The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1895-06-07
WESTERN WATER RESOURCES.
Statement OF Mr.. Newell OF the 0solog-
ioal Survey. Results of Stream
MnnnUsment

Washington, June 3.-F. II. Newell of
the geological survey, has completed his
fifth pamphlet on the results OF stream
management In the United States. Spec
ial attention has been paid throughout
to knowledge of the water resources
of those parts Of the country where wa
ter Is Of the greatest value. Gauging
stations have been established In most
Of the large basins of the West, cs-
peclally In the upper Missouri, Yellow
stone, Platte, Rio Grnnde. ella and Bear
rivers. At these the daily flow of the
rivers was measured and the mean flow
calculated for each month OF the year.
In most of the arid regions the flow
was greater In May and June, though in
some places 1t continued very large
throughout the first half Of July. The
solution of the problem by which the
surplus waters during these months can
BIO restrained for use In July and meas
ured depends somewhat on the flow of
the rivers, and Mr.. Newell's measure
ments are expected to be OF value In
simplifying the problem. In the more
arid portions of the Southwest there Is
not water enough to irrigate all the land.
no matter how carefully 1t might be
stored. The general government has
absolute title to nearly one-third Of the
area OF the United States, excluding
Alaska. With the exception Of certain
areas within the Indian reservation, the
public lands of the West are mainly
within the arid or seml-arid region.
In order to throw light upon one OF
the many phases Of the inquiries con-
corning the water resources, q thorough
investigation was made, TO the popula-
ton Of the lands Of the national do
mains. The results show that settle
ipent has followed, the streams OF tho
Great West to remarkable extent, and
that It has clustered about the foot hilli
OF the higher mountain range, which
from their abruptness Of topography, III
sure perennial supply of water for IT.
rigation.
Coming down to the details, the pam
phlct shows that the upper Missouri,
about Helena, Montana, drains basin
of $1,000 square miles. Its flow In May
and June varies from 1900 TO 1900
second feet per month. In December,
January and February, the lowest
months, the flow falls to 5000 per
month. The Yellowstone, above Gin
nibar, drains 200 square miles, and Its
flow Is from 5000 TO 10000 second feet
per month in June and July. During
the first three months In the past year
II falls as low as 800 second feet per
month.
The Arkansas, above Canyon, Kansas,
drains 5000 square miles. Its flow Is
variable, oscillating In May. June, July
and August between 600 and 5000 sec
ond feet and tho remainder OF the year
never rising above 500.
Many large canals take water from
1t, and when those now building are
completed. the entire flow Of the river
will not supply them. In some places
''underfiow' canals have also been dug
to catch the water that comes from be
meath the bed OF the river even when II
appears TO be entirely dry, and flow
of n few feet has been obtained.
The Rio Grande drains 10000 square
miles above III Paso. Texas. In May
and June 1t discharges from 1000 TO s.
900 second feet there and at other times.
especially the last part OF the year, Is
often entirely dry.
Bear river, above Collinston, Utah.
drains 6.OOO square miles and runs well
from April TO July. varying from 5000
to 5000 second feet. During the next
two months. however. from 700 10 300
Is all that can be hoped for.