Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-05-30
coLoRADo's ODD OFFICIAL.
State Official Whose Duty Is to Keep
Track Of Snow Accommodations
at Source Of Streams.

So far as I know, Colorado has the
only snow observer" in the world,
writes Enos A. Mills in the Denver
Republican. The duties OF the snow
uring snow accumulations at the head
waters of the streams. Most of these
| measurements are made In springtime,
after the snowfall on the range Is prac-
tically over.
At the source Of mountain streams
snow commonly falls through nine
months Of the year. By the beginning
OF June the snow Of the preceding
months are for the most part found In
irregularly shaped deposits OF various
sizes and depths. These deposits are
found either where the snow accumulat-
ed most deeply or where the snow was
best protected from the melting sun or
the evaporating winds.
Irrigation interests are greatly affect
ed oy the quantity Of snow. It has be-
come important to know in advance the
quantity OF snow available for the water
supply. The water supply may be ap-
proximately estimated by measuring
the snow deposits, and by making melt
Ing tests of the snow to find out the
quantity of water It contains. When
the snow accumulations at the source of
stream are measured and tested for
water. and then compared with meas
urements and tests Of preceding years,
the quantity Of water which summer
will release from these accumulations
may be approximately estimated
For several years Prot. Carpenter,
state engineer, has been trying to find
out the chief factors which conserve the
water supply. About three years ago he
sent me to the watershed OF the Platte
with instructions to measure, test, pho
tograph and to note the location Of the
snow deposits. The writer has made
similar Investigations of the snow de-
posits at scores Of other places In the
state. During 10000 Investigations
were carried on during autumn, winter
and spring. rambled the Snowy
range" from Wyoming to New Mexico.
During these rambles l observed the
wind and weather. watched snow fall,
drift and disappear, looked at the soil
conditions, saw the living forests and
the burned areas, and made pages of
notes concerning natural phenomena.
Onsthese trips wore medium weight
woollen underwear, overalls and q can
vas coat. While on showshoes have
my feet In German socks and arctic
overshoes. I carry camera, a barome-
ter, thermometer, compass and fold
Ing ak. The only food carry Is either
raisins or peanuts. I eat lightly while
on the go, and can If necessary live for
a week upon pound of raisins. have
many times travelled for three days In
succession without eating bite.
The result of measurements thus far
made suggests that the area OF deepest
snowfall Is not far from 1000 feet
above sea level. In other words, ascend
or descend from timber line and the
quantity Of snow grows less.
March seems to be the month OF great
est snowfall. and the SHOWS of this
month generally are very wet Some
times during spring SHOWS the summit
peaks are above the storm clouds and
do not receive any snow. Crested Butte
and surroundings seem to have the most
snow. In this region an annual fall of
30 feet Is not uncommon, and 80 feet has
fallen In single winter. The normal
snowfall at Swandyke is IL feet, and
during the snowy winter OF 1900 snow
fell on LII consecutive days.
There Is a common belief concerning
the water supply which believe erro-
neous, and it is that "early SHOWS make
late water" Very few of those who have
had much experience with mountain
SHOWS will agree with this. The longer
snow lies upon the ground, the greater
will be the loss of its moisture by evap-
grafton. Colorado winds are ever
thirsty, and no matter how firmly q
snowdrift may be packed, Its firm con-
dition will not prevent the winds from
sucking much of the moisture out Of it.
I have assayed hundreds of snowdrifts
melted portion to find the percent
age OF water-and invariably I have
found the greater percen cage OF water
In drifts which were best protected from
wind or which were not old. In time
evaporation will change q compacted
snowdrift to a crystal caveyl.