930-33

North Fork of Solomon River at Kirwin, Kans__... | 

Soldier Creek at Topeka, Kans_._....___..... .. 1930-33

Delaware River at Valley Falls, Kans...___.. .. |

Wakarusa River near Lawrence, Kans---._-__----__-- 1930-33 

Stranger Creek near Tonganoxie, Kans__._.......... 1930-33

GEAND RIVEE BASIN

Grand River near Gallatin, Mo.... .......... .._ 1922-33

Thompson River at Trenton, Mo.-.-.-.--_..... .. 1929-33

Locust Creek near Milan, Mo - - ~ 1922-33

CHAEITON RIVEE BASIN 

Chariton River atElmer, Mo.--- ------------- j

LAMINE RIVEE BASIN

Blackwater River at Blue Lick, Mo____...___... 1923-33 

OSAGE RIVEE BASIN

Osage River near Ottawa, Kans...__...._.. ... 1920-33

Sac River near Stockton, Mo______.______.. 1926-32

South Grand River near Brownington, Mo ----------- 1922-33

14.6

17.8

15.1

17.3

22.4

22.1

24.5

33.4

24.0

21.9

23.4

22.2

34.5

34.6

32.7

34.9

35.3

32.9

37.3

36.2

38.6

34.4

43.9

38.0

0.3

.4

2.3 

3,3 

1.9

1.4

3.8

4.9 

.5

.5

5.5

2.6 

5.1

7.2 

7.9 

9.2

4.4 

14.8 

7.5

14.5

14.1

17.2

17.0

15.0

17.3

20.0

18.8

22.6

23.4

27.2

28.5

23.5

21.4 

22.6 

21. ft 

29.0' 

29. T

30.2

29.8

28.0

25.0

28.1

26.7

30. &

30.0

29.1

30.5
18 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 1. Summary of precipitation, run-off, and water loss Continued 

Lower Mississippi River Basin

Gaging station

MEKAMEC EIVEE BASIN

ST. FRANCIS RIVER BASIN

WHITE RIVEK BASIN 

James River at Galena, Mo..-. ____ . __ _ ___ .

ARKANSAS RIVEK BASIN

Walnut River at Winfleld, Kans.... ____ ..___.-_-.

Period 

studied 

(water 

years)

1924-34

1922-34

1922-34

1923-34

1926-33

1923-33

1923-33

{1896-1903

I 1918-34

Meanannual 

precipitation 

(inches)

41.0

39.4

42.4

42.7

20.6

29.0

32.4

} 33.3

Mean annual run-off 

(inches)

9.4

11.2

15.6

13.6

.2

1.6

4.6

4.9

Mean annual, water 

loss 

(inches)

31.6

28.2

26.9

29.1

20.4

27.4

27.8

28.4

Western Gulf of

NECHES RIVEK BASIN

Angelina River near Lufkin, Tex _____ ___ _ .....

TRINITY RIVER BASIN

Clear Fork of Trinity River at Fort Worth, Tex...--- 

Mountain Creek near Grand Prairie, Tex, __ -. ......

Elm Fork of Trinity River near Carrollton, Tex .......

East Fork of Trinity River near Rockwall, Tex_ __ ..

SANJACINTO RIVEK BASIN

BEAZOS RIVER BASIN

COLORADO RIVER BASIN

Pedernales River between Spicewood and Stonewall, 

Tex.

GUADALUPS RIVER BASIN

NUECES RIVER BASIN 

Nueces River at Laguna, Tex. _____________

Mexico has

1924-34

1924-34

1929-34

1926-34 

1926-32

1925-34

1925-34

1930-34

1925-34

1925-34

1925-34

1925-34

1925- 34 

1923-34

1929-34

1931-34

1931-34

1931-33

1924-34

1925-34

ns

42.8

43.8

48.9

31.1 

35.1

31.9

37.5

40.8

28.6

34.6

36.6

27.0

28.4 

30.1

30.4

30.6

28.7

32.9

30.1

24.1

9.0

10.6

11.5

1.8 

3.9

3.3

6.5

6.1

3.1

4.4

5.7

1.3

1.6 

2.1

3.3

2.4

1.6

2.5

3.4

2.1

33. J

33.

37.'

29.: si.:

28.

31.

34. i

25.

30.

31. (

25. J

26. £ 

28. (

27.2

28.

27.1

30.4 26.'

22. C

* Data compiled in Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 772,1936.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 19

ANNUAL WATER LOSS

The annual precipitation, annual run-off, and annual water loss for 

each area for each year in the period studied are given in table 2. 

The areas listed are those given in table 1 and the explanation of the 

first two columns of table 1 given under "Mean annual water loss" 

applies also to the first two columns of table 2. The interpretation 

of water losses computed for short periods is discussed in the section 

on "Significance of water loss" (pp. 3-4). The rainfall and water-loss 

data given for the area on the West River above Newfane, Vt., have 

not been adjusted on the basis of the altitude-rainfall relation described under "Method of determination" (pp. 8-11).

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years 

Men-knack River Basin

Gaging station

South Branch of Nashua River at Clinton, Mass.1 ....

Sudbury River at Framingham Center, Mass.i... ......

Water 

year

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

47.6

41.7

46.7

40.4

47.4

43.3

37.3

34.2

41.1

41.4

41.1

42.1

47.3

34.4

41.0

47.0

54.0

45.7

53.9

38.8

49.3

36.6

37.3

50.1

56.5

36.8

34.4

47.0

42.6

56.8

49.2

48.0

46.0

41.0

41.5

40.2

44.2

39.9

35.7

35.0

41.5

44.1

41.5

40.7

43.8

38.7

42.8

43.1

46.9

43.7

50.2

37.4

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

23.6

18.2

21.5

18.1

27.0

18.7

17.7

10.8

21.3

16.8

22.4

17.1

27.9

16.9

17.6

23.5

33.1

26.6

29.0

22.5

26.0

14.2

19.0

21.5

36.3

22.5

11.6

20.3

18.2

33.1

25.5

27.3

20.8

15.7

17.9

15.4

22.6

13.1

11.9

8.2

18.4

13.5

18.7

13.2

20.8

14.2

14.8

19.1

27.5

17.4

21.1

18.6

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

24.0

23.5

25.2

22.3

20.4

24.6

19.6

23.4

19.8

24.6

18.7

25.0

19.4

17.5

23.4

23.5

20.9

19.1

24.9

16.3

23.3

22.4

18.3

28.6

20.2

14.3

22.8

26.7

24.4

23.7

23.7

20.7

25.2

25.3

23.6

24.8

21.6

26.8

23.8

26.8

23.1

30.6

22.8

27.5

23.0

24.5

28.0

24.0

19.4

26.3

29.1

18.8

> Rainfall and run-off data of the water division of the Metropolitan District Commission,
20 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Merrimack River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Sudbury River at Framingham Center, Mass. 1 .-.. ....

Lake Cochituate outlet at Coehituate, Mass.1 -- ___ --

Water 

year

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

49.1

36.6

41.7

44.9

55.3

37.1

33.0

45.6

44.0

52.7

45.2

39.6

38.5

38.0

40.4

38.4

34.8

34.9

40.5

44.1

39.4

40.9

42.5

38.0

42.3

42.9

48.3

46.6

51.2

36.4

49.1

35.0

41.4

45.7

48.9

35.6

32.2

47.8

43.6

54.7

Annual 

run -off 

(inches)

23.5

12.6

17.8

18.2

34.0

21.3

8.4

19.3

13.2

28.0

19.3

14.6

16.6

13.8

19.0

13.1

13.3

9.0

28.9

15.4

19.4

14.5

23.9

14.1

15.8

20.0

30.9

21.4

23.8

19.6

21.4

12.8

18.8

18.1

27.3

20.6

8.7

21.4

13.3

31.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

25.6

24.0

23.9

26.7

21.3

15.8

24.6

26.3

30.8

24.7

25.9

25.0

21.9

24.2

21.4

25.3

21.5

25.9

11.6

28.7

20.0

26.4

18.6

23.9

26.5

22.9

17.4

25.2

27.4

16.8

27.7

22.2

22.6

27.6

21.6

15.0

23.5

26.4

30.3

23.5

Connecticut River Basin

West River at Newfane, Vt.».. _ ......................

Swift River at West Ware, Mass.'.. ...................

Middle Branch of Westfield River at Qoss Heights,

Mass.3

1920

1921

1922

1923

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1920

1922

1923

1924

1925

36.9

38.8

41.6

31.7

42.1

38.7

43.5

34.9

48.8

51.5

50.2

52.9

38.2

44.9

38.7

36.8

49.1

59.6

37.6

35.7

42.4

41.0

53.1

50.0

53.3

48.6

37.3

49.9

42.0

29.4

25.0

26.8

18.8

27.3

21.2

25.9

23.0

27.4

30.2

29.3

28.6

22.9

23.2

15.2

19.1

20.7

33.3

20.8

10.8

14.4

16.5

24.6

26.0

32.4

29.4

20.1

29.5

21.4

7.5

13.8

14.8

12.9

J4.8

17.5

17.6

11.9

21.4

21.3

20.9

24.3

15.3

21.7

23.5

17.7

28.4

26.3

16.8

24.9

28.0

24.5

28.5

24. ft

20.9

19.2

17.2

20.4

20.6

 Rainfall and run-off data of the water division of the Metropolitan District Commission. 

z No altitude-rainfall adjustment applied to data for individual years. See p. 10 and table 1 for results 

of adjustment to mean rainfall and mean water loss.

* Data compiled by H. B. Kinnison, district engineer, Geological Survey, Boston, Mass.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 21 

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Connecticut River Basin Continued

Middle Branch of Westfleld River at Goss Heights,

Mass.

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

39.1

45.8

65.2

35.6

38.9

41.1

34.3

60.8

46.1

24.0

21.8

46.8

25.5

16.0

18.6

18.4

33.0

26.2

15.1

24.0

18.4

10.1

22.9

22.5

15.9

27.8

19.9

Delaware River Basin 4

Delaware River at Port Jervis, N. Y. ______ ......

Delaware River at Belvidere, N. J._.._ ...... .........

Delaware River at Riegelsville, Pa _ ___ ____ ...

Delaware River at Trenton, N. J...... _____ __ .

Lackawaxen River at West Hawley, Pa ___ .... _ ..

Wallenpaupack Creek at Wilsonville, Pa.. .............

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1926

1927

40.0

44.9

36.9

42.7

37.2

38.9

45.0

59.4

39.3

38.0

38.3

36.0

50.2

39.4

44.0

37.8

39.8

45.8

60.4

38.6

37.8

38.6

34.7

53.4

40.3

42.1

44.1

36.7

45.4

38.4

41.1

45.3

60.1

38.5

37.9

37.9

34.0

55.8

41.0

46.1

38.0

41.2

45.0

60.0

38.2

37.6

37.9

33.8

56.4

41.2

37.7

41.3

44.9

62.0

35.2

39.5

39.5

38.0

54.3

43.5

38.9

42.7

40.8

46.5

26.8

28.0

18.8

23.8

21.4

23.2

28.9

43.9

22.3

20.0

18.6

20.1

27.7

20.3

23.6

20.3

21.3

28.4

42.3

21.5

19.3

17.2

17.4

as. 5

19.4

25.0

25.0

16.8

24.2

20.4

21.3

27.6

41.6

20.6

19.5

16.5

16.4

30.0

19.9

22.8

20.1

20.9

27.0

39.8

20.8

19.6

16.2

16.2

30.1

20.4

18.1

24.2

28.4

40.1

19.0

15.5

16.0

17.1

25.6

20.2

26.2

23.7

19.2

27.0

13.2

16.9

18.1

18.9

15.8

15.7

16.1

15.5

17.0

18.0

19.7

15.9

22.5

19.1

20.4

17.5

18.5

17.4

18.1

17.1

18.5

21.4

17.3

24.9

20.9

17.1

19.1

19.9

21.2

18.0

19.8

17.7

18.5

17.9

18.4

21.4

17.6

25.8

21.1

23.3

17.9

20.3

18.0

20.2

17.4

18.0

21.7

17.6

26.3

20.8

19.6

17.1

16.5

21.9

16.2

24.0

23.5

20.9

28.7

23.3

12.7

19.0

21.6

19.5

1 Rainfall and run-off data compiled by Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters. 

154646 4(
22 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Delaware River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Wallenpaupack Creek at Wilsonville, Pa. _______

Bushkill Creek at Shoemakers, Pa. ___ .............

* '*'- 

McMichaels Creek -at Stroudsburg, Pa. _____ . __ .

1

Lehigh River at Tannery, Pa.. _____ . _____ ..

Lehigh River at Bethlehem, Pa... . ___ ... _ ... ...

Neshaminy Creek at Rushland, Pa _ , .................

Schuylkill River at Pottstown, Pa __ . ___ .. ......

Little Schuylkill River at Tamaqua, Pa ___ .- _ -.

Water 

year

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

" 1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

59.7

31.5

39.6

35.1

35.5

55.1

37.6

45.3

47.0

40.0

48.5

35.4

40.5

48.8

65.0

36.3

41.2

37.0

32.9

58.9

41.6

48.2

43.5

38.3

51.2

43.0

47.6

47.9

66.0

38.5

37.2

38.7

30.5

64.5

44.0

45.3

45.1

41.7

47.3

38.2

44.8

60.0

35.3

42.6

37.2

32.8

55.8

41.1

37.7

38.5

35.6

32.1

61.9

42.1

32.2

62.8

45.6

38.3

34.7

36.1

35.6

61.2

40.8

48.8

49.2

32.7

53.6

39.3

42.6

46.2

65.1

44.5

37.6

37.6

33.8

70.3

41.6

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

38.9

15.3

17.8

12.8

12.5

26.4

14.0

29.0

27.6

17.3

25.0

24.0

24.0

34.2

47.5

24.0

24.7

17.0

16.2

34.6

20.9

28.3

24.3

16.5

20.9

22.5

19.7

23.1

39.8

16.8

20.4

13.4

14.6

38.5

19.4

31.5

33.3

22.4

32.7

24.4

26.5

42.9

21.3

23.2

15.6

16.8

34.9

21.5

20.1

21.4

13.4

13.7

34.5

19.6

8.0

29.6

16.9

17.0

16.9

10.7

12.9

33.0

18.6

34.4

36.2

17.4

40.5

32.4

26. 7

34.2

44.0

18.5

22.0

13.3

14.5

41.9

19.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

20.8

16.2

21.8

22.3

23.0

28.7

23.6

16.3

19.4

22.7

23.5

11.4

16.5

14.6

17.5

12.3

16.5

20.0

16.7

24.3

20.7

19.9

19.2

21.8

20.3

20.5

27.9

24.8

26.2

21.7

16.8

25.3

15.9

26.0

24.6

13.8

11.8

19.3

14.6

13.8

18.3

17.1

14.0

19.4

21.6

16.0

20.9

19.6

17.6

17.1

22.2

18.4

27.4

22.5

24.2

33.2

28.7

21.3

17.8

25.4

22.7

28.2

22.2

14.4

13.0

15.3

13.1

6.9

15.9

12.0

21.0

26.0

15.6

24.3

19.3

28.4

22.6
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 23

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Delaware River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Perkiomen Creek at Graters Ford, Pa 

Crum Creek at Woodlyn, Pa. ________ - __ ----

Ridley Creek at Moylan, Pa _ - _ _ .... .

Chester Creek near Chester, Pa. __ .. __ ... _ .- _ _

Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford, Pa..--. -...-.....

Water 

year

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

'1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

41.1

59.2

37.4

34.9

40.1

34.8

62.8

41.9

35.0

63.6

40.6

, 34. T

66.6

43:8

35.5

65.7

43.8

35.0

39.1

36. 7

55.4

32.6

42.9

41.4

61.4

41.0

37.7

38.2

33.9

65.7

44.1

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

19.1

33.8

17.5

14.7

9.1

11.1

28.7

17.3

7.6

24.0

17.5

9,9

23.7

17.4

8.6

22.1

15.7

13.5

14.1

11.3

24.7

14.7

13.3

19.1

30.1

18.3

14.0

11.0

10.5

25.6

17.7

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

22.0

25.4

19.9

20.2

31.0

23.7

34.1

24.6

27.4

39.6

23.1

24. 8

42.9

26.4

26.9

43.6

28.1

21.5

25.0

25.4

30.7

17.9

29.6

22. 3

31.3

22.7

23.7

27.2

23.4

40.1

26.4

Snsqnehanna River Basin *

Susquehanna River at Towanda, Pa. __ ... . .

Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre, Pa... _____ .

Susquehanna River at Danville, Pa... ________ .

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1091 iofli.

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1933

1934

33.5

42.1

30.1

39.1

32.0

34.2

35.5

45.8

35.9

35.3

32.5

32.5

41.7

32.9

34 1

41.' 9

30.6

39.4

32.0

34.6

36.1

47.8

35.0

35.9

32.8

32.2

43.0

33.4 

35.2

42.3

31.6

40.5

32.3

35.5

37.0

48.5

35.1

36.1

32.7

44.4

34.2

15.7

21.9

12.1

16.9

16.0

18.9

21.9

28.1

19.0

15.0

11.2

16.0

16.9

12.8

15.8

20.8

11.6

16.4

15.0

17.8

21.8

28.8

17.9

15.8

11.6

15.9

18.1

14.0 

16.7

21.5

12.0

17.1

15.3

17.8

22.2

28.7

17.7

15.7

11.6

19.0

13.8

17.8

20.2

18.0

22.2

16.0

15. 3

13.6- 17. r

16.9

20.3:

21.3

16.5

24.8

20.1

18.3

21.1

19.0

23.0

17.0

16.8

14. 3

19.0

17.1

20.1

21.2

16.3

24.9

19.4 

18.5

20.8

19.6

23.4

17.0

17.7

14. g

19. g

17.4

20.4

21.1

25.4

20.4

Rainfall and run-oft data compiled by Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters.
24 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Susquehanna River Basin Continued

Gagin? station

Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, Pa

Susquehanna River at Marietta, Pa..-.

Towanda Creek near Monroeton, Pa ^

Tunkhannock Creek at Dixon, Pa.

Lackawanna River at Moosic, Pa

Wapwallopen Creek near Wapwallopen, Pa

Nescopeck Creek near St. Johns, Pa

Fishing Creek at Bloomsburg, Pa _

Water 

year

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

37.8

40.2

33.7

44.8

31.3

37.6

39.9

51.3

35.4

35.5

34.3

32.2

47.7

34.9

32.2

48.8

35.5

25.6

39.4

29.2

43.3

32.7

36.4

37.2

50.0

32.7

37.8

34.1

29.6

48.3

33.0

37.0

44.7

34.5

39.8

35.2

39.0

42.1

59.9

35.0

39.8

36.7

35.2

49.9

37.6

36.8

42.4

37.6

40.5

32.9

39.0

41.9

56.4

44.8

46.8

41.0

49.3

36.9

44.7

46.9

60.9

39.9

42.1

37.0

32.1

58.3

44.3

47.1

47.8

40.8

48.4

40.0

48.2

42.6

43.9

38.5

50.9

34.3

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

17.2

20.2

12.1

21.1

13.7

16.2

23.7

28.5

17.9

16.7

11.4

13.9

20.7

12.7

13.4

20.9

12.8

16.2

19.6

8.2

19.8

12.5

13.7

27.6

31.7

15.0

13.1

11.4

10.0

23.6

12.4

19.7

21.5

11.1

18.2

15.6

19.5

26.0

30.6

15.2

13.8

12.9

15.5

23.7

14.1

24.4

28.7

17.1

24.8

21.4

23.8

32.4

47.1

17.9

21.8

15.1

20.5

13.8

17.5

22.0

31.4

14.0

15.0

9.8

10.9

24.2

15.6

28.0

31.9

18.3

27.2

18.0

26.1

23.6

29.0

18.6

29.2

22.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

20.6

20.0

21.6

23.7

17.6

21.4

16.2

22.8

17.5

18.8

22.9

18.3

27.0

22.2

18.8

27.9

22.7

9.4

19.8

21.0

23.5

20.2

22.7

9.6

18.3

17.7

24.7

22.7

19.6

24.7

20.6

17.3

23.2

23.4

21.6

19.6

19.5

16.1

29.3

19.8

26.0

23.8

19.7

26.2

23.5

12.4

13.7

20.5

15.7

11.5

15.2

9.5

9.3

26.9

25.0

25.9

28.8

23.1

27.2

24.9

29.5

25.9

27.1

27.2

21.2

34.1

28.7

19.1

15.9

22.5

21.2

22.0

22.1

19.0

14.9

19.9

21.7

12.1
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 25

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Susquehanna River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Fishing Creek at Bloomsburg, Pa __________ ...

West Branch of Susquehanna River at Bower, Pa. _ ...

West Branch of Susquehanna River at Renovo, Pa_. _

West Branch of Susquehanna River at Williamsport,

Pa.

Clearfleld Creek at Dimeling, Pa............... __ . _

Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek at Sterling

Run, Pa.

North Bald Eagle Creek at Milesburg, Pa _______ .

Water 

year

1926

1927

1928

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

43.6

42.7

50.8

42.8

39.7

39.2

50.8

31.1

46.0

43.2

53.6

38.9

33.9

36.3

33.8

46.8

42.8

43.6

37.9

35.5

47.8

30.2

41.8

42.4

53.0

42.3

36.6

38.7

30.6

45.8

30.0

40.6

37.5

33.1

45.8

30.0

39.4

39.7

51.4

37.8

34.5

37.0

30.6

45.7

34.9

46.5

38.1

38.3

53.7

30.7

43.6

44.6

53.3

40.4

37.7

37.8

35.7

50.5

36.6

40.4

38.8

36.1

44.4

32.0

41.7

44.6

55.5

48.4

39.8

41.6

41.7

45.7

36.9

42.1

36.8

35.0

47.3

28.9

40.0

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

29.5

30.5

36.1

22.1

24.7

19.5

34.0

14.4

24.7

33.7

40.9

22.4

20.0

12.7

18.1

20.5

14.7

20.4

21.6

16.7

28.5

14.3

19.8

29.5

34.5

21.8

19.3

13.3

17.2

19.8

11.8

20.0

21.9

15.3

26.0

13.8

19.2

28.6

33.7

20.6

19.1

13.1

15.9

21.4

12.8

20.3

21.9

16.0

30.2

13.5

20.4

30.0

33.8

18.1

18.6

11.4

15.8

20.1

12.6

17.4

26.1

19.9

26.5

17.1

22.0

31.9

32.0

27.9

20.6

15.3

22.4

19.5

11.4

10 0

lo. o

20.2

16.3

29.8

9.1

17.5

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

14.1

12.2

14.7

20.7

15.0

19.7

16.8

16.7

21.3

9.5

12.7

16.5

13.9

23.6

15.7

26. £

28.1

23.2:

16.3

18.8.

HH.3.

15. 0

22.0

12. »

18.5

20.5

17.3

25.4

13.4

26.0

24.2

20.6

15.9

17.8

19.8

16.2

20.2

11.1

17.7

17.2

15.4

23.9

14.7

24.3

22.1

26. 2

16.2

22.3

23.5

17.2

23.2

14.6

19.5

22.3

19.1

26.4

19.9

30.4

24.0

23.0

12.7

16.2

17.9

14.9

19.7

12.7

23.5

20.5

19.2

26.3

19.3

26.2

25.5.

OQ O £>d, O

16.6

18.7

17. &

19.8

22.5.
26 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Susquehanna River Basin Continued

Gaging station

North Bald Eagle Creek at Milesburg, Pa ____ . ...

North Bald Eagle Creek at Beech Creek Station, Pa ..

Pine Creek at Cedar Run, Pa.. ___ .. _____ ......

Lycoming Creek near Trout Run, Pa. ... . 

Penn Creek at Penns Creek, Pa _ _ . _ ... _ .. ...

Mahantango Creek East near Dalmatia, Pa ____ 

Frankstown Branch of Juniata River at Williamsburg,

Pa.

Water

year

1927

1928

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1930

1931

1933

1934

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

43.1

50.2

34.8

40.9

36.7

33.9

46.9

28.9

39.9

41.5

48.5

31.3

28.5

38.8

31.9

47.7

35.0

32.7

34.2

26.5

38.2

27.5

33.1

31.7

46.2

35.3

28.3

31.7

27.5

38.9

32.9

38.0

39.1

29.2

44.4

35.6

37.2

38.6

54.1

35.8

31.3

34.8

29.6

49.3

34.1

41.6

41.5

54.0

35.2

30.4

31.7

31.5

51.6

36.8

38.5

43.9

48.6

36.7

38.8

31.5

32.7

60.7

39.7

41.3

37.3

41.0

52.9

29.6

41.5

46.0

48.3

34.6

34.8

37.8

32.8

50.4

35.0

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

28.2

34.4

12.7

20.3

19.8

13.8

23.9

11.8

15.8

25.3

29.8

17.0

15.8

12.3

12.3

18.9

12.2

13.8

18.6

10.9

17.4

11.5

15.3

21.6

28.4

21.1

18.1

12.7

14.8

18.3

11.5

15.1

22.7

12.5

22.4

12.1

16.2

29.1

33.3

18.4

16.4

14.7

14.1

24.2

14.2

19.6

28.6

33.4

17.6

19.3

14.9

14.7

27.9

16.3

17.0

12.8

24.1

15.1

19.7

5.9

10.9

26.0

11.8

17.7

17.3

12.0

26.3

11.2

15.3

24.3

27.0

15.8

16.9

10.7

13.5

19.7

10.4

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

14.9

15.8

22.1

20.6

16.9

20.1

23.0

17.1

24.1

16.2

18.7

14.3

12.7

26.5

19.6

28.8

22.8

18.9

15.6

15.6

20.8

16.0

17.8

10.1

17.8

14.2

10.2

19.0

12.7

20.6

21.4

22.9

16.4

16.7

22.0

23.5

21.0

9.5

20.8

17.4

14.9

20.1

15.5

25.1

19.9

22.0

12.9

20.6

17.6

11.1

16.8

16.8

23.7

20.5

21.5

31.1

24.5

21.6

19.1

25.6

21.8

34.7

27.9

23.6

20.0

29.0

26.6

18.4

26.2

21.7

21.3

18.8

17.9

27.1

19.3

30.7

24.6
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 27

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Susquehanna River Basin Continued

Gaging station

Juniata River at Newport, Pa _ .

Shaver Creek near Petersburg, Pa _____ ... _ .

Standing Stone Creek near Huntingdon, Pa . ....

Raystown Branch of Juniata River at Saxton, Pa.. _ .

Dunning Creek at Yount, Pa. __ . _ . _ _ .

Brush Creek at Qapsville, Pa __ . __ . ...............

Great Trough Creek near Marklesburg, Pa .............

Aughwick Creek near Orbisonia, Pa. _________ .

Tuscarora Creek near Port Royal, Pa _________

'

Cocolamus Creek near Millerstown, Pa. ...............

Sherman Creek at Shermandale, Pa.. _________

Conodoguinet Creek near Hogestown, Pa.. ............

Water 

year

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1931,

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1934

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1934

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

40.0

36.4

38.5

49.9

30.2

38.5

44.0

48.1

32.7

33.2

37.0

31.1

51.2

34.2

32.9

28.6

50.7

35.4

38.5

31.3

50.9

35.9

38.7

36.0

42.4

49.4

36.0

39.0

41.1

44.2

31.8

30.1

38.0

30.3

47.0

32.8

38.6

30.8

47.8

34.7

30.2

46.7

32.2

38.0

30.7

51.1

32.5

30.6

50.8

37.1

40.7

37.4

38.3

52.0

27.0

37.1

47.0

53.1

32.9

33.4

34.1

31.1

57.2

33.5

30.8

32.7

64.4

35.6

31.7

32.6

33.2

73.4

37.7

31.0

33.7

32.0

64.5

39.8

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

16.9.

16.7

11.7

25.5

10.6

13.1

23.2

27.1

13.8

14.3

10.4

11.2

21.9

9.8

9.5

12.2

21.0

9.8

11.2

10.3

21.2

9.5

15.0

16.2

10.6

26.0

9.6

13.0

22.2

23.5

14.2

12.0

9.9

11.2

18.1

8.4

10 4

12^9

19.8

10.2

10.4

23.8

11.8

10.4

11.6

21.2

7.5

12.0

24.6

10.8

16.4

16.8

11.9

25.7

9.0

12.1

24.2

29.8

13.7

14.8

9.1

9.9

25.3

9.4

8.3

10.0

28.4

12.9

14.0

8.3

9.7

30.7

12.9

11.0

6.8

9.2

25.5

11.8

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

23.1

19.7

26.8

24.4

19.6

25.4

20.8

21.0

18.9

18.9

26.6

19.9

29.3

24.4

OO A 

£&.*

16.4

29.7

25.6

97 AI, aa

21.0

29.7

26.4

23.7

19.8

31.8

23.4

26.4

26.0

18.9

20.7

17.6

18.1

28.1

19.1

28.9

24.4

28.2

17.9

28.0

24.5

19 8

2Z 9

20.4

97 Ai. fi\J

19.1

29.9

25.0

18.6

26.2

26.3

24.3

20.6

26.4

26.3

18.0

25.0

22.8

23.3

19.2

18.6

25.0

21.2

31.9

24.1

99 f\ AI£I. D

22.7

36.0

22.7

17.7

24.3

23.5

42.7

24.8

20.0

26.9

22.8

39.0

28.0
28 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Susquehanna River Basin Continued

Gaping station

Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern, Pa... _ __ ........

Upper Little Swatara Creek at Pine Grove, Pa......

West Conewago Creek near Manchester, Pa_... _ ...

Codorus Creek at Spring Grove, Pa__ ____ _ . ......

South Branch of Codorus Creek near York, Pa .........

Conestoga Creek at Lancaster, Pa ... ___ _ .. .

Muddy Creek at Castle Tin, Pa... _____ .. .....

Water 

year

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1930

1931

1933

1934

1928

1929

1933

1934

1929

1930

1931

1934

1930

1931

1934

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

40.2

43.2

33.7

54.7

35.7

45.8

43.5

54.4

41.2

34.8

30.8

34.0

65.3

40.0

43.1

44.5

35.0

56.6

36.2

47.0

42.4

56.7

42.0

35.8

29.8

34.3

32.1

30.3

31.7

61.3

43.6

33.3

32.4

58.5

44.0

56.3

37.5

62.5

43.7

34.0

31.5

36.0

45.3

31.3

36.5

32.3

57.6

40.7

Annual rim-off 

(inches)

21.1

21.9

13.4

30.7

20.4

25.5

25.7

31.4

16.9

19.3

8.2

11.8

33.9

15.9

24.2

23.1

15.0

31.8

20.0

25.6

26.5

32.4

17.5

17.2

9.5

12.6

11.6

4.1

7.0

26.3

13.8

12.3

7.1

22.4

15.8

24.0

14.9

26.2

14.8

13.7

11.8

7.0

17.1

13.6

7.3

8.6

23.1

15.9

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

19.1

21.3

20.3

24.0

15.3

20.3

17.8

23.0

24.3

15.5

22.6

22.2

31.4

24.1

18.9-

21.4

20.0

24.8

16.2

21.4

15.9

24.3

24.5

18.6

20.3

21.7

20.5

26.2

24.7

35.0

29.8

21.0

25.3

36.1

28.2

32.3

22. &

36.3

28.9

20.3

19.7

29.0

28.2

17.7

29.2

23.7

34.5

24.8

Savannah River Basin

Broad River near Carlton, Ga __ _______ ........ 1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

60.2

34.7

43.2

69.2

44.0

59.8

58.7

47.8

37.6

69.7

32.3

14.0

14.5

30.2

18.1

30.8

32.6

20.8

14.8

30.5

27.9

20.7

28.7

39.0

25.9

29.0

26. 1

27.0

22.8

39.2

Altamaha River Basin

Ocmulgee River near Jackson, Ga. ___ .... 1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

45.3

49.8

56.3

43.5

34.7

71.1

48.1

33.8

54.5

16.7

23.8

22.9

16.5

8.6

29.1

18.5

8.9

19.4

28.6

26.0

33.4

27.0

26.1

42.0

29.6

24.9

35.1
; PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 29 

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water ^ears Continued

Altamaha Rivir Basin C-nt'nned

Gaginc station

Oconee River near Greensboro, Ga __ -.. _ _ . _. _

Water

year

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1916

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

31.5

39.7

64.6

43.3

68.8

54.4

46.6

37.0

68.3

48.3

54.0

50.7

61.1

40.4

60.7

63.0

39.6

67.1

64.1

Annual 

run off 

(inches)

10.8

11.2

24.4

16.0

26.6

23.3

18.3

11.7

28.6

19.4

20.0

18.2

18.2

12.2

26.6

34.7

17.6

24.8

28.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

20.7

28.5

40.2

27.3

32.3

31.1

28.3

25.3

39.7

28.9

34.0

32.6

32.9

28.2

35.1

28.3

22.0

3?. 3

25.9

Suwannee River Basin

1928

1929 

1930 

1931

69.0

62.4 

66.8 

31.2

17.6

31.6 

31.6 

11.2

51.4

30.9 

26.3 

20.0

Apalachicola River Basin

Chattahoochee River near Norcross, Ga______.___ _ ...

Flint River near Woodbury, Ga...._. _ ..... ___ ..

.Flint River between Culloden and Woodbury, Ga_._-_

1906

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1917

1918

1919

1920

1914

1915

1917

1918

1919

1920

49.3

71.8

44.9

66.4

65.7

50.8

43.4

76.7

64.2

37.0

64.6

64.4

62.0

45.1

63.3

79.8

52.8

64.6

59. '5

66.7

30.1

36.2

63.6

43.2

62.6

55.8

41.7

35.4

64.3

48.8

35.2

61.5

66.6

35.4

56.7

69.4

36.3

49.5

47.2

32.3

65.2

63.3

20.1

36.6

28.7

31.4

34.8

24.2

18.0

35.5

25.1

13.0

26.6

32.5

30.6

18.8

34.4

40.9

27.7

31.9

27.0

27.0

12.4

10.3

22.4

17.4

24.2

.25.8

14.9

8.7

26.0

18.4

8.2

16.9

21.6

13.1

33.9

22.8

7.5

16.5

14.0

7.3

22.2

29.5

29.2

36.3

16.2

25.0

30.9

26.6

25.4

41.2

29.1

24.0

,38.0

31.9

31.4

26.3

28.9

38.9

26.1

32.7

32.6

29.7

17.7

26.9

31.2

26.8

28.3

30.0

26.8

26.7

38.3

30.4

27.0

35.6

34.9

22.3

22.8

46.6

27.8

34.0

33.2

25.0

43.0

33.8

154646 iO 5
30 NATURAL WATER LOS& IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Choctawhatchee River Basin

Gaging station Water 

year

1923

1924 

1926 

1927

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

64.5

53.5 

71.8 

38.6

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

21.1

17.9 

21.5 

12.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

43.4

35.6 

60.3 

26.4

Escambia River Basin

Conecuh River near Andalusia, Ala . _ .. . . _ _ . __ ___

i

j

i

,

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1930

1931

1932

1933

45.8

54.4

46.7

65.4

56.9

42.5

44.5

70.8

60.3

37.9

52.1

51.5

57.5

36.2

70.0

54.1

53.4

53.5

58.8

11.6

16.5

19.6

33.2

20.2

12.2

9.2

28.0

29.0

9.5

17.6

20.7

19.7

14.3

31.2

22.7

17.6

13.2

22.9

34.2

37.9

27.1

32.2

36.7

30.3

35.3

42.8

31.3

28.4

34.5

30.8

37.8

21.9

 38.8

31.4

35.8

40.3

35.9

Mobile River Basin

Alabama River near Montgomery, Ala., minus Ooosa 

River near Wetumpka and Tallapoosa River below

Tallassee.

Etowah River near Ball Ground, Ga. ;__...___ __ _

Tallapoosa River at Wadley, Ala..-. ._»_ _ ...........

' ' East Fork of Tombigbee River near Fiilton, MissL.. _

Mulberry Fork of Black Warrior Rivfer near Garden

City, Ala.

Sipsey Fork of Mulberry Fork of Blacj Warrior River

near Sipsey, Ala. :1

1929 

1930

1931

1932

1933

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1933

1929

1930

1931

1933

61.3 

51.3

38.1

43.8

53.5

54.8

67.3

48.8

44.5

77.8

53.1

37.0

60.6

51.3

36.3

59.1

44.1

62.8

57.8

51.0

36.1

61.7

65.4

56.2

45.0

43.2

80.5

6S. 1

62.5

64.9

40.6

59.0

60.7

59.7

40.7

58.1

28.6 

29.0

14.2

16.2

17.4

37.2

38.4

23.7

18.9

42.8

30.8

15.6

29.1

15.3

14. 6

18.3

15.3

19.8

27.6

21.8

12.1

24.1

32.8

15.3

14.6

10.1

25.7

29.3

28.0

29.5

11.5

33.0

26.7

25.6

12.6

30.8

32.7 

22.3

23.9

27.6

36.1

17.6

28.9

25.1

25.6

?5.0

22.3

21.4

31.5

36.0

21.7

40.8

28.8

43.0

30.2

29.2

24.0

37.6

32.6

40.9

30.4

33.1

54.8

38.8

34.5

35.4

29.1

26.0

34.0

34.1

28.1

27.3

Pearl River Basin

Pearl River at Edinburg, Miss... __ .! _ . ______ ..

Strong River at Dlo, Miss. .. ...... . ...

1929

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1929

1931 

1932 

1933

43.5

51.2 

45.3 

67.2 

70.1 

53.4

47.6 

55.3 

66.4

12.2

15.9 

9.1 

16.8 

29.2 

17.0

19.4 

22.6 

35.9

31.

:5. 

36. 

50. 

40. 

36.

28. 

32. 

30.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 31

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Ohio River Basin

Gaging station

ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN *

Allegheny River at Larabee, Pa ___ ; ___ . __ ...

,

Allegheny River at Franklin, Pa _ ...i ... - _ . _. ...

Allegheny River at Kittanning, Pa . __ ._._ _ . __

Brokenstraw Creek at Youngsville, Pa. __ _._. .......

Tionesta Creek at Nebraska, Pa... __________

Oil Creek near Rouseville, Pa ______________

French Creek at Carters Corners (Kimmeytown), Pa..

French Creek at Saegerstown, Pa...... _ . ____ ....

Water 

year

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1922

1923

1924

1925

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

41.1

39.5

50.9

44.2

36.6

38.7

35.6

40.8

33.5

40.7

40.1

33.5

45.4

33.5

42.0

42.6

48.0

46.3

37.3

35.5

38.0

41.3

32.9

40.8

34.1

45.6

32.2

42.3

42.9

47.3

44.0

39.7

35.7

47.8

36.5

44.8

49.0

51.1

46.6

38.2

35.0

39.2

43.3

35.9

42.6

42.1

49.4

48.9

37.5

40.8

40.1

32.8

43.9

39.2

36.5

48.0

35.9

45.2

48.0

50.4

47.7

37.3

42.4

37.4

32.6

43.6

32.1

41.1

46.0

47.6

38.0

34.1

46.0

32.5

Annual 

run -off 

(inches)

18.2

25.1

27.3

22.9

22.3

14.4

19.2

19.3

13.3

19.7

22! 5

16.9

22.4

17.7

24.8

29.8

30.8

28.5

23.1

14.6

20.9

17.9

15.5

19.6

1?'. 5

24.4

16.9

24.5

31.9

33.9

23.2

24.2

20.3

26.5

19.5

27.4

33.8

35.1

27.4

23.4

14.4

21.4

16.8

15.3

24.4

33.9

34.6

30.9

25.1

13.8

22.0

14.8

20.1

20.4

16.6

20.8

15.1

21.9

31.2

25.8

26.0

19.9

25.8

22.8

17.5

23.9

17.6

27.3

33.9

34.5

22.6

17.5

23.7

19.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

22.9

14.4

23.6

21.3

14.3

24.3

16.4

21.5

20.2

21,0

17.6

16.6

23.0

15.8

17.2

12.8

17.2

17.8

14.2

20.9

17.1

23.4

17.4

21.2

16.6

21.2

15.3

17.8

11.0

13.4

20.8

15.5

15.4

21.3

17.-0

17.4

15.2

16.0

19.2

14.8

20.6

17.8

26.5

20.6

18.2

8.2

14.8

18.0

12.4

27.0

18.1

18.0

23.8

18.8

19.9

27.2

20.8

23.3

16.8

24.6

21.7

17.4

16.6

14.6

15.1

19.7

14.5

13.8

12.1

13.1

15.4

16.6

22.3

13.5

4 Rainfall and run-off data compiled by Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters.
32 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaginp station

ALLEGHENY EIVEE BASIN Continued

French Creek at Saegerstown, Pa.. _ _ _____ .-

CJussewago Creek near Meadville, Pa. ... . 

Clarion Eiver near Piney, Pa ____ r ________

Bed Bank Creek at St. Charles, Pa __ - _ .. _ --.--..

Mahoning Creek near Dayton, Pa _______ .

Crooked Creek near Ford City, Pa __ -

Water 

year

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

. 1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1Q91 llTAl

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934 

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

43.1

45.2

47.3

42.0

36.6

32.9

36.4

38.3

32.0

45.6

42.8

32.8

46.5

30.3

43.1

42.4

43.7

44.1

38.8

35.5

35.4

34.2

28.6

 30.6

40.6

39.4

50.9

46.1

37.7

37.1

35.4

38.6

32.8

41.1

36.6

35.4

45.3

27.6

41.7

43.1

51.6

44.4

37.9

35.5

36.1

41.0

36.2

40 9

37.' 9

36.1

49.1

28.6

46.3

43.9

52.5

41.4

33.3

37.3

35.9

44.6

41.8 

42.3

39.1

42.6

57.4

30.5

49.3

48.5

56.2

,40.^

34.8

34.0

34.9

47.8

42.8'

Annual 

run -off 

(inches)

27.3

34.0

33.0

32.6

26.9

16.7

22.9

17.7

17.3

20.6

18.8

14.8

21.0

16.0

26.2

28.3

25.5

22.3

20.3

15.4

19.7

14.4

14.9

15.6

20.6

27.6

28.2

27.5

22.8

12.9

20.6

20.1

13.2 IQ J.W. nV

21.7

17.1

25.4

13.0

19.6

29.0

32.2

25.6

19.9

11.6

17.8

19.6

11.0

IQ Q jy. o 

21.2

16.4

31.6

16.6

27.8

37.0

32.9

26.4

23.5

13.6

18.8

24.7

12.9 

20.6

22.4

16.8

33.0

13.6

24.1

30.2

34.6

16.0

16.0

8.6

12.3

20.4

' 14.2

Annual 

water loss 

(in< hcs)

15.8

11.2

14.3

9.4

9.7

16.2

13.5

20.6

14.7

25.0

24.0

18.0

25.5

14.3

16.9

14.1

18.2

21.8

18.5

20.1

15.7

19.8

13.7

15.0

20.0

11.8

22.7

18.6

14.9

24.2

14.8

18.5

19.6

OO 1 &£* X

14.9

18.3

19.9

14.6

22.1

14.1

19.4

18.8

18.0

23.9

18.3

21.4

25.2

21.1

16.7

19.7

17.5

12.0

18.5

6.9

19.6

15.0

9.8

23.7

17.1

19.9

28.9 

21.7

16.7

25.8

24.4

16.9

25.2

18.3

21.6

24.0

18.8

25.4

22.6

27.4

28.6
PRESENTATION OF EESULTS 33

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaging station

ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN Continued

Kiskiminetas River at Avonmore, Pa.. _ .. _ ....--

Stony Creek at Johnstown, Pa. _ .-. __ .-.. _ . __

Blacklick Creek at Blaeklick, Pa.. .............

Loyalhanna Creek at New Alexandria, Pa

MONONGAHELA RlVER BASIN <

Youghiogheny River at Friendsville, Md.. ....

Youghiogheny River at Connellsville, Pa. .....

Water 

year

1921

1922

1923

1924

192S

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

192S

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1927

1928

1929

1930 

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

44.7

41.1

43.9

55.7

34.9

44.2

50.4

53.4

41.6

37.9

38.8

34.7

49.6

42.8

45.5

38.9

44.1

56.5

36.4

40.3

49.4

48.6

40.8

35.2

40.5

33.1

49.0

41.6

43.5

42.9

42.5

55.4

33.5

48.1

47.8

56.5

42.5

39.9

37.4

34.8

47.6

43.6

47.6

43.8

52.8

55.8

44.0

39.2

43.8

36.9

52.5

43.1

52.9

54.6

44.1

39.2 

49.1

42.0

43.6

56.3

35.8

49.8

51.8

52.9

43.0

38.6

43.0

41.6

53.4

42.2

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

20.8

23.4

19.4

32.2

15.0

22.4

30.5

35.4

21.0

18.8

14.1

17.9

23.3

17.8

21.7

25.4

16.7

34.8

16.2

20.8

34.0

35.5

21.1

17.6

15.3

1(8.1

23.6

15.2

20.5

21.3

16.3

29.0

13.2

20.9

29.5

35.4

18.6

19.0

12.6

16.8

22.3

18.3

21.8

'25.8

29.0

34.4

19.8

17.1

15.1

16.9

23.6

18.0

21.4

35.1

26.0

21.4 

24.3

26.7

19.4

32.7

12.6

29.2

32.7

33.1

22.3

19.8

17.2

22.7

26.1

18.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

23. »

17.7

24.5

23.5

19. 9

21.8

19.9

18.0

20.6

19.1

24.7

16.8

26.3

25.0

23.8

13.5

27.4

21.7

20.2

19.5

15.4

13.1

19.7

17.6

25.2

15.0

25.4

26.4

oo n &O. \J

21.6

26.2

26.4

20.3

27.2

18.3

21.1

23.9

20.9

24.8

18.0

25.3

25.3

25.8

18.0

23.8

21.4

24.2

22.1

28.7

20.0

28.9

25.1

31.5

19.5

18.1

17.8 

24.8

15.3

24.2

23.6

23.2

20.6

19.1

19.8

20.7

18.8

25.8

18.9

27.3

24.2

4 Rainfall and run-ofl data compiled by Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters.
34 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaging station

MONONGAHELA RIVER BASIN Continued

youghiogheny River at Sutersville, Pa- ______ 

Oasselman River at Markleton, Pa _________ .-

Laurel Hill Creek at Ursina, Pa...... _________

Turtle Creek at Trafford, Pa. _ ... ______ . ......

CHARMERS CREEK BASIN *

Chartiers Creek at Carnegie, Pa, ___________ .

BEAVER RIVER BASIN *

Shenango River near Jamestown, Pa __________

Water 

year

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1933

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

48.0

41.8

42.2

54.8

34.9

47.9

50.4

52.4

42.3

39.6

51.6

41.0

50.6

41.8

44.1

58.6

37.6

47.8

49.2

51.3

41.6

38.1

42.8

39.2

53.6

43.8

52.7

43.0

44.0

59.0

39.1

46.5

51.0

53.2

43.8

38.1

42.7

38.9

52.2

41.3

40.6

40.6

38.7

45.4

27.6

35.8

40.2

47.2

33.9

28.1

34.5

29.1

41.1

35.3

40.5

37.4

35.9

46.5

29.5

40.4

43.5

48.2

34.6

34.5

44.0

42.6

38.8

30.2

47.0

29.6

42.0

39.0

Annual 

run-oft 

(inches)

22.0

24.4

17.7

28.4

12.1

27.5

29.6

31.4

20.2

20.5

23.9

16.4

24.2

24.6

18.0

34.3

12.5

25.8

28.5

28.5

19.9

18.5

16.9

19.0

23.8

16.0

29.2

31.5

26.4

43.2

22.5

35.5

41.0

42.1

29.1

25.1

18.5

26.3

31.0

25.1

20.2

23.3

14.3

27.6

9.7

18.2

22.5

36.4

20.4

18.7

11.2

13.1

21.2

14.4

15.0

18.5

11.9

25.6

11.1

18.4

23.2

27.6

15.0

12.4

16.2

16.3

17.1

10.7

20.4

13.7

20.7

22.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

26.0

17.4

24.5

26.4

22.8

20.4

20.8

21.0

22.1

19.1

27.7

24.6

26.4

17.2

26.1

24.3

25.1

22.0

20.7

22.8

21.7

19.6

25.9

20.2

29.8

27.8

9S H J&O. O

11.5

17.6

15.8

16.6

11.0

10.0

11.1

14.7

13.0

24.2

12.6

21.2

16.2

20.4

17.3

24.4

17.8

]7.9

17.6

17.7

10.8

13.5

9.4

23.3

16.0

19.9

20.9

25.5

18.9

24.0

20.9

18.4

22.0

20.3

20.6

19.6

22.1

27.8

26.3

21.7

19.5

26.6

15.9

21.3

16.8

1 Rainfall and run-off data compiled by Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 35 

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaging station

BEAVER KIVEE BASIN Continued

Shenango Eiver near Jamestown, Pa _________

Shenango Kiver at Sharon, Pa.. ____________

Shenango River at New Castle, Pa. __________

Little Shenango River at Greenville, Pa ________

Pymatuning Creek near Orangeville, Pa ...............

Slippery Rock Creek at Wurtemburg, Pa ..............

ConnoquenSssing Creek near Hazen, Pa. ...............

Water 

year

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

41.1

46.1

38.6

35.9

33.8

37.0

39.3

36.0

31.1

45.4

29.7

41.6

38.3

42.8

43.8

36.4

32.0

35.3

35.6

31.2

37.6

35.6

30.8

45.4

29.2

42.4

39.1

43.3

44.1

35.9

32.0

35.4

35.1

31.7

44.4

36.8

39.3

46.0

44.0

35.8

31.1

37.8

38.5

31.4

35.2

34.6

36.3

39.6

44.6

37.3

31.3

35.6

34.0

30.0

38.5

36.8

33.5

48.7

28.6

43.8

46.7

50.3

47.1

34.3

32.4

35.7

35.2

37.3

35.6

33.7

47.3

28.8

41.3

48.1

45.8

43.1

39.1

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

20.0

21.6

19.2

9.5

14.6

11.3

14.1

14.9

9.3

18.3

12.1

18.3

20.4

21.2

20.9

16.2

7.9

12.6

12.1

8.1

12.8

13.7

8.6

15.4

11.4

17.2

20.9

21.1

20.5

16.8

7.6

12.5

11.8

7.0

15.8

16.4

23.2

26.7

24.3

20.8

8.8

16.0

15.4

10.4

16.5

16.8

26.3

24.1

27.2

18.5

7.8

12.7

12.4

6.0

13.1

18.0

12.4

23.5

12.4

20.8

26.3

28.6

24.1

18.5

7.2

15.5

9.1

15.2

19.8

12.0

27.4

14.6

20.2

28.6

31.2

18.4

19.7

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

21.1

24.5

19.4

26.4

19.2

25.7

25.2

21.1

21.8

27.1

17.6

23.3

17.9

21.6

22.9

20.2

24.1

22.7

23.5

23.1

24.8

21.9

22.2

30.0

17.8

25.2

18.2

22.2

23.6

19.1

24.4

22.9

23.3

24.7

28.6

20.4

16.1

19.3

19.7

15.0

22.8

21.8

23.1

21.0

18.7

17.8

10.0

15.5

17.4

18.8

23.5

22.9

21.6

24.0

25.4

18.8

21.1

25.2

16.2

23.0

20.4

21.7

23.0

15.8

25.2

20.2

26.1

22.1

15.8

21.7

19.9

14.2

21.1

19.5

14.6

24.7

19.4
36 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaging station

BEAVER RIVER BASIN Continued

ConnoQuenessing Creek near Hazen, Pa. __ _ ___

RACCOON CREEK BASIN*

Raccoon Creek at Adamsville, Ohio _ _...-- _ __ ---.

SCIOTO RIVER BASIN'

Scioto River at Qriggs Dam and at Dublin, Ohio .......

Scioto River at Columbus, Ohio _ .. _ ___ -.-_ _ --

MIAMI RIVER BASIN 

Miami River at Dayton, Ohio.. .......... ............

WABASH RIVER BASIN

Wabash River at Logansport, Ind ______ ..........

Water 

year

1931

1932

1933

1934

1916

1917

1918

1?,19

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1922

1923

1924

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1894

1895

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

34.5

35.0

36.6

31.4

49.4

40.7

33.4

44.5

52.6

38.7

40.5

37.5

44.8

29.6

48.6

42.7

39.4

44.8

45.4

34.4

44.0

37.4

34.4

32.5

45.9

33.8

39.5

33.9

33.9

80.4

33.4

35.3

41.8

38.8

34.1

47.4

37.7

30.6

23.7

45.7

34.5

44.9

32.9

34.2

29.8

32.5

37.4

39.6

39.1

33.7

45.4

39.9

39.5

37.3

42.0

43.5

42.5

33.4

42.0

42.0

36. 0-

40.7

42.5

33.8

43.0

40.0

36.6

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

8.4

14.8

16.2

9.5

27.6

20.1

13.9

13.8

26.8

20.5

21.8

18.3

21.7

10.1

18.8

25.2

10.0

17.5

19.6

8.4

10.8

18.9

8.3

7.3

14.5

8.5

14.7

10.0

6.0

5.3

3.6

16.1

19.3

7.8

9.5

19.0

15.3

4.9

3.7

8.1

12.8

14.7

9.7

6.6

5.6

3.8

12.6

13.1

7.1

9.2

17.2

17.7

13.1

15.1

13.9

23.1

24.4

8.3

12.1

19.2

1J.4

9.4

20.0

11.1

17.3

20.0

12.9

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

26.1

20.2

20.4

21 9

21.8

20.6

19.5

30.7

25.8

18.2

18.7

19.2

23.1

19.5

29.8

17.5

29.4

27.3

25.8

26.0

33.2

18.5

26.1

25.2

31.4

25.3

24.8

23.9

27.9

25.1

29.8

19.2

22.5

31.0

24.6

28.4

22.4

25.7

20.0

37.6

21.7

30.2

23.2

27.6

24.2

28.7

24.8

26.5

32.0

24.5

28.2

22.2

26.4

22.2

28.1

20.4

18.1

25.1

29.9

22.8

24.6

31.3

22.5

22.7

25.7

20.0

23.7

f Data compiled in Ohio University Engineering Experiment Station Bull. 49,1929.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 37

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Ohio River Basin Continued

Gaging station

WABASH RIVEB BASIN Continued

Eel River at North Manchester, Ind __________

West Fork of White River near Noblesville, Ind... __

Fall Creek at Millersville, Ind_..._ , ................

Flatrock Creek at St. Paul, Ind-.--.---.. .------.--...

Water 

year

1929

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1931

1932 

1933 

1931

1932 

1933 

1931

1932 

1933 

1916

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1&21 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1931

1932 

1933 

1928

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1931

1932 

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

40.1

37.5 

29.3 

35.7 

44.1 

30.5

34.9 

45.6 

33.9

37.3 

48.0 

25.7

30.8 

39.0 

37.0

37.0 

31.1 

31.6 

37.4 

40.9 

42.3 

31.4 

41.3 

44.6 

27.9

40.2 

42.8 

38.1

51.9 

35.1 

31.9 

45.8 

47.3 

30.2

44.5 

51.2

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

13.1

14.4 

3.0 

8.7 

16.2 

3.2

11.7 

19.9 

3.6

10.2 

18.3 

3.6

9.3 

16.6 

16.0

13.2 

7.3 

12.1 

16.6 

13.8 

18.6 

4.3 

11.2 

19.9 

3.1

11.9 

20.9 

16.2

19.8 

15.6 

3.5 

12.9 

23.3 

3.2

12.1 

22.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

27.0

23.1 

26,3 

27.0 

27.9 

27.3

23.2 

25.7 

30.3

27.1 

29.7 

22.1

21.5 

22.4 

21.0

23.8 

23.8 

19.5 

20.8 

27.1 

23.7 

27.1 

30.1 

24.7 

24.8

28.3 

21.9 

21.9

32.1 

19.5 

28.4 

32.9 

24.0 

27.0

32.4 

29.2

St. Lawrence River Basin

STREAMS TRIBUTARY TO LAKE MICHIGAN 

Thornapple River near Caledonia, Mich. ______ ..

Muskegon River at Newaygo, Mich.. ________ ..

STREAM TRIBUTARY TO LAKE HURON

STREAMS TRIBUTARY TO LAKE ERIE

1932

1933 

1934 

1932

1933 

1934

1913

1914 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1932 

1933 

1934

1932

1933 

1934 

1915

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920

35.6

33.8 

26.6 

31.6

30.7 

27 9

32.8

32.2 

28.0 

29.2 

26.9 

34.2 

30.3 

30.7 

28.2 

24.7

36.6

28.9 

20.3 

32.4

30.3 

37.5 

24.6 

33.1 

32 4

8.9

10.7 

8.3 

11.1

10.5 

9.0

9.0

7.8 

15.0 

10.0 

9.2 

11.2 

7.7 

7.8 

9.5 

6.2

5.6

8.8 

3.5 

8.9

12.8 

7.9 

9.6 

9.0 

7.0

26.7

23.1 

18.3 

20.5

20.2 

18.9

23.8

24.4 

13.0 

19.2 

17.7 

23.0 

22.6 

22.9 

18.7 

18.5

31.0

20.1 

16.8 

23.5

17.5 

29.6 

15.0 

24.1 

25.4
38 NATURAL, WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Hudson Bay Basin

Gaging station

Red River at Fargo, N. Dak. __________ . __ .

Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak.«. ________ .

Red Lake River at Crookston, Minn... ____ . _ _

Water 

year

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1882

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

1891

1892

1893

1894

1895

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1922

1923

1924

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

22.9

25.7

23.7

18.5

23.1

22.1

17.6

25.1

23.2

15.5

18.3

20.3

19.6

16.5

27.4

18.7

25.3

18.7

18.8

21.8

> 17.1

15.3

20.3

25.6

21.0

20.4

19.3

19.6

27.2

22.3

19.8

20.6

23.8

26.0

22.5

21.8

22.1

26.9

25.0

18.5

21.8

22.2

12.2

22.2

22.6

19.5

24.2

23.1

27.8

13.4

19.6

23.0

18.8

22.4

22.5

18.8

20.7

22.8

18.7

22.5

21.3

15.8

18.0

19.7

17.9

16.5

14.7

20.6

18.7

18.0

18.3

23.6

25.3

13.5

19.4

19.4

20.3

17.2

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

0.5

1.3

.8

1.2

.6

.4

.3

.7

.6

.6

.4

.2

.1

.1

3.1

2.2

1.6

1.7

1.0

.6

1.5

.4

.4

.7

2.0

1.9

1.2

.4

1.8

3.0

.9

1.1

1.0

1.7

1.7

1.6

2.6

2.1

2.5

1.9

1.6

1.4

1.3

.4

.5

.7

.9

1.6

3.1

1.2

.5

1.2

1.7

.8

1.3

.7

.4

.7

.6

1.4

1.0

.8

.6

.2

.3

.2

.1

2.1

1.4

.8

2.0

3.6

2.8

2.5

1.2

.4

.5

.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

22.4

24.4

22.9

17.3

22.5

21.7

17.3

24.4

22.6

14.9

17.9

20.1

19.5

16.4

24.3

16.5

23.7

17.0

17.8

21.2

15.6

14.9

19.9

24.9

19.0

18.5

18.1

19.2

25.4

19.3

18.9

19.5

22.8

24.3

20.8

20.2

19.5

218

22.5

16.6

20.2

20.8

10.9

21.8

22.1

18.8

23.3

21.5

24.7

12.2

19.1

21.8

17.1

21.6

21.2

18.1

20.3

22.1

18.1

21.1

20.3

15.0

17.4

19.5

17.6

16.3

14.6

18.5

17.3

17.2

16.3

20.0

22.5

11.0

18.2

19.0

19.8

17.0

« Data compiled in Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 772,1936.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 39

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Upper Mississippi River Basin

Gaging station

CHIPPEWA RIVER BASIN

Jump Kiver at Sheldon, Wis. ________ . ____

TREMPEALEAU KIVER BASIN

Trempealeau River at Dodge, Wis ____ _ _ ......

BLACK RIVER BASIN

Black River at Neillsville, Wis... ........ .1.. __ ......

LA CEOSSE RIVER BASIN

La Crosse River near West Salem, Wis... ... _ ........

Water 

year

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

32.9

25.8

29.7

38.4

29.8

33.2

29.0

31.1

31.6

25.1

36. 3

31 9

32.6

32.4

26.2

29.6

26.5

26.3

31.1

30.2

29.5

27.1

29.0

31.8

31.8

36.1

29.5

28.8

36.6

31.7

30.2

31.0

27.9

31.2

29.9

36.1

30.7

38.1

31.7

27.6

26.3

31.5

24.2

30.7

32.4

31.6

35.8

28.6

28.9

31.3

30.0

30.4

25.5

34.4

30.0

30.8

30.5

36.2

31.9

25.4

22.6

34.2

28.9

27.5

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

19.4

9.6

12.9

16.7

17.8

11.6

11.6

13.5

14.7

7.5

14.9

18.2

16.4

17.3

9.9

7.2

10.5

8.5

7.5

8.7

10.2

7.6

7.8

7.4

9.6

15.9

9.1

8.3

11.5

13.4

8.2

8.8

6.7

10.0

5.9

12.9

11.8

15.0

11.8

6.3

2.8

10.7

6.2

6.2

10.1

11.4

11.1

11.9

10.3

10.4

8.7

10.2

8.6

10.3

10.5

10.7

9.1

11.4

11.3

9.1

7.3

10.4

9.1

7.2

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

13.5

16.2

16.8

21.7

12.0'

21.6

17.4

17.6

16.9

17.6

21.4

13.7

16.2

15.1

16.3

22.4

16.0

17.8-

23.6

21.5

19.3-

19.5

21.2

24.4

22.2

20.2

20.4

20.5

25.1

18.3

22.0

22.2

21.2

21.2

24.0

23.2

18. »

23.1

19. »

21.3

23.5

20.8

18.0

24.5

22.3

20.2

24.7

16.7

18.6

20. »

21.3

20.2

16.9

24.1

19.5

20.1

21.4

24.8

20.6

16.3

15.3

23.8

19.8

20.*
40 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Upper Mississippi River Basin Continued

Gaging station

WISCONSIN RIVEB BASIN

Eib River at Rib Falls, Wis. ........... ...............

Yellow River at Sprague, Wis. ______ . ____ . __

Kickapoo River at Gays Mills, Wis ____ . ______

ROCK RIVEE BASIN

Sugar River near Brodhead, Wis. _____ . ______

Water 

year

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

.1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

35.4

31.3

36.9

33.1

27.2

25.3

29.3

23.4

29.0

29.1

35.1

28.8

24.9

25.2

33.1

26.7

27.4

33.2

31.6

40.0

30.0

32.6

34.4

34.8

30.1

26.5

38.4

29.3

32.2

32.2

31.2

29.6

25.0

22.6

35.0

31.8

40.9

34.0

31.4

27.3

36.9

31.2

34.6

34.0

31.1

34.0

28.8

31.1

36.0

36.3

37.6

28.5

27.0

29.2

36.9

22.7

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

16.5

16.1

18.7

18.7

8.6

4.4

12.1

8.4

7.9

9.9

11.0

10.3

4.3

1.2

7.1

4.7

2.1

8.2

10.1

11.1

10.7

8.2

9.9

8.3

9.9

9.0

9.7

8.8

7.6

10.0

12.0

11.0

8.1

6.0

8.4

9.0

11.9

12.8

9.1

10.0

8.4

10.9

7.2

10.2

8.6

9.3

6.7

6.9

10.3

12.9

13.3

7.2

5.0

8.5

10.5

4.4

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

18.9

15.2

18.2

14.4

18.6

20.9

17.2

15.0

21.1

19.2

24.1

18.5

20.6

24.0

26.0

22.0

25.3

25.0

21.5

28.9

19.3

24.4

24.5

26.5

20.2

17.5

28.7

20.5

24.6

22.2

19.2

18.6

16.9

16.6

26.6

22.8

29.0

21.2

22.3

17.3

28.5

20.3

27.4

23.8

22.5

24.7

22.1

24.2

25.7

23.4

24.3

21.3

22.0

20.7

26.4

18.3

Missouri River Basin

GEAND RIVEE BASIN

 Grand River near Wakpala, S. Dak.- .. ,. . . _ _

MOEEAU RIVEE BASIN

JMoreau River at Promise, S. Dak. ___ ________

1931

1932

1933

1931

1932

1933

15.7

16.9

12.0

13.4

16.7

13.6

0.2

.6

.2

.2

.7

.4

15. 1

16.;

11. j

13.5

16. (

13.5
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 41

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Missouri River Basin Continued

Gaging station

WHITE RIVEK BASIN

White River near Oacoma, S. Dak _ __ __ _ .....

NIOBKAKA RIVEK BASIN

Niobrara River near Spencer, Nebr.-... _ -.--... .. ...

JAMES RIVER BASIN

James River at Jamestown, N. Dak __ -.... ,.. __ .

James River near Scotland, S. Dak ________ ......

PLATTE RIVEK BASIN

Middle Loup River at St. Paul, Nebr._....__. .........

North Loup River near St. Paul, Nebr... __ _ __ ...

Elkhorn River at Waterloo, Nebr - .. .

KANSAS RIVEK BASIN

Republican River between Wakefleld and Scandia,

Kans.

Kansas River at Wamego, Kans., minus Kansas River 

at Ogden and Big Blue River at Randolph.

Kansas River between Topeka and Wamego, Kans...-

Water 

year

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1932

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1930

1932

1933

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1920 

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1928

1930

1931

1932

1933

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

20.2

20.4

14.8

17.8

16.0

16.3

22.6

20.2

16.5

18.2

17.7

9.9

14.9

17.8

17.7

16.8

20.2

14.9

22.3

25.0

19.5

23.4

21.6

23.8

23.6

19.4

21.2

22.6

24.0

28.5

21.1

22.6

23.4

22.1

33.6

19.6

27.1

25.1

24.5

29.4

20.5

25.1 

30.3

29.1

33.9

27.2

30.5

31.8

33.6

32.6

31.7

23.4

29.4

38.4

31.8

34.3

30.0

33.8

26.7

45.2

31.9

34.1

34.4

35.9

38.5

23.6

Annual 

run-oft 

(inches)

0.8

.8

.4

.9

.4

1.5

1.6

1.8

1.5

1.6

1.4

.1

.2

0

.1

0

.1

0

2.3

2.5

2.2

2.6

2.1

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.5

2.9

2.0

2.3

1.4

1.4

.6

.8

3.5

1.0

3.0

2.2

.6

.9 -.1

3.5 

3.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

1.6

3.1

5.8

3.2

2.7

.8

2.4

3.4

5.2

5.1

1.1

6.9

3.4

8.0

5.5

9.5

4.6

3.0

8.9

1.5

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

19.4

19.6

14.4

16.9

15.6

14. »

21.0

18.4

15.0

16.6

16.3

9.8

14.7

17.8

17.6

16.8

20.1

14. 9

20.0

22.5

17.3

20.8

19.5

20.4

20.2

16.2

17.7

19.7

22.0

26.2

19.7

21.2

22.8

21.3

30.1

18.6

24.1

22.9

23.9

28.5

20.6

21.6 

26.4

27.2-

32.0

25.2

28.9

28.7

27.8

29.4

29.0

22.6

27.0

35.0

26.6

29.2

28.9

26.9

23.3

37.2

26.4

24.6

29.8

32.9

29.6

22.1
42 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Missouri River Basin Continued

Gaging station

KANSAS RIVEK BASIN Continued

Smoky Hill River between Lindsborg and Ellsworth, 

Kans.

South Fork of Solomon River at Alton, Kans __ ___

Solomon River between Niles and Beloit, Kans. __ .

North Fork of Solomon River at Kirwin, Kans.. ___ .

Soldier Greek at Topeka, Kans _ , ...

Delaware Eiver at Valley Falls, Kans -

Wakarusa River near Lawrence,*Kans

Stranger Creek near Tonganoxie.'Kans.

QEAND RIVEE BASIN

Grand River near Qallatin, Mo. __ ...

Thompson River at Trenton, Mo

[Locust Greek near Milan, Mo. ________ ...

Water 

year

1931 

1932 

1933 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1923

1924 

1925 

1926 

1927 

1928 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933

1922

1923 

1924 

1925 

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1929

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1922

1923 

1924 

1925 

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

22.8 

28.6 

20.7 

20.6

22.2 

16.6 

28.8 

15.7 

21.1 

25.1 

25.2 

25.5

23.0 

26.8 

18.5 

20.5

21.7 

17.7 

28.4 

17.5 

21.3 

25.5 

25.3 

36.2

38.9 

39.4 

23.4 

33.3

30.7 

43.8 

24.5 

44.9 

32.1 

35.5 

38.3 

39.2 

23.9 

28.6

34.0 

40.2 

28.0 

32.3

39.8 

40.5 

27.0

36.3

35.9 

31.8 

35.9 

37.9 

33.7 

34.9 

40.4 

28.6 

33.7 

43.8 

31.1 

36.7

26.4 

31.1 

43.6 

26.5 

35.4

30.0 

30.2 

39.4 

44.0 

35.0 

41.9 

44.0 

28.0 

39.6 

49.2 

31.2

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

0.7 -.1 

1.0

.8

.3 

.2 

.6 

.2 

.6 

.6 

.8 

1.5

.4 

1.2, 

.5 

.8

.6 

.4 

1.1 

.3 

.8 

.6 

.6 

5.4

5.8 

9.8 

1.0 

1.6

2.2 

7.5 

2.5 

8.6 

6.6 

4.4 

4.4 

10.2 

1.3 

.6

1.3 

6.5 

1.8 

4.2

3.6

11.2 

1.4

5.1

5.0 

6.0 

5.1 

11.1 

10.0 

6.6 

18.4 

3.2 

2.2 

11.9 

2.4 

14.9

4.1 

2.2 

15.4 

2.7 

7.5

5.2 

7.3 

6.4 

11.8 

11.6 

8.4 

19.2 

6.2 

4.7 

18.3 

4.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

22.1

28.7 

19.7 

19. S

21.9 

16.4 

28.2 

15.5 

20.5 

24.5 

24.4 

24.0

22.6 

25.6 

18.0 

19.7

21.1 

17.3 

27.3 

17.2 

20.5 

24.9 

24.7 

30.8

33.1 

29.6 

22.4 

31.7

28.5 

36.3 

22.0 

36.3 

25.8 

31.1 

33.9 

29.0 

22.6 

28.0

32.7 

33.7 

26.2 

28.1

36.2 

29.3 

25.6

31.2

30.9 

25.8 

30.8 

26.8 

23.7 

2&3 

22.0 

25.4 

31.5 

31.3 

28.7 

21.8

22.3 

28.9 

28.2 

23.8 

27.9

24.8 

22.9 

33.0 

32.2 

23.4 

33.5 

24.8 

21.8 

34.9 

30.9 

27.2
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 43

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Missouri River Basin Continued

Gaging station

CHAEITON RIVER BASIN

 Chariton River at Elmer, Mo~ ________ _ ....

LAMINE RIVER BASIN

Blackwater River at Blue Lick, Mo _ . _ .. _ .

OSAGE RIVER BASIN

Osage River near Ottawa, Kans _________ ......

Sac River near Stockton, Mo __ __________ .

South Grand River near Brownington, Mo...... _ ..

Water 

year

1922

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

36.6

31.3

34.9

41.8

33.2

40.6

43.6

27.3

38.7

40.3

32.3

42.4

50.6

38.7

54.9

27.0

30.8

38.0

31.4

36.3

38.8

34.8

34.0

34.1

28.2

29.4

46.1

32.6

41.0

26.6

31.3

39.4

29.4

39.8

64.2

48.2

43.3

34.7

37.3

39.8

38.9

35.0

41.0

35.7

36.0

50.0

41.5

50.2

29.7

31.5

34.3

32.0

Annual 

run -off 

(inches)

6.5

5.0

3.8

12.9

13.8

9.7

18.9

5.3

5.3

7.8

3.2

7.6

15.8

10.0

23.0

2.3

1.6

4.8

3.9

2.5

5.3

5.3

3.9

1.8

1.4

1.6

11.5

5.0

13.0

1.8

.8

6.8

1.3

9.0

33.6

19.8

16.7

6.2

8.0

10.6

12.6

4.6

7.9

4.9

6.0

15.3

8.0

20.4

1.8

1.6

4.0

2.7

Annual 

 water loss 

(inches)

30.1

26.3

31.1

28.9

19.4

30.9

24.7

22.0

33.4

32.5

29.1

34.8

34.8

28.7

31.9

24.7

29.2

33.2

27.5

33.8

33.5

29.5

30.1

32.3

26.8

27.8

34.6

27.6

28.0

24.8

30.5

32.6

28.1

30.8

30.6

28.4

26.6

28.5

29.3

29.2

26.3

30.4

33.1

30.8

30.0

34.7

33.5

29.8

27.9

29.9

30.3

29.3

Lower Mississippi River Basin

MERAMEC RIVER BASIN

Meramec River near Steelville, Mo... ____ . ....... 1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

49.1

36.9

38.4

56.1

47.7

44.7

35.9

32.9

34.3

38.0

37.2

10.8

5.7

6.6

20.4

16.2

11.1

10.3

4.1

4.2

8.5

5.7

38.3

31.2

31.8

35.7

31.5

33.6

25.6

28.8

30.1

29.5

31.5
44 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Lower Mississippi River Basin Continued

Gaging station

MERAMEC RIVER BASIN Continued

Bourbeuse River at Union, Mo...... _ _ _ .... __

ST. FRANCIS KIVER BASIN

St. Francis Eiver near Patterson, Mo. ........ .. _ ..

WHITE EIVER BASIN

James River at Galena, Mo. ...........................

ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN

Pawnee River near Larned, Kans ____________

Little Arkansas River at Valley Center, Kans ____ .

Walnut River at Winfleld, Kans-. ....... _ ...........

Water 

year

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

40.4

41.5

45.8

34.7

38.4

52.6

48.1

40.3

32.3

34.8

30.9

34.8

37.4

40.0

45.9

48.9

38.1

42.4

54.4

50.8

48.9

25.2

32.7

36.2

52.2

36.2

39.3

50.5

35.2

39.4

60.1

54.2

44.1

33.4

37.4

39.6

48.5

30.3

17.3

21.9

24.2

24.1

18.0

22.9

19.8

16.5

34.7

26.0

26.0

23.6

43.4

28.4

34.2

28.9

23.7

29.4

20.7

35.2

32.8

25.8

29.9

49.6

31.0

41.0

28.0

29.8

31.6

22.0

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

13.8

7.2

13.4

7.2

9.5

22.3

19.2

14.3

9.3

5.0

5.3

11.5

7.6

18.1

19.8

12.7

6.7

15.6

31.9

26.2

21.3

10.4

5.6

7.6

20.2

6.5

10.3

16.2

7.0

9.3

34.0

25.3

16.3

7.8

8.9

10.5

13.1

4.1

.1

.2

.2

.3

.1

.3

.1

.5

3.2

1.9

.4

.3 3.1

2.0

3.1

1.0

.4

1.1

.8

5.9

3.4

.9

1.6

12.2

7.7

10.6

1.8

2.4

3.5

1.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

26.6

34.3

32.4

27.5

28.9

30.3

28.9

26.0

23. &

29.8

25.fr

23.3

29.8

21.9

26.1

36.2

31.4

26.8

22.5

24.6

27.6

14.8

27.1

28.6

32.0

29.7

29.0

34.0

28.2

30.1

26.1

28.9

27.8

25.6

28.5

29.1

35.4

26.2

17.2

21.7

24. &

23.8

17.9

22.fr

19.7

16.0

31.5

24.1

25.6

23.3

40. a

26.4

31.1

27.9

23.3

28.3

19.9

29.3

29,4

24. 9

28.3

37.4

23.3

30.4

26.2

27.4

28.1

21.0
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS 45 

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Lower Mississippi River Basin Continued

Gaging station

AKKANSAS RIVEK BASIN Continued

Neosho River near lola, Kans.6 . __ . _ .-.. _ -_..

Water 

year

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(Inches)

34.1

24.8

42.5

32.5

38.8

23.7

47.1

40.8

31.3

26.8

31.6

28.6

39.1

34.8

30.2

29.7

36.1

42.9

41.1

34.9

27.7

32.3

29.4

25.9

26.8

Annual 

run-ofl 

(inches)

4.7

1.5

8.0

4.0

5.7

3.6

12.3

12.4

1.5

4.4

1.4

1.8

6.7

5.5

2.7

2.0

6.1

11.5

8.8

7.1

2.1

2.9

3.2

1.4

1.0

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

29.4

23.3

34.5

28.5

33.1

20.1

34.8

28.4

29.8

22.4

30.2

26.8

32.4

29.3

27.5

27.7

30.0

31.4

32.3

27.8

25.6

29.4

26.2

24.5

25.8

Western Gulf of Mexico basins

NECHES RIVER BASIN

Neches River near Rockland, Tex ___ . __ ...........

Angelina River near Lufkin, Tex _ . _ .. ___ __ ....

Angelina River between Horger and Lufkin, Tex.......

TRINITY RIVER BASIN

Clear Fork of Trinity River at Port Worth, Tex._..____

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

45.6

21.2

53.2

46.2

38.9

48.3

42.8

42.0

51.2

44.5

37.3

45.2

22.6

52.0

44.8

38.5

47.5

44.8

42.3

54.5

50.2

39.1

51.6

45.0

45.0

52.1

53.6

46.3

32.5

26.8

33.2

31.1

27.6

31.9

46.4

30.8

19.8

16.1

.9

13.3

11.6

3.3

9.8

7.2

7.9

13.6

7.4

8.2

16.7

1.3

16.1

10.5

4.7

9.1

9.1

9.3

21.3

10.0

8.6

14.5

9.9

10.7

7.5

12.5

14.0

1.5

.9

1.6

2.4

1.1

1.5

4.9

2.3

.4

29.5

20.3

39.9

34.6

35.6

38.5

35.6

34.1

37.6

37.1

29.1

28.5

21.3

35.9

34.3

33.8

38.4

35.7

33.0

33.2

40.2

30.5

37.1

35.1

34.3

44.6

41.1

32.3

31.0

25.9

31.6

28.7

26.5

30.4

41.5

28.5

19.4

« Data compiled in Geological Survey Water- Supply Paper 772, 1936.
46 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued 

Western Gulf of Mexico basins Continued

Gaging station

TEINITY EIVEE BASIN Continued

SAN JACINTO EIVEE BASIN

BEAZOS EIVEE BASIN

COLORADO RIVER BASIN

Water 

year

1926

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

35.8

32.5 

33.9 

36.3 

31.3 

31.5 

44.2 

19.5

38.4 

39.8 

31.9 

33.1 

27.0 

32.5 

40.4 

34.0 

22.8 

21.6

45.9 

50.7 

37.4 

45.3 

27.4 

29.0 

51.4 

36.7 

30.0

37.6

42.5 

47.4 

37.2 

39.4

15.2

38.5 

34.3 

28.0 

25.6 

26.7 

33.0 

35.0 

25.4 

24.0 

13.2

48.3 

38.0 

30.1 

39.3 

35.2 

36.8 

43.4 

30.6 

30.6 

19 3

43.1 

43.2 

36.1 

39.6 

35.7 

38.9 

54.5 

28.8 

26.9

15.7

27.2 

38.4 

29.1 

25.8 

22.1 

35.6 

36.2 

17.5 

22.8

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

2.4

1.6 

3.3 

6.1 

4.7 

2.2 

7.1 

g

4.1 

5.0 

2.1 

3.6 

2.1 

3.2 

7.3 

3.5 

1.4 

1.0

8.8 

11.5 

6.5 

10.0 

3.1 

2.5 

11.7 

6, 6 

3.6

6.0

7.2 

7.2 

2.7 

7.2

7.0 

4.0 

2.6 

3.6 

3.7 

4.5 

2.0 

1.0 

1.5 

0

11.7 

3.9 

.4 

5.7 

2.8 

5.2 

7.7 

2.2 

4.9 

.4

7.8 

6.1 

4.2 

8.4 

5.4 

5.6 

12.1 

2.6 

4.0

.4

1.5 

1.8 

.6 

1.9 

1.0 

1.9 

2.2 

1.0 

.4

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

33.4

30.9- 

30.6 

30.2 

26.6 

29.3 

37.1

10 ft

34.3 

34.8 

29.8 

29.5 

24.9 

29.3 

33.1 

30.5 

21.4

57.1 

39.2 

30.9 

35.3 

24.3 

26.5 

39.7 

30.1 

26.4

35.3 

40.2 

345 

32.2

14.4

31.5 

30.3 

25.4 

22.0 

23.0 

28.5 

33.0 

24.4 

22.5

10 9

36.6 

34.1 

29.7 

33.6 

32.4 

31.6 

35.7 

28.4 

25.7 

18 9

35.3 

37.1 

31.9 

31.2 

30.3 

33.3 

42.4 

26.2 

22.9

ICO

25.7 

36.6 

28.5 

23.9 

21.1 

33.7 

34.0 

16.5 

22.4
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 47

TABLE 2. Precipitation, run-off, and water loss, by water years Continued

Western Gulf of Mexico basins Continued

Gaging station

COLORADO RIVER BASIN Continued

Pedernales River between Spicewood and Stonewall,

Tex.

GUADALUFE RIVER BASIN

Guadalupe River near Spring Branch, Tex _ .... _ ...

Blanco River at Wimberley, Tex __ ___ ............

Plum Creek near Luling, Tex ______________

Bandies Creek near Westhoff, Tex ___ . ..............

Coleto Creek near Schroeder, Tex. _ . _ . ..........

Medina River near Pipe Creek, Tex. _ . _ . ..........

NUECES RIVER BASIN

Nueces River at Laguna, Tex. ............... _ .......

Water 

year

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1934

1931

1932

1933

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation 

(inches)

12.0

37.6

30.9

30.0

33.2

26.2

38.9

32.4

21.4

21.9

29.5

35.7

13.1

33.5

33.5

28.6

29.4

27.8

43.0

41.8

21.8

23.0

36.3

- 26.9

39.4

33.2

22.7

24.2

30.8

35.6

28.2

27.6

25.9

32.8

29.4

26.6

36.0

32.6

30.2

35.3

13.3

32.4

34.0

28.4

28.4

27.7

43.2

43.8

21.8

22.9

21.3

21.5

22.4

25.0

21.2

22.4

36.2

40.3

14.9

15.9

Annual 

run-off 

(inches)

0

.5

2.0

.5

6.0

1.4

2.8

1.1

.2

1.1

1.4

4.2

.6

2.0

1.8

.7

1.8

1.0

3.8

4.9

1.7

.8

6.7

1.8

6.4

1.9

.9

2.1

3. 7 1

3.3

1.1

1.7

.4

2.4

1.4

2.0

2.5

3.2

1.8

5.8

.7

3.1

3.3

.9

2.0

1.5

8.0

8.0

3.4

.7

1.8

2.4

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.7

3.9

5.2

2.0

.5

Annual 

water loss 

(inches)

12.0

37.1

28.9

29.5

27.2

24.8

36.1

31/3

21.2

20.8

28.1

31.5

12.5

31.5

31.7

27.9

27.6

26.8

39.2

36.9

20.1

22.2

29.6

25.1

33.0

31.3

21.8

22.1

97 1 ^<* JL

32.3

27.1

25.9

25.5

30.4

28.0

24.6

33.5

29.4

28.4

29.5

12.6

29.3

30.7

27.5

26.4

26.2

35.2

35.8

18.4

22.2

19.5

19.1

21.2

23.7

20.0

20.7

32.3

35.1

12.9

15.4

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

There are many factors that cause variations in the annual water 

loss from a given basin from year to year and still other factors that 

cause variations in the annual water loss between basins in the same
48 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

or similar regions. The following are some of the factors that cause 

variations in annual water loss from year to year in the same basin:

(a) Annual rainfall, its distribution among seasons, and the volumes and 

intensities associated with individual storms. This factor is of 

major importance in arid and semiarid regions.

(6) Sequence of wet and dry years and associated hydrologic and ecologic 

conditions.

(c) Temperature, wind, sunshine, humidity, and other factors that influence evaporation and transpiration.

Variations in annual water loss between basins in the same or 

similar regions may be caused by differences in the following factors:

(a) Topography.

(6) Soil.

(c) Vegetal cover.

(d) Rainfall.

(e) Temperature and other climatic factors.

The lack of comparability of the results in this report is due not 

only to the natural conditions listed above but to inadequacies in the 

basic information and to the possibility that the records are perhaps 

too short to assure satisfactory elimination of errors resulting from 

differences in the volume of water held in the basins at the beginning 

and end of the periods studied. Furthermore each value was independently detennined from periods of record many of which differed 

from those used for nearby basins, and hence offered opportunity for 

the magnification of variations due to the vagaries of weather. Considering all the possible causes of differences in natural water loss, the 

consistency shown in the values for the mean annual water loss, as 

listed in table 1 and plotted in plate 1, is perhaps surprising.

RELATION BETWEEN WATER LOSS AND TEMPERATURE

Of all the factors affecting the mean annual water loss from a river 

basin in a humid region, the temperature is perhaps the most significant. Accordingly, it was thought desirable to expand this study 

to explore the relation between water loss and temperature.

In attempting to examine such a relation the first problem is to 

determine the manner in which the temperature data should be 

expressed in order to disclose effectively the correlation between 

temperature and water loss. At least two methods of expressing 

mean temperature are available, (1) as mean temperature in degrees 

and (2) as total degree-days of the mean daily temperature above 

some base temperature selected in relation to the effectiveness in 

producing evaporation. Inasmuch as little or no water loss, which
RELATION BETWEEN WATER LOSS AND TEMPERATURE 49

is made up of evaporation and transpiration, takes place below 32° F.,, 

the base temperature in the second method might at first thought be 

taken as 32°. However, in dealing with mean temperatures for periods 

of a day or more having minimum temperatures below 32°, a base 

temperature of less than 32° probably should be used, because with 

a mean temperature of 32° there will necessarily be significant periods 

in which the temperature is above 32°. Thornthwaite indicates that 

a month in which the mean temperature is 28.4° has negligible periods 

above 32°.9 Because this study is confined to annual water loss and 

annual temperature, it is not considered necessary to attempt such 

refinement in the selection of a suitable base temperature.

To give some indication of the characteristics of the two methods 

of expressing temperature, both annual mean temperatures and total 

degree-days above 32° were compiled for several temperature stations 

and years of record selected at random. The results of the compilation are shown in table 3 and are illustrated graphically in figure 4.

If degree-days above 32° could be computed precisely for days in 

which the minimum temperature was less than 32°, the total degreedays above 32° would be increased by relatively small amounts. 

No attempt was made to apply this refinement. Assuming that the 

number of degree-days above 32° as computed is a fair index of 

evaporation, figure 4 seems to indicate that the annual mean temperature is also a fair index of the influence of temperature on evaporation. Since the annual mean temperature was much more readily 

obtained, it was used to show the relation between temperature and 

water loss.

As facilities were not available for compiling temperatures for all 

the areas listed in the preceding sections of this report, representative 

areas in different parts of the country were selected for study. In 

making the selection the points considered were length of record of 

water loss and number of available temperature stations and length 

of record at each.

The areal temperatures for the areas were obtained by taking the 

arithmetic mean of the records at the temperature stations in and 

adjacent to the area. After preliminary examination it was not 

considered as warranted or feasible to determine weighted mean 

temperatures or to attempt to adjust the mean temperatures by the 

application of altitude-temperature relations. The annual mean temperatures for water-years at the temperature stations were obtained 

by taking the mean of the monthly temperatures as given in the 

publications of the Weather Bureau.

 Thornthwaite, C. W., Climates of North America: Geog. Rev., p. 633, October 1931.
50 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

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64 

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ANNUAL TOTAL DEGREE-DAYS ABOVE 32°fT

FIGURE 4. Graph showing comparison of annual mean temperature and annual total degree-days above 

32° F. for selected temperature stations.
RELATION BETWEEN WATER LOSS AND TEMPERATURE 51

TABLE 3. Annual mean temperature and total degree-days above 82° F. for selected

stations

Temperature station

Concord, Mass..._____._ . -- - 1905

1906

1931

1932

1933 

Worcester, Mass. ..... .... - - - --------- 1905

1906

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Fitchburg, Mass.__________-___ ___. ___ 1905

1906

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Amherst, Mass_________________.___.___.- 1905

1906

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933 

Hamburg, Pa..-..___..___... .......................... 1928

Catawissa, Pa..._____..-.__ __..- __... _... 1922 

Brookvffle, Pa- 1927

Dahlonega, Ga_.__. _.___________________ 1907 

Talbotton, Ga_ 1915

1918 

Ozark, Ala .___ .-..-, ... ._.-. ...-........... 1923

1927 

Jackson, Miss______. _. ___.______________ 1929

1931 Marion, Ohio.__.....--.-... .. ......... ........-....... 1907

1908 

Ivan, Mich_________.___________________ 1905

1915 Marshfleld, Wis_..........__._--------_ .__...... 1929

1934 

La Crosse, Wis..- . -- .-.... ... . .-.....-. 1916

Fessenden, N. Dak-.-.---.----...---.-..---.................. 1929

1932

1933 Murdo, 8. Dak__.. _.__ . .. .. .-. 1930

1932 

Ellsworth, Kans___________________ ___ . . 1932

1933 

Garden City, Kans. . ... . 1927

1930 

Grant City, Mo.. . . . 1923

1928 

Springfield, Mo__________________________ 1926

1931 

Sabinal.Tex 1925

1932

1933 Nacogdocb.es, Tex...________________,____ 1924

1932

1933

Year

Mean 

;emperature

.44,4 

47.2 

48.3

48.9

49.0

46.3

49.5

46.1

47.5

48.0

48.4

48.3

49.1

49.0

45.3

48.4

48.1

48.8

49.4

49.4

49.2

49.7

48.9

44.8

47.9

46.3

48.2

48.3

48.5

48.4

49.2

48.9

51.0

51.2

45.0

59.9

64.2

62.6

67.4

68.5

66.8

63.9

50.0

52.1

41.6

43.0

41.1

43.3

46.6

45.7

38.9

40.8

40.0

49.0

49.2

56.6

56.1

55.1

54.6

54.

52.0

54.6

56.4

70.4

69.7

68.4

64.6

66.8

63.6

Total degreedays above 

32° F.

5,876

6,286

6,619

6,705

6,735

6,380

7,014

5,944

6,364

6,567

6,713

6,606

6,751

6,716

6,132

6,712

6,547

6,830

7,023

7,151

7,039

6,927

6,174

6,542

6,118

6,622

6,693

6,767

6,716

6,802

6,912

7,346

7,575

5,548

10,263

11,850

11,246

12,945

13,343

12,763

11,654

7,114

7,795

5,555

5,508

5,561

5,957

6,797

6,360

5,167

5,717

5,590

7,559

7,670

9,471

9,371

8,836

8,851

8,552

7,985

8,548

9,035

14,054

13,794

13,342

11,961

12,731

11,644

Table 4 gives the mean annual precipitation, mean annual water 

loss, and mean annual temperature for all the areas for which temperatures were computed. It should be noted that for seven of the 

stations listed the periods studied differ slightly from those given in 

table 1, and for that reason the mean annual precipitation and mean
52 NATURAL WATER LOSS DRAINAGE BASINS

annual water loss differ from the corresponding values in table 1. 

The changes in the period studied were necessary because adequate 

temperature records were not available for the entire period for which 

the water loss was initially determined.

The yearly values used in computing the averages given in table 4 

are listed in table 5.

It becomes evident from a casual examination of table 4 that the 

annual water loss from a drainage area is related to the annual temperature. To illustrate this graphically, the mean water loss and 

mean temperature for each of the areas listed in table 4 were plotted 

against each other as shown in figure 5, There is a wide scattering 

of the points, but there is nevertheless a well-defined trend in their 

general relation. Short records and inadequate data may contribute 

somewhat to the scattering. If the water-loss data had been plotted 

against total degree-days above 32° F., there would probably have 

been a closer correlation, especially for those points for lower prevailing temperature near the left side of the graph.

TABLE 4. Summary of precipitation, water loss, and temperature for selected

areas

Gaging station

South Branch of Nashua River at Clinton, Mass_-___,

Middle Branch of Westfield River at Goss Heights,

Mass.

Upper Little Swatara Creek at Pine Grove, Pa ......

East Fork of Tombigbee River near Fulton, Miss__-__

Red Bank Creek at St. Charles, Pa_____. __..____._ ...

West Fork of White River near Noblesville, Ind_ .....

Red River at Fargo, N. Dak___. _____________________

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

La Crosse River near West Salem, Wis_ _ ......... ... 

Kickapoo River at Gays Mills, Wis. __ _____________

South Grand River near Brownington, Mo . ...

Little Arkansas River at Valley Center, Kans .. ...

Walnut River at Winfield, Kans__ ....................

Period 

studied 

(water 

years)

1904-33 

1903-33 i

1904-33

/ 1920-23

\ 1929-33 

1920-34

/ 1920 

1 1922-34 

1921-34

1921-34

1921-32

/ 1904-13

1905-23

f 1910-19 i

\ 1931-33 

1929-33 

1929-33

1921-34

1894-1918

f 1916-21 

\ 1930-33 

f 1913-14 

i 1916-20

I 193-2-34 

f 1919-23

\ 1925-33 

1917-34 i

f 1915-19 ' 

{ 1922-25 

I 1928-34 

f 1915-19 i 

\ 1922-25

[ 1928-33 

1923-33

1922-33

1923-33

1923-33

1926-34 i

1926-34 i

Mean 

annual 

precipitation 

(inches)

43.8 

42.8

41.9

J 46.5

45.4

J 45.6 

42.0

42.7

42.0

} 50.7

58.2

} 53.0

58.6 

55.5

39.5

37.7

\ 37.5 

29.7

} 20.8

20.9

! . 30. 3 

[ 31.1

38.6

38.0

29.0

32.4

44.9

46.0

Mean 

annual 

water 

loss 

(inches)

22.0 

24.5

23.2

21.5

23.1

19.6 

21.8

21.5

20.7

30.2

30.0

34.1

39.6

38.8

19.4

25.8

24.2 

20.4

20.3

19.7

20.3 

21.8

30.9

30.5

27.4

27.8

35.8

35.0

Mean 

annual 

tempeiraturis 

(°F.)

47.8

47.9

47 9

46.8 

50.1

50.7

50. S

58.9

53.0

16.4

.52. 6 

45.0

44.8 

43.8

55.3

56.1

56.4

57.2

66.2

65.4

Period studied differs from that in tables 1 and 2.
WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 846 PLATE J

MAP OF THE UNITED STATES SHOWING DETERMINATIONS OF MEAN ANNUAL WATER LOSS, IN INCHES, FOR SELECTED RIVER BASINS.

154646 (Face p. 32) No. 1

GEOLOGICAL STTBVET WATER-STTPPLY PAPER 846 PLATE 2

Mean annual water fcos in inches Mean annual temperature

MAP OF THE UNITED STATES SHOWING GENERALIZED LINES OF MEAN ANNUAL WATER LOSS AND LINES OF MEAN ANNUAL TEMPERATURE.

154646 (Face p. 52) No. 2

38 

36 

34 

32 

30 

28 

26 

24 

22 

20 

18 

16 

14

12 

10

o

o 

o

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O< p

0°

c

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o

o

o

o

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40 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 

MEAN ANNUAL TEMPERATU

FIGURE 5. Comparison of mean annual water loss and mean annual temperature for selected basins with 
54 NATURAL WATER LOSS DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years

Gaging station

South Branch of Nashua River at Clinton, Mass. .....

Sudbury River at Framingham Center, Mass.'.. __ -

Lake Cochituate outlet at Cochituate, Mass. .... ....

Water 

year

1904 

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933.

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

Annual precipitation

47.6

41.7

46.7

40.4

47.4

43.3

37.3

34.2

41.1

41.4

41.1

42.1

47.3

34.4

41.0

47.0

54.0

45.7

53.9

38.8

49.3

36.6

37.3

50.1

56.5

36.8

34.4

47.0

42.6

56.8

48.0

46.0

41.0

41.5

40.2

44.2

39.9

35.7

35.0

41.5

44.1

41.5

40.7

43.8

38.7

42.8

43.1

46.9

43.7

60.2

37.4

49.1

36.6

41.7

44.9

55.3

37.1

33.0

45.6

44.0

52.7

45.2

39.6

38.5

38.0

40.4

38.4

34.8

34.9

40.5

44.1

39.4

40.9

42.5

38.0

42.3

42.9

48.3

46.6

51.2

Annual 

water 

loss

24.0

23.5

25.3

22.3

20.4

24.6

19.6

23.4

19.8

24.6

18.7

25.0

19.4

17.5

23.4

23.5

20.9

19.1

24.9

16.3

23.3

22.4

18.3

28.6

20.2

14.3

22.8

26.7

24.4

23.7

20.7

25.2

25.3

23.6

24.8

21.6

26.8

23.8

26.8

23.1

30.6

22.8

27.5

23.0

24.5

28.0

24.0

19.4

26.3

29.1

18.8

25.6

24.0

23.9

26.7

21.3

15.8

24.6

26.3

30.8

24.7

25.9

25.0

21.9

24.2

21.4

25,3

21.5

25.9

11.6

28.7

20.0

26.4

18.6

23.9

26.5

22.9

17.4

25.2

27.4

Annual 

temperature

45.8-

45.8

48.6

44.7

48.3

47.8

48.7

47.6

47.2

49.8

48.1

48.4

47.5

46.7

46.1

49.7

46.8

50.8

48.2

47.0

47.9

48.1

45.0

47.1

48.3

48.8

48.9

48.6

49.5

49.0

48.1

45.7

45.5

48.2

44.6

47. 9^

47.9

48.6

47.6-

47.5

49.8-

48.1

48.3

47.5

46.9

46.2

49.8 47. a

50.4

48.8

47.1

47.9

48.7

45.8

47.1

48.5

49.1

48.9

48.8

49.7

49.6

45.7

45.5

48.2

44.6

47.9

47.9

48.6

47.6

47.3

49.8

48.1

48.3

47.5

46.9

46.2

49.8

47.0

50.4

48.8

1 Period studied differs from that in tables 1 and 2.
RELATION BETWEEN WATER LOSS AND TEMPERATURE 55

TABLE 5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years Continued

Gaging station

Lake Cochituate outlet at Coehituate. Mass.. __ ..

West River at IS

Swift River at T>

Middle Branch

Mass.

Clearfleld Creek

Swatara Creek £

Uperp Little S\i

fewfane, Vt. _____ __ . .........

Vrest Ware, Mass. _ _________ ..

of Westfleld River at Goss Heights,

at Dimeling, Pa ___________

»t Harper Tavern, Pa. _______ 

ratara Creek at Pine Grove, Pa ___ ...

Water 

year

1923

1924

1925

1928

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1920

1921

1922

1923

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1920

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1928

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1921

1922

1923

1924

Annual precipitation

36.4

49.1

35.0

41.4

45.7

48.9

35.6

32.2

47.8

43.6

54.7

36.9

38.8

41.6

31.7

42.1

38.7

43.5

34.9

48.9

51.5

50.2

52.9

38.2

44.9

38.7

36.8

49.1

59.6

37.6

35.7

42.4

41.0

53.1

50.0

53.3

48.6

37.3

49.9

42.0

39.1

45.8

65.2

35.6

38.9

41.1

34.3

60.8

46.1

46.5

38.1

38.3

53.7

30.7

43.6

44.6

53.3

40.4

37.7

37.8

35.7

50.5

36.6

40.2

43.2

33.7

54.7

35.7

45.8

43.5

54.4

41.2

34.8

30.8

34.0

65.3

40.0

43.1

44.5

35.0

56.6

Annual 

water 

loss

16.8

27.7

22.2

22.6

27.6

21.6

15.0

23.5

26.4

30.3

23.5

7.5

13.8

14.8

12.9

14.8

17.5

17.6

11.9

21.5

21.3

20.9

24.3

15.3

21.7

23.5

17.7

28.4

26.3

16.8

24.9

28.0

24.5

28.5

24.0

20.9

19.2

17.2

20.4

20.6

15.1

24.0

18.4

10.1

22.9

22.5

15.9

27.8

19.9

26.2

16.2

22.3

23.5

17.2

23.2

14.6

19.5

22.3

19.1

26.4

19.9

30.4

24.0

19.1

21.3

20.3

24.0

15.3

20.3

17.8

23.0

24.3

15.5

22.6

22.2

31.4

24.1

18.9

21.4

20.0

24:8

Annual 

temperature

47.1

47.9-

48. T

45.8

47.1

48.5-

49.1

48.9'

48.8

49.7

49.6

38.9

46.0

41.5

39.0

42.2

42.4

43.2

43.4

44.2

46.6

50.7

48.0

46.6

47.8

47.9

44.8

46.8

48.2

48.6

48.8

48.6

49.3

48.9

46.5

45.0

46.9

45.2

46.2

47.2

44.4

45.2

47.0

47.5

47.8

47.8

41.0

48.5

45.2

53.0

51.0

49.8

48.0

50.6

47.3

48.6

49.8

50.4

50.6

50.6

52.2

50.9

48.9

53.6

51.1

50.1

49.3

50.4

48.2

48.8

50.5

51.2

51.8

51.4

53.3

51.6

49.0

53.6

51.1

50.1

49.3

1925 36.2 16.2 50.4
NATURAL WATER LOSS DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years Continued

Gaging station

Upper Little Swatara Creek at Pine Grove, Pa---..-

 Oconee River near Greensboro, Ga.-.. .... ,--_-.

Chattahoochee River near Norcross, Ga_ .... ........

Conecuh River near Andalusia, Ala. 1

East Fork of Tombigbee River near Fulton, Miss.....

Pearl River at Edinburg, Miss..

Red Bank Creek at St. Charles, Pa . .

Water 

year

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

Annual precipitation

47.0

42.4

56.7

42.0

35.8

29.8

313

31.5

39.7

64.6

43.3

58.8

54.4

46.6

37.0

68.3

48.3

54.0

50.7

51.1

40.4

60.7

63.0

39.6

57.1

54.1

49.3

71.8

44.9

56.4

65.7

50.8

43.4

76.7

54.2

37.0

64.6

64.4

62.0

45.1

63.3

79.8

52.8

64.6

59.5

42.5

44.5

70.8

60.3

37.9

52.1

51.5

57.5

36.2

70.0

53.4

53.5

58.8

56.2

45.0

43.2

80.5

68.1

43.5

51.2

45.3

67.2

70.1

41.1

36.6

35.4

45.3

27.6

41.7

43.1

51.6

44.4

37.9

35.5

Annual 

water 

loss

21.4

15.9

24.3

24.5

18.6

20.3

21.7

20.7

28.5

40.2

27.3

32.3

31.1

28.3

25.3

39.7

28.9

34.0

32.5

32.9

28.2

35.1

28.3

22.0

32.3

25.9

29.2

36.3

16.2

25.0

30.9

26.6

25.4

41.2

29.1

24.0

38.0

31.9

31.4

26. 3

28.9

38.9

25.1

32.7

32.5

30.3

35.3

42.8

31.3

28.4

34.5

30.8

37.8

21.9

38.8

35.8

40.3

35.9

40.9

30.4

33.1

54.8

38.8

31.3

35.3

36.2

50.4

40.9

22.1

14.9

18.3

19.9

14.6

22.1

14.1

19.4

18.8

18.0

23.9

Annual 

temperature

48.2

48.8

50.5

51.2

51.8

51.4

53.3

59.6

60.4

60.4

61.8

60.6

61.8

60.1

62.0

59.9

61.1

59.5

61.1

60.3

59.4

62. 7

61.8

63.5

62.9

62.7

58.0

58.5

59.6

58.2

59.4

58.1

59.8

58.0

59.4

59.0

57.9

59.2

58.4

57.4

59.5

58.6

60.3

60.6

59.6

65.1

67.0

65.1

66.1

65.5

64.8

66.0

65.8

64.3

65.7

64.4

68.4

66.5

62.8

62.9

61.1

65.2

63.2

64.9

64.6

62.9

66.9

64.5

49.3

47^2

45.8

44.3

45.7

43.5

44.9

46.2

46.1

46.4

46.6

1 Period studied differs from that in tables 1 and 2.
TABLE

RELATION BETWEEN WATER LOSS AND TEMPERATURE 57

5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years Continued

Gaging station

Bed Bank Creek at St. Charles, Pa.__ _-__. .........

Miami River at Dayton, Ohio.. . ...... _ _ ..

West Fork of White River near Noblesville, Ind._ _ .

Tittabawassee River at Freeland, Mich.. _______

Red Rivor at Fargo, N. Dak _ ____ __ . __ . ....

Red River at Grand Forks, N. Dak. 1 . ... ____ ....

Water 

year

1932

1933

1934

1894

1895

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1930

1931

1932

1933

1913

1914

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1932

1933

1934

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation

36.1

41.0

36.2

30.6

23.7

45.7

34.5

44.9

32.9

34.2

29.8

32.5

37.4

39.6

39.1

33.7

45.4

39.9

39.5

37.3

42.0

43.5

42.5

33.4

42.0

42.0

36.0

40.7

37.0

37.0

31.1

31.6

37.4

40.9

42.3

31.4

41.3

44.6

32.8

32.2

28.0

29.2

26.9

34.2

30.3

30.7

28.2

24.7

22.9

25.7

23.7

18.5

23.1

22.1

17.6

25.1

23.2

15.5

18.3

20.3

19.6

16.5

13.4

19.6

23.0

18.8

22.4

22.5

18.8

20.7

22. S

18.7

22.5

21.3

15.8

18.0

19.7

17.9

16.5

14.7

Annual 

water 

loss

18.3

21.4

25.2

25.7

120.0

37.6

21.7

30.2

23.2

27.6

24.2

28.7

24.8

26.5

32.0

24.5

28.2

22.2

26.4

22.2

28.1

20.4

18.1

25.1

29.9

22.8

24.6

31.3

21.0

23.8

23.8

19.5

20.8

27.1

23.7

27.1

30.1

24.7

23.8

24.4

13.0

19.2

17.7

23.0

22.6

22.9

18.7

18.5

22.4

24.4

22.9

17.3

22.5

21.7

17.3

24.4

22.6

14.9

17.9

20.1

19.5

16.4

12.2

19.1

21.8

17.1

21.6

21.2

18.1

20.3

22.1

18.1

21.1

20.3

15.0

17.4

19.5

17.6

16.3

14.6

Annual 

temperature

48.6

48.6

46.9

53.5

50.5

51.4

51.3

53.3

51.0

52.0

51.5

50.1

52.4

48.3

49.9

51.6

50.8

52.2

51.8

51.1

52.1

49.3

52.5

52.0

50.5

51.6

49.3

48.8

51.8

49.5

4P.7

53.8

50.7

56.0

52.2

53.2

55.0

53.7

45.8

45.6

45.0

42.0

42.2

47.4

42.8

48.2

47.0

44.4

43.9

39.0

45.2

42.0

41.6

43.0

41.7

41.1

40.6

41.0

42.6

46.0

43.8

42.8

36.9

38.3

42.4

37.3

43.7

40.8

40.2

40.6

41.1

40.4

39.2

39.3

39.7

41.2

44.5

42.7

41.4

41.2

1 Period studied differs from that in tables 1 and 2.
58 NATURAL WATER LOSS IN DRAINAGE BASINS

TABLE 5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years Continued

Gaging station

La Crosse River near West Salem, Wis.' _____ ...

Kickapco River at Gays Mills, Wis.1 ________ --

Blackwater River at Blue Lick, Mo.,.. _ .... 

South Grand River near Brownington, Mo....... 

Little Arkansas River at Valley Center, Kans.. .......

Walnut Eiver at Winfleld, Kans. ___ . _ . _ .......

Water 

year

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1922

1923

1924

1925

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1922

1923

1924

1925

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

Annual precipitation

32.4

31.6

35.8

28.6

28.9

30.4

25.5

34.4

30.0

36.2

'31.9

25.4

22.6

34.2

28.9

27.5

33.2

31.6

40.0

30.0

32.6

30.1

26.5

38.4

29.3

31.2

29.6

25.0

22.6

35.0

31.8

38.7

40.3

32.3

42.4

50.6

38.7

64.9

27.0

30.8

38.0

31.4

38.9

35.0

41.0

35.7

36.0

50.0

41.5

50.2

29.7

31.5

34.3

32.0

34.7

26.0

26.0

23.6

43.4

28.4

34.2

28.9

23.7

28.4

20.7

35.2

32.8

25.8

29.9

49.6

31.0

41.0

28.0

29.8

31.6

22.0

Annual 

water 

loss

22.3

20.2

24.7

16.7

18.6

20.2

16.9

24.1

19.5

24.8

20.6

16.3

15.3

23.8

19.8

20.3

25.0

21.5

28.9

19.3

24.4

20.2

17.5

28.7

20.5

19.2

18.6

16.9

16.6

26.6

22.8

33.4

32.5

29.1

34.8

34.8

28.7

31.9

24.7

29.2

33.2

27.5

26.3

30.4

33.1

30.8

30.8

34.7

33.5

29.8

27.9

29.9

30.3

29.3

31.5

24.1

25.6

23.3

40.3

26.4

31.1

27.9

23.3

28.3

19.9

29.3

29.4

24.9

28.3

37.4

23.3

30.4

26.2

27.4

28.1

21.0

Annual 

temperature

43.7

44.6

40.5

41.8

47.4

44.7

44.4

42.8

45.6

44.2

44.0

45.5

48.4

47.6

45.9

45.9

42.4

43.3

39.2

40.7

46.2

44.1

43.7

41.9

44.8

43.5

43.0

44.6

47.3

46.5

45.7

55.5

53.0

56.3

53.7

54.6

55.1

54.2

55.3

56.8

57.8

55.9

56.9

56.3

54.5

57.7

54.8

55.5

55.4

54.9

66.1

56.6

58.2

66.4

57.0

54.7

57.5

55.3

55.6

55.9

55.3

66.4

57.5

57.6

57.4

57.6

55.2

58.6

56.0

66.4

57.0

56.3

57.1

58.1

59.2

58.2

1 Period studied differs from that in tables 1 and 2.
RELATION BETWEEN WATER LOSS AND TEMPERATURE 59

TABLE 5. Precipitation, water loss, and temperature, by water years Continued

Gaging station

Neches River near Rockland, Tex.i... ................

Angelina River near Lufkin, Tex.i.. ..................

Water 

year

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

Annual precipitation

53.2

46.2

38.9

48.3

42.8

42.0

51.2

44.5

37.3

52.0

44.8

38.5

47.5

44.8

42.3

54.5

50.2

39.1

Annual 

water 

loss

39.9

34.6

35.6

38.5

35.6

34.1

37.6

37.1

29.1

35.9

34.3

33.8

38.4

35.7

33.0

33.2

40.2

30.5

Annual 

temperature

' 65.2

67.9

66.0

65.4

65.0

64.5

68.1

65.9

68.1

64.4

67.1

65.2

64.7

64.8

64.0

67.0

64.5

67.2

» Period studied differs from that in tables 1 and 2.

To illustrate further the relation between water loss and temperature, generalized lines of mean annual water loss were drawn through 

the water-loss data plotted in plate 1. These lines are shown in plate 

2. The solid lines are denned by data given in this report, and the 

dashed lines are based on interpolations or on mean water loss as 

determined from published maps showing mean annual precipitation 

and mean annual run-off. 10

Superimposed on plate 2 are heavier lines showing mean annual 

temperature as compiled by the Weather Bureau. The increase in 

annual water loss with an increase in average temperature is clearly 

indicated from this comparison.

It is interesting to note that the water-loss lines shown in plate 2 

turn at about 95° west longitude and cut the temperature lines practically at right angles. This is due to the fact that the rainfall decreases westward and hence fails by notably increasing margins to 

satisfy the evaporation losses that otherwise would take place at the 

prevailing temperatures.

M National Resources Board Report, pt. 3. Report of the Water Planning Committee, pp. 292,300,1934.

INDEX

Page 

Abstract.____....________..__- ___. 1

Acknowledgments_____ ____ _ 2-3

Alabama River..______.....___.________ 15,30

Allegheny River Basin.._________...... 15 31-33

Altamaha River Basin _ ._ . 14,28-29 

Altitude, relation of, to precipitation____ 5-11 

Angelina River_________________ 18,45,52,59

Apalachicola River Basin.._........._____ 14,29

Arkansas River Basin..._._____.._.. 18,44-45

Aughwick Creek...---------.-- ------- 14,27

Basin, definition of.........__.____ _ 2

Beaver River Basin..__.___________ 15,34-36

Black River,-._.----- -.-...-----. .____ 16,39

Black Warrior River, Mulberry Fork of..._ 15,30

Sipsey Fork of Mulberry Fork of ________ 15,30

Blacklick Creek.- - -- 15,33 

Blackwater River... - - - 17,43,52,58

Blanco River,___._._.__.____.__ ___. 18,47

Bourbeuse River..-__ ___ _ ___.. 18,44

Brandywine Creek.____________________ 13,23

Brazos River Basin__.._ _____ _____ 18,46

Broad River. ___________.....____....._____._ 14,28

Brokenstraw Creek_______.__ ___ 15, 31

Brush Creek .. ..__.. ...... .___ 14,27

Bushkill Creek....________________ _ ________ 13,22

Casselman River ....-.-.. _ __ _________. 15,34

CharitonBiver . . _ 17,43 

Chartiers Creek ___________ _______________ _ 15,34

Chattahoochee River. _____ __________ 14, 29,52, 56

Chester Creek_______ ________________________ 13,23

Chippewa RiVerBasin_________.______._.__.. 16,39

Choctawha.tchee River__.___.______________ 14,30

Clarion River. _.._____ __...... ... 15, Ste

Clear Fork of Trinity River. . ------- 18,45

Olearfield Creek._.__._______._._._._... 13,25,52,55

Cocolamus Creek_____....._.....__ 14,27

CodorusCreek ___________.._________ 14,28

Coleto Creek.-........ .. - . ..- ._ 18.47

Colorado River Basin...________.... 18,46-.47

Conecuh River________________ 14,30,52,56

Conestoga Creek..____________________ 14,28

Connecticut River Basin.._________ 13,20-21 

Conodoguinet Creek ___.._...__________ 14,27

Conoquenessing Creek______._____....__ 15,35-36

Crooked Creek_________________________ 15,32

Crum Creek___________.______________..._ 13,23

Cussewago Creek_________________. 15;32

Delaware River (Kans.) - _ _ - - 17,42 

Delaware River Basin (N. Y.-N. J.-Pa.)- 13, 21-23 

Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek.. 13, 25 

Dunning Creek_.__________________.......-_ 14,27

EelRiver __ - .. 16,37

ElkhornRiver. _ ________ 17,41

Elm Fork of Trinity River - . _ 18,46

Escambia River Basin _-- - - - _ 14,30

Etowah River . - 15.30

Fall Creek _____.....________. 16,37

FlshinE Creek,____...__________ .__ 13,24-25

Flatrock Creek.._ .. ._.____. _ _ 16,37

FlintRiver.- ._ . . 14,29

Frankstown Branch of Juniata River______ 14,26

FrenchCreek _ __ 15,31-32

Grand River (Mo.)..._.....___.... .__ 17,42 

Grand River (S. Dak.)______....-.-._......_. 17,40

QreatTrough Creek............___ -.-. 14,27

Ouadalupe River. ________........_______ 18,47

Hudson Bay Basin...___ ._____________ 16,38

Huron River.....____ 16,37

Isohyetal method of computing rainfall . _. 6,7-8

James River (Mo.) __-_--..------.--------_. 18,44

James River (N.Dak.-S.Dak.)-- - 17.41

Jump River_.._____.....___ ... 16,39

Juniata River.___._---___-_.-_--_ _.- 14,27

Frankstown Branch oL__----------------- 14,26

Raystown Branch of _- ----_--- _.__ 14,27

Kansas River.---------------------- 17,41

Kansas River Basin- - 17,41-42

Kickapoo River. ___________ _ _____ 16,40,52,58

Kiskiminetas River- ._ .___..- .-_ 15,33

La Crosse River.._-- 16,39,52.58

1/ackawanna River- --- - 13,24

LackawaxenRiver.._.__---_--______._-_-. . 13,21

Lake Cochituateoutlet------------ 13,20,52,54-55

Lake Erie, streams tributary to._-______..-__- 16,37

Lake Huron, streams tributary to------------- 16,37

Lake Michigan, streams tributary to ---------- 16,37

Lamine River Basin-.,-..--------_----_------ 17,43

Laurel Hill Creek .._. .-. .. 15,34 

LehighRiver -- 13,22

Little Arkansas River_-______.-_-._._.-_ 18,44,52,58

Little Schuylkill River ... 13,22

Little Shenango River.._____._____.._..._ 15,35

Locust Creek..-.-.--.. __.-..___--. 17,42 

Loyalhanna Creek________._.-____ .._ . 15,33

Loyalsock Creek_____._--______---. ..... 14,26

Lycoming Creek_.__ _____--___..__--_--.-. 14,26

McMichaels Creek....._-_. . . _ 13,22

Mahantango Creek East..------------__ -_ 14,26

MahpningCreek--. . 15,32

MedinaRiver.- - -- 18,47

Meramec River.__ _-_________--________---__- 18, 43

Meramec River Basin. _._._-__-.-_________ 18, 43-44

Merrimack River Basin--------------- 13,19-20

Miami River-- - - - -.-_ 16,36,52,57 

Middle Loup River._.___-_______-.___.___- 17,41

Mississinewa River__-____.__.__._.--______ 16,37

Mississippi River Basin (lower)...-------- 18, 43-45

Mississippi River Basin (upper)________ 16,39-40

Missouri River Basin______-_-----_--____-- 17.40-43

Mobile River Basin...-----. _..._ 15,30

Monongahela River Basin______-__-_-_---_ 15,33-34

Moreau River - - _ 17,40 

Mountain Creek..--- -----------__. ... 18,46

Muddy Creek 14,28

Mulberry Fork of Black Warrior River- - __ 15,30 

Muskegon River..-____-___-_________ -__-- 16,37

Nashua River, South Branch of- -. 11,13,19,52, 54 

Navasota River___________.__________________ 18,46

Neches River____-__.__._____-_______--- 18,45,52,59

Neosho River----------------------..-------- 18, 45

Nescopeck Creek. .___ _ ...... 13,24

Neshaminy Creek_.-___________.________ 13,22

New York University, project sponsored by._ 1 

Niobrara River.____-___ .__..__--__-_ 17,41 

North Bald Eagle Creek - 13, 25-26 

North Loup River _- ----- 17,41

Nueces River..______ ___-__-._.- . 18,47

61
62 INDEX

Ocmulgee River_____________.... 14,28

Oconee River.....-..-.--.--.......-.... 14,29,52,56

Ohio River Basin- ._ __ 15,31-37 

Oil Creek.................................... 15,31

Osage River_____________. ___.. 17,43

Pawnee River. .-.-.-.-----.....-._..... 18,44

PearlRiver .- . ..-.. ..- 15,30,52,56 

Pedernales River... ... ._._ 18,46-47 

Penn Creek---.------......--...............- 14,26

Perkiomen Creek_______________ 13,23 

Pine Creek--------.----.-----.--....-....__ 14,26

Platte River Basin..--.-------.---..-.--..... 17,41

Plum Creek.- ..--.................. 18,47

Precipitation, by drainage areas, annual. 19-47,54-59

by drainage areas, mean annual.-.. 13-18,52 

computation of._._.-____... 6-11

relation of altitude to _ - __. _ _ 5-6,8-11 

Pymatuning Creek___.__________ 15,35

Raccoon Creek-------__-----________ 15,36

Rainfall, definition of.. _ ___ 4 

Rainfall. See also Precipitation. 

Rainfall stations, distribution of.- __.. 5-6 

Raystown Branch of Juniata River. .. 14,27 

Red Bank Creek---- ------_ 15,32,52,56-57

Red Lake River--.----.------------.-.--..- 16,38

Red River-. . . 16,38,52,57

Republican River. ..... ...... . 17,41

Rib River--. . .., 16,40

Ridley Creek ._ . . .... 13,23

Rock River Basin.... . _. .._.___ 16,40

Rouge River... . . .. 16,37

Run-off, by drainage areas, annual _.___ 19-47 

by drainage areas, mean annual.......... 13-18

definition of. .... ... ..... 40

Sac River.. __ ....__ 17,43

St. Francis River. .... _._...... 18,44

St. Lawrence River Basin__________ 16,37 

Salamonie River________________ 16,37 

San Gabriel River. . 18,46

San Jacinto River.- -_._____ 18,46 

Sandies Creek----- - .-- ....-... . 18,47

Savannah River Basin... _ __ 14,28 

Schuylkill River.- . 13,22 

Scioto River... --. .-. 16,36

Shaver Creek-.-.....-..-.--.... ......... 14,27

Shenango River---. .--------.-- 15,34-35

Sherman Creek ___________.___ 14,27 

Sinnemahoning Creek, Driftwood Branch of-. 13,25 

Sipsey Fork of Mulberry Fork of Black Warrior River...._________. 15,30

Slippery Rock Creek.___...____..... 15,35

Smoky Hill River. ... ... 17,42 

Soil Conservation Service, cooperation by__ 1 

Soldier Creek ... ...... 17,42

Solomon River.- .. 17,42

South Grand River--...- --- - 17,43,52,58 

Standing Stone Creek. _._____..____ 14,27 

Stony Creek - - ...... 15,33

Stranger Creek. ------ __...___ 17,42

Strong River...-- . . 15,30

Sudbury River 13,19-20,52,54

Sugar River.. _ ..... 16,40

Page

Susquehanna River..._____.____ 13,23-28 

Suwannee River__..___.________ 14,29 

Swatara Creek....... ............ 14,28,52,55

Swift River . 13,20,52,55

Tables, explanation of . __.._ 12,19

Tallapoosa River . ...... 15,30

Temperature, annual, by drainage areas..._ 54-59

mean annual, at temperature stations__ 49-51

by drainage areas__.._____.. 52

methods of expressing..... _____ 48-49'

relation of, to water loss.______ 48-59, pi. 1 

Temperature stations, tempera tore at..._. 49-51 

Thiessen method of computing rainfall... __ 6-8 

Thompson River__ .._______.___ 17,42 

Thornapple River-...---- --_. . 16.37

Tionesta Creek--..-------..---__._.. 15,31

Tittabawassee River.-- . . 16,37,52,57 

Tombigbee River, East Fork of...... 15,30,52,56

Towanda Creek----.-------... .-.....-- 13,24

Trempealeau River_- ____________ 16,39

Trinity River, Clear Fork of... .._. 18,45

East Fork of. . _ 18,46

Elm Fork of ... ... ...... 18,46

Trinity River Basin....-- ._...__ 18,45-46-

Tunkhannock Creek................__._ 13,24

Turtle Creek..... . ._...... 15,34

Tuscarora Creek_ . 14,27

Upper Little Swatara Creek .. 14,28,52,55-5fr

Wabash River. __.. 16,36-37

Wakarusa River__ .._ ...__._ 17,42 

Wallenpaupack Creek. .. 13,21-22' 

Walnut River --..---_ ..... 18,44,52,58-

Wapwallopen Creek....____..______ 13,24

Water loss, annual, by drainage areas_ 19-47,54-59- 

annual, variations in... __--....__-... 47-48

computations of.. ..---... 8-12

determination of, method of- _ - ___.. 5-12"

sources of data for.._ .......--. 6-

mean annual, by drainage areas... _. 12-18,52

map showing- _ .. . .. pi. 1

previous studies of._-----.._ 4-5

relation of temperature to 48-59, pi. 2

significance of.-.--- .. 3-4

Water year, definition of-_ ..._ 3

WestConewago Creek...___ ......... 14,28

West River .-. 13,20,52,55

West River Basin, precipitation in, computation of-. _-_- 7-9 

rainfall-altitude relation in.... ... 10

rainfall stations in - . 7,8-10'

Western Gulf of Mexico basins.... . 18,45-47

Westfield River, Middle Branch of 20-21,52,55-

White River (S. Dak.).. ... 17,41

White River (Ind.), East Fork of -_ 16,37

West Fork of 16,37,52,57

White River Basin (Mo.) . . . 18,44 

Wisconsin River Basin_____________ 16,40 

Works Progress Administration, cooperation

with..__........__...._.__ 1-2

Yegua Creek___... 18,46 

Yellow River.... . . ... 16,40- 

Youghiogheny River. .. 15,33-34

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