The Coconino sun., 1923-02-16
LEES FERRY GAGING
STATION Is KEY TO
RIVER PROJECTS

II VeSClgdClOH OF IIic SIIediH 1lOW Oh Lne
/ Colorado river through Glen Canyon
] as measured at Lees Ferry, Arizona,
/ have recently been compiled by the
4 United States geological survey, ac-
1 cording to a report filed recently with
the governor by Roger C. Rice, dis
/ trict engineer for Arizona.
i This is the first authentic record of
flow through Glen Canyon determined
4 by direct volumetric measurements
and represents the amount of water
entering Arizona from the northern
4 part of the basin. When tentative
plans were under consideration to
utilize the Glen Canyon dam site for
flood control and hydro-electric de-
velopment, it was found that existing
information on the flow of the river
at this point was wholly inadequate
for the detailed studies required In
May, 1921, the United States geolog-
ical survey brought this matter to the
attention of the Southern California
Edison company officials, who simme-
diately arranged to cooperate with
the geological survey in the early es-
tablishment of first-class gaging
station at Lees Ferry. AS a result
of that cooperative policy, the state
of Arizona now has available nearly
two years continuous record of stream
flow particularly applicable to this
project, and also for use in matters
relating to the Colorado River COM
pact between the river basin states.
Article v of the compact specifically
provides for the "ascertainment and
| publication of the annual flow of the
Colorado River at Lees Ferry" and
"to promote the systematic determin-
alton and coordination of the facts
as to flow, appropriation, consump-
tion and use Of water in the Colorado
River basin, and the interchange of
available information in such mat
ters."
Throughout the year the Colorado
River carries an unusually large per
cent of silt. Taken in conjunction with
the great volume of water and high
velocities during the period of an
nual snow run-off, from May to July,
this renders the task Of securing ac-
curate stream flow measurements
particularly difficult. Through the
use of specially designed equipment
and the services of resident hydro
graphers who make frequent current
meter measurements, these unfavor-
able conditions have been largely
overcome and very satisfactory re-
suits have been obtained.
Two factors enter into the compu-
tation of daily discharge: A continu
Gus record of river stage and the
stage-discharge relation for the gag
ing station, defined by current meter
/ Il Oh
and high stages throughout the year.
A reinforced concrete stilling well,
30 feet high, has been constructed at
the head of the rifle at the Dugway,
just above the mouth of Paria river.
Small openings in this well keep the
Water at the same height as the riv-
er and the river stage is accurately
measured and recorded throughout the
year by means of an improved contin-
uous water-stage recorder, located in
the shelter over the wall. The record
er furnishes graphic record of the
river stage, which is called the gage
height record"
From the cable car and cable To-
Gated advantageously quarters
/ quarters of a mile upstream from the
gage, frequent volumetric measure
ments of the flow of the river are
made by means of current meter
equipment. The great amount of
drift that usually accompanied high
water made it imperative to modify
the usual design of the current meter
equipment for use at this station. The
current meter is raised and lowered
in the water by means of a compact
winch, attached to the side of the ca
bic car, and the meter is held in po-
sition in the water during medium and
high stages by a 105-pound weight,
designed in the shape Of torpedo to
offer minimum resistance to the cur
rent. Particular care has to be taken
during high water to prevent the dam
age of the meter by drift. At Lees
Ferry, because of the abrasive action
of silt on the bearings of the cur
rent meters used, during the past sea-
son it was necessary to use seven cur
rent meters where under ordinary riv-
er conditions, one would have suffic-
ed.
On the data so secured are based
calculations dealing with flood con-
troll, irrigation and hydro-electric de-
velopment for Colorado River. Lack
OIL complete SCfedm IlOW RECORDS on
the river and it's tributaries has been
one of the retarding factors in the
perfection of these plans.
The Lees Ferry gaging station is
one Of four basic stations on Colorado
do River in Arizona that are now in
4 operation. Three Of these, Lees Fer
ry, Grand Canyon and Topock, have
been established during 1921 and 1922,
through financial cooperation provid-
ed by the U. S. geological survey,
Federal Power Commission, U. S.
reclamation service, U. S. weather bu-
reau, state of California, Imperial ir>,
rigation district, Southern California
Edison company and the city of Los
Angeles. The fourth station, that at
Yuma, is maintained by the U. S. rec
/ lamation service. These four stations
are part of comprehensive plan out
lined by the U. S. geological survey
to meet the stream gaging require
ments of the entire Colorado river
basin. This plan insures the carrying