DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIKECTOK

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371

EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER

GAGING STATIONS

BY

G. J. LYON

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT FEINTING OFFICE 

1915
CONTENTS.

Items of equipment....................................................... 7

Gages.................................................................... 7

Classification......................................................... 7

Nonrecording gages.................................................... 8

Vertical-staff gage................................................ 8

Hook gage....................................................... 8

Float gage........................................................ 9

Chain gage....................................................... 9

Inclined-staff gage................................................. 11

Essential features............................................... 11

Gage on concrete piers......................................... 11

Gage attached to timber posts.................................. 12

Kecording gages....................................................... 13

Essential features of installation.................................... 13

Well and intake................................................... 14

Materials and dimensions...................................... 14

Methods of construction........................................ 15

Timber-lined wells....................................... 15

Anchorage for intake pipe.................................. 19

Plain, and reinforced concrete wells........................ 20

Concrete combination well and shelter..................... 22

Miscellaneous designs. .................: .................. 23

Protection from freezing....................................... 24

Shelters......................................................... 25

Types available............................................... 25

Sectional wooden shelters..................................... . 25

California shelter............................................. 27

Box shelter.................................................. 29

Portable shelter............................................... 30

Plain-concrete shelter......................................... 31

Keinforced-coHcrete shelter.................................... 35

Miscellaneous designs............................. I........... 37

Ventilation................................................... 37

Gage table....................................................... 38

Forms............................................................ 38

Bench marks.............................................................. 41

Structures used in making discharge measurements. ............f........... 41

Essential parts....................................................... 41

Cable equipment...................................................... 42

Supports.......................................................... 42

Anchorages....................................................... 47

Common types................................................ 47

Deadmen.................................................... 47

Trees......................................................... 49

Kock ledges................................................... 50

3
CONTENTS.

Structures used in making discharge measurements Continued. 

Cable equipment Continued.

Cable and accessories.................................

The cable........................................

Turnbuckles.....................................

Clips...........................................

Backstay........................................

List of materials.................................

Cars................................................

Erection.............................................

Bridges..................................................

Stay lines...........................

Lines for indicating measuring points. 

Artificial control. ......................

Index ............................... .

50

50

52

53

53

53

53

55

57

59

60

61

61

63

TABLES.

Page. 

TABLE 1, Bill of material for standard hook gage............................ 9

2. Bill of material for chain-gage box............................... 10

3. Bill of material for inclined gage on concrete piars................. 12

4. Bill of material for inclined gage on timber posts................... 13

5. Bill of material for standard timber well box..................... 16

6. Bill of material for plain concrete well supporting a standard timber

shelter....................................................... 20

7. Bill of material for reinforced-concrete well with timber or metal

shelter....................................................... 21

8. Bill of material for combination concrete well and shelter........... 22

9. Bill of material for standard wooden shelter ....................... 26

10. Bill of material for California-type well and shelter................ 28

11. Bill of material for box-type shelter............................... 29

12. Bill of material for portable shelter................................ 31

13. Bill of material for concrete well and shelter for automatic recording

gage......................................................... 33

14. Bill of material for reinforced-concrete well and shelter for automatic

recording gage................................................. 36

15. Bill of material for standard gage table........................... 38

16. Bill of material for concrete forms for reinforced-concrete well and

shelter....................................................... 40

17. Dimensions of top and side plates and bolts........................ 43

18. Spacing'of holes in side plates................................... 43

19. Bill of material for 8-foot frames................................. 44

20. Bill of material for 12-foot frames................................ 45

21. Bill of material for 16-foot frames........................-....'... 45

22. Bill of material for 20-foot frames................................ 46

23. Length and depth of installation of deadmen. .................... 49

24. Distance from foot of A frame to deadmen......................... 49

25. Sag, for loaded cables............................................ 51

26. Erection sag (in feetN and tension in erecting cables............... 52
ILLTJSTBATIOKS.

TABLE 27. Smallest allowable cable, with corresponding sag for various spans.. 62

28. Bill of material for cable installation............................. 53

29. Bill of material for standard cable car............................ 54

30. Tools for field use .............................................. 56

31. Bill of material for wooden footbridge........................... 57

32. Bill of material for ferry cable trolley............................ 60

33. Data for selection of stay lines................................... 60

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE I. A, Vertical-staff and hook gages; B, Vertical and inclined staff gages. 8

II. Plan of chain-gage box and weight........................... .. 10

III. Plans for inclined staff or slope gage. ...................,...^.-. 12

IV. Typical automatic recording gages: A, Stevens; B, Gurley; (7, Friez. 14

V. A, Typical gaging station with automatic gage; B, Well with no intake and with shelter of box type, Agua Fria River at Glen- 

 dale, Ariz.................................................... 15

VI. Plans of standard timber well box............................... 16

VII. A, Well in a rock bank, Green River at Bridgeport, Utah; B, California type of shelter, San Dieguito River at Bernardo, Gal...... 18

VIII. Plans of plain-concrete house and well; sections and details of intake anchorage............................................... 20

I.. Plans of reinforced-concrete well and shelter..................... 20

X. A, Reinforced-concrete well and shelter, American River at Fairoaks, Cal.; B, Concrete well and shelter combined, Muddy River 

at Moapa,Nev............................................... 22

XI. Plans of combination concrete well and shelter .................. 22

XII. A, Gages on web of Gushing bridge piers; B, Cast concrete rings... 24

XIII. Plans of standard wooden shelter........:....................... 26

XIV. Plans of California shelter...................................... 28

XV. Plans of wooden-box shelter..................................... 28

XVI. A, Standard wooden shelter, Deerfield River at Charlemont, Mass.;

B, Wooden-box shelter, Arroyo Hondo at Santa Fe, N. Mex..... 30

XVII. A, Portable gage shelter; B, Special Hawaiian shelter, North.

Branch of Kaukonahua Stream, Wahiawa, Oahu............... 31

XVIII. Plans of portable shelter........................................ 32

XIX. Plans of plain-concrete house, showing elevations, details of door

and window sashes, and iron door and shutters................. 34

XX. A, Metal shelter on concrete well, Raquette River at Piercefield, 

N. Y.; B, Special shelter of stone, Rio Grande at Embudo, 

N.Mex..................................................... 36

XXI. A, Water Resources bench-mark tablet; B, Low shelter, Logan

River at Logan, Utah........................................ 37

XXII. Automatic-gage shelters: A, Feather River at Oroville, Cal.; B,

North Fork of American River at Colfax, Cal................... 38

XXIII. Automatic-gage shelters: A, Tuolumne River at Groveland, Cal.;

B, Deerfield River at Charlemont, Mass....................... 39

XXIV. Automatic-gage shelters: A, St. Marys River at international boundary; B, Chenango River at Chenango Forks, N. Y............. 40

XXV. Plans of 8-foot A frame......................................... 42
6 ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

PLATE XXVI. Plans of 12-foot A frame. ................................... 42

XXVII. Plans of 16-foot A frame.................................... 42

XXVIII. Plans of 20-foot A frame.................................... 42

XXIX. A, Standard A frame in place; B, Standard cable car........ 44

XXX. Plans of.deadmen and anchorages for cable.................. 46

XXXI. Sag diagram for cables..................................... 50

XXXII. Plans for standard car....................................... 54

XXXIII. Plans for standard footbridge................................ 58

XXXIV. A, Excellent natural control, Black River at Fort Apache, Ariz.;

B, Artificial control, Sweetwater River at Descanso, Gal.... 58

XXXV. Plans for artificial control.................................. 60

XXXVI. Plans for artificial control.................................. 60

XXXVII. Artificial controls: A, San Luis Rey River at Pala, Gal.;

B, Logan River at Logan, Utah............................ 60

FIGURE 1. Gage-cutting tool............................................... 8

2. Chain-gage equipment......................................... 9

3. Method of sinking and shoring a well........................... 17

4. Method of sinking and shoring a well........................... 18

5. Method of keeping intake clean................................ 19

6. Method of keeping intake clean. ................................ 20

7. Automatic gage on Gushing bridge piers ......................... 23

8. Oil pipe for float, to prevent freezing............................ 24

9. Floating oil heater, to prevent freezing.......................... 25

10. Plans for trolley for use with ferryboats.......................... 59
EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

By G. J. LTON.

ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT.

Gaging stations for determining the total flow of a stream and its 

diurnal fluctuation need, in general, the following equipment:

1. A gage or gages for determining fluctuations of stage.

2. Bench marks for referring the gages to a fixed datum.

3. Structures from which discharge measurements are made.

4. Cable and stay line to hold the meter in a vertical position when soundings and 

velocity observations are made.

5. Graduated lines to indicate the points of measurement.

6. Artificial structures, at places where natural control is ineffective, to regulate 

the relation between stage and discharge.

Although no one form of any of these items is indispensable, there 

are certain standard types that can, as a rule, be most economically 

installed and that not only facilitate the making of observations but 

insure more accurate results. It is expected that details of construction will be adjusted to local conditions.

The types of equipment that had been found most effective were 

described in a pamphlet entitled "Plans and specifications for current-meter gaging streams," by C. C. Covert, G. J. Lyon, and C. H. 

Pierce, issued by the Survey in 1912. The matter presented in that 

pamphlet has been revised and expanded to include the latest and 

best available information in regard to the subject, and is embodied 

in this report, which comprises also suggestions from several hydraulic 

engineers, to whom acknowledgment is hereby made.

CAGES.

CI^ASSIFICATIOIT.

The instruments that have been used for measuring fluctuations of 

stage of rivers and other bodies of water may be grouped into two 

general classes, comprising, respectively, nonrecording gages and recording gages, the grouping depending on the method of obtaining 

the record, whether by direct readings at stated intervals from a 

scale board or other device or by some automatic mechanism.

7
8 EQirrPMENT FOR OITEEBFT-METEB GAGING STATIONS.

Eecording gages make a record of stage, either continuously by a 

curve, the coordinates of which indicate the time and the stage, or by 

a device that prints at regular intervals of time. Nonrecording gages 

in common use are the vertical-staff gage, the hook gage, the float 

gage, the chain gage, and the inclined-staff gage.

NOMTRECOBDING GACJES.

VERTICAL-STAFF GAGE.

The best vertical-staff gage (PL I, A and B) consists of a 2 by 6 inch 

(or larger) timber, fastened vertically to a rigid support or set upright in a concrete base which is placed in the stream bed below low 

water. Enameled metal sections (PL I, A, 2) on which the graduations 

are stamped are screwed to this timber with round-headed brass 

screws and leather washers. As a substitute for the enameled face a

graduated board may be 

used, if made in 5-foot sections of 1 by 4 inch pine, 

painted white, with Vshaped notches, painted 

black, clearly indicating 

all foot and tenth marks 

(PLI,J.,3). Aspecialtool 

and guide for cutting the 

graduations in wooden 

scaleboards is shown in figure 1. The graduations 

may also be marked by 

means of barrel-hoop 

staples.

A cast-iron face (PL I, A, 4), that is especially desirable where the 

gage is permanent, is made in foot sections and is marked from 0 to 10 

feet by raised figures that are painted either red or white to make 

them stand out on the black background of the gage. Plate I, B, 

shows a combined vertical and inclined staff gage on Delaware Eiver 

at Port Jervis, N. Y.

HOOK GAGE.

A simple form of hook gage (PL I, A, I) consists of a movable staff, 

graduated to feet, from 0 downward, with a hook at the bottom, the 

staff being arranged to slide against a 1-foot New York level-rod 

scale, which is screwed to a base and is graduated to hundredths of a 

foot, from 0 upward. The stage is determined by drawing the point of 

the hook to the surface of the water and reading on the movable staff 

the foot mark that is opposite the fixed scale from which the tenths 

and hundredths are read.

FIGUEE 1. Gage-cutting tool.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

2 3 

A. VERTICAL-STAFF AND HOOK GAGES.

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE I

B. VERTICAL AND INCLINED STAFF GAGES.
NONKECOBDING GAGES. V

TABLE 1. Bill of material for standard hook gage. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate VHI, p. 20.]

Item 1. One f by 2 inch hook gage rod, of proper length.

2. One.set standard lugs L, with IJ-inch No. 9 brass screws.

3. One window latch K, with screws.

4. One standard hook Z, with brass screws. .

5. One standard scale ZI, with screws and washers.

6. One piece cypress, or other wood, 2 by 6 inches, for bed piece, for hook gage.

FLOAT GAGE.

The float gage is similar to the hook gage, except that the hook at 

the bottom of the movable staff is replaced by a float which rises 

and falls with the fluctuations in stage and carries the staff with it. 

The readings are made in the manner described for the hook gage.

FIGURE 2. Chain-gage equipment. . 

CHAIN GAGE.

The chain gage, shown in figure 2, consists of a graduated scale 

10 feet or more in length, usually either extending from or contained 

in a box supporting a pulley wheel over which runs a heavy sash 

chain carrying at one end a weight and near the other end a marker M, 

shown on the scale between the 0.3 graduation and the 0.4graduation. 

Sections of the standard enameled metal gage may be used for the __ O O i/

graduated scale. This gage as a whole is fastened horizontally to a 

rigid structure, so that the weight when lowered will come in contact 

with moving water. When such contact is made the reading on the 

scale board opposite the marker is recorded.
10 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

The gage weight (PI. II) is made of an iron bar, 13 inches long, cut 

squarely off on each end. For a distance of If inches from, one end 

the bar is turned down to an external diameter of three-fourths of 

an inch. In the end of this reduced section a half-ineh hole is 

bored to a depth of 3 inches, and, beginning at a point three-eighths 

of an inch from the end, a series of ^-inch holes are bored along the 

axis of the weight. These holes are spaced exactly one one-hundredth foot apart, and each hole is placed at an angle of 60° in plan 

to the one above it. These holes, which receive the cotter pin by 

means of which the weight is hung on the sash chain, allow any 

required adjustment of the chain length by even - hundredths of a 

foot. The weight should then be well galvanized.

The most satisfactory chain thus far used for gages of this type is 

Morton's Champion metal window-sash chain No. 1 regular. This 

chain, if thoroughly stretched before it is put in place, will hold its 

length and is not sensibly affected by wearing of the parts.

Gage boxes are usually made of first-class cypress or similar wood? 

with an iron top and down spout. The outside dimensions of the 

box, as shown in Plate II, exclusive of the top, are as follows: 

Length, 24'inches; width, 6 inches; height in back, 8^ inches; height 

in front, 5f inches. The box is fastened together with bolts and 

screws as shown 8 screws in the bottom (3 on each side and 1 in 

each end) and 2 screws near the top of the box.

A hole should be bored in the bottom to permit the insertion of a 

2-inch wrought-iron pipe, which should be screwed 1| inches into 

the hole in order to fit it and then be removed for convenience in 

shipping. Two quarter-inch holes, placed as shown on the back 

piece B (PI. II), should be .made in the back to allow for two positions of the special open-side pulley. The two end. pieces A should 

be notched as shown, so that the chain will run horizontally from 

the pulley past either end of the box.

The top E is to be made of J-inch iron with 6-inch strap 

hinges 0 and staple for an 8-inch hasp H fastened to it with machine 

screws. The holes in the cover should be drilled and tapped to match 

those in the hinges and hasp.

Box and ironwork should receive two coats of mineral paint or 

Dixon's graphite paint, both inside and out.

The materials required are specified in Table 2.

TABLE 2. Bill of material for chain-gage box. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate II.]

LUMBER.

Item 1. One piece cypress, 1^ by 8 inches by 8 feet long, from which cut 

Two pieces A, ends, 3| by 6J inches. 

One piece B, back, 7 by 24 inches. 

One piece C, front, 5 by 24 inches. 

One piece D, bottom, 6 by 24 inches.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE II

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PLAN OF CHAIN-GAGE BOX AND WEIGHT.

Bill of material given in Table 2, page 10 .

WEIGHT
GAGES. 11

[HARDWARE.

Item 2. One piece sheet iron E, top cover, -J by 7 by 24 inches.

3. Twelve flat-head machine screws, \ by \ inch.

4. One pair 6-inch strap hinges G, with 1-inch screws.

5. One 8-inch safety hasp H and staple I, with 1-inch wood screws.

6. Four carriage bolts K, \ by 6J inches, with nuts and washers, ends to be cut 

and riveted flush with nuts.

7. One piece 2-inch wrought-iron pipe L, 14 inches long, threaded one end.

8. Ten F. H. bright wood screws N, 2 inches by No. 12.

9. One stove bolt 0, J by If inches, round head, for holding pipe to bottom of box.

10. One open-side pulley.

INCLINED-STAFF GAGE. 

ESSENTIAL FEATURES.

The inclined staff (PL I, B) is useful where there is no rigid object 

to which a vertical staff may be attached. It should be made of 4 by 

6 inch timber, or larger, supported at short intervals on posts or 

concrete piers firmly set in the ground, and should be graduated by 

means of an engineer's level after being placed in position, so as to 

give readings directly.

GAGE ON CONCRETE PIERS.

The general method of installing gages on concrete piers is shown 

in Plate III by the profile of the river bank.

The bed pieces should be 4 by 6 inches by 12 feet, of chestnut, fir, 

or other timber equally suitable for the work. The top of the bed 

pieces should be flush with the original surface of the ground, so as 

to offer the minimum obstruction to ice and drift. The gage rod 

should be of 1 by 4 inch spruce or similar wood. The life of the 

timber pieces may be lengthened materially by the use of carbolineum 

or creosote,-applied hot.

In order to afford drainage and thus to minimize the danger of the 

gage being disturbed by frost, the soil for a foot below and on each 

side of the bed piece may be removed and replaced with small stones.

Piers should reach below the frost line, and should be placed 11 feet 

on centers, slope measurement, thus allowing a lap of 6 inches on 

each end of the bed pieces. These lap joints should be so framed as 

to allow changes in the slopes of the bank. They should be bored 

for f-inch anchor bolts and the top piece should be countersunk so 

that the nut, using flat washers, and the end of the bolt will lie below 

the gage rod. The bolts should be of f-inch iron, 18 inches long, the 

hook being 3 inch.es long.

The bolts should be placed in the bed pieces, which are laid over 

the holes for the piers, and the concrete then filled in up to the bed 

pieces and allowed to. set before any work is done on the rods or bolts. 

This ;part of the pier should be left rough, and in addition a few spikes
12 EQUIPMENT FOE CTJBRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

should be stuck into the concrete to insure a bond when the top of the 

pier is finished, in accordance with the drawings, after the gage rod 

is in place. When the concrete is hard the nuts should be screwed 

down and the gage put in place with screws, breaking joints with the 

bed pieces.

The proper foot marks and subdivisions to indicate the water stage 

should be located on the rod by means of an engineer's level and 

should be referred to the station bench mark. Feet of elevation along 

the rod should be divided into tenths and quarter-tenths and marked 

by barrel-hoop staples,- 1J inches long for the foot marks, 1 inch long 

for the tenth marks, and one-half inch long for the quarter-tenth 

marks, or by brass-headed tacks. Pattern numbers should be used 

to indicate the proper marking of the foot and tenth marks. The 

entire length of the gage may be subdivided into quarter-tenths, or 

only that part of it which is required to be so divided by the table of 

limits for the station.

The piers may be'built of 1-3-5 concrete, without forms, and should 

be circular in cross section. Type A or type B may be used, the type 

selected depending on the nature of the soil. The material required 

for each installation is shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3. Bill of material for inclined gage on concrete piers.

Item 1. One bed piece 4 by 6 inches by 12 feet for each, section.

2. One gage-rod piece 1 by 4 inches by 12 feet for each section.

3. One piece f-inch iron, 18 inches long, threaded one end, 3-inch hook on 

other end, for each pier.

4. One f-inch flat washer for each pier.

5. One f-inch nut for each pier.

6. Six 2-inch No. 12 wood screws, round head, brass, for each gage-rod section.

7. numbers for foot marks.

8. screws for each number.

9. barrel-hoop staples 1J inches long.

10. barrel-hoop staples 1 inch long.

11. barrel-hoop staples J inch long.

12. cubic yards concrete for piers.

13. carbolineum for timber.

GAGE ATTACHED TO TIMBER POSTS.

The method to be followed in constructing gages on timber posts 

is similar to that described for gages on concrete piers, the bed pieces 

being carried as shown in the drawing for timber anchorage for slope 

gages.

The supports should be bolted to the sills and the frame, then 

placed in the trenches at the proper distances. The bed pieces should 

then be bolted to the 2 by 4 inch supports, as shown in the drawing, 

after which the backfill should be thoroughly tamped into place. If 

desired, a J-inch bolt may be placed in each side parallel to the bed 

pieces through the upper end of the 2 by 4 inch supports. The material required is listed in Table 4.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE III

PROFILE Of BANK $ff OWING 

SLOPE GAGE ON CONCRETE PIERS 

. -@e<fpiece d be ffus'h iv/th surface of ground 

Piers to extend be/otv frost: /me

Si//s +'x6~-JS£ si

METHOD Of INSTALLING SLOPE GAGE 

ON SHIFTING CHANNELS

Mark sttbdirtsfons with barrel hoop staples ever

_i _J^ Side slope of piers

_ -A depends on ktnd of ground,

\ \

Pters spaced n'-o^ C-C slope rpeaaurement

DETAIL OF SLOPE, GAGE CONCRETE ANCHORAGES 

Sect/on on center line

. 

LlJ 3'0"

TIMBER ANCflORAQf FOR SLOPE. GAGE

PLANS FOR INCLINED STAFF OR SLOPE GAGE.

Bill of material given in Tables 3 and 4, pages 12 and 13.
RECORDING GAGES. 13

TABLE 4. Bill of material for inclined gage on timber posts.

Item 1. One bed piece 4 by 6 inches by 12 feet for each section.

2. Gage-rod piece 1 by 4 inches by 12 feet for each section.

3. Four bolts \ by 14\ inches, with washers and nuts, for each section.

4. Four bolts J by 10J inches, with washers and nuts, for each section. 

J>. Six 2-inch No. 12 wood screws, round head, brass, for each section.

6. numbers for foot marks.

7. screws for numbers.

&. barrel-hoop staples 1^ inches long.

9. barrel-hoop staples 1 inch long.

10. barrel-hoop staples \ inch long.

11. Four pieces 2 by 4 inches by distance below frost for each section.

12. One sill 4 by 6 inches by 3 feet for each section.

13. Carbolineum for timber.

NOTE. The plan shows the support for the intermediate joints. At the extreme 

end of the gage, whether one or more sections are used, only one set of 2 by 4 inch 

uprights are necessary, and the bolts that fasten these to the sills are £ by 10J inches 

that is, 4 inches shorter than for the intermediate section. One more sill than the 

number of sections is required.

If the gage is to be installed where the stream channel is subject 

to material change in cross section the inclined gage on timber posts 

may be used, but the construction should be modified as shown in 

Plate III, illustrating the method of installing slope gage on shifting 

channels. Each section of the gage should be an independent unit, 

so that the minimum of reconstruction will be necessary jf the gage 

is washed out. Two instead of four 2 by 4 inch uprights should be 

attached to each sill, and two sills instead of one should be provided 

for each intermediate gage section. The only change from Table 3 in 

the list of material required is the addition of an extra sill for each 

intermediate section.

RECORDING GAGES.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF INSTALLATION.

The essential parts of the recording gage are: (1) A float which 

rises and falls with the surface of the water; (2) a device for transferring the vertical motion of the float to the record, either directly 

or through a reducing mechanism; (3) the recording device; and (4) 

the clock. Plate IV shows types of automatic gages.

A properly installed automatic gage will give a record whose accuracy depends solely on the refinement of the instrument, but results 

from the best of gages will be impaired by improper installation. 

Much care in installation is therefore essential, and if the gage is to 

record stream heights during the winter and at flood stages it must 

be protected from freezing and from floating ice and de'bris.

In installing an automatic gage it is necessary to provide (1) a well 

for the float and an intake pipe to connect the well with the river;
14 EQUIPMENT FOE CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

(2) a house to shelter the gage; and (3) staff or hook gages referred 

to permanent bench marks for use in checking the record and maintaining the datum.

In the ideal installation, illustrated in Plate V, A, the well and the 

house are far enough back from the river to be out of danger from 

floating ice or drift and to prevent freezing of well and pipes; a 

permanent ladder extending to the bottom of the well affords readymeans of inspecting the float and intake pipe; the well is lined with 

concrete or heavy plank; the intake pipe is well below the lowest stage 

of the river and is provided with a screen for keeping out fish and 

foreign material, and where the intake pipe enters the well a valve 

is provided, so that the flow can be reduced if necessary to eliminate 

wave action; and ventilators from the well and in the gable of the roof 

keep house and well free from moisture. One nonrecording gage, 

of the type best suited to the locality, is placed in the river, on a 

solid foundation in the same cross section of the river as the intake 

pipe, and another, preferably a hook gage, is placed in the float well 

to aid in setting and checking the recording gage and, by comparison 

with the river gage, to indicate any interruption in the free communication with the river. The river gage may be dispensed with 

by using a reference point by means of which the elevation of the 

water surface can easily be determined.

Under ordinary circumstances a single intake pipe is sufficient; 

but where there is a possibility of a single intake being buried a 

series of pipes, one above the other, may be installed within the range 

of high and low water. On certain streams carrying silt in large 

quantities it has been found necessary to eliminate the intake pipe, 

the water entering the well as shown in Plate V, B, and natural 

cover protecting the well in the manner illustrated.

WELL AND INTAKE. 

MATERIALS AND DIMENSIONS.

The well is essentially a stilling box for the float, and it is so connected with the river by an intake pipe that the height of water in 

the well fluctuates with the stage of the river. The well box must 

be large enough to accommodate the float, the driving and counter 

weights, and the hook or staff gage and to permit them to be inspected 

readily. A well that extends underground more than 8 feet should 

have an inside cross section of at least 12 square feet in the clear. 

Inside dimensions of 2 £ by 6 feet or 3 by 4 feet have generally been 

used and have been found satisfactory. A smaller cross section, 

however, will serve if the well box is shallow or if it is attached to 

the side of a cliff (PI. V, B), when several entrances between high 

and low water should be provided.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE IV

A. STEVENS. B. GURLEY.

TYPICAL AUTOMATIC RECORDING GAGES.

C. FRIEZ.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

flPB^^tfi***-

A. TYPICAL GAGING STATION, WITH AUTOMATIC GAGE.

B. WELL WITH NO INTAKE AND WITH SHELTER OF BOX TYPE. 

Agua Fria River at Glendale, Ariz.
RECORDING GAGES. 15

The material suitable for lining the wells includes timber (usually 

treated with a wood preservative), brick, vitrified-tile pipe, concrete, 

plain or reinforced in mass, concrete rings, stone, cast-iron pipe, and 

galvanized wrought-iron culvert pipe. The general choice of the 

material to be used at any station depends on the probable length 

of the useful life of the station, more durable material being required 

at stations of expected long usefulness. The specific choice will, 

depend on the accessibility of the station and the availability of 

labor and material.

To fulfill its purpose of providing a free-connection between the 

stream and the well, the intake should be placed in such position on 

the stream bed that it will always be covered by water.

For the ordinary station galvanized wrought-iron pipe makes the 

best intake and under usual conditions will last 10 or 15 years. For 

stations to be maintained permanently cast-iron pipe, which may be 

expected to last 40 or 50 years, makes the most durable and substantial intake. Two, three, or four inch pipe has been used, but 4-inch 

pipe is preferable for ordinary conditions; for heavy silting streams 

10 or 12 inch corrugated iron pipe has been found advantageous. 

Intakes could also be built of vitrified tile, of spiral-riveted corrugated wrought-iron, or of universal or steel-banded wooden pipe.

If cast-iron intake pipe is used, the joints, which are under no great 

pressure, may be made tight by casting a strip of lead a quarter of an 

inch thick, an inch wide, and equal in length to the circumference 

of the pipe, and then driving it home cold with a calking tool. Intakes laid under water also may be sufficiently well calked by this 

method.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION.

TIMBER-LINED WELLS.

Excavations for well and intake are commonly made in one operation by the open-trench method, the material being dug out in 

benches and shoveled into wheelbarrows, which are then run out 

toward the stream and dumped. Shoring is put in wherever there 

is any possibility of caving, and as the excavation approaches the 

water surfac.e the stream is kept out of the trench by a plank cut-off 

put at the river end, supplemented, if necessary, by sand bags and 

clay. The excavation must be carried down below lowest water, so 

that the intake will always be submerged. The well having been 

dug, the bottom should be leveled and prepared to receive the floor 

of the well box.

Plans for a timber well box, 2£ by 5 feet inside dimension, are 

shown in Plate VI. Its longest cross-sectional dimension should be 

placed in the direction of the intake pipe. The side's are built of 

planks (Tl T2 T3, PI. VI) at least 2 inches thick; spiked to the
16 EQUIPMENT FOE CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

frames W and V. The bottom X is of similar material. The top 

of the well lining should be tied in by the collars F J. The pieces 

F J N should be set level and flush with the top of the lining at the 

elevation of the bottom of the floor, which should be a few inches 

above the ground surface to facilitate drainage. The piece F should 

be placed across the end of the well just below the pieces J. The 

2 by 6 inch supports should be spiked or bolted below the pieces F, 

but along the sides of the well. The pieces mentioned, together with 

the sills G, placed on top of and at the ends of F, carry the shelter, 

which is bolted to them: It is essential that the floor of the building 

carrying the gage table should be rigidly attached to the well lining.

A ladder with side pieces of 2 by 4 inch material (82) and 2 by 4 

inch rungs ($3) should be spiked to the inside of the lining and 

arranged as shown, to give easy access to the hook gage and bottom 

of the well. The hook gage should be placed on the bed piece U, so 

as to be in the light entering the well from the trapdoor.

The timber used in the well should be treated with a preservative. 

A list of material for this timber well is given in Table 5.

TABLE 5. Bill of material for standard timber well box,

[Lettered items refer to Plate VI.]

LUMBER, ROUGH.

Item 1. Four pieces 2 by 4 inches by 14 feet (36 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Two pieces F, sills, 5 feet long. 

'Two pieces G, sills, 6 feet long. 

Two pieces N, top frame inside, 2 feet long. 

Two pieces Nl, top frame inside, 5 feet long. 

Two pieces /, top collar outside, 6 feet long.

2. Four pieces 2 by 6 inches by 12 feet (48 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Two pieces S, supports, 6 feet long. 

Six pieces X, floor of well.

3. Six pieces 2 by 6 inches by 10 feet (60 feet b. m.), from which cut floor boards 

and trapdoor.

4. Twenty-six pieces 2 by 6 inches by depth of well, being 

Twenty pieces 21, sides. 

Six pieces T2, ends.

5. Four pieces T3, ends, 2 by 8 inches by depth of well.

6. pieces 4 by 4 inches by 14 feet, from which cut 

 pieces V, braces, 5 feet long.

 pieces W, braces, 2 feet long.

7. pieces 2 by 4 inches by depth of well, from which cut 

 pieces 82, ladder poles.

 pieces $3, ladder rungs.

NOTE. The cutting scheme shown in the table should be followed carefully. It 

is customary in .construction work in the field to make a reasonable increase in bills 

of lumber to allo.w for cuts, undersized pieces, and mistakes.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE VI

-SV'-

2'plank

^i

S'O"

»

Q&J

,X Z'plank

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

PLANS FOR TIMBER WELL

ja

~1.

- >'

C 'i

i r, i r, rrTT

N 2"x

*

Uz

W

N Z

1 T, I T, \T, I 7>

TOP V/EW OF WELL PART SIDE ELEVATION

When sectional wooden shelter is used on 

concrete well, place anchor bolts in positions 

shown in top view

Silt of portable house >

PART FRONT ELEVATION

'___!_ .i ' _ I

be:

Q*'"ff

I i

LLJ.L______J_ Jj

j___r t

Door

Hinge

Hinge

FLOOR PLAN 

ADJUSTMENT OF PORTABLE SHELTER TO STANDARD WELL

PLANS OF STANDARD TIMBER WELL BOX.

Bill of material given In Table 5, page 16,
EECOEDING GAGES. 17

4"*4"Co/?M£/? rosrs C

HARDWARE.

Item 8. Hinges and lifting ring for trap door.

9. pounds 4|-in.ch wire nails (30d.).

10. pounds 4-inch wire nails (20d.).

11. Intake pipe, anchor, etc.

12. One standard gage table (Table 15, p. 38).

13. One standard hook-gage outfit (Table 1, p. 9).

The floor of the timber well box is placed in position first, with the 

lower braces V W nailed to it, either before or after the floor is put in 

place. Then the sides, which have been built in separate sections, 

spiked to the proper cross braces, with the opening for the intake 

pipe ready, are lowered into their proper positions and all are fastened 

together. The outside joints of all timber well boxes should be battened to prevent silting. 

To keep out very fine 

silt it is desirable to 

place battens inside as A 

well as outside.

In some places it is 

advantageous to have 

the well box built and 

treated with preservative at a carpenter shop 

and then hauled to the 

work, although shallow 

well boxes may be built 

on the bank and then 

lowered into the excavation in one piece. In 

lowering the well box a 

set of temporary shear 

legs, rigged with a 

tackle, should be used.

If the ground contains no bowlders, a timber well box maybe built 

by the well-known open-crib foundation process. By this process 

the sides of the well are built in sections about 6 feet long and securely 

fastened together. A hole 2 or 3 feet deep is dug at the site selected 

and a section of the well lining is placed vertically in the hole. The 

material is then excavated from within the well, the lining sinking 

and new sections being added as the excavation progresses. Care 

must be taken to keep the structure plumb. This method obviates 

the necessity of shoring. The floor is placed at the proper depth, 

and the intake is built by the open-trench method.

A successful method of putting down a well box and at the same 

tune providing adequate shoring is illustrated in figure 3. The excavation is started in the ordinary manner and the corner posts A are 

97886° WSP 371 15 2

G+m\

FIGURE 3. Method of sinking and shoring a well.
18 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

driven in such a relation to each other that the sheathing pieces S 

will form the lining of the completed well box. One end of eaeh piece 

B abuts against post A, and is toenailed; the other end rests on the 

opposite post A, and is spiked to it. As the excavation progresses 

sheathing is added at the bottom until the well is of the desired 

depth, when corner pieces 0 are inserted to finish the well box. If 

more than one section is required to attain the requisite depth, 'the

ELEVATIONS

FIGURE <. Method of sinking and shoring a well.

dimensions of the lower section should first be decided upon, and 

those of each upper section adjusted so as to encompass the section 

immediately below.

Another feasible method of constructing a timber well in earth, 

especially in places where it may be desirable to tunnel between the 

well and the stream, is shown in figure 4. By this method the shoring 

is applied section by section at the bottom of the well as the excava-
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

^l. WELL IN A ROCK BANK. 

Green River at Bridgeport, Utah.

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE VII

B. CALIFORNIA TYPE OF SHELTER. 

San Dieguito River at Bernardo, Cal.
BECOBDING GAGES. 19

tion proceeds. The sections used are built of four pieces of plank 

sawed according to templets in the manner shown (fig. 4). The 

manner of placing three sides of the planks is evident; the fourth 

plank is placed by deepening the excavation by the width of half a 

plank and swinging the plank outward and then upward from below. 

The sections are held in place by the earth pressure, and the excavation at any stage need never be more than the width of half a plank 

ahead of the timbering. The vertical alignment is preserved by 

using a carpenter's level or a plumb bob. The well may be finished 

by spiking fast corner posts and putting in the middle braces and 

the usual ladder.

A successful method of constructing a well in a rock bank is shown 

in Plate VII, A.

ANCHORAGE FOR INTAKE PIPE.

In rivers carrying ice, logs, or drift the river end of the intake 

should be securely fastened to an anchorage to prevent its displacement. Deposits may be avoided by so shaping the anchorage that 

it will not decrease the velocity of the passing water.

This opening 

capped

FIGTJKE 5. Method of keeping intake clean.

The anchorage may be constructed at times of low water by depositing concrete under water in a simple box form on the stream bottom. 

No current should be allowed to flow through the form. It may be 

an advantage to incase quick-setting concrete in paper bags to prevent the cement from washing away.

Where it is necessary to use a cofferdam to install the anchorage 

the work should be done at favorable stages of the stream and 

completed as rapidly as possible, precautions being taken against 

a sudden rise. It is usually economical to provide a power pump 

at the beginning for removing the water from the cofferdam during 

construction.

In streams carrying silt, drift, or manufacturing wastes the end of 

the intake may be made to a certain extent self-cleansing by the 

method indicated in figures 5 and 6. If the pipe becomes clogged it 

may be cleaned by means of jointed rods pushed through from the 

weU end, or by a chain drawn back and forth, or by a water jet. The
20 EQUIPMENT FOE CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

river end of the intake pipe should be fitted with a T or cross over 

the anchorage, as shown in Plate V, A (p. 15), and in Plate VIII, and 

with a screen to prevent the entry of fish, and the well end should have 

a jvaJve or other means of closing the intake.

o 

PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE WELLS.

Plain concrete is suitable for wells of moderate depth set well back 

in the bank. The plan on Plate VIII brings the length of the house 

along the line of the trench for the intake pipe, the width of the house 

being such that it can be built in practically the width of the trench. 

This design also allows room for the use of rods for cleaning the intake.

The well should be built to the surface of the ground to furnish a 

foundation for the shelter. The walls of the well should be of a

FIGUKE 6. Method of keeping intake clean.

proper thickness for the depth, due consideration being given to the 

nature of the material passed through. Three feet from the top of the 

well the sides should be corbeled out to the dimensions shown on the 

plan. In localities where the ground freezes to a great depth it may 

be advisable to begin corbeling at a greater distance below the frost 

line. If used with a standard timber shelter, the well should be 

finished to the dimensions shown in Plate IX, top view of well, and 

the necessary anchor bolts set as indicated.

To construct the plain-concrete well use the material specified in 

Table 6.

TABLE 6. Bill of material for plain-concrete well supporting a standard timber shelter. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate VIII.]

Item 1. 2.7 cubic yards 1-2-4 concrete for upper 3 feet of well, requiring 

17 bags cement. 

H yards sand. 

2% yards stone.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE VIII

LONGITUDINAL SECTION OM CENTER LINE

fSJ

TRANSVERSE SECTION ON CENTER LINE 

PT

4 cast-iron pipe ct /

vertical edges of house jQl

Window \!/03 Qg

' ' Top of concrete well 6'3 outside____ 

FLOOR PLAN

INTAKE PIPE AND ANCHOR INTAKE ANCHOR

PLANS OF PLAIN-CONCRETE HOUSE AND WELL; SECTIONS AND DETAILS OF INTAKE ANCHORAGE.

Bill of material given in Tables 6, 13, and IS, pages 20, 33, and 38.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE IX

-C4 

U>lL i TV-4 J-L1 1

1 1 J >l _i

-s'a'

TRANSVERSE SECTION LONGITUDINAL SECT I ON

2O*

Z'O

FRONT ELEVAT/ON

BarCz 

BarCa 

BarC*

S/DE ELEVATION

T

6'6' 6'6'

r

53

1

Trap 

door

2 ',5 /:

J

VT--

T ~$)~

f:

tr*-

FLOOR PLAN

9 6-inch s/y&ces- 6'0'

r:

\

ir

\

_i

FOOTING PLAN

7'/0 

I I \ I

 6 bars 87-

ROOF PLAN

I I

-PV

11

r~

i

1

"""l

1

1 

1

1

1

L

+ +

When standard timber shelter

is used, finish top of corbel to

these dimensions. Omit bars

Be and place Jt-inch anchor 

bolts at points ind .ated

Bolts to stand 3 inches

above concrete

+ +

+

+

WITH 

STANDARD TIMBER SHELTER

PLANS OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE WELL AND SHELTER.

Bill of material given in Table 7, page 21, and Table 16, page 40.
KECORDIlsrG GAGES. 21

Item 2. 0.6 cubic yard (approximately) of 1-2-4 concrete in walls of well for each 

foot of depth below the first 3 feet. Each cubic yard requires 

6.4 bags cement. 

0.45 yard sand. 

0.90 yard stone.

3. 1.2 cubic yards 1-3-6 concrete in footing, requiring 

6 bags cement. 

5| yards sand. 

11J yards stone.

4. square feet of wire reinforcement for reinforcing floor.

5. Two pieces light rail C, for door rest, each 3J feet long.

6. One lifting ring U, for trap door, with screws.

7. One pair 6-inch strap hinges H, with 4-inch stove bolts for all holes.

8. pieces R, 1-inch iron 3 feet long, for steps, inner edge to set 3 inches from 

face of wall.

9. J-inch bolts /with nuts and washers, to hold bed piece to wall.

10. Twelve anchor bolts | by 10 inches, with 1 nut and 1 washer to fasten shelter 

to well.

11. One gallon carbolineum for treating gage rod, table, etc.

12. One piece lumber 2 by 6 inches By 14 feet, for trapdoor T.

13. One standard hook-gage outfit (Table 1, p. 9).

14. One standard shelter (Table 9, p. 26).

15. One standard gage table (Table 15, p. 38).

NOTE. The separate items for the forms may be taken from Table 13 (p. 33).

The reinforced-concrete well shown in plan in Plate IX is suitable 

for use in exposed situations, such as is illustrated in Plate X, A, 

where the sides of the well may have to withstand the impact of 

floating debris. A well of this type may be used also with a standard 

wooden or metal shelter, in which case the top dimension should be 

finished as noted on the plan, the necessary anchor bolts being set 

as indicated.

Under some conditions it may be necessary to provide ventilators 

for the well, hinges and lifting ring for the trapdoor, intake and valve, 

a gage table, and a standard hook-gage outfit.

In the construction of the reinforced-concrete well use the items 

specified in Table 7.

TABLE 7. Bill of material for reinforced-concrete well with timber or metal shelter. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate IX.]

Item 1. Three cubic yards 1-2-4 concrete in corbel and footing.

2. Twenty-four cubic feet of 1-2-4 concrete per foot of well between bottom of

corbel and top of footing.

(The quantity of cement, sand, and stone per yard of concrete is given in 

item 2 of Table 6, p. 20.)

3. Twelve anchor bolts \ by 10 inches with one nut and one washer, to fasten 

shelter to well. (See PI. IX.)

4. f-inch hook bolts with nuts and one washer each to fasten staff gages 

to well.

5. One trapdoor of wood or sheet iron.

6. Lifting ring and hinges for trapdoor. (See Table 13, p. 33.)
22 EQUIPMENT FOB CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

Item 7. One standard hook-gage outfit (Table 1, p. 9).

8. Intake and valve. (For items see Table 13, p. 33.)

9. One standard gage table (Table 15, p. 38).

10. Carbolineum or other wood preservative for treating gages and gage table.

11. Necessary ventilators.

STEEL REINFORCEMENT.

Item 1. Curved bars Cl, in footing.

2. Ties C2 and C3, around corbel.

3. Ties C4, around well.

4. Bent bars Bl, in footing.

5. Bent bars B2, in footing.

6. Bent bars 53, in corbel.

7. Bent bars B4, in footing.

8. Bent bars B5, steps in well.

9. Straight bars £1 and £2, in footing.

10. Straight bars S8, in walls of well.

NOTE. The separate items for the forms may be taken from Table 16 (p. 40).

Neither plain nor reinforced concrete should be used if the waters 

of the stream are polluted by mining or industrial wastes that would 

cause it to disintegrate. It is highly essential that the sand and 

gravel entering into the concrete be clean.

CONCRETE COMBINATION WELL AND SHELTER.

A concrete well adapted to use on streams characterized by low 

banks and fluctuating little in stage is shown in Plate X, B, and in 

plan in Plate XI. In the upper part of the well, which is carried 

above the surface of the ground about 3 feet, a gage table 12 inches 

wide is placed. This table is supported at each end by a 2 by 4 inch 

batten, to which it is securely fastened. The batten should be bolted 

to the wall of the well. The opening in front of the gage table is 

covered by a trapdoor C, which serves as an extension to the table, 

useful in the adjustment of the gage. The cover of the well is made of 

No. 10 steel plate, so arranged that it may be lifted clear of the well, 

and is prevented from sliding by two battens 8, of 2 by 4 inch material riveted to its underside. Two hasps H, also riveted to the cover 

in position to engage corresponding staples placed in the concrete, 

afford a means of locking on the cover. This construction is fire and 

bullet proof an important consideration at some stations. In this 

type of construction ample ventilation must be provided.

TABLE 8. Bill of material for combination concrete well and shelter. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate XL]

Item 1. One piece lumber 2 by 4 inches by 14 feet, from which cut 

Two pieces S, cleats, 3 feet 6 inches long. 

Two pieces D, sills, 3 feet 6 inches long.

2. Two pieces 1 by 6 inches by 12 feet, T. G. & B., from which make shelf JB and 

trapdoor (7.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL 6URVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE X

A. REINFORCED-CONCRETE WELL AND SHELTER. 

American River at Fairoaks, Cal.

JB. CONCRETE WELL AND SHELTER COMBINED. 

Muddy River at Moapa, Nev.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XI

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

&;

B

Trap door \ j |

v&\

m. ~

TOP V/EW

m

P

tf'vi,'.-. 

' ."h"-"-

WELL AND SHELTER PORTER TYPE

SECTIONAL ELEVATION

PLANS OF COMBINATION CONCRETE WELL AND SHELTER.

Bill of material given in Table 8, page 22.
RECORDING GAGES. 23

Item 3. Six machine bolts E, J by 8 inches, with nuts and 2 washers each.

4. Two hasps IT, riveted to iron cover and 2 staples with shield to go into concrete wall.

5. Two United States Geological Survey standard padlocks.

6. pieces 1-inch iron 3 feet long for steps, inner edge to be 3 inches from face 

of wall.

7. One piece No. 10 steel plate R, cover, 4 feet 2 inches by 4 feet 8 inches, with 

cleats S riveted to it.

8. Three dozen F. H. wood screws, 2 inches by No. 10, for shelf and trapdoor.

9. The concrete footing contains 14 cubic feet of concrete.

10. The concrete walls contain 7.5 cubic feet per foot depth of well.

11. One or more intake pipes.

12. Standard hook-gage outfit (Table 1, p. 9).

._,__j.__.J Se/f-c/eansingbox I.

FIGURE 7. Automatic gage on Gushing bridge piers.

MISCELLANEOUS DESIGNS.

The use of wells of standard design, described and illustrated in 

the preceding pages, is as a rule desirable, but a number of other 

types have been designed to take advantage of local conditions. 

Among these types is the well shown in Plate XII, A, and figure 7. 

This well is made of spiral riveted pipe fastened by steel straps to the 

web that joins two Gushing cylinders of a bridge pier. From the
24 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

top of the well, which is above extreme high water, a smaller protecting tube for the float tape extends to the hanging platform on which 

the gage is placed. In installing work of this kind a chain drill is 

almost a necessity.

In some places cast concrete rings or pipe sections (PL XII, B}, 

corrugated iron pipe (PL XVII, B, p. 31), and wood-stave pipe have 

been used for wells.

PROTECTION FROM FREEZING.

In northern latitudes special precaution must be exercised to guard 

against the possible interruption of the record by freezing of the 

water in the well. In selecting one of the several methods available to prevent freezing, first 

cost and probable cost of operation must be considered. 

The most effective protection 

against o freezing ois obtained

by placing the well back in 

the bank and so building the 

well box that the water surface in the well is at least 

2 feet below the frost line. 

This method is usually expensive. Where such construction does not seem advisable freezing may be 

prevented by applying an 

oil cover, using oil to a depth 

equal to the probable maximum thickness of ice, plus 2 

feet. A device for reducing

quantity Qf oil reqUired 8.-Oil pipe for float, to prevent freezing.

is shown in figure 8. An exposed well may be protected from 

freezing by building a jacket around it 8 feet above the water 

surface, leaving between the well box and the jacket a space of 2 

feet, which is filled with manure, leaves, or some similar material. 

Where no other method seems feasible the well may be heated. 

At stations near a suitable electric circuit a 100- watt carbon light 

may be burned continuously in the well. An oil heater that may 

be used for heating the well is prepared by soldering near the top of 

a 14-quart iron kettle a circular tin plate into which is also soldered 

a lamp burner, on which a tin or mica chimney is used (fig. 9). 

The oil chamber holds 2 gallons, sufficient for three days' burning. 

The kettle heater is counterweighted, so that it will rise and fall 

with the water in the well. In extremely cold weather more than 

one such heater may be required.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 871 PLATE XII

A. GAGES ON WEB OF GUSHING BRIDGE PIERS. 

Chippewa River at Chippewa Falls, Wis.

B. CAST CONCRETE RINGS.
BECOBDING GAGES. 25

SHELTERS.

TYPES AVAILABLE.

- Wire or chain over polity 

and counterweighted

The type of shelter to be used at any station is determined by 

considering the three elements utility, safety, and appearance 

the weight given to each varying with the location of the station. 

The types of shelters here illustrated and described are adapted to a 

wide variety of conditions, and each has proved satisfactory in its 

own field.

If a station is to be operated all year round the shelter must be 

large enough to allow the observer to go inside during inclement 

weather and to pass conveniently around the gage table while inspecting and adjusting the gage. Such shelters are shown in Plates 

IX (p. 20), XIII (p. 26), and XIX (p. 34).

In the arid regions, where 

rain is not likely to interfere with the inspection 

and adjustment of the 

gage, especially at stations 

operated during warm 

weather only, shelters of 

the types shown in Plates 

XV and XVI, B (pp. 28, 30) 

have proved satisfactory. 

These shelters may be 

used on any of the stand- BK^f 

ard wells. The combination shelter and^ well 

shown in Plate XIV 

(p. 28) should be used only 

on shaUow wells (PL VII, 

B, p. 18).

SECTIONAL WOODEN SHELTERS.

The shelter shown in Plate XIII and Plate XVI, A, is built in five 

sections, one roof section and four side sections, not too large to be 

carried on a wagon. The siding may be of car-siding, of tongued-andgrooved or of ship-lap lumber, with or without clapboards or shingles. 

If additional protection is'required, the interior may be ceiled. The 

corner posts A and B, the sills O and D, and the plates P2, together 

with the other posts and braces, are cut and spiked together, as shown 

in detail on the drawing. The siding is nailed to the separate frames, 

which are then bolted together, as indicated. The roof boards are 

nailed to the rafters in the proper position and are covered with 

roofing paper. The roof is then lifted into place and bolted to the 

side walls. The shelter is bolted to the top of the well, as shown in

 Sheet iron sofderedSn

/4-guart iron kettle

FIGURE 9. Floating oil heater, to prevent freezing.
26 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

Plate XIII or Plate XXIV, B (p. 40). Windows may be placed, one 

on each side and one in the rear of the building. Stock sashes with 

six lights of 8 by 10 inch glass are placed on the frames E and are 

held in place by cupboard buttons, screwed to the frames J. The 

sashes are flush with the inside faces of the frames E and J. Each 

window is protected by a wooden shutter, which is fastened on the 

inside by a screw hook and eye. A door, provided with hasp, staple, 

and lock, should be made to suit the style of shelter. For a wooden 

shelter ceiled inside and with siding outside, a standard door and 

frame, as shown on the plans for concrete shelter, may be used.

The floor should be of 2-inch plank securely spiked to the sills. In 

constructing the trapdoor through which entrance is had to the well, 

ample allowance should be made for swelling, say an inch each side 

and at the end. The bed piece for the hook gage should be fastened 

to the frame of the well and to a horizontal piece of 2 by 6 inch material 5 feet long, fastened to the top of the frames E, To the bed piece 

standard lugs should be attached on each side of the hook-gage rod, 

spaced about 3 feet apart. Opposite the standard scale a sash latch 

should be provided to hold the gage at any desired position.

Where the change of stage is considerable it may be necessary to 

allow the hook gage to pass through the roof by using a small trapdoor 

or the same device as for concrete shelters.

The shelters should be kept well painted or should be treated with 

carbolineum. A bill of material and cutting scheme for timber shelters is given in Table 9.

TABLE 9. Bill of material for standard wooden shelter. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate XIII.] .

Item 1. Four pieces 2 by 4 inches by 12 feet (32 feet b. m.), S 4 S, from which cut 

Two pieces A2, posts, 5 feet 10 inches long. 

Two pieces B2, posts, 5 feet 10 inches long. 

Two pieces C, sills, 5 feet 4 inches long. 

One piece-M, lintel, 2 feet 6 inches long. 

Four pieces Pi, braces, 1 foot long. 

One piece R5, rafter, 2 by 3 inches by 5 feet long.

2. Twelve pieces 2 by 4 inches by 10 feet (80 feet b. m.), S 4 S, from which cut 

Two pieces Al, sills, 7 feet long. 

Two pieces 51, sills, 7 feet long. 

Two pieces D, sills, 5 feet long. 

Four pieces E, sills, 5 feet long. 

Two pieces G, door jambs, 7 feet long. 

Six pieces J, window jambs, 2 feet 4 inches long. 

Two pieces P, sills, 4 feet 8 inches long. 

Two pieces P2, plates, 5 feet long. 

Two pieces R3, rafters, 5 feet long.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XIII

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S/DE WALLS fffQNT AND REAR S£~C TIONAL PLAN

PLANS OF STANDARD WOODEN SHELTER.

Bill of material given in Table 9, page 26.
RECORDING GAGES. 27

Item 3. Four pieces 1 by 4 inches by 12 feet (16 feet b. m.), S 4 S, from which cut 

Two pieces VI, battens, 5 feet 2 inches long. 

Two pieces F2, battens, 6 feet 4 inches long. 

 battens on window shutters.

4. 1-inch boards for roof to be 7 feet long and sufficient in number to cover 6 

feet of width (42 square feet net).

5. Boards on each side to cover 6 feet 2 inches of width and to be of proper height 

(87 square feet net). '

6. Boards on rear 6 feet 4 inches long, to cover a length of 5 feet 0 inches (32 

square feet net).

7. Boards on front 7 feet 7 inches long, to cover 5 feet of width less doorway 

when stock door is used (34 square feet net).

8. Three window sashes Ft each with 6 lights, 8 by 10 glass.

9. One stock door, 2 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 6 inches, with dead lock and hinges 

ready to hang.

NOTE. The cutting scheme should be followed carefully. It is customary in construction work in the field to make a reasonable increase in bills of lumber to allow 

for cuts, undersized pieces, and mistakes.

HARDWARE.

Item 10. Three pairs 6-inch T hinges H.

11. One pair 10-inch T hinges HI.

12. Six door buttons, 2 inches, to secure window sashes (Sargent & Co., No. 10).

13. Four carriage bolts f by 4J inches, Z\, with one washer each.

14. Eight carriage bolts f by 7 inches, Z2, with one washer each.

15. One safety hasp with staples and screws.

16. One United States Geological Survey padlock.

17. Five pounds 20d. (4-inch) nails.

18. Ten pounds 8d. (2J-inch) nails.

19. One-half gross No. 10, IJ-inch F. H. bright wood screws to fasten battens to 

window shutters.

20. Four screw hooks and eyes for window shutters and door.

21. waterproof roofing to cover 42 square feet net.

22. Four pounds No. 8 large-head barbed roofing nails.

23. Two gallons gray mixed paint.

CALIFORNIA. SHELTER.

This type of wooden shelter (PI. VII, B, p. 18) is only large enough 

to contain the gage. Because of its low cost it is adapted to use on 

small streams and canals or for temporary purposes. When so used 

it may be mounted on the special well shown in Plate XIV if the 

well is shallow. The shelter consists of a base 0, of 2-inch material, 

across which is laid a smooth floor, 1 inch thick, of tongued-andgrooved material. The sides A and the back B closely surround this 

floor and rise above it to the dimensions shown on the drawing. 

The sides and back are securely nailed to each other and to the floor 

F, as well as to the corner posts and battens D and E. The roof R 

is hinged at the back, and the front is also fastened by hinges to the 

roof, the shelter being opened as shown on the drawing. The roof of 

this shelter is ordinarily covered with No. 24-gage galvanized iron. 

The structure should be kept well painted. A bill of material is 

given in Table 10.
28 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

TABLE 10. Bill of material for California-type well and shelter. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate XIV.]

Item 1. Sixpiecealby6incheabyl4feet(42feetb.m.),T.G.& S., from which cut 

Six pieces F, gage table, 2 feet 2 inches long. 

Six pieces G, well cover, 3 feet 4 inches long. 

One pie«e J, batten, 1 by 2 inches by 3 feet 2 inches long. 

One piece Jl, batten, 1 by 2 inches by 3 feet 4 inches long. 

Two pieces L, battens, 1 by 2 inches by 2 feet 4 inches long. 

Two pieces M, battens, 1 by 3 inches by 1 foot 4 inches long. 

One piece Ml, batten, 1 by 3 inches by 3 feet long. 

Two pieces N, battens, 1 by 3 inches by 2 feet 6 inches long. 

Six pieces R, roof sheathing, 3 feet 6 inches long.

2. Four pieces 1 by 8 inches by 12 feet (32 feet b. m.), T. G. & S., from which 

cut 

Six pieces A, sides of shelter, 2 feet 4 inches long. 

Six pieces B, back and front of shelter, 2 feet 8 inches long. 

Two pieces C, battens, 1 by 4 inches by 1 foot 5 inches long. 

Two pieces E, corner braces, 1 by 4 inches by 1 foot 8 inches long. 

Two pieces K, battens, 1 by 4 inches by 1 foot 10 inches long. 

Three pieces S, door to well, 2 feet 2 inches long.

3. One piece 2 by 4 inches by 2 feet, S 4 S, from which cut 2 pieces D, corner 

braces, 2 by 2 inches by 2 feet long.

4. pieces 0, well frame, 2 by 4 inches by 2 feet long.

5.- Two pieces PI, well frame, 2 by 4 inches by 2 feet 6 inches.

6. pieces P, well frame, 2 by 4 inches by 2 feet 4 inches.

7. Two pieces Q, door battens, 1 by 4 inches by 1 foot 11 inches.

8. Four pieces Tl, side of well, 2 by 6 inches by depth from surface of ground 

to bottom of well plus 6 inches.

9. Four pieces T2, side of well, 2 by 6 inches by depth from surface of ground 

to bottom of well plus 3 feet.

10. Twelve pieces U, back and front of well, 2 by 6 inches by depth from surface 

of ground to bottom of well plus 3 feet.

11. Six pieces V, bottom of well, 2 by 6 inches by 2 feet'4 inches.

12. pieces X, ladder rounds, 1 by 4 inches by 2 feet.

13. Two pieces Y, ladder poles, 2 by 4 inches by depth of well.

14. One piece Z, batten, 2 by 4 inches by 2 feet 4 inches S 4 S.

HARDWARE.

Item 15. One pair 3-inch butt hinges H, with screws.

16. One pair 5-inch T hinges U3, with screws.

17. One safety hasp, 6 inches, Hi, with screws.

18. One safety hasp, 6 inches, H2, with screws.

19. One pair strap hinges, 6 inches, T, with screws.

20. Two pounds 4J-inch wire nails (30d.).

21. Eight pounds 4-inch wire nails (20d.).

22. Five pounds 2J-inch-wire nails (8d.).

23. Two pounds 2-inch wire nails (6d.).

24. gray mixed paint.

25. One sheet No. 24 galvanized iron, 36 inches by 45 inches, to cover roof.

26. Intake pipe, fittings, anchor, etc., aa required.

NOTE. This bill of material is based on special well shown in Plate XIV. The 

cutting scheme shown above should be followed carefully. It is customary in construction work in the field to make a reasonable increase in bills of lumber to allow 

for cuts, undersized pieces, and mistakes.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XIV

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PLANS OF CALIFORNIA SHELTER.

Bill of material given in Table 10, page 28.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XV

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END ELEVATION

PLANS OF WOODEN-BOX SHELTER.

Bill of material given in Table 11, page 29.
EECOEDING GAGES. 29 

BOX SHELTER.

A very simple and inexpensive shelter is shown in Plate XV. 

This type has been found useful in the arid regions in situations 

similar to those shown in Plate V, B (p. 15).

The shelter is made of 2-inch material, the sides A being dovetailed 

into the back and front B, the corners being bound with galvanized 

sheet iron and the top covered with the same material or roofing 

paper. The box is separated by a tongued-and-grooved joint into 

upper and lower parts, the tongue being on the pieces A2 B2, and 

the groove being on the upper part. The lower part, or base, is 

fastened to the top covering of the well by 2^-inch screws, countersunk into the pieces A2 B2. Hinges H allow the cover to be turned 

back when inspecting the gage. If a gage of unusual dimensions is 

used, care must be taken to adjust the size of the box accordingly.

These shelters are made to best advantage in a woodworking mill. 

The parts may be crated and shipped into the field to be nailed 

together. They should be painted before being shipped. A bill of 

material is given in Table 11.

TABLE 11. Bill of material for box-type shelter. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate XV.]

LUMBER.

Item 1. One piece 1 by 6 inches by 14 feet (7 feet b. m.), T. G. & S., from which 

cut 6 roof boards R, 1 foot 11 inches long.

2. Two pieces 2 by 6 inches by 10 feet (20 feet b. m.), T. G. & S., from which 

cut 

Four pieces Jl, ends, 1 foot 5 inches long. 

Two pieces A2, ends, 2 by 3 inches by 1 foot 5 inches long. 

Two pieces Bl, front, 2 feet 4 inches long. 

Two pieces -B3, back, 2 feet 4 inches long. 

Two pieces B2, front and back, 2 feet 4 inches long.

3. Three pieces lath, C and D, for binding edge of roofing.

4. Covering for roof. May be tar paper or No. 24 galvanized iron 24 by 36 

inches.

HARDWARE.

Item 5. One piece No. 27 galvanized sheet iron, 30 inches wide by 11 inches long, 

from which cut 

Two pieces (?1, 6 inches wide by 11 inches long. 

Two pieces G3, 6 inches wide by 9J inches long. 

Four pieces G2, 2% inches wide by 6 inches long.

6. One pair 3-inch butt hinges H, with screws.

7. One safety hasp L, 6 inches, with screws.

8. One United States Geological Survey standard padlock.

9. Two screw hooks and eyes K.

10. Six wood screws, F. H., bright, S, fastening shelter to deck over well.

11. Two pounds 20d. (4-inch) wire nails.

12. One pound If-inch No. 6 gage wire nails to fasten corner plates.

13. One quart gray mixed paint.

NOTE. The items above do not include the deck over the well.
30 EQUIPMENT FOB CUEBENT-METEB GAGING STATIONS.

PORTABLE SHELTER.

A shelter that has been found useful in preliminary studies with 

automatic gages is shown in Plate XVII, A.

The. structure shown in plan in Plate XVIII consists of four 

standards of f -inch galvanized pipe, which are driven into the bed of 

the stream at a favorable site and to which is clamped the deck D. 

For convenience in transportation the pipe is cut into 2-foot sections, 

which are joined in the field by pipe couplings. The threads on the 

pipe should be cut long enough to permit the ends of the pipe to 

touch within the couplings when screwed up. A cap is placed on 

the top section to serve as a drivehead when the pipe is driven in. 

Wire loops are slipped over the pipe standards to prevent them 

from spreading as they are driven. After the pipes have been 

driven far enough into the stream bed to hold firmly, the deck is 

fitted on the standards, is made level, and is clamped in place. 

Hexagon nuts on the bolts and an S wrench add to the ease with 

which the deck may be set. The holes in the clamps 0 may advantageously be slotted. The slots should be 1 inch long to allow for 

adjustment. 

The deck having been fastened in place, the galvanized side plates 

are next put on. These plates are cut from a stock sheet 36 inches 

wide and 96 inches long. The positions of all the holes should be 

carefully laid out on one plate, which is then drilled with holes just 

large enough to admit the end of the center punch. This plate is then 

retained as a templet, from which all other side plates are duplicated. 

The side plates are kept from bending by wooden stiffeners, % by 1 

inch in cross section and 18 inches long, with round-head stove bolts, 

i by 1 inch, with a washer under the head and next the wood.

The side plates are joined together and fastened to the standards 

by stove bolts, -^ inch by 4 inches, which may be bent readily in a 

vise, around a short piece of f-inch pipe. The heads of the bolts 

are sawed off and the ends threaded with a die (thread 10 by 24) held 

in a clamp that can be used in a bit stock.

For convenience in shipment the side plates, stripped of stiffeners, 

are placed between the sills E; and the deck, with plates, bolts, and 

all tools, are packed in the canvas cover. The pieces of pipe are tied 

together and shipped as a separate parcel.

Stove bolts, wing nuts, and washers should be bought by the box 

and prepared for use by the engineer before he goes into the field.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. STANDARD WOODEN SHELTER. 

Deerfield River at Charlemont, Mass.

E. WOODEN-BOX SHELTER. 

Arroyo Hondo at Santa Fe, N. Mex.

RECORDING GAGES. 31

TABLE 12. Bill of material for portable shelter.

[Lettered items refer to Plate XVIII.]

LUMBER.

Item 1. Two hardwood clamps C, 1 by 2 by 19 inches long.

2. Six pieces hardwood F, J by 3 by 18 inches long, for deck D.

3. Two hardwood sills E, 1 by 2 by 19 inches long.

4. Four wooden stiffeners, £ by 1 by 18 inches long, for each section of plates.

5. Canvas cover of 18-ounce brown duck, 19 by 21 inches, height depending on 

kind of gage used, with holes for hasp staples, the openings protected 

with thin galvanized plates riveted to the canvas.

HARDWARE.

Item 6. sections, each 4 pieces, of |-inch heavy galvanized wrought-iron pipe P.

7. Four couplings, f-inch, galvanized, for each section of pipe.

8. Four caps, f-inch, heavy, galvanized, for top section.

9. Four plates, 13J by 18 inches, of No. 24 galvanized iron, with J-inch holes 

placed as shown on drawing.

10. Two hasp staples H, with screws, for fastening canvas cover.

11. Four carriage bolts A, \ inch by 4^ inches, with one washer and one hex nut.

12. Eight stove bolts, £$ inch by 4 inches, with 16 washers J-inch and 16 wing 

nuts £$ inch, for each section of plates.

13. R. H. stove bolts, i by f inch, for fastening sections together and for 

fastening on stiffeners,, with J-inch washers.

14. Two United States Geological Survey standard padlocks.

15. Two 8-inch Stillson wrenches.

16. One S wrench to fit nuts on J-inch bolts.

17. One screw driver.

18. Four brass stove bolts to fasten gage to deck.

19. Three-fourths inch F. H. bright wood screws, for fastening deck to sills E.

PLAIN-CONCRETE SHELTER.

The arrangement of the concrete shelter is clearly shown on 

Plate V, A (p. 15). It should be noted, however, that in order to 

show the greatest number of details in the cut, the longer axes of 

the house and well have been turned parallel to the stream. As 

actually constructed the longer dimension of the well is placed at 

right angles to the stream and the shorter dimension parallel to the 

stream.

The dimensions in plan (PL VIII, p. 20) give ample but not excessive room inside the shelter to allow the gage to be inspected and 

adjusted without discomfort. In fact, it is desirable to have a clear 

passage all around the gage table.

The 2 by 4 inch furring strips placed in the walls afford means for 

fastening cupboards, etc., or for placing hooks to carry various pieces 

of minor equipment necessary for the operation of the station. 

Directly over the center of the door a half-inch eyebolt set into the 

concrete for carrying a pulley and rope is useful for a number of
32 EQUIPMENT FOB CUKKENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

purposes, such as bailing the well. The stirrup to which is fastened 

the bed piece for the rod gage should be set into the concrete and 

attached by means of f-inch bolts. Two pieces of 2-inch pipe for 

ventilator should be inserted in the back and front of the walls of 

the house. Pipe caps should be provided to close these vents. A 

3-inch ventilator runs through the building in one corner and passes 

out under the eaves. In cold weather it is desirable in some localities to close all vents to prevent the water in the well from freezing.

Where the variation in stage is great it may be necessary to lift the 

hook gage so high that the gage rod must pass through the roof. To 

meet this condition a smoke jack of galvanized iron, 6 inches in 

diameter, may be placed directly over the gage rod and set into the 

roof and covered by a close-fitting cap. If necessary for the protection of the apparatus, this pipe may be locked by riveting a short 

piece of chain to the cover and locking it to the bed piece.

The door and window frames are shown in detail in Plate XIX. 

The door and window frames should be placed flush with the outside 

of the walls and the jambs set as shown in the details. When this 

has been done the 1-inch angles on the iron door and shutters will fit 

closely against the jambs, which will afford desirable protection 

against storms and cold. The windows have If-inch stock sashes, 

each with four lights of 8 by 10 inch glass. Stops should be screwed 

at the top and bottom of sash. The door should open inward and 

should be hung on 3-inch butts and provided with an ordinary 

lock set.

In erecting the forms, care should be taken that all door and window 

frames are properly set and are true to shape and dimensions. The, 

hooks for the iron door and shutter hinges should be carefully placed. 

As shown on the plan, these hooks have a collar welded on, which fits 

flush with the outside wall, and the inside is provided with a nut and 

an ogee washer.

A top form is necessary for the roof slab. The form for the overhanging eaves can be made of not more than two boards carried on a 

series of brackets nailed to the uprights supporting the forms for the 

walls. The uprights may be wired together to preserve the line of 

the walls. The pouring of the walls should be a continuous operation 

up to within about a foot of the top. The walls for the remaining 

distance and the top slab should be poured at one operation. Small 

holes and other defects in the face should be filled with mortar after 

the forms are removed. Ridges or rough places may be smoothed 

down with a stick of carborundum. The entire face may be painted 

with a coat of thin mortar.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XVIM

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Stove tofts B 3/>6 X4 , bent, heads 

cut off, thread on each end, 2 washers, and 2 wing nuts

CROSS SECT/ON

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ELEVA TION

PART ELEVA T/ON, S/DES AND ENDS SIDE AND END PLATES

PLANS OF PORTABLE SHELTER.

Bill of material given in Table 12, page 31.
RECORDING GAGES. 33

TABLE 13. Bill of material for concrete well and shelter for automatic recording gage. 

{Lettered items refer to Plate VIII, p. 20.] 

CONCRETE.

Item 1. 3.7 cubic yards 1-2-4 concrete in shelter, including floor, requiring 

22 bags cement. 

1J yards sand. 

3 yards J-incb. stone or gravel.

2. 2.7 cubic yards 1-2-4 concrete for upper 3 feet of well, requiring 

17 bags cement. 

If yards sand. 

2J yards stone.

3. 0.6 cubic yard (approximately) of 1-2-4 concrete in. walls of well for each 

foot of depth below first 3 feet. Each cubic yard requires 

6.4 bags cement. 

0.45 yard sand. 

0.90 yard stone.

4. 1.2 cubic yards 1-3-6 concrete in foundation, requiring 

6 bags cement. 

5| yards sand. 

11J yards stone.

5. 62£ square feet Clinton wire cloth or substitute for reinforcing roof and floor.

6. One wooden doorframe Dl, with door complete, with lock set, hinges, and 

four lights of glass.

7. One iron door Z>2, as shown on drawing, painted with one coat of Dixon's 

graphite paint, complete, with two staples for padlocks.

8. Eight hooks Hi, fitted to hinges, with collars welded on, and furnished with 

nuts and ogee washers.

9. Three window frames Q, with sashes, complete.

10. Three iron shutters DZ, as shown on drawing, painted with one coat Dixon's 

graphite paint, with 6 staples for padlocks.

11. Four United States Geological Survey standard padlocks.

12. One lifting ring U, for trapdoor, with screws.

13. One pair 6-inch strap hinges H, with 4-inch stove bolts for all holes.

14. Two pieces light rail C, for door rest, each 3J feet long.

15. 1 pound IJ-inch (6d.) nails, for trim.

16. Six pieces 3-inch galvanized wrought-iron pipe for ventilator, cut as follows: 

One piece 6 feet 3 inches long, 0, threaded one end. 

One piece 1 foot long, 01, threaded one end. 

One piece 2 feet long, 02, threaded one end. 

One piece 1 foot long, 03, threaded both ends. 

One piece 2 feet long, 04, threaded both ends. 

One piece 7 inches long, 05, threaded one end.

17. Four 3-inch galvanized elbows N Nl N2 N3.

18. One 3-inch galvanized return bend B.

19. Four pieces 2-inch galvanized wrought-iron pipe V, 8 inches long, threaded 

one end, with four 2-inch galvanized caps, or .else grid ventilators, if 

desired.

20. One 6-inch smoke jack S J, with cap, as shown, over hook gage. (Use where 

hook gage rises above roof.)

21. One piece i by 2 inches iron, 2 feet long, S, for stirrup.

22. One eyebolt E, £ by 6 inches, with nut and 4 by 4 by f inch square washer. 

97886° WSP 371 15 3
34 EQUIPMENT FOE CUBBENT-METEE GAGING STATIONS.

Item 23. pieces R, 1-inch iron 3 feet long, for steps, inner edge to set 3 inches 

from face of wall.

24. one-half inch bolts J, with nuts and washers, to hold bed piece to wall.

25. Two machine bolts 81, % by 3£ inches, with washers to fasten bed piece to 

stirrup.

26. 1-gallon carbolineum for treating gage rod, table, etc.'

27. 1 gallon gray mixed paint for door, window, etc.

MATERIAL POR CAST-IRON INTAKE PIPE, ANCHORAGE, ETC.

Item 28. One 4 by 4 by 4 inch C. I. T, PT, for intake.

29. 1 square foot J-inch mesh galvanized-iron wire screening.

30. 5 feet No. 10 galvanized wire.

31. One-half pound oakum and 5 pounds lead for each joint to be calked.

32. bags cement for concrete for intake anchorage.

33. cubic yards sand for concrete for intake anchorage.

34. cubic yards gravel or broken stone for concrete for anchorage.

35. One 4-inch sluice valve G, with body of proper length.

36. feet J-inch galvanized pipe PI, for valve stem.

37. lengths 4-inch standard-weight cast-iron pipe P2, for intake pipe.

38. Five straps and 10 anchor bolts PS, with nuts for holding intake to anchor.

NOTE. When wrought-iron pipe is used, omit oakum and lead. 

LUMBER.

Item 39. One piece lumber 2 by 6 inches by 14 feet, for trapdoor T.

40. Two pieces lumber 2 by 4 inches by 12 feet, for furring strips A.

41. Two pieces lumber 2 by 4 inches by 14 feet, for furring strips A.

NOTE. All lumber throughout the building and well shall be the best 

of the several kinds, thoroughly seasoned, free from large or unsound knots, 

saps, shakes, wanes, dry rot, or other imperfections impairing its strength or 

durability or affecting its appearance for the purpose for which it is to be

42. One standard gage table. (See Table 15, p. 38.)

43. One standard hook gage. (See Table 1, p. 9.)

FORMS. 

[See p. 38.]

For a well 12 feet from bottom of floor to top of footing: 

Item 44. Forty pieces 2 by 6 inches by 16 feet (640 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Four pieces 8 feet 5 inches long, frames under bottom of house, outside.

Four pieces 7 feet 5 inches long, frames under bottom of house, outside.

Eight pieces 8 feet 3 inches long, outside frames for house.

Eight pieces 7 feet 3 inches long, outside frames for house.

Five pieces 5 feet 10 inches long, inside frames for house.

Ten pieces 4 feet 10 inches long, inside frames for house.

 jack rafters to support edge form on roof.

Six pieces 2 feet 4 inches long, beams under floor.

Two pieces 8 feet 5 inches long, top outside corbel frame.

Two pieces 7 feet 5 inches long, top outside corbel frame.

Two pieces 8 feet 5 inches long, middle corbel frame.

Two pieces 6 feet 3 inches long, middle corbel frame.

Fourteen pieces 5 feet 4 inches long, outside well frame.

Fourteen pieces 8 feet 10 inches long, outside well frame.

Eighteen pieces 2 feet 4 inches long, inside well frame.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XIX

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DETAIL OF HOOK 

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DETAILS OF IRON DOOR D2 DETAILS OF WOODEN DOOR AN£> FRAME Dl WINDOW DETAILS

PLANS OF PLAIN-CONCRETE HOUSE, SHOWING ELEVATIONS, DETAILS OF DOOR AND WINDOW SASHES, AND IRON DOOR AND SHUTTERS.

Bill of material given in Table 13, page 33.
GAGES. 35

Item 45. Sixteen pieces 2 by 6 inches by 12 feet (192 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Five pieces 5 feet 10 inches long, inside frames for house. 

Nine pieces 5 feet 10 inches long, beams under roof forms. 

Eighteen pieces 5 feet 10 inches long, inside frames for well.

46. Four pieces 2 by 4 inches by 12 feet (32 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Four pieces 3 feet long, inside cleats bottom of roof. 

Four pieces 5 feet long, outside cleats bottom of roof. 

Two pieces 5 feet 10 inches long, cleats under floor beams.

47. 1,100 feet b. m. 1-inch T. G. & S. or S. L. S. sheathing.

48. Braces and cleats in forms for footing.

49. telephone wire to tie forms together.

50. Ten pounds 8d. (2^-inch) wire nails.

51. Five pounds 20d. (4-inch) wire nails.

52. For each additional foot of depth of well increase item 43, 1-inch sheathing, 

by 50 feet b. m., and dimension lumber according to depth.

NOTE. In these forms the sheathing for both well and house is placed vertically 

on the 2 by 6 inch framing pieces, which are placed horizontally. If necessary, 6 by 

8 inch wale pieces, placed vertically, may be used to preserve the alignment of the 

forms.

SUMMARY OP LUMBER IN FORMS FOR A 12-FOOT WELL.

In well: . Feetb. m. 

1-inch sheathing. ................................................. ^... 620

Dimension lumber.................................................... 475

Braces and cleats.................................................... ±117

In shelter:

1-inch sheathing...................................................... 480

Dimension lumber.................................................... 408

±2,100

NOTE. This bill includes a reasonable allowance for cuts, undersized pieces, and 

mistakes, but the cutting scheme shown in the table should be followed carefully.

REINFORCED-CONCRETE SHELTER.

If a reinforced-concrete shelter is desired, it should be built according to the plans shown in Plate IX (p. 20), in which all dimensions are given. The window frames (PL X, A, p. 22), which are 

of, metal and contain wire screens, may be obtained from stock at 

builders' supply houses. Ventilators of pressed steel of a style 

similar to the window frames may also be obtained. A suitable 

fireproof door may be made by covering with block tin an ordinary 

door built of planks.

General directions for building the necessary forms are given on 

page 38.
36 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

TABLE 14. Bill of material for reinforced-concrete shelter for automatic recording gage. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate IX, p. 20.]

CONCRETE.

Item 1. 7.9 cubic yards of 1-2-4 concrete, in shelter, corbel, and footing, requiring 

50 bags Portland cement. 

4 cubic yard clean sharp sand. 

8 cubic yard clean gravel or broken stone.

2. 23.8 cubic feet of concrete for each linear foot of 'well between bottom of 

corbel and top of footing course. Each cubic yard of concrete requires 

6.4 bags of Portland cement. 

0.45 cubic yard of clean sharp sand. 

0.90 cubic yard of clean gravel or broken stone.

STEEL REINFORCEMENT.

Use half-inch square deformed bars, unless otherwise specified. A lap-of 2 feet is 

allowed to develop full strength of bars.

Item 3. Eighteen bars Cl, 4 feet 10 inches long, joining walls to footing.

4. Four bars (72, 14 feet long, two at base of house and two over door.

5. Two bars (73, 12 feet 2 inches long, in corbel at top of well.

6. Two bars (74, 10 feet 4 inches long, in corbel at top of well.

7. bars (74, 10 feet 4 inches long, in well, spaced as depth of well may 

require.

8. Six bars (75, 11 feet 6 inches long, in side walls of house.

9. Two bars BI, 8 feet 6 inches long, placed lengthwise in footing.

10. Four bars B2, 7 feet 6 inches long, placed crosswise in footing.

11. Thirty-four bars 2?3, 7 feet long, in corbel at top of well.

12. Thirty-four bars B4, three-eighths inch square, 2 feet long, stirrups in footing.

13. bars 2?5, three-fourths inch round, 3 feet long, for steps, set 12 inches on 

centers, and with inner edge 3 inches from face of wall.

14. Fifteen bars 2?6, 4 feet long, to tie house to well.

15. Seven bars S6, 7 feet 8 inches long, placed lengthwise in roof.

16. Eight bars S7, 6 feet 8 inches long, placed crosswise in roof.

17. Sixteen bars S4, 7 feet 10 inches long, placed vertically in walls.

18. Two bars 6 feet 8 inches long, with ends hooked, placed over doors, back of (72,

19. One bar 6 feet 8 inches long, bent into four lengths and placed in doorstep.

20. Two bars S3, 6 feet long, crosswise in floor over well.

21. Six bars SI, 6 feet 4 inches long, lengthwise in footing.

22. Six bars S2, 5 feet 6 inches long, crosswise in footing.

23. Ejghteen bars S8, of proper length, placed vertically in walls of well.

24. f-inch hook bolts with nuts and one washer each to fasten staff gages 

to well.

25. One United States Geological Survey standard padlock.

26. Lifting ring and hinges for trap door. (See Table 13.)

27. Intake and valve. (For items see Table 13.)

28. One standard gage table (Table 15).

29. One standard hook-gage outfit (Table 1).

30. Carbolineum or other wood preservative for treating gages and gage table.

31. Necessary ventilators.
U. 6. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XX

A. METAL SHELTER ON CONCRETE WELL. 

Raquette River at Piercefield, N. Y.

B. SPECIAL SHELTER OF STONE. 

Rio Grande at Embudo, N. Mex.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXI

"SI

A. WATER RESOURCES BENCH-MARK TABLET.

B. LOW SHELTER. 

Logan River at Logan, Utah.
RECORDING GAGES. 37 

MISCELLANEOUS DESIGNS.

It is occasionally necessary to use local material, such as stone, 

brick, or wood-stave pipe, for building the shelter. The shelter 

shown in Plate XX, B, is built of stones backed by concrete. The 

roof is made of tile to avoid damage by fire from locomotive sparks. 

The wooden door is covered with tin, which is painted. In building 

the house, forms were made for the inside and mortar was poured 

between them and the stone wall. The resulting wall, which was fairly 

smooth, was painted with a finishing coat of thin grout. The well 

beneath this shelter is lined with concrete. A circular ventilating 

opening, 6 inches in diameter, is carried up through one of the walls 

and opens into the air about 2 feet below the roof.

A shelter that has proved satisfactory in Hawaii is shown in Plate 

XVII, B (p. 31). The frame, which is built of pine, is of standard 

dimensions and is covered with rubberoid roofing paper. At one 

station the wood-stave pipe used as the well lining was carried above 

the ground to form the shelter.

The combination of a concrete-lined well with either a wooden or a 

metal shelter, as shown in Plate XX, A, may be made to advantage.

A special form of shelter is shown in Plate XXI, B, under the tree 

to the left of the tailrace of the power station.

Shelters of other types are shown in Plates XXII, XXIII, and 

XXIV.

VENTILATION.

Excess moisture has caused inconvenience and in some places 

difficulty in automatic-gage shelters.

In warm weather the moisture rusts tools or iron parts and also 

distorts the hydrograph paper. At stations where the temperature 

is above freezing throughout the year the excess moisture may be 

prevented by making openings on all sides near the top, at the base, 

and under the eaves of the shelter, thus maintaining free circulation 

6f air across the top of the well and through the shelter. The openings may be protected with a woven-wire, metal, or wooden-slot 

screen. Dust should be kept out of the shelter by stretching a piece 

of cheesecloth or thin muslin over the ventilators in the house.

Where the station must be maintained during cold weather the 

problem is more difficult. The well is then relatively warm and the 

air in it is saturated with moisture; the house under ordinary circumstances is relatively cold. Whenever saturated air from below 

enters the shelter it loses its surplus moisture on cooling, sometimes 

depositing frost on the tape operating the gage mechanism, causing 

the tape to freeze to the frame of the machine, and thus giving an 

erroneous record. To permit free circulation of air when the temperature is below freezing is out of the question, for the water in
38 EQUIPMENT FOR CTJBBENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

the well will freeze when exposed. If, on the other hand, the temperature in the shelter is higher than the temperature in the well, 

air which is saturated at the well temperature will not be saturated 

at the higher temperature of the shelter. The remedy in this case 

will be to have the temperature in shelter at least as high as that 

in the well, a condition that may be attained by building for warmth 

or by heating, or both, according to the prevailing winter temperature 

at the station. Though air circulation is desirable, frequent changes 

of air in cold weather and the consequent cooling of the temperature 

of the house will defeat the purpose sought. The ventilators in 

wells and shelters used in both hot and cold weather should therefore be so arranged that they may be freely used in warm weather 

and closed tight in cold weather. -

GAGE TABLE.

The gage table is best made of three layers of 1-inch material, the 

middle layer running across the top and bottom layers, both of 

which run in the same direction. The three layers should be fastened 

together by 1^-inch screws, passing from the middle layer into the 

top and from the bottom layer into the middle, thus leaving a smooth 

top surface on which to set the gage. In placing the screws the location of the chain openings should be kept in mind.

The adjustable standard legs for the table are made of pieces of 

l^-inch galvanized pipe 24 to 30 inches long, threaded on both ends, 

the threads being cut long and to a tight hand fit. One thread must 

have a left-hand and the other a right-hand thread. These threads 

fit into 1£ by 5 inch floor flanges, four of which are fastened to the 

floor and four to the under side of the gage table. One set of four 

flanges must have left-hand threads.

TABLE 15. Bill of material for standard gage table.

[Lettered Items refer to Plate VIII, p. 20.] *

Item 1. Four floor flanges M, 1J by 5 inches, with right-hand thread.

2. Four flanges Ml, 1J by 5 inches, with left-hand thread.

3. Four pieces IJ-inch galvanized wrought-iron pipe P, 24 inches long, with one 

right-hand and one left-hand thread on each. The threads are to be cut 

2 inches long and are to be fitted in the shop to a tight hand fit.

4. One-half gross F. H. No. 14 wood screws, 2 inches long, for screwing flanges 

to table and for making trapdoor.

5. One-half gross F. H. No. 10 wood screws, 1J inches long, for making gage table.

6. Two pieces cypress, or other wood, 1 by 6 inches by 12 feet, for gage table Y.

FORMS.

In building concrete wells forms for both outside and inside will 

ordinarily be necessary. In some places a single board on each side, 

against which the back filling is made, may serve as the outer form,
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. FEATHER RIVER AT OROVILLE, CAL.

NORTH FORK OF AMERICAN RIVER AT COLFAX, CAL. 

AUTOMATIC-GAGE SHELTERS.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 871 PLATE XXIII

A. TUOLUMNE RIVER AT GROVELAND, CAL.

E. DEERFIELD RIVER AT CHARLEMONT, MASS. 

AUTOMATIC-GAGE SHELTERS.
RECORDING GAGI&. ' 3$

the boards being drawn up as the work progresses. It is highly 

essential that the forms used should be tight; that is, the lumber used 

for the forms should contain no large checks or knot holes. Hough, 

cheap lumber may, however, be made into smooth forms by covering 

it with building paper. If reinforcing bars are used, care should be 

exercised to preserve the alignment of the bars while the forns are 

being filled. If expanded metal screen is used, the stone of the 

aggregate should be small enough to pass the mesh of the expanded 

metal; otherwise the stones will arch behind the metal and tLe concrete will be coarsely porous. A paddle made of 1-inch board may be 

used to urge the concrete into angles and recesses.

The floor of the .shelter may be finished smooth with a trowel or 

moderately rough with a float, which may be made. In pouring the 

floor and the roof, care should be taken to use only materhl of a 

pasty consistency. The use of material that is soupy will result in 

a slippery slime. When the concrete has set before the forms have 

been filled it is necessary, before the work is continued, to remove 

all laitance down to unquestionably good concrete, to wash the

surface with clean water, and then to paint it with rich 

The exterior of the shelter may be finished smooth by the

carborundum finishing bricks, which are purchasable in any supply 

house.

The sluice valve and the iron steps must be placed in the

grout, 

use of

inside

forms. The use of narrow boards, with joints at the steps if possible, 

will facilitate the removal of the forms. Bolts half an inch in diameter, placed at 4-foot centers, should be provided for the attachment of 

the bed piece for the hook gage. They should project such a d stance 

from the wall that they will not reach the surface of the bed piece, 

which should be countersunk for the nuts. Expansion bolts of the 

anchor type will be found convenient. A line of furring strips ;similar 

to those shown in the shelter (PI. VIII, p. 20) would be convenient 

if placed around the well about 3 feet below the floor. A hook should 

also be provided in the wall over the sluice valve to hold tho valve 

stem, which should have a handle at its upper end. A very satisfactory valve stem may be made of half-inch galvanized pipe, with a 

forked end for fastening to the valve welded to one end and a handle 

welded to the other.

Openings necessary for ventilation should be provided for 

construction.

The following designs for forms have been prepared for slow

as by hand from a small mix. Where conditions are such that the 

forms may be filled rapidly, as from a power mixer, the collars uround 

the sheathing should be placed closer together to prevent bulging.

For the.footing an outside form is built of sheathing braced against 

the pit.

during 

filling,
40 EQUIPMENT FOB CUEBENT-METEE GAGING STATIONS.

The outside forms for the well box consist of frames of 2 by 6 inch 

piece? laid flat, nailed together, and sheathed on the inside edges 

with planed 1-inch tongued-and-grooved or ship-lap boards placed 

vertically. The inside well forms are made of frames of material of 

the same size as used in the outside forms, the sheathing being in 

this case on the outside of the form. The alignment of the well 

forms is preserved by the use of 6 by 8 inch vertical waling strips.

The panel effect on the outside of the walls of the house is obtained 

by nailing strips of proper thickness to the 2 by 6 inch vertical studding before applying the sheathing horizontally. The 6 by 8 inch 

pieces are placed horizontally as collars around the forms for the 

house.

The first stage in pouring the concrete consists in bringing the 

walls and corbels up to the top of the floor, finishing the top surface, 

and leaving the tie rods B6 sticking up out of the concrete.

The forms are then built for the walls and roof, after which they 

are poured in one uninterrupted operation.

For the bottom of the floor of the concrete house the form consists of 1-inch sheathing nailed to 2 by 4 inch beams, resting on other 

2 by 4 inch cleats, which are nailed to the sheathing for the well 

form. Forms for the roof are built of 1-inch sheathing supported 

by 2 by 6 inch beams nailed to the studs of the wall forms.

TABLE 16. Bill of material for concrete forms for reinforced-concrete well and shelter.

This bill of material for lumber for forms is prepared for a well measuring 12 feet 

from the bottom of the corbel to the top of the footing.

Item 1. Twenty-three pieces 2 by 6 inches by 14 feet (322 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Eighteen pieces 3 feet 10J inches long, frames inside of well. 

Eighteen pieces 2 feet 10J inches long, frames inside of well. 

Fourteen pieces 6 feet 8 inches long, frames outside of well. 

Fourteen pieces 5 feet 8 inches long, frames outside of well.

2. Twenty-two pieces 2 by 6 inches by 16 feet (352 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Twenty-two pieces 8 feet long, studs outside of house. 

Eighteen pieces 7 feet 6 inches long, studs inside of house. 

Five pieces 5 feet long, under roof.

3. Two pieces 2 by 4 inches by 16 feet (21 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Two pieces 8 feet 2 inches long, frame outside of corbel. 

Two pieces 7 feet 2 inches long, frame inside of corbel.

4. Three pieces 2 by 4 inches by 14 feet (28 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Two pieces 7 feet 2 inches long, frame outside of corbel. 

Two pieces 6 feet 2 inches long, frame outside of corbel. 

Three pieces 3 feet long, under floor.

5. Twelve pieces 6 by 8 inches by 14 feet (672 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Six pieces 8 feet long, waling strips outside of house. 

Six pieces 9 feet long, waling strips outside of house. 

Six pieces 4 feet long, waling strips inside of house. 

Six pieces 5 feet long, waling strips inside of house.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXIV

A. ST. MARYS RIVER AT INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY. JR. CHENANGO RIVER AT CHENANGO FORKS, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC-GAGE SHELTERS.
STRUCTURES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 41

Item 6. Eight pieces waling strips on well.

7. 1,150 feetb. m. 1-inch T. G. & S. or S. L. S. 6 by 8 inches by 12 feet sheathing 

(384 feet b. m.).

8. Braces, cleats, and sheathing in forms for footings.

9. Twenty-four f-inch bolts, 13 inches long, to bolt house walers together.

10. telephone wire to tie well forms.

11. 10 pounds 8d. (2|-inch) wire nails.

12. 5 pounds 20d. (4-inch) wire nails.

13. 1 pound finishing nails for bevel pieces.

14. For each additional foot of depth of well increase the bill of 1-inch T. G. & S. 

lumber by 40 feet b. m. and of dimension lumber according to depth.

SUMMARY OF LUMBER IN THE ABOVE BILL.

In well: Feetb.m. 

1-inch sheathing....................................................... 700

Dimension lumber..................................................... 800

In shelter:

1-inch sheathing....................................................... 450

Dimension lumber..................................................... 1,075

3,025

NOTE. This bill includes a reasonable allowance for cuts, undersized pieces, and 

mistakes, but the cutting scheme shown in the table should be followed carefully.

BENCH MARKS.

Too much case can not be taken to insure the permanence of the 

relation between the zero of the gage and the station bench marks.

Two independent bench marks at each station are desirable. At 

bridge stations at least one bench mark should be apart from the 

structure. A track spike with the front edge of the head upturned, 

driven into a tree, makes a useful bench mark. In a locality without 

timber the Water Resources bench mark (PI. XXI, A, p. 37) may be 

used. To set it dig a small hole well below frost line with a posthole digger. Fill the hole with concrete and into this set the benchmark tablet. Always place the tablet with the axis of the stem 

vertical, so that the cross marking the elevation is actually the 

highest point of the bench mark.

Avoid placing bench marks on new or unstable structures. Wherever possible place the bench mark so that the gage may be reached 

in one set up.

STRUCTURES USED IN MAKINO DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS.

ESSENTIAL PARTS.

A structure to support the engineer while measuring velocity and 

depth, on a stream that is too large to permit making measurements 

by wading, is necessary at current-meter stations. Such a structure 

may be (1) a cable for carrying a car, or (2) an existing or specially 

constructed bridge, or (3) a boat held in position by a cable or guy 

line.
42 EQUIPMENT FOB CUEBENT-METEE GAGING STATIONS.

The equipment and appurtenances for a cable station consist of 

the cable and its accessories, the supports and anchorages for sustaining it, and a car for carrying the observer.

CABLE EQUIPMENT. 

SUPPORTS.

Standard designs for A frame supports from 8 to 20 feet in height 

are shown in Plates XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII. Plate 

XXIX, A, shows a typical support in place. These standards represent the most approved type of construction. In Plate XXVI is 

shown another method of hanging the sheave which may be used 

where desired. A spacing block should be used either above or below 

the sheave.

In determining the height of frame consideration should be given 

the highest stage of water, the clearance required below the foot rest 

of the car, the distance between foot rest and car pulleys, and the 

loaded sag of the cable. The sizes of posts for frames of any height 

should be fixed by the requirements of the load, which varies with 

the length of span. A bill of material is given for three or more post 

sizes for each frame height illustrated.

In all designs the main posts should be framed with a 1 in 5 batter, 

the distance across the top of the frame should be three-fourths inch 

less than the length of the top plate, and the spread at the bottom 

should be as shown in the drawings. The inside dimensions of 

frames are fixed by the height of frame, the use of the larger sizes 

of posts increasing only the outside dimensions. The longer crosssectional dimension of the post should be placed parallel to the cable.

The frames should be supported on mud sills, concrete piers, or 

other foundations that will distribute the load satisfactorily.

When concrete or other piers are used, provision should be made 

for fastening the frames to the piers. Such fastening may be accomplished by pairs of f-inch bolts set into the concrete 1 foot inside the 

posts, the bolts of each pair being spaced far enough apart to allow 

the sill A to pass between them. An iron strap | inch by 2 inches, 

bored to receive the bolts, should be placed on the sill and screwed 

down to the bolts to hold it in place.

To prevent the A frame from falling forward, a backstay of proper 

size should be carried through a turnbuckle to the anchorage. The 

backstay may be attached either to the eyebolt carrying the sheave 

or to a U bolt of 2-inch spread and sufficient length to pierce the posts 

3 inches below the top plate. A Crosby clip is placed on the cable 

just back of the sheave to prevent the frame from falling backward.

A ladder for gaining access to the cable car is made by using iron 

telephone steps in one of the posts B, as shown in Plate XXVI.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXV

PLANS OF 8-FOOT "A" FRAME.

Bill of material given in Table 19, page 44.
U. & GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXVI

Over stream

12-FOOT TOWER

Length of w for

4" legs *v=2£

6" » w = 4'/

8" " w*6'/

10" ' w=8'/

.LA]

SHEAVE SUPPORT

PLANS OF 12-FOOT "A" FRAME.

Bill of material given In Table 20, page 45.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXVII

STANDARD I6f A FRAME

PLANS OF 16-FOOT "A" FRAME.

Bill of material given in Table 21, pages 45-46.
U. & GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXVIII

\ 

\ 

\ 

\

\

1

1

p 

!i

i i i i 

t t 

i

<o

 --sir*

TOP PLATE 

Make/

HEAD PLATE FOR 8f FRAME 

with Z"x 6"kgs

S/DE PLATES

Z4

Rounds f'/z'x Z

Dimensions in inches 

of legs of A frames

jj -Sill A4 | | Sill 6x8 xt/'O

REAR ELEVA T/ON SIDE ELEVA T/ON

PLANS OF 20-FOOT "A" FRAME.

Bill of material given in Table 22, pages 46-47.
STRUCTURES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 43

Otherwise a wooden ladder may be used, as shown in Plate XXVIII, 

the rounds of the ladder being spiked to the poles, or .gained in 

and fastened with a f by 4 inch carriage bolt, with a washer on the 

inside.

All timber used in the construction of the frames should be the 

best of its kind, thoroughly seasoned, and free from large or unsound 

knots, sap, shakes, wanes, dry rot, or other imperfections impairing 

its strength, durability, or appearance. All A frames must be given 

two coats of gray paint immediately after construction.

All top plates, as shown in Plate XXVIII, should be one-half inch 

thick and should have a If-inch hole through the center. All side 

plates should be three-eighths of an inch thick. Side plates for 8-foot 

frames with 2 by 6 inch posts should have f-inch holes; all other 

side plates should have f-inch holes. The length and breadth of top 

and side plates, length of head bolts, and spacing of holes in side 

plates are shown in the tables following.

TABLE 17. Dimensions of top and side plates and bolts.

Height of A frame.

8 feet (PI. XXV)....................................

12 feet (PL XXVI) ..................................

16 feet (PI. XX VII).. ...............................

20 feet (PL XXVIII)................................

Size of 

posts.

i

Inches. 

2 by 6 

4 by 6 

6 by 6 

4 by 6 

6 by 6 

6 by 8 

4 by 6 

6 by 6 

6 by 8 

8 by 8 

6 by 6 

6 by 8 

8 by 8 

8 by 10

Top 

plate."

Inches. (6) 

6 by 6 

6 by 10| 

6 by 6 

6bylOJ 

SbylOf 

6 by 6 

6 by 10| 

8 by 10i 

8 by 15 

6bylOJ 

8 by lOf 

8 by 15 

10 by 15

Side 

plate.

Inches. 

(6 > 

6 by 6 

6 by 6 

6 by 6 

6 by 6 

6 by 8 

6 by 6 

6 by 6 

6 by 8 

6 by 8 

6 by 6 

6 by 8 

6 by 8 

6 by 10

Length of j-inch 

head bolts.

Upper.

Inches. <%

15 

10 

15 

15 

10 

15 

15 

19 

15 

15 

19 

19

Lower.

Inches.

W u

16 

11 

16 

16 

11 

16 

16 

20 

16 

16 

20 

20

o Distance across top of posts B is three-fourths inch less than length of top plate. 

6 Special head plate with half-inch bolts.

TABLE 18. Spacing of holes in side plates.

6 by 8 and 8 by 8 inches. ..............................

8 by 10 inches .........................................

a.

Inches. 

2

2

21

b.

Inches. 

2

4

Si

e.

Inches. 

2

2

21

e.

Inches. 

If

2

3

f.

Inches.

94

f

0

h.

Inches, 

If

2

3

Dimensions.
44 EQUIPMENT FOE CTJEBENT-METEE GAGING STATIONS.

The length m of eyebolt X (PL XXVIII), which is furnished with 

the sheave S, should be 22 inches in all cases, except for the 8-foot 

frame with 2 by 6 inch posts, in which the dimension m should be 18 

inches. A thread 3 inches long should be cut on eyebolts. A nut 

and ogee washer should be furnished with the eyebolt.

The cable should always be carried on a movable support, preferably a sheave of fairly large diameter, and not on a cradle of either 

wood or metal.

The block which carries the cable is a very important detail of the 

support. The standard block and sheave have been designed to 

carry the maximum stress shown in Table 25 (p. 51). It should be 

made up of a 10-inch sheave of proper size for the cable, a 1-inch pin, 

and a strap, made from round iron flattened, of the dimensions shown 

on the drawing.

The arrangement of the sheave for carrying the cable shown in 

Plate XXVI may be substituted for the block when desired. It 

consists of two pieces, TS, of 4 by f-inch flat steel, bent to fit the tops 

of the posts B, and long enough to take the two 1-inch holes for the 

1-inch bolt AS. Bevel washers W are used against the post. The 

dimension of the top of post B is given in Table 17.

TABLE 19. Bill of material for 8-foot frames. 

[Lettered items refer to Plates XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII.]

Items.

Al.sffl... ..............

W, bevel washers ......

M, sill bolts.. ..........

P3, post bolts .........

Number of 

pieces.

1

2 

2

1

1

2 

1 shea\ 

4 

1 

2 

1 

1 

04 

02

o2 

o2 

1

2 by 6 inch posts.

4 by 6 inches by 5 feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 9 feet, 

li by 6 inches by 6 

feet 6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 3 feet 

3 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet.

2 by 6 by 6 inches... 

e complete with eyebo: 

See Plate XX VHI.... 

See Plate XX VIII.... 

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

Jby 10 inches.........

Jby 10J inches........

4 by 6 inch posts.

6 by 6 inches by 5 feet. 

4 by 6 inches by 9 feet. 

1J oy 6 inches by 6 

feet 6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 3 feet 

3 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet 

3 inches. 

4 by 6 by 6 inches. .... 

t. nut, and ogee washer 

See Plate XXVIII.... 

See Table No. 17...... 

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

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

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

J by 8J inches.........

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

i by 10£ inches. .......

6 by 6 inch posts.

6 by 6 inches by 5 feet. 

6 by 6 inches by 9 feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 6 feet 

6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 3 feet 

6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet 

6 inches. 

4 by 6 by 6 inches, 

as per Plate XXVHL 

See Plate XXVIH. 

See Table 17. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

f by 8J inches. 

6 bolts f by 8J inches. 

6 bolts f by 10J inches. 

J by 7 inches. 

| by 4£ inches. 

1 gallon.

« With 2 flat washers each. One washer only for lag screws.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. STANDARD "A" FRAME IN PLACE

R 371 PLATE XXIX

E. STANDARD CABLE CAR.
STRUCTURES USED IN DISCHABGE MEASUREMENTS. 

TABLE 20. Bill of material for 12-foot frames.

45

Items.

A2,sill.. ...............

D2, brace..............

P2? side mates

N.'head bolts..........

M, sill bolts. ...........

Y,ladderbolts.........

Number of 

pieces.

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

8

1 sheav 

4 

1 

2 

o2

04 

aS 

«2

ol 

»4 

ol 

4

4 by 6 inch posts.

6 by 6inch.es by Sfeet. .

4 by 6 inches by 14 

feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 9 

feet 6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 5 feet 

3 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 3 feet 

8 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet . .

2 by 4 inches by 2 feet 

8 inches. 

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot 

3 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 10 

feet. 

1J by 2 inches by 1 

foot 9 inches, 

e complete with eyebolt 

See Plate XXVIII.... 

See Table 17... .......

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

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

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

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

inch eyebolt, shank a

6 by 6 inch posts.

6 by 6 inches by 8 feet 

3 inches. 

6 by 6 inches by 14 

feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 9 feet 

6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 5 feet 

6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 4 feet . .

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet 

4 inches. 

2by 4 inches by 3 feet. .

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot 

3 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 10 

feet. ' 

1J by 2 inches by 1 

foot 9 inches, 

nut, and ogee washer as 

See Plate XXVIII... 

See Tablel7. .........

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

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

f by 8J inches.........

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

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

inches long, with 6 feet o

6 by 8 inch posts.

6 by 8 inches by 8 feet 

3 inches. 

6 by 8 inches by 14 

feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 9 feet 

6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 5 feet 

6 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 4 feet.

2 by 6 inches' by 2 feet 

4 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 3 feet.

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot 

3 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 10 

feet, 

li by 2 inches by 1 

foot 9 inches, 

per Plate XXVUI. 

See Plate XXVIII. 

See Table 17. 

Do. 

Do. 

-| by 13 inches. 

\ by 11 inches, 

f by 15 inches, 

i by 5 inches.6 

I by 7 inches, 

galvanized pump chain, 

i by 8 inches. 

1 gallon.

o With 2 flat washers each. One washer only on lag screw.

6 This length when cross braces are halved; 2 inches longer when they overlap.

If iroc telephone steps are used omit all ladder items and make post bolts Q 4 inches shorter. 

TABLE 21. Bill of material for 16-foot frames.

Items.

A3, sfll... ........ ..........

M, sill bolts.................

Y, ladderbolts. ............

Number 

of pieces.

1 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

2 

13 

1 sheave ( 

4 

1 

2 

2 

«6 

06

o2 

o2 

1 

4 

1

04

4 by 6 inch posts.

2 by 6 inches by 7 feet 3 inches. . 

2 by 6 inches by 4 feet 3 inches. ...

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot 9 inches. .

Ijji by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches. . 

omplete with eyebolt, nut, and og 

SeePlateXXVIII..............

o AA fpalVlo 1 "

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

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

inch by same length as crossing 

vanized pump chain.

6 by 6 inch posts.

6 by 8 inches by 9 feet. 

6 by 6 inches by 18 feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 9 feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 7 feet. 

2 by 6 inches by 7 feet 3 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 4 feet 8 inches. 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches. 

Do. 

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot. 

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot 9 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 14 feet. 

1 J by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches, 

ee washer, as per Plate XXVIII. 

See Plate XXVIII. 

See Table 17. 

Do. 

Do. 

J by 11 inches. 

Do. 

i by 15 inches. 

| by 9 inches. 

1 by 3 inches.6 

I by 7 inches, 

bolt, with nut and 6 feet of gal-

$ by 8 inches. 

2 gallons.

o With posts over 6 by 6 inches cross section use ogee washers. The additional thickness of ogee washers 

is allowedior in billing the bolt. For 6 by 6 inches or less use flat -washers, 2 on each bolt and 1 on each 

lag screw.

* This length when cross braces are halved; 2 inches longer when they overlap.

If iron telephone stops are used omit all ladder items and make post bolts Q. 4 inches shorter.
46 EQUIPMENT FOB CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS. 

TABLE 21. Bill of material for 16-foot frames Continued.

Items.

A3, sill............. ........

B3, posts........... ........

D3, brace. ..................

F3, brace......... ..........

J3. stops. ...................

W , bevel washers. .. ........

T3, top plate.... ............

P3, side plates ..............

N, head bolts. ..............

M, sill bolts......... .......

P,post bolts... ............

P , post bolts ...............

Q, post bolts. . .............

Y, ladder bolts... ..........

Number 

of pieces.

1 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

2 

13 

1 sheave 

4 

1 

2 

2 

06 

0,6 

o2 

o2 

ol 

4 ol

04

6 by 8 inch posts.

2 by 6 Inches by 7 feet 3 inches. . 

2 by 8 inches by 4 feet 8 inches. . 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches . . 

2 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches . .

2by 6 inches by 1 foot 9 inches. . .

1J by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches., 

omplete with eyebolt, nut. and og 

See Plate XXVTII..............

See Table 17. ...... ............

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

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

It inch by same length as crossing 

vanized pump chain.

8 by 8 inch posts.

8 by 10 inches by 9 feet 3 inches. 

8 by 8 inches by 18 feet. 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet. 

3 by 6 inches by 7 feet. 

3 by 8 inches by 7 feet 6 inches. 

3 by 8 inches by 4 feet 10 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches. 

4 by 6 inches by 1 foot. 

3 by 6 inches by 1 foot 9 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 14 feet. 

1 J by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches, 

ee washer asper Plate XXVIII. 

See Plate XXVHI. 

See Table 17. 

Do. 

Do. 

!by 16J inches, 

by 16| inches, 

by 134 inches, 

by 20| inches, 

f by 5^ inches. & 

J by 8 inches, 

bolt, with nut and 6 feet of galJ by 8 inches. 

2J gallons.

o With posts over 6 by 6 inches cross section use ogee washers. The additional thickness of ogee washers 

is allowed for in billing the bolt. For 6 by 6 inches or less use flat washers, 2 on each bolt and 1 on each 

lag screw.

i> This length when cross braces are halved; 2 inches longer when they overlap.

If iron telephone steps are used omit all ladder items and make post bolts Q 4 inches shorter.

TABLE 22. Bill of material for 20-foot frames.

Items.

Ad oill

M,sill bolts. ...............

Y, ladder bolts... ..........

Number 

of pieces.

1 

2 

2

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

2 

17 

1 sheave 

4 

1 

2 

o2 

06 

06 

o2 

o2 

ol 

4 

ol

04

6 by 6 inch posts.

3 by 6 inches by 10 feet 9 inches 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches.

3 by 8 inches by 5 feet 10 inches 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches .

3 by 6 inches by 1 foot 6 inches. . .

1J by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches, 

jomplete with eyebolt, nut, and og 

See Plate XXVin... ...........

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

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

i inch by same length as crossing 

vanized pump chain.

6 by 8 inch posts.

6 by 8 inches by 11 feet. 

6 by 8 inches by 22 feet. 

3 by 6 inches by 10 feet 9 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet. 

3 by 8 inches by 5 feet 10 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 1 foot. 

3 by 6 inches by 1 foot 6 niches. 

2 by 4 inches by 19 feet. 

1| by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches, 

ee washer as per Plate XXVIII. 

See Plate XXVIII. 

See Table 17. 

Do. 

Do. 

i by 16J inches. 

i by 16J inches.

i by 20* inches. 

\ by finches. 

; : by 8 inches, 

bolt, with nut and 6 feet of galf by 7 inches. 

2 gallons.

a On 20-foot frames use ogee washers. These are approximately three-fourths inch thick, which additional thickness is allowed for in billing the bolt, use 1 flat washer on each lag screw ana 2 on ladder 

bolts.

If iron telephone steps are used omit all ladder items and make post bolts Q 4 inches shorter.
z

O 

X O

73 

> Om

COO

73

O >

CO

r m

Depth of deadman to i/ary with 

stress on cable and nature of soil
STEUOTUEES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 

TABLE 22. Bill of material for 20-foot frames Continued.

47

Items.

A4, sill.. ...................

C4, cross braces. ............

G4, brace......... ..........

K4, cleats... ...............

L4, ladder poles. ...........

T4, top plate... ............

N,head bolts...............

M, sill bolts... .............

Q, post bolts. ..............

Y,ladderbolts..... ........

Z, eyebolt. .................

Gray mixed paint. .........

No. of 

pieces.

1

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

2 

17 

1 sheave 

4 

1 

2 

o2

06 

06 

a2 

a2

0,1

4 

ol

«4

8 by 8 inch posts.

8 by 10 inches by 11 feet 3 inches.

3 by 6 inches by 10 feet 9 inches 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet 4 inches. 

3 by 8 inches by 6 feet 2 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 7 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 7 inches.

3 by 8 inches by 1 foot 6 inches. . 

2 by 4 inches by 19 feet.. . .......

1 J py 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches . 

jomplete with eyebolt, nut, and og 

See Plate XXVIII. .............

See Table 17....................

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

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

j bv 16* inches

£ inch by same length as crossing 

vanized pump chain.

8 by 10 inch posts.

8 by 10 inches by 11 feet 3 

inches. 

8 by 10 inches by 22 feet. 

3 by 6 inches by 10 feet 9 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 9 feet 4 inches. 

3 by 8 inches by 6 feet 2 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 7 inches. 

3 by 6 inches by 2 feet 7 inches. 

3 by 10 inches by 1 foot. 

3 by 8 inches by 1 foot 6 inches. 

2 by 4 inches by 19 feet. 

1 J by 2 inches by 1 foot 9 inches, 

ee washer as per Plate XXVIII. 

See Plate XXVIII. 

See Table 17. 

Do. 

Do. 

4 by 18| inches. 

!by 18J inches, 

by 15J inches, 

by 22j inches, 

by 54 inches, 

by 8 inches, 

bolt, with nut and 6 feet of gal-

| by 7 inches. 

3 gallons.

a On 20-foot frames use ogee washers. These are approximately three-fourths inch thick, which additional thickness is allowed for in billing the bolt, use 1 flat washer on each lag screw and 2 on ladder 

bolts.

If iron telephone stops are used omit all ladder items and make post bolts Q 4 inches shorter.

ANCHORAGES. 

COMMON TYPES.

The most usual types of anchorages for cables are deadmen, trees, 

and rock ledges. Designs of timber and concrete deadmen are shown 

in Plate XXX. The anchorages should always be so placed that they 

may be readily inspected. A station record showing the type, construction features, and date of installation of anchorages should be 

kept. Timber deadmen should be thoroughly inspected at least once 

in four years to determine the condition of the timber.

DEADMEN.

The timber for deadmen should be carefully selected. Logs rather 

than dimension timber should be used. All timber should be sound, 

durable, and cleaned of all bark and foreign matter. Carbolineum 

or creosote should be used as a preservative; if neither is available, 

the timber may be charred.

No deadmen should be less than 12 inches in diameter nor less than 

8 feet long. All deadmen should be so constructed as to provide a 

large factor of safety. The length of the stick and the depth to which 

it should be buried will depend on the stress on the cable and the 

nature of the soil. In ordinary loam, clay, or sand the depth should 

not be less than 6 feet. Additional bearing power may be given by 

inserting pieces of plank in front of the deadmen. The cable should
50 EQUIPMENT FOE CTJRBENT-METEB GAGING STATIONS.

ROCK LEDGES.

A rock ledge is in many places the only available anchorage. The 

ledge must be carefully examined before it is used, to uncover possible fissures or faults, the texture of the rock noted very carefully, and the thickness of the ledge measured if possible. If the 

rock proves durable and heavy enough, a hole should be drilled into 

it not less than 24 inches deep and 2 inches in diameter. The anchor 

bolt should be made of l^-inch steel, with a split or expansion end 

provided with a steel wedge, and an eye with a ship-eye weld at the 

other end. The bolt should be sledged into the hole until, the wedge 

has expanded the split as far as possible. The remaining space, out 

to the face of the ledge, should be filled with neat Portland cement 

grout and left to set for 48 hours before the load is put upon the bolt. 

Sulphur, sulphur and lead, Babbitt metal, or brimstone may be used 

for the filling. In many places these are preferred to cement.

A very secure fastening may be made on top of a ledge with a U 

bolt, with corners bent square, made of IJ-inch round steel. The 

spread of the bolt should «be 12 inches and the length of each leg 18 

inches. The U bolt, inverted, is placed into two holes drilled in line 

with the cable and fastened as described above for the eyebolt. The 

cable should be passed through the U bolt and fastened with cable 

clips, a thimble being used to protect the cable. Three driftbolts 

can also be used by arranging them in a triangular position with the 

apex toward the river. The cable is then run through the three eyes 

and fastened by cable clips.

CABLES AND ACCESSORIES. 

THE CABLE.

The cable should be composed of six strands, each strand containing seven wires around a hemp center. The material should be the 

best quality plow steel. The cable should be galvanized and should 

be one continuous piece, no splicing being allowed- As a rule the 

cable must be ordered from the factory, as few dealers carry galvanized plow-steel cable in stock.

Two sizes of cable are regarded as standard f-inch cable for spans 

under 400 feet; f-inch cable for spans between 400 and 650 feet.

The proper loaded sag for each span must be determined from the 

sag diagram, Plate XXXI, in order not to exceed the standard working stress in the cable.

Tables 25, 26, and 27 show functions of other than standard sizes 

of cables. These, together with Plate XXXI, cover the range of 

ordinary requirements.

The calculations for cables are based upon the method published 

by J. C. Stevens in Engineering News; May 6, 1909. A working
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXXI

 36-

34-

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2-28 

l£_

\

ERECTION SAG

\ \

SAG OF LOADED CABLE

\

\

\ UJ-

-

\

\* \3>

18

\

\

\ \

\

14- J&.

\ \ \

\

\

\Z-

~T«rw> »0/«C/nf/ w. $7

\ \

\

\ 10-

\

\

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\ \

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X

A\

CURVES FOR 

SPANS AND SAGS

N

S^?

10 9876543 2 I Ol 2 

SPAN IN HUNDREDS OF FEET

3456789 10

SAG DIAGRAM FOR CABLES.
STBTJCTUEES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 51

stress of one-sixth the ultimate strength, as published by manufacturers of cable, is used throughout. The tables present data for regular sizes of cables from half an inch to 1 inch and for spans from 100 

to 1,000 feet, covering all ordinary requirements of stream-gaging 

work. For other conditions special designs should be made.

Table 25 shows, for specified spans, cable sizes and corresponding 

allowable working stresses and the "loaded sag" that will occur in 

various span lengths under the dead load of the weight of cable and 

an assumed concentrated load of 550 pounds, which represents the 

approximate weight of the car, meter equipment, and two observers.

Table 26 shows the "erection sag," or sag without concentrated 

load, of the cables listed in Table 27, and also shows the tension placed 

on each cable or the pull required in erecting it to the prescribed sag 

distance.

Plate XXXI shows graphically the information contained in 

Tables 25 and 26.

Table 27 shows for specified span lengths the diameter of the smallest 

cable that may properly be used and the corresponding sag.

TABLE 25. Sag for loaded cables. 

[Plow-steel cable 6 strands of 7 wires each concentrated load 550 pounds.]

Span in

feet.

100

200

300

400

500

600

800

1,000

Allowable working stress in pounds.

One-half 

inch cable, 

3,700.

Feet.

3.85

7.96

12.33

16.97

21.88

27.04

38.16

50.34

Ninesixteenths 

inch cable, 

4,700.

Feet.

3.06

6.38

9.97

13.83

17.95

22.34

31.91

42.55

Fiveeighths 

inch cable, 

5,700.

Feet.

2.55

5.37

8.46

11.82

15.46

19.36

28.00

37.71

Threefourths 

inch cable, 

8,000.

Feet.

1.86

3.99

6.41

9.10

12.07

15.32

22.65

31.09

Seveneighths 

inch cable, 

10,700.

Feet.

1.43

3.13

5.12

7.38

9.93

12.75

19.25

26.87

One-inch 

cable, 

14,000.

Feet.

1.12

2.53

4.22

6.18

8.44

10.97

16.88

23.92
52 EQUIPMENT FOB CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

TABLE 26. Erection sag (in feet) and tension in erecting cables, 

[Plow^steel rope 6 strands of 7 wires each.]

Span in

feet.

100

200

300

400

500

600

800

1,000

Span in

feet.

100

200

300

400

500

600

800

1,000

Diameter of cable in inches.

One-half.

Sag.

2.86

6.03

9.49

13.23

17.26

21.53

30.86

41.20

Tension.

170

320

460

590

710

810

1,010

1,180

Nine-sixteenths.

Sag.

2.04

4.45

7.19

10.25

13.58

17.20

25.23

34.28

Tension.

310

560

780

980

1,150

1,310

1,590

1,820

Five-eighths.

Sag.

1.45

3.37

5.67

8.29

11.24

14.45

21.72

30.02

Tension.

530

920

1,230

1,490

1,720

1,930

2,280

2,580

Diameter of cable in inches.

Three-fourths.

Sag.

0.54

1.84

3.58

5.68

8.09

10.80

17.05

24.35

Tension.

2,060

2,420

2,800

3,130

3,440

3.710

4,180

4,570

Seven-eighths.

Sag.

0.14

1.11

2.46

4.20

6.29

8.67

14.27

20.93

Tensio n .

10,710

5,400

5,490

5,710

5,960

6,230

6,730

7,170

One.

Sag.

0.12

.83

1.92

 3.41

5.24

7.38

12.52

18.70

Tension.

16,460

9,520

9,260

9,270

9,420

9,630

10,100

10,560

TABLE 27. Smallest allowable cable, with corresponding sag for various spans.

Span.

200 to 300 feet ...............................

400 to 650 feet ...............................

850 to 1 ,000 feet .............................

Cable. Loaded 

sag.

Feet. 

8

10

11.8

17

21.1

24

Erection 

sag.

Feet. 

6

7.2

8.3

12.2

15.9

18.7

When selecting a cable for a given span, note first the smallest size 

that may be used, as specified in Table 27. Next find from Plate 

XXXI or Table 25 the loaded sag and estimate the necessary height 

of support. It should be noted that for a given span cables other 

than the smallest size allowable hare less sag, so that where it is 

necessary, as for reducing the height of support, a cable of larger size 

than the minimum may be used.

TTTRITBTTCKLES.

In order to adjust the cable to the proper sag, a turnbuckle is placed 

between the deadman and the support. It should be placed close to 

the ground, so that it may be easily operated.

With cables up to fire-eighths inch use a standard 1-inch turnbuckle; with cables between fire-eighths and 1 inch use a standard
STRUCTURES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 53

IJ-inch turnbuckle. A thimble of proper size is used in each eye of 

the turnbuckle.

The turnbuckles should be of standard manufacture, of round iron, 

eye and eye, galvanized, and have 36-inch take-ups.

CLIPS.

Three cable clips are applied at each point where the cable is fastened. All clips must be the same size as the cable

BACKSTAY.

A backstay should be run from the top of the support to the 

anchorage and should be fastened with wire-rope clamps. It is desirable to insert a galvanized eye and eye turnbuckle with 6-inch 

take-up in the backstay.

For stations using f-inch cables use £-inch galvanized wire-strand 

backstay, with J-inch eye and eye turnbuckle; with stations using 

up to 1-inch cables use galvanized wire-strand backstay half an inch 

in diameter, with |4nch galvanized eye and eye turnbuckle. The 

galvanized wire strand is composed of seven steel wires twisted into 

a single strand and is commonly used as a guy rope by electric-light 

companies.

LIST OF MATERIALS.

For each cable station the materials shown in the following table 

are required:

TABLE 28. Bill of material for cable installation.

 feet galvanized plow steel cable, diameter.

Fourteen cable clips, same size as cable, three at each anchorage, three at each end 

of turnbuckle, one behind each sheave 8 of support.

 feet galvanized wire strand, diameter.

Eight wire-rope clamps, same diameter as wire strand, one at each anchorage, one at

each support, one at each end of turnbuckle.

One galvanized turnbuckle, eye and eye, proper size for cable used.. 

Two oval wire-rope thimbles, galvanized, same size as cable. 

Two galvanized turnbuckles, eye and eye, same size as wire strand.

CARS.

The dimensions of the standard car (PL XXIX, B} are shown in 

full detail in Plate XXXII, and a complete list of the material for its 

construction is given in Table 29. The frame and sides of the car 

may be made of any suitable lumber, the pieces preferably being fastened together with screws. The appearance of the finished car is 

shown in Plate XXIX, B.

The frame of the car should be given two coats of good paint, one 

before and one after assembling. A high-grade gray paint may be 

made by mixing white lead and boiled linseed oil and adding 1 part
54 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

of mixed coach black to 8 parts of mixed lead and oil. Carbolineum 

(applied hot) instead of paint makes a very satisfactory finish. 

. The marker T, which may be made of a piece of lath of similar 

wood, is attached to the spacing bar G exactly 5 feet from a point 

over the side sheave K, so that in connection with markings on the 

cable the measuring section may be readily located.

A scale of f-inch by 2-inch material, long enough to reach between the seats and properly graduated, should be fastened to the 

top of the frame A as an aid hi sounding. A suitable cleat or cable 

snub should be provided to hold the meter in a fixed position.

A shelter over the car for the protection of the hydrographer against 

rain has been used in Hawaii. This shelter is made of a piece of 

rubberoid roofing resting on the bar G, to which it is tacked and 

spread beyond the sides of the car by two wooden spreaders of light 

material nailed to the separators H.

A notebook rest or table may be attached to the top and outside of 

the right-hand side board of the car, as used, at a convenient distance 

in front of the main hanger. It should be attached by means of a 

pair of 3-inch strap hinges and two screw hooks and eyes, which hold 

it in position for use. When not in use, the hook is released and the 

table folds down over the outside of the car. A steel paper clip 

screwed to the top of the table holds the notebook while the measurement is being made.

All ironwork on the car must be galvanized.

TABLE 29. Bill of material for standard cable car. 

[Lettered items refer to Plate XXXII.]

LUMBER.

Item 1. One piece 2 by 4 inches by 18 feet (12 feet b. m.) S 4 S, from which cut 

Two pieces A, sides of bed frame, 6 feet long. 

Two pieces B, ends of bed frame, 1 foot 7 inches long. 

One piece F, foot rest, 2 feet 2 inches long.

2. Two pieces 1 by 10 inches by 10 feet (17 feet b. m.), S 4 S, from which cutTwo pieces C, sides of car, 6 feet long. 

Two pieces D, ends of car, 2 feet long. 

Two pieces El, seats of car, 1 foot 10 inches long.

3. One piece 1 by 8 inches by 16 feet (11 feet b. m.), S 4 S, from which cut 

Two pieces E2, bottom of tool box, 2 feet long. 

Two pieces E3, seats, 1 foot 10 inches long. 

Two pieces E4, bottom of tool box, 2 feet long. 

Two pieces E5, front of tool box, 1 foot 7 inches long.

4. One piece 2 by 2 inches (exact) by 8 feet 3 inches, S 4 S, from which cut 

One piece G, top spacing bar, 7 feet 7 inches long. 

Two pieces H, spacing blocks, 4 inches long.

5. One-half gallon of gray mixed paint.

HARDWARE.

Item 6. Two cast-iron roller-bearing, spoked sheaves I, 8-inch diameter for 1^-inch 

cable, with pins M, of proper length and diameter, cotter pin in one end 

and two washers for each pin, as per detail.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXXII

SECT/ONAL ELEVATION

-£ <ar i L

D

. f//0/<- to f/t

1 sheave pin

DETAIL OF MAIN HANGER 

/ndcx L

OETAIL OF CAR PULLER

Quarter inr/'s'tt 

th/'s distance

Vit

n

..r

f"

<\l

L_

6

DETAIL OF FOOT-REST HANGER 

/ncfex V

n

DETAIL Or S/DE-SHE A VE BRACKET

PLANS FOR STANDARD CAR.

Bill of material given in Table 29, page 54.
STRUCTURES USED IK" DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 55

Item 7. Two cast-iron roller-bearing, spoked sheaves K, 4-inch diameter, for f-inch 

cable, with machine bolts R, of proper size and length for pins, and three 

washers for each pin, as per detail.

8. Two main hangers L, as per detail, galvanized.

9. Six machine bolts JV, f by 3 inches, for spacers, with nuts.

10. Eight machine bolts 0, £ by If inches, in main hanger, eight nuts and eight 

washers.

11. Two foot-rest hangers F, as per detail, galvanized.

12. Eight machine bolts P, f by 4 inches, in foot-rest hanger.

13. Two carriage bolts Q, f by 2J inches, in foot-rest hanger.

14. Two sheave brackets W, as per detail, galvanized, for meter cord sheave.

15. Two swing bolts U, 7 inches, galvanized.

16. Four T hinges XI, 3 inches, for seat boxes.

17. One gross 2-inch No. 10 F. H. bright wood screws.

18. Two feet gage chain for stop.

19. One standard car puller PC.

20. Cleats or cable snub for meter cable.

21. One standard United States Geological Survey padlock.

NOTE. Sheaves and other parts to be from standard stock as far as practical.

EKECTION.

The design of the cable equipment having been determined and 

the material assembled, the erection of the cable structure should 

proceed about as described below. The anchorages should be 

completed first and the supports and car constructed next. Then 

the cable should be attached to the anchorage on the side of the stream 

least accessible, threaded through the sheaves of the first support, 

stretched across the stream, threaded through the sheaves of the car 

and second support, the turnbuckle inserted and attachment to the 

second anchorage made. The supports should then be raised and 

and the cable set to the proper sag, a differential block generally 

being used. 

The cable may be stretched across the stream most easily by first 

stringing a No. 10 wire and securing it to each bank. Then the cable 

is hung on the wire with carrier hooks, such as are used for carrying 

lead telephone cables, and drawn across the stream. On streams 

of moderate velocity, where a boat may be used, the end of the 

cable may be fastened to the boat and thus kept off the bottom 

while the boat is pulled across the stream by means of a rope or wire.

On a stream with smooth bottom the cable may be run across the 

stream in the following manner: Stretch an ordinary telephone wire, 

of a length at least three times the width of the stream, along the 

bank at the water's edge, and upstream from the ucable site. The 

upper end should be fastened or held by an assistant and the lower 

end fastened to a 2 by 6 inch timber 14 to 16 feet long. The timber 

should be fastened with a yoke to the wire so that it will float at a 

decide4 angle to the current. Another wire, long enough to reach 

well across the stream, should be fastened to the timber at the cable
56 EQUIPMENT FOR CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

site, the timber set afloat, and the wire paid out as the timber travels 

across the stream, swinging in an arc around the point where the long 

wire is fastened or held. With this line a larger line, or rope, may 

be brought across with which in turn the cable may be pulled across.

The desired sag should be obtained by using a level at a proper 

distance below the top of the sheave block of one support and setting 

the lowest point of the cable up to this elevation. With favorable 

topography a wye level set on the side hill may be used. Otherwise 

an observer with a hand level is placed on the support with his eye 

at the proper distance below the sheave.

To detect the possible slipping of the cable clips the clip nearest 

the end of the cable should be so placed that the cable between it and 

the next clip back is sufficiently slack to give the effect of a slight 

loop.

The following list will be found helpful in collecting the tools necessary for the erection of the cable stations and standard shelters. 

Ordinarily it will be advantageous to fit out a box for the tools, which 

may then be shipped to the site of the work. - The box should contain the following:

TABLE 30. Tools for field use. 

CARPENTER'S TOOLS.

Squares: 24-inch steel; 6-inch try; 6-inch bevel. 

Level: 3-foot spirit. 

Rule: 6-foot folding.

Handsaws: 24-inch crosscut, 26-inch rip, teeth of both with wide set. 

Wood chisels: Six of different widths. 

Hand ax: One 3-pound with nail puller. 

Hammer: One good claw hammer. 

Screw driver: 8-inch medium; also bits for brace. 

Bit brace: One ratchet, 10-inch swing.

Bits: Auger, twist, chain-drill attachment. Include one § by 10 inch, one f by 14 

inch, one ff by 16 inch. 

Files: Six, assorted size and shapes. 

Bar: One pinch bar with claw.

MASON'S TOOLS. 

Trowel: 10-inch brick trowel.

Hammer: Stonemason's, 3£ pounds, with short handle; 8-pound striking hammer. 

Drills: Four diamond point or star point, J inch by 2 feet; three diamond point, 1£ 

inches by 3 feet; one diamond point, f inch by 2 feet.

OTHER TOOLS.

Pliers: One lineman's 10-inch; one pair combination.

Cold chisel: One 6-inch.

Wrenches: 6 and 12 inch monkey; 8, 14, and 24 inch Stillson.

Extras: Extra nuts and washers of assorted sizes; extra cable clips.

Picks: Ordinary and grub, if necessary.

Shovels: Short and long handle, as required.
STRUCTURES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 57

TACKLE.

Differential: 5-ton differential block.

Chain: One length log chain 12 feet; one length cable chain 12 feet.

Hope: 1-inch manila, 50 feet; J-inch manila, 100 feet, with steel tackle blocks.

STJNDEIES.

Pails: One water and two bailing pails.

Pump: Diaphragm operated by gasoline engine, where required.

BRIDGES.

A gaging station established at a place where a stream is crossed by 

a bridge can generally be installed at a cost lower than that involved 

in any other installation. Unfortunately the conditions of channel 

and current that insure accurate records are not always found at 

existing bridges, so that the saving of expense generally involves the 

sacrifice of accuracy, which is more surely attained by selecting a site 

without reference to existing structures. Even if the first cost of a 

cable station is larger, it will be justified by the material saving that 

will be effected in maintenance, if the station is to be continued 

through a considerable period of time, because fewer discharge 

measurements will be necessary to determine the station rating 

curve.

If the stream is not too large it may sometimes be advantageous 

to construct a special wooden or suspension bridge.

The type of wooden footbridge shown in Plate XXXIII may be 

used on spans up to 80 feet. It is made up of two main stringers E, 

spliced if necessary, and trussed with f-inch steel rods. The struts 

F are braced crosswise by the braces O and lengthwise by braces K. 

On the inside of each stringer E is spiked a batten G, 1 by 2 inches, 

upon which rests the 2 by 4 inch floor beams B, spaced 4 feet on centers. Tie-rods T, f inch in diameter, pierce the stringers E close to 

the floor beams B, which they hold securely in place. Under the 

ends of the floor planks 4 by 4 inch beams / replace the intermediate 

beams B. Suitable sills 8 are placed under each end of the bridge.

The structure should be painted with standard gray paint. The 

bill of material shown in Table 31 is for a bridge 60 feet long; for 

any other length it should be revised accordingly.

TABLE 31. Bill of material for standard footbridge. 

 [Lettered items, refer to Plate XXXIII.] 

LUMBER.

Item 1. Six pieces E, stringers, 6 by 8 inches by 24 feet long (576 feet b. m.). 

2. Two,pieces 6 by 6 inches by 16 feet (96 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Four pieces F, posts, 2 feet 9 inches long. 

Two pieces Ht braces, 2 feet long. 

Two pieces &, sills, 6 feet 6 inches long.
5S EQUIPMENT FOE CUBRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

Item 3. Four pieces A, floor planks, 2 by 12 inches by 16 feet long (128 feet b. m.).

4. Five pieces 2 by 4 inches by 16 feet (55 feet b. m.), from which cut 

Thirteen pieces B, floor beams, 2 feet long. 

Four pieces C, braces, 3 fee.t 8 inches long. 

Four pieces K, braces, 7 feet 8 inches long.

5. One piece 4 by 4 inches by 10 feet (14 feet b. m.), from which cut three pieces 

J, floor beams under joints, 2 feet long.

6. Ten pieces 1 by 2 inches by 12 feet (20 feet b. m.), battens, G.

HARDWARE.

Item 7. Four pieces flat steel, 6 by 6 inches by J inch, bearing plates M, with £f-inch. 

hole drilled in center.

8. Sixteen machine bolts Z>, £ by 8 inches, for splices.

9. Thirty-two ogee cast-iron washers, £ inch, for bolts D.

10. Sixteen steel tie-rods T, f inch by 3 feet 3 inches long, with a long thread on 

each end and two nuts each.

11. Thirty-two ogee cast-iron washers, f inch, for rods T.

12. Four steel rods, f inch, for lower chords, 30 feet 3 inches long, threaded on 

both ends, with one nut and one ogee cast-iron washer each.

Streams less than 200 feet wide may be spanned by footbridges 

constructed on supporting cables of f-inch galvanized plow steel 

or of cables built up of a sufficient number of parallel strands of 

No. 10 galvanized-iron wire. When a suspension cable of the latter 

type is used, it should be built up by passing separate strands 

across the stream and fastening them in place, the wire being unwound 

from the coil as used;

TWO suspension cables should be carried over the stream at the 

same elevation and 3 feet apart. They should be supported by trees 

or A frames if necessary, and the ends should be fastened either to 

trees or deadmen. Directly over and 3 feet above the main cables 

there should be two cables to serve as guards and to furnish support 

and stiffness to the bridge. Each of these cables should be connected 

vertically with the corresponding lower cable by means of No. 12 

wire, or by seizing wire which, being drawn taut, transmits a portion 

of the load to the upper cable. These verticals should be put in at 

the end of each 2 by 4 inch by 3-foot 6-inch floor beam.

The floor beams should be placed 4 feet apart along the lower 

cable with the 4-inch dimension vertical. They should be notched 

1 inch deep 3 inches back from each end. The notches, together 

with the vertical connecting wires wound around the crosspieces 

and the cable at each end, will prevent the crosspieces slipping from 

the cable.

The floor may be made of two parallel lines of 1 by 8 inch boards, 

spaced 2 inches apart. Either 12-foot or 16-foot boards should be 

used, and so laid as to break joints at the ends. The floor boards 

should be nailed to the 2 by 4 inch floor beams by 2i-inch*(8d.) nails.

Measuring points should be marked on the bridge floor and the 

distance from the initial point should be painted beside the marks.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXXIII

Use 4 x4*under 

of planks

|^ 6'Q*- *1

I ' 

1 1 i 1

SPUCE.

tr

\

$/0£ ELEVATION

TIE-ROD FASTENING SECTION AT SPLICE

PLANS FOR STANDARD FOOTBRIDGE.

Bill of material given in Table 31, page 57.
V. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

1. EXCELLENT NATURAL CONTROL. 

Black River at Fort Apache, Ariz.

£. ARTIFICIAL CONTROL. 

Sweetwater River at Descanso, Cal.
STRUCTURES USED IN DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS. 59 

BOATS.

Boat stations as ordinarily equipped are unsatisfactory because of 

the difficulty in holding the boat in position while making soundings 

and in operating the meter, but ferryboats operated from cables can 

often be used advantageously.

boK

Stove bo/t 

D 3/>

\^s

.£ - ...

DETAIL OF PART C

FIGURE 10. Plans for trolley for use with ferryboats.

In making measurements by this method it is necessary to keep 

the meter beyond the influence of the boat on the stream. For this 

purpose the trolley shown in figure 10 is useful. A pole 2 inches in 

diameter about 10 feet long is squared off at one end and inserted 

between the pieces A and C, which are of medium hard brass. These
60 EQUIPMENT FOE CTJEEENT-MET1E GAGING STATIONS.

are clamped to the pole by means of the stove bolts F. The hooked 

part A is hung over the ferry cable, and the meter cord is passed 

over the pulley P, the trolley being pushed ahead of the boat as the 

measurement progresses.

In measuring large streams, such as Niagara, St. Lawrence, and 

Mississippi rivers, specially constructed and equipped catamarans 

have been used with great success by the Corps of Engineers of the 

United States Army, but the equipment is expensive and its use 

practically restricted to special investigations on important rivers.

TABLE 32. Bill ofmaterial for ferry cable trolley.

Item 1. One piece each, of medium hard brass, A and C, dimensions shown on figure

10, drilled and tapped as shown. 

One round-head stove bolt D, ^ by 1J inches. 

Two round-head stove bolts F, £$ by 1| inches. 

One pulley P, 1J inches diameter. 

One pole B, at least 10 feet long, to be kept at the ferry station.

STAY LINES.

A stay line to hold the meter vertical against the drag of the 

current is a desirable adjunct to a current-meter station. The use 

of the stay line is illustrated in Plate V, A (p. 15). Stay lines should 

be fastened to trees or to posts set firmly in the ground and properly 

guyed. A galvanized eye and eye turnbuckle should be inserted 

at one end of the line to take up the sag.

The stay line should be placed so far upstream from the cable 

that the line from meter to stay line makes an angle of not more 

than 30° with the horizontal. Half of the distance between the stay 

line and car may be covered by a No. 10 galvanized wire, one end of 

which should be attached to a 2J-inch clothesline pulley rolling on 

the stay line, the end nearest the car being attached to a 2-inch galvanized awning pulley that will accommodate f-inch braided sash 

cord.

The following table will aid in the selection of stay lines:

TABLE 33. Data for selection of stay lines.

Span.

Up to 200 feet.. 

200 to 500 feet..

500 to 750 feet..

750 to 1,000 feet.

Stay line.

No. 8 galvanized telegraph wire... 

One-fourth inch standard steel

wire strand.

One-half inch high strength (crucible steel), wire strand.

One-half inch extra high strength 

(plow steel) wire strand.

Breaking 

strength.

Pounds.

1,000 

2,300

18,000

27,000

Minimum 

sag.

Feet.

2

7

8

15

Turnbuckle.

One-fourth inch. . . 

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

Five-eighths inch .

Seven -eighths 

inch.

Fastening.

Twisted. 

Wire clamps.

Do.

Do.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXXV

Final bank

^~- Crest of concrete control

of stream after construct/on of control

GENERAL CROSS SECT/ON OF STREAM

£&%?.:&::.?:&#&i&^^ °%:^-*&&&:$±:&'&X$Vfc$

GENERAL CROSS SECTION OF STREAM

CROSS SECTION OF CONTROL 

GRAY TYPE

CROSS SECTION OF CONTROL 

COLORADO TYPE

PLANS FOR ARTIFICIAL CONTROL.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXXVI

Elevation 

in feet

95 

on

^~ ^

^

K

\\

T-^ ^ == =

L ^/V»

s===:

 oyimate low wat

/nti

sr~^

ke p/pe

Approxtn

on bed c

tare hieh

f stream

-water ei

.J*

zi/ation-^

^ " - .1 . ^ =»

 -*-7

^=7

^

^ v ^ /

/

S"^

10 20 30

C/?OSS SECTION OS/ A- A 

o ft .1 2

^ 60 70 

PROFILE OF CONCRETE CONTROL

90 100 I/O Feet

Elevation

in feet

/OO

- 95

9O

.50

PLAN OF CONCRETE CONTROL

SECT/ON ON B-B 

i z 3 Feet

PLANS FOR ARTIFICIAL CONTROL.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 371 PLATE XXXVII

A. SAN LUIS REY RIVER AT PALA, CAL.

£. LOGAN RIVER AT LOGAN, UTAH.

ARTIFICIAL CONTROLS.
ARTIFICIAL CONTROL. 61 

LINES FOB INDICATING MEASURING POINTS.

In order that the measuring points at a gaging station may be 

easily found at the time of making measurements and that the 

distance between the measuring points may be readily determined, 

they should be referred to a fixed initial point, and the span should 

be divided into sections by permanent marks placed at regular 

intervals on the bridge rail or floor of a bridge station; on the main 

«able or on a secondary tagged cable of a cable station, or, for measurements made from a boat or by wading, on a tape or tagged line 

stretched across the stream. If tape or tagged line, can not be left 

in place, the initial point should be so located and marked that at 

each discharge measurement the line can be stretched in the same 

position as for previous measurements.

ARTIFICIAL CONTROL.

A permanent control, assuring a constant discharge relation, is 

one of the essential features in the efficient operation of a currentmeter station. At many stations a natural control may be discovered by careful reconnaissance. An especially fine natural control is shown in Plate XXXIV, A. At this station a solid rock dike 

extends entirely across the channel and up on each bank; there is 

a fall of several tenths of a foot at low water; the rock is smooth; 

and there is no chance for gravel or silt to deposit behind the control. 

Such natural controls are, however, exceptional, and on many 

streams it is impossible to find a control of any kind. This is notably 

true of most of the streams in southern California and Arizona. 

The beds of these streams shift greatly during high water, the 

amount of the change depending rather on the duration of the 

flood than on its intensity. The changes are greatest in those streams 

in which the sand and water flow along together all the time, the 

result being a continually shifting channel. Under such conditions 

the construction of an artificial control may make it possible to 

obtain an accurate station discharge curve with a reasonable number 

of stream measurements.

Artificial controls should be made to conform as nearly as possible 

to the contour of the stream bed, so that the natural adjustment of 

the stream to its channel will be disturbed as little as possible. The 

site should be selected only after careful reconnaissance. Bedrock, 

either exposed or buried at shallow depth, or a nest of bowlders 

affords the best anchorage or foundation for the control and the 

apron which is to receive the overfall. There must be a free fall 

along the''channel below the control in order to prevent the formation of secondary sand controls that would destroy the effectiveness 

of the structure. The velocity over tl\e control should be sufficient
62 EQUIPMENT FOB CURRENT-METER GAGING STATIONS.

to prevent the pool above it from silting up but not so great that the 

sand will abrade the material of which the control is built. A lip of 

thin flat steel placed in the top of the control near the downstream 

face, so as to give a free overflow, will prevent abrasion. In order 

that the station may be sensitive, the low-water flow should be concentrated within narrow limits by giving the control a section across 

the stream concave upward.

Plans for artificial controls are given in Plate XXXV, and a successful special control that was built on the outlet of Owasco Lake, 

in central New York, is shown in Plate XXXVI.

A typical artificial control, shown in Plate XXXIV, B, consists of 

three sections of concrete beams resting on top of buried bowlders 

the downstream side being supported by bowlders that project above 

the stream bed. A piece of flat steel, £$ by 5 inches, was placed 

in the top of the concrete, on edge, the top of the steel being an inch 

higher than the concrete. The apron receiving the overflow is made 

of concrete. Another artificial control is shown in Plate XXXVII, 

A. To provide a footing for this control a trench was dug, and into 

this trench two-men bowlders were rolled; the interstices were filled 

with smaller stones; the whole was cemented together with concrete. 

The footing supports a 10-inch concrete wall and the projecting apron. 

The contour of the crest conforms closely to the cross section of the 

stream. The crest of the low-water section is protected by a lip 

made from an old wagon tire. The total length of the structure is 

38 feet. The ends are anchored to bowlders on the banks.

A very simple artificial control used in connection with stream 

measurements at a power station is shown in Plate XXXVII, B.

Concrete is an excellent material with which to build these controls, the aggregate usually being found near by. If wet the sand and 

gravel should be shoveled into a pile to dry for a few days before 

being used. The cement sacks, when filled with sand, are useful in 

turning the channel. Flat steel £$ inch by 5 inches may be obtained 

from stock, and makes a good lip. It is easily straightened and can 

be cut cold with a hack saw. Dynamite is the most effective agent 

for removing obstructions from the channel above the control.
INDEX.

B.

Backstay, size and position of............... 53

Bench-mark tablet, water resources, plate

showing......................... 37

Bench marks, station, placing of............. 41

Boats, use of................................. 59

Bridge piers, gage on, plate showing......... 24

Bridges, gaging stations at................... 57

See also Footbridge.

C.

Cable, anchorages for........................ 47-50

anchorages for, plans of..... T ........... 46

erection of............................... 55-56

sag of, diagram showing................. 50

tables showing...................... 51-52

size and material of...................... 50-51

supports for, construction of............. 42-44

material for.......................... 44-47

plans of.............................. 42

plate showing....................... 44

Cable installation, material for............... 53

Car, cable, construction of................... 53-54

cable, material of........................ 54-55

plans for............................. 54

plate showing....................... 44

Clips, cable, use of........................... 53

Control, artificial, construction of............ 61-62

artificial, plans for....................... 60

plates showing....................... 58-60

excellent natural, plate showing......... 58

Cushing bridge piers, gage on, plate showing.. 24

D.

Deadmen, construction of................... 47-49

plans of................................. 46

Discharge measurements, structures used for. 41-61

F.

Ferry cable trolley, construction and material

of................................ 59-60

Footbridge, construction and material of..... 57-58

plans for_.............................. 58

Forms for concrete work, construction of..... 38-40

material for.............................. 40-41

Freezing, protection from.................... 24

Friez automatic recording gage, plate showing.............................. 14

G.

Gage, chain, description of................. 9-10

chain, material for...................... 10-11

plan of box and weight for........... 10

float, description of...................... 9

hook, description of..................... 8

 material for.......................... 9

plate showing....................... 8

Gage, inclined-staff, attachment of, to concrete piers...................... 11-12

inclined-staff, attachment of, to timber

posts............................ 12-13

material for.......................... 12,13

plateshowing....................... 8

recording, concrete wells for, construction

of............................... 20-23

installation for....................... 13-14

intake of, anchorage for.............. 19-20

plate showing....................... 14

shelters for.......................... 25-38

timber-lined well for, construction of. 15-19 

material for................... 15,16-17

plans of, plate showing.......... 16

slope, plans for......................... 12

vertical-staff, description of.............. 8

plate showing....................... 8

Gage table, construction and material for.... 38

Gages, nonrecording, descriptions of......... 8-13

Gaging station, typical, plate showing....... 15

Gurley automatic recording gage, plate showing.............................. 14

H. 

Heating of gage well, devices for.......... 24,25

Intake, anchorage for....................... 19-20

anchorage for, sections and details of.... 20

pipe for.................................. 15

M. 

Measuring points, modes of indicating....... 61

0.

Outline of equipment.

B. 

Rock ledges, use of, for anchorages ........... 50

S.

Shelter, box, construction of................ 29

box, material for........................ 29

plans of............................. 28

plateshowing....................... 15,30

California, construction of.............. 27

material for......................... 28

plans of............................. 28

plateshowing....................... 18

concrete, combined with gage well, construction and material of..... 20,22-23

plain construction of................ 31-32

material for.......................... 33-35

plans of............................. 34

63
64 INDEX.

Shelter, Hawaiian, plate showing........... 31

metal, plate showing.................... 36

miscellaneous designs for................ 37

plates showing.......... 31,36,37,38,39,40

portable, construction of................ 30

material for......................... 31

plans of............................. 32

plate showing....................... 31

reinforced concrete, construction of...... 35

forms for............................ 38-41

material for......................... 36

plans of............................. 20,22

sectional wooden, construction of........ 25-26

material for......................... 26-27

plans of............................. 26

plate showing....................... 30

ventilation of........................... 37-38

Shelter for automatic gage, plates showing. 38,39,40 

Stay lines, selection and placing of.......... 60

Stevens automatic recording gage, plate showing................................ 14

T. Page. 

Tools, list of................................ 56-67

Trees, use of, for anchorages................ 49

Trolley for ferryboat cable, construction and

material of...................... 59-60

Turnbuckles, size and position of............ 52-53

V.

Ventflation of shelters....................... 37-38

W.

Well in a rock bank, plate showing.......... 18

Well with no intake, plate showing......... 15

Wells, concrete, construction of............. 20-23

concrete, material for........ 20-21,21-22,22-23

plans of............................. 20,22

miscellaneous designs for................ 23-24

timber-lined, construction of............ 15-19

dimensions of....................... 14

material for......................... 16-17

plans, of............................ 16

o