The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1912-03-21
FARMERS OF THE
VALLEY ASSURED OF
PLENTY OF WATER

Farmers of the Arkansas valley are
assured plenty of water for irrigation
purposes this season, as shown by the
snowfall, bulletin for the month of
February which has just been issued
by the climatological service of the
weather bureau, department of agri-
culture.
Up until the first of February the
amount of snow in the watershed OF
the Arkansas valley was considerably
above normal. and this surplus was
increased by one inch during last
month. The average depth of snow
over the Arkansas valley watershed.
at the close of February was &c
inches.
The month in general brought much
snow for the mountain region, but
the Arkansas valley Jared as we'll as
the best, and better than some Of the
snow sheds.
While the ground is frozen to
depth of several feet in most places
in the mountains. this condition does
not hold good with the watershed of
Arkansas valley. and as result. the
water flow when the snow melts and
begins to run off will be slower than
otherwise. which insures an average
flow during the season for the Ar
kansas valley.
The distribution OF precipitation
during February was even more lr-
regular than usual throughout the
region drained by the South Platte.
except Park county, the snowfall was
nuch above the normal for February.
and in less degree the same is true
OF the Arkansas watershed from Chat
fee county southwark along the east
ern slope OF the Sangre de Cristo and
Culebra ranges. a deficiency of snow
fall was general on the watershed II
the Rio Grande. West OF the CONT
mental Divide an excess occurred IN
the eastern part OF Grand county. AMI
locally in Eagle county; elsewhere.
however. throughout the region drain
ed by the Yampa. White. Grand. Gun
nison and San Juan a light snowfall
was feature OF the month. The de-
fciency was very marked on the San
Juan watershed. .~sr1 xe~
There was much drifting. and the
snow IL now generally hard packed
and ley, except the recent falls. On
The other hand, the ground being
deeply frozen, the run-on when melt
ing begins will be more rapid than
usual, thus 1essening the duration OF
the late flow from this source. wheth-
er the early flow will reach the aver
age on the Rio Grande and western
watersheds will depend upon weather
conditions during March. April and
May; the late flow will be below the
average. An average flow throughout
the season is indicated for the Arkan-
sas and for the South Platte. excep;
in the upper reaches OF the South
Platte.
At the end OF February the average
depth on the South Platte watershed.
average altitude OF 5000 feet, 25
inches was 8 inches greater. while for
for the North Platte. average altitude
$500 feet. the average depth, 20
inches, was 2 inches less than at the
end of February. 1911. For the Arkan-
sas, $500 feet, the average was 80
inches. or 1 inch greater. but the av-
erage for the Rio Grande, 1900 feet,
was 10 inches less than a year ago.
For the Grand, $500 feet. SO inches.
and the Yag.pa. S,10o feet. Al inches.
the average was inches and IA
inches respectively, greater than it
corresponding date last year. For the
Gunnison, $500 feet. 25 inches. and
the San Juan and Dolores. 1900 feet.
inches, there was an average de-