White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-04-20
Higher Water In
River This Year

FrOSpSCCS are AOA AASAS SN
erage high water in the COLUMBIA
river this spring. Since 1928, when the
record high water occurred in the r1v-
err, temperatures have risen early IN
the season, which, combined with other
factors caused runoH that was grad
nal rather than a maximum How
within few weeks.
This year, however, the spring mas
been unusually backward, causing the
belief that the water in the columbia
will reach a high peak when the
warmer weather does arrive.
From information sent out by the
Weather Bureau at Portland, gathered
by meteorologists of the northwest
states, the snow supply in the noun
tains throughout the Columbia DRAIN
age area at the close of March was
considerably above normal. This Is que
to the fact that while precipitation
from December to March was not
greatly in excess of normal, most OF
it was snow. Some of the lowest tenn
peratures of record were experienced
during this winter. In contrast 10 Che
condition of year ago, the SOIL Is
we'll filled with moisture. IN many
places it is reported to be frozen I'M
der the snow. The snow, particularly
in it's lower levels, is compact, With
high water content The indications
are that with normal weather at tie
time of most rapid melting, the 1888
rise of the Columbia will be consider
ably greater than usual, with a crest
in the Portland harbor we'll above the
average of 20 feet. If unusually not
weather occurs late in May or early
in June. a stage of % or "a feet may
be reached.
| Barring places of slight elevation IN
this state, according to Lawrence q.
Fisher, meteorologist, the snow supply
/ at the close of March averaged double
the normal on the east slope OF the
Cascade mountains, and it was also
greatly in excess of normal in the
high mountains elsewhere in the Col
umbia drainage basin in Washington.
Not ony is the snow denser than nor
NAL, and not much drifted, and the
ground generally frozen, but the soil
also contains much moisture. the IN
dications, says Mr.. Fisher are that not
onlv will the maximum runotf IN
Washington be much greater than
usual, but also the maximum runo1
will be both much greater than nor
: NAL and much greater than was indl-
: Gated on March 81, 1882. It is doubt
full if a spring of very gradual melt
ing and light precipitation can ease
off the accumulated water resources
| without producing stream crests con-
siderably in excess of normal, while a
J spring with average conditions might
produce flow approaching or equal
ing the record.
! After an exceptionally dry Septem-
Der, states the Weather Bureau, dis
tricts of moderate and greater eleva-
ton in that part of Montana draining
into the Columbia river received above
+ normal precipitation throughout the
fall and winter months. Heavy snow
i fall began early in November, and snow
S accumulated fairly steadily and mostly
S at above the normal seasonal rate, I'M
e til March. Conditions at the end Of
d March in Montana indicated covel
e about one-third greater than at tina
y time last year, and ranging from II
e to 20 per cent more than the norma
e amount. The snow is drifted less thar
3 usual, is we'll packed and is believed
e to have a high water content Yer.
= little runoff has yet been reported. Tn
: ground, which is well saturated, VIII
be less able to absorb additional waite
# than for some years. 1t is believed tina
q the maximum flow of the rivers il
% Montana contributing to the Columbia
n prior to July 1, will be somewha
" greater than the average, as well a
,e greater than last years flow.
70 From British Columbia come the re
20 ports that snowfall has been heavy i
1t most districts and in all probabillt
It. the runoff will be more than usua
re and, in the event of continuous war;
s. spell in May or June, hood condition
S. are likely to be severe on the lowe
s. levels.
il. High water in the Columbia last yea
at the Coyote Rapids pumping sta
ltion reached a stage of 524.5 fee
while the mean maximum stage owe
1T a period of % years is 1929 feet. Rec
ord high water was reached in l92
It's when the stage at the pumping plar
e. was 528.6 feet. The stage Of the rive
m today, Thursday, is 1854 feet.
e. -
n White Bluffs Bands