r Aomc, urn, 
 

AGRIC. DEPT, 
 
 UNITED STATES IRRIGATION SURVEY 
 
 ABSTRACT OF FIRST ANNUAL REPORT 1888-1889. 
 
 The area of the arid region is about 1,300,000 square miles one- 
 third of the entire country. I judge that of this area there can be 
 economically reclaimed, by irrigation, within the present generation, 
 at least 150,000 square miles an empire one-half as large as the 
 entire area now cultivated in the United States. Irrigated, this land 
 would be worth not less than $30 an acre, adding $2,880,000,000 to 
 the wealth of the nation. 
 
 In expending the $100,000 appropriated by Congress on October 
 2, 1888, and a portion of the $250,000 appropriated on March 2, 1889, 
 I have interpreted the law not as authorizing the construction of 
 works of irrigation, but only as directing a comprehensive investi- 
 gation of prevailing conditions: the whereabouts of irrigable land 
 most eligible for redemption and its segregation for homestead settle- 
 ment; the amount of available water; the location of reservoir sites 
 and canal sites; the seepage; the evaporation; the vested rights, and 
 how to maintain them; and, generally, the most economical method 
 of bringing the land and the water together. 
 
 To this end I have proceeded to expend the money in such a way 
 as to obtain the information required in the shortest time. 
 
 The topographic work for making the necessary maps was placed 
 in charge of Prof. A. H. Thompson ; the engineering and hydraulic 
 work in charge of Capt. C. E. Dutton. Work was begun in October, 
 1888, and carried on during 1888 and 1889 in Montana, Idaho, Nevada, 
 California, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado. 
 
 The topographic work consisted of surveys delineating the topo- 
 graphic features of the country; the areas of all drainage basins; the 
 courses of streams; the situation of lakes, springs, and other bodies 
 of water; the positions of possible reservoir sites; the location of 
 dams and canal lines, and the altitude, position, and general charac- 
 ter of all irrigable lands. 
 
 The hydraulic and engineering work consisted of the measurement 
 of rain-fall and the study of general meteorology; measurement of 
 river flow, evaporation, and matter carried in suspension by water; 
 the ascertainment of the duty of water, and the determination of the 
 
 VII 
 
 31031 
 
VIII 
 
 UNITED STATES IRRIGATION SURVEY. 
 
 mode and cost of construction of dams and canals, and of the areas 
 and contents of reservoirs. 
 
 Following is a tabular summary of work done during the fiscal 
 year: 
 
 Table of work during the fiscal year. 
 
 States. 
 
 Area mapped. 
 
 Area surveyed. 
 
 1888. 
 
 1889. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Scale field work. 
 
 Contour 
 interval. 
 
 Square 
 miles sur- 
 veyed. 
 
 California 
 
 Sq. miles. 
 1,580 
 13,000 
 
 Sq. miles. 
 3,268 
 10,200 
 1,900 
 1,670 
 2,570 
 1,642 
 
 Sq. miles. 
 4,848 
 23,200 
 1,900 
 5,270 
 6,370 
 1,892 
 
 1 inch to 1 mile . . 
 ....do 
 
 Feet. 
 
 100 
 (50 
 
 120 
 
 1,466 
 12,650 
 
 Colorado . 
 
 Idaho 
 
 Montana . . 
 
 3,600 
 3,800 
 250 
 
 1 inch to 2 miles. 
 1 inch to 1 mile. .. 
 ....do 
 
 200 
 J100 
 1 50 
 100 
 
 3.60C 
 3,800 
 250 
 
 New Mexico 
 
 Nevada 
 
 Total 
 
 22,230 
 
 21,250 
 
 43,480 
 
 
 21,766 
 
 
 
 
 Expenditures from October 3, 1888, to June 30, 1889 $172, 171. 83 
 
 Cost per square mile 3.95 
 
 Reservoir sites and canal sites located. 
 
 
 Reservoir sites. 
 
 Canal 
 
 sites. 
 
 Selected for segre- 
 gation. 
 
 Sur- 
 veyed. 
 
 Sur- 
 veyed. 
 
 Number. 
 
 Area in sq. 
 miles. 
 
 Montana 
 
 61 
 16 
 25 
 10 
 15 
 
 1,762 
 252+ 
 185* 
 75+ 
 399+ 
 
 10 
 12 
 10 
 
 3 
 i 
 
 California 
 
 Colorado . 
 
 Utah 
 
 New Mexico ... 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 Nevada 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 
 127 
 
 2,673} 
 
 34 
 
 4 
 
 
 Total segregations of irrigable lands. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Snake River Basin n, 057, 360 
 
 Bear Eiver 2, 085, 320 
 
 Upper Missouri and Yellowstone 11, 133, 440 
 
 Owens River Valley 519, 000 
 
 Rio Grande Valley 5, 760, 000 
 
 Total 30, 565, 120 
 
 The maps referred to in this report are borne in Part I the Annual 
 Report of the U. S. Geological Survey. 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 
IRRIGATION SURVEY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 BY J. W. POWELL, DIRECTOR. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 
 
 In making this the first report of the operations of the Irri- 
 gation Survey it seems proper to give a brief history of its 
 origin by Congressional enactment. 
 
 In response to Senate resolution of February 13, 1888, re- 
 lating to the segregation of lands of the public domain capable 
 of irrigation in sections of the United States where irrigation 
 is required, and to places to be reserved for reservoirs and 
 rights of way for ditches and canals, the following letters were 
 transmitted : 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 
 Washington, March 31, 1888. 
 
 SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a resolution of the 
 Senate passed on the 13th of February, 1888, of which the following 
 is a copy: 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be requested to inform the Senate if, 
 in his opinion, it is desirable to authorize the organization in his Department known 
 as the Geological Survey to segregate lands of the public domain capable of irriga- 
 tion in the sections of the United States where irrigation is required from other 
 lands, and to lay out suitable places to be reserved for reservoirs, and rights of way 
 for ditches and canals, for the purposes of irrigation. 
 
 And in response thereto to transmit a copy of a communication 
 from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, under date of 
 February 20, to whom the matter was referred, and a copy of a com- 
 munication from the Director of the Geological Survey, under date 
 of March 13, to whom the matter was also referred, expressing the 
 views of those officers upon the subject. 
 
 And, further, to say that it has been hitherto impossible for me to 
 secure a sufficient opportunity for examination and study to authorize 
 me to comply with the direction of the resolution for an expression 
 of opinion beyond what is here submitted, although, in obedience to 
 
 10 GEOL., PT. 2 1 1 
 
Z IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 that direction, I have sought to qualify myself in some measure, how- 
 ever imperfectly, to comply with it. It appears from the communi- 
 cation of the Director, as, indeed, must readily occur to intelligent 
 reflection, that the subject involves vast areas of territory, manifold 
 public and private interests, and far-reaching considerations touch- 
 ing results and costs; and also that each separate instance of contem- 
 plated action involves peculiar and special inquiries and determina- 
 tions, so that, although the general desirability of so comprehensive 
 and effective a system of irrigation as Government alone can insti- 
 tute and carry to completion may be readily affirmed, a particular 
 designation of what lands may be segregated and what means may 
 be employed to accomplish any result must be the fruit of distinct 
 and particular inquiry in each case. 
 
 It is believed to be possible, by an undertaking on a scale of ade- 
 quate grandeur, to seize the waters of the Missouri and its tributa- 
 ries at a proper distance from their sources, and not only to apply 
 them to the reclamation of arid lands in the upper region, but there- 
 by also to benefit the agricultural territories adjacent to its lower 
 currents, and even to mitigate the severity of the effects of the floods 
 of the Mississippi upon the agricultural lands of its borders. Or 
 some lesser river may be restrained of its natural flow and its waters 
 applied only to the advantage of the desert wastes lying in the par- 
 ticular valley through which it runs. Since the adoption of the fore- 
 going resolution, and probably from a contemplation of these con- 
 siderations, a joint resolution has been passed and approved, directing 
 this Department, "by means of the Director of the Geological Sur- 
 vey " 
 
 to make an examination of that portion of the arid regions of the United States 
 where agriculture is carried on by means of irrigation, as to the natural advantages 
 for the storage of water for irrigating purposes, with the practicability of construct- 
 ing reservoirs, together with the capacity of the streams and the cost of construc- 
 tion and capacity of reservoirs, and such other facts as bear on the question of stor- 
 age of water for irrigating purposes. 
 
 And another resolution has been adopted by the Senate directing 
 this Department to report what appropriation may be necessary to 
 enable the examination so directed to be made, and also 
 
 to classify the public lands and furnish a map or maps showing the various divis- 
 ions of the public domain suitable for agricultural, mineral and other purposes, 
 and particularly to s?gregate the lands susceptible of irrigation, where irrigation is 
 required, from other lands, and designating places for reservoirs, canals and other 
 hydraulic works. 
 
 In accordance with the latter . resolution a careful estimation of 
 the appropriation which may be deemed necessary is in progress, 
 and will be submitted at the earliest practicable date to the Senate 
 in obedience thereto. 
 
 When the products of this inquiry shall be at command, it may be 
 anticipated that there will be disclosed a proper opportunity for an 
 
ORIGIN OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 
 
 experimental attempt to establish in some region of the country such 
 a system of storage of water supply and of canals and other con- 
 duits for irrigation as shall afford a practical solution of the merits 
 and advantages of governmental interposition of this nature. With- 
 out such particular information it seems to be obvious that nothing 
 can be advantageously ventured in the way of opinion, tit least in 
 any useful detail; and I respectfully request the acceptance of the 
 accompanying communications as a discharge of the obligation of 
 the resolution of the Senate. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 WM. F. VILAS, 
 
 Secretary. 
 Hon. JOHN J. INGALLS, 
 
 President pro tempore of the Senate. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 
 GENERAL LAND OFFICE, 
 Washington, D. C., February 20, 1888. 
 
 SIR : I am in receipt of Senate resolution of February 13, 1888, re- 
 questing the honorable Secretary of the Interior to inform the Senate 
 if, in his opinion, it is desirable to authorize the organization in his 
 Department known as the Geological Survey to segregate lands of 
 the public domain capable of irrigation in the sections of the United 
 States where irrigation is required, from other lands, and to lay out 
 suitable places to be reserved for reservoirs and rights of way for 
 ditches and canals, for the purposes of irrigation. Said resolution 
 was, on February 14, 1888, referred to this office, for report in dupli- 
 cate arid return of papers, by Hon. D. L. Hawkins, Assistant Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 At present I am not fully informed as to the extent and exact loca- 
 tions of all lands the survey and segregation of which is contemplated 
 by the resolution, nor have I definite means of ascertaining the ex- 
 pense attendant on such work, nor do I suppose that accurate infor- 
 mation could be obtained as to these matters in time for the action of 
 Congress at the present session. Whilst it may be desirable that 
 legislation of the character contemplated by the resolution should be 
 had in the future, at the present I am unable to see any urgent neces- 
 sity for it. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 S. M. STOCKSLAGER, 
 
 Acting Commissioner. 
 Hon. WM. F. VILAS, 
 
 Secretary of the Interior, 
 
4 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., March 13, 1888. 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, by reference of 
 the Hon. D. L. Hawkins, Assistant Secretary, of the following reso- 
 lution : 
 
 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 February 13, 1888. 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be requested to inform the Senate if, 
 in his opinion, it is desirable to authorize the organization in his Department known 
 as the Geological Survey to segregate lands of the public domain capable of irriga- 
 tion in the sections of the United States where irrigation is required, from other 
 lands, and to lay out suitable places to be reserved for reservoirs, and rights of way 
 for ditches and canals, for the purposes of irrigation. 
 
 Attest : 
 
 ANSON G. McCooK, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 * 
 The above resolution was indorsed as follows : 
 
 Respectfully referred to Director of Geological Survey for early report, in dupli- 
 cate, with such information as is in possession of his Bureau, and return of the 
 papers. 
 
 In compliance with these instructions, I have the honor to submit 
 the following statement : 
 
 Ten years ago a " Report on the Lands of the Arid Region " was 
 submitted to the Commissioner of Public Lands by myself, which 
 report was illustrated by specific data in regard to the lands of Utah. 
 The conclusions therein set forth have not been materially modified 
 by the developments of the last ten years, although during this time 
 agriculture has been greatly extended in the arid region, and the 
 industrial problems involved have been seriously attacked by the 
 State governments of Colorado and California. 
 
 The region in which agriculture depends on irrigation includes 
 about four-tenths of the entire area of the United States, not includ- 
 ing Alaska. Much of this region is mountainous, and there are ex- 
 tensive districts through which streams flow only in deep gorges, 
 whence they can not be raised for purposes of agriculture. In the 
 more level districts the supply of water is so limited that only a small 
 percentage of the land can be irrigated ; and it is in general true that 
 there is a wide range for choice as to the particular tract or tracts of 
 land to which the waters of the several streams may be delivered. 
 
 At the present time the greater number of the small streams are 
 utilized for irrigation, so far as is possible, without the storage of 
 water ; that is to say, the ordinary flow of water of the smaller 
 streams during the season of growing crops is diverted by canals 
 from the natural channels and served to the land. 
 
 The future development of irrigation chiefly depends : 
 
 First. On the utilization of the larger streams. These have here- 
 
ORIGIN OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 5 
 
 tofore been largely unused from the fact that great capital or exten- 
 sive cooperative industry is required. 
 
 Second. On the construction of storage basins. In most portions 
 of the United States the season of growing crops is short compared 
 with the entire year, and the greater part of the irrigation works 
 heretofore constructed utilize the water only through the growing 
 season, and the extra-seasonal water is allowed to run to waste. 
 
 Third. On the construction of storm- water reservoirs. Throughout 
 the irrigable area of the arid region there are great numbers of small 
 catchment basins through which no perennial waters flow, but within 
 which the storm-waters may be gathered and stored in reservoirs, to 
 be utilized in the season of growing crops. 
 
 Fourth. On controlling the entire flow of the smaller streams 
 through the irrigating season. A portion of these waters now runs 
 to waste. 
 
 The increase of irrigation by the fourth method depends upon a 
 better selection of sites for head works, and on better methods of con- 
 struction, and on better canal systems, and the subject needs no 
 further mention here. 
 
 In the third method of increasing the area of irrigation, by the use 
 of storm-water reservoirs, it must be noticed that every catchment 
 area must necessarily be small and the reservoir comparatively small. 
 The area drained must be correspondingly small. These enterprises, 
 therefore, are severally of no great magnitude ; they require the 
 ownership or joint control of but small areas of land. The works to 
 be constructed are comparatively inexpensive, and they may there- 
 fore be relegated to individual enterprise, cooperative enterprise, or 
 corporate enterprise. 
 
 The utilization of the extra-seasonal water of perennial streams can 
 be effected only by the aid of storage reservoirs, and it will be found 
 economic to construct such in great numbers throughout the region, 
 and the acreage of farming land will be vastly increased thereby. 
 There are a few favored valleys lying at the foot of very high mount- 
 ains which receive water from the melting snows on the mountains 
 at a season when it can be utilized for agriculture, but in most 
 localities the snows melt too arly, and their unstored water flows by 
 as waste. In such cases the waste water is many times greater than the 
 water flowing during the farming season, and its storage will corre- 
 spondingly increase the amount available for agriculture. 
 
 A great development of irrigation will come from the use of the 
 large streams, and for this cooperative labor or capital is necessary. 
 Such streams can be economically controlled only for the irrigation 
 of large bodies of land, and their handling has been retarded by the 
 fact that the statutes do not provide for large holdings. 
 
 It is recognized as important that the title to water shall vest in 
 that land to which under the most economical distribution for agri- 
 
6 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 cultural purposes it belongs. It is necessary that the holders of the 
 land shall combine for the construction of headworks and canals. 
 But the individual can not afford to secure title to a small holding 
 without the assurance of ability to irrigate it, and he can not irrigate 
 but by combining with others. Hence it is that the utilization of the 
 large streams by owners of small tracts must wait until large num- 
 bers of the holders of small tracts can be induced to settle simulta- 
 neously upon the lands to be irrigated, and be further induced to 
 engage in the corporate or cooperative enterprise necessary to con- 
 struct great headworks a*nd canals. In view of these difficulties, 
 special provisions appear to-be necessary. 
 
 The determination of the particular tracts of land to be irrigated, 
 either from great reservoirs or by the utilization of great streams, 
 is controlled by several important considerations. Within the range 
 of country to which it is physically possible to convey the water of 
 a stream, some tracts are more favored in respect to climate, others 
 in respect to soil, others in respect to economy in the construction 
 and maintenance of headworks and canals, others in the conserva- 
 tion of water from evaporation and from seepage in canals, and 
 others in respect to facilities of transportation. 
 
 It is also necessary, in order to preserve the proper amount of land 
 for irrigation, to determine in each case the maximum amount of 
 water which can be economically served by the aid of storage reser- 
 voirs and the utilization of great streams, and the minimum allow- 
 ance which, with the particular climate and soil, will serve a unit of 
 land. The selection of tracts, therefore, demands wise discrimina- 
 tion, and can not be advantageously accomplished under the system 
 of contract surveys. 
 
 It is undoubtedly true that the greater the delay in the selection of 
 areas for irrigation and of sites for irrigation headworks the greater 
 will be the knowledge which can be brought to bear in making wise 
 selections ; but it is also true that the greater the delay the more 
 complex becomes the practical problem by reason of the inter- 
 ference of vested rights. The difficulties arising from vested rights 
 far outweigh, in my judgment, all considerations in favor of delay, 
 and there is even ground for regret that such surveys and selections 
 as are now proposed were not instituted at an earlier stage in the de- 
 velopment of the arid region. 
 
 The obstructing vested rigltts may be considered as agricultural 
 and non-agricultural. Obstructing agricultural rights arise in con- 
 nection with irrigation by the water of small streams. It frequently 
 occurs that a comprehensive system of irrigation in the basin of a 
 river a system adjusted to the utilization of the water to its greatest 
 extent will spread the water of the main stream over lower land 
 and the water of smaller tributaries over higher land; but as in the 
 unsystematic development of irrigation the small streams are first 
 
ORIGIN OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 7 
 
 utilized, their water is often applied to the lower land, and the 
 water rights and land rights thus established obstruct the institution 
 of the best general system. 
 
 Obstructing non-agricultural vested rights are largely those of 
 pasturage, mining and transportation ; and these obstruct chiefly 
 the sites for reservoirs and other headworks, including trunk canals. 
 The range of choice for the selection of irrigation areas is usually so 
 great that such preoccupation as arises in connection with mining 
 and transportation industries does not occasion serious interference. 
 Preoccupation of arable land for purposes of pasturage does not ob- 
 struct the development of irrigation, because the bringing of land 
 under irrigation canals so greatly enhances its value that pasturage 
 yields at once to agriculture. Obstruction through the industry of 
 pasturage arises chiefly from the location of stock ranges on sites 
 suitable for storage reservoirs. 
 
 The development of the agriculture of the arid region is of national 
 importance in itself. From the fact that the area in which irrigation 
 is necessary is so great, the total area to be irrigated will be great ; 
 again, the gold and silver product of the region will increase when 
 mining ceases to be handicapped by expensive subsistence. 
 
 The development of irrigation along the base of the Rocky Mount- 
 ains is of double importance because of its influence on the agricult- 
 ure of the Lower Mississippi. To store up the water of the Missouri 
 and its main affluents for the purpose of irrigation is to diminish the 
 volume of that flood of the Lower Mississippi which is most destruc- 
 tive by reason of its occurring in the heart of the farming season. 
 Moreover, the great difficulty of the problem of the Lower Missis- 
 sippi arises from the fact that the river normally makes a deposit 
 there, thus clogging its course and giving to its channel an unstable 
 position. The principal source of the sediment is the Missouri River, 
 and it is carried forward chiefly during flood. With abolition of 
 great Missouri floods the sedimentary load of the Lower Mississippi 
 would be diminished, and the scouring power of the less-loaded floods 
 from the Ohio and the Upper Mississippi would establish for the 
 Lower Mississippi a lower grade and a deeper channel. For every 
 acre reclaimed to agriculture in Montana another acre will be re- 
 claimed in Louisiana ; and, in general, all lands redeemed by irriga- 
 tion on the Great Plains will be equaled by the lands redeemed from 
 floods in the great valley of the Lower Mississippi. 
 
 The topographic work of the Geological Survey in the arid regions 
 has from the first been executed with a view to the problems of irri- 
 gation, and if such authority as is contemplated by the resolution 
 shall be given to the Survey, the maps now completed and in prep- 
 aration will serve as a basis for the special work required in respect 
 to irrigation. It will be necessary in addition to make local surveys 
 for the selection of sites for reservoirs, canals, etc., and of irrigation 
 
8 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 areas. It will be necessary also to gauge a certain number of repre- 
 sentative streams at all seasons of the year, so as to ascertain their 
 total discharge and its seasonal distribution, and also to gauge a 
 greater number of streams at certain seasons determined to be 
 critical. 
 
 The district for which the fundamental topographic work has 
 already been accomplished amounts to 120,000 square miles, about 10 
 per cent, of the entire arid region. The geographic surveys by 
 earlier organizations, covering 405,000 square miles, were made with 
 less detail and less reference to the problems of irrigation, but they 
 will serve the purpose of a reconnaissance. 
 
 In extending the geographic work of the Geological Survey over 
 the portion of the arid region not yet covered by it, it will be eco- 
 nomical to give to the topographic work a special adjustment in the 
 'interest of irrigation. 
 
 The Senate resolution and other papers are returned herewith. 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 Director. 
 
 The SECRETARY OP THE INTERIOR. 
 
 In response to Senate resolution of March 27, 1888, relative 
 to reservoirs for the storage of water in the arid region of the 
 United States, the following letters were transmitted : 
 
 DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR, 
 
 Washington, May 11, 1888. 
 
 SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a resolution 
 of the Senate dated March 27, 1888, as follows: 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby directed to report to the 
 Senate what appropriation is necessary to enable the United States Geological Sur- 
 vey to carry into effect the joint resolution " Directing the Secretary of the Interior, 
 by means of the Geological Survey, to investigate the practicability of construct- 
 ing reservoirs for the storage of water in the arid region of the United States, and 
 to report to Congress," approved March 20, 1888, and the several acts of Congress 
 requiring such Geological Survey, under the direction of the Secretary of the In- 
 terior, to classify the public lands and furnish a map or maps showing the various 
 divisions of the public domain suitable for agricultural, mineral and other purposes; 
 and particularly to segregate the lands susceptible of irrigation, where irrigation is 
 required, from other lands, and designating places for reservoirs, canals, and other 
 hydraulic works. 
 
 In response thereto I transmit herewith a report from the Director 
 of the U. S. Geological Survey embodying his views as to the method 
 of conducting the required investigation, and recommending that 
 an appropriation of $250,000 be made for the purpose. I have no 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 9 
 
 means to make any estimate other than the considerations presented 
 by the Director. The examinations and study made by him have 
 necessarily caused a delay in making- response to the resolution, 
 which has been due to no other reason. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 WM. F. VILAS, 
 
 Secretary. 
 The PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 
 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., May 3, 1888. 
 
 SIR: On the 27th of March, 1888, the following resolution of the 
 United States Senate was transmitted by Anson G. McCook, Secre- 
 tary of the Senate, to the Secretary of the Interior: 
 
 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 March 27, 1888. 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby directed to report to the 
 Senate what appropriation is necessary to enable the United States Geological Sur- 
 vey to carry into effect the joint resolution " Directing the Secretary of the Interior 
 by means of the Geological Survey to investigate the practicability of constructing 
 reservoirs for the storage of water in the arid region of the United States and to re- 
 port to Congress," approved March 20, 1888, and the several acts of Congress requir- 
 ing such Geological Survey, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, to 
 classify the public lands and furnish a map or maps showing the various divisions 
 of the public domain suitable for agricultural, mineral and other purposes: and 
 particularly to segregate the lands susceptible of irrigation, where irrigation is re- 
 quired, from other lands, and designating places for reservoirs, canals, and other 
 hydraulic works. 
 
 Attest: ANSON G. McCooK, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 On the 29th day of March this resolution was referred to the Direc- 
 tor of the Geological Survey with the following indorsement: 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 
 March 29, 1888. 
 
 Respectfully referred to the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey for report. 
 
 WM. F. VILAS, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 In reply I have the honor to submit the following statement: 
 The portion of the United States in which agriculture will be car- 
 ried on only by the aid of irrigation may be broadly designated as 
 that portion lying west of the one-hundredth meridian. Certain 
 lands contiguous to rivers can be advantageously irrigated several 
 degrees east of that line; and somewhat west of that line there are 
 high plain lands to which it will not be economic to convey water, 
 
10 IREIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 lout which, will nevertheless afford a moderate return to cultivation. 
 In the western part of Oregon and the greater part of Washington 
 agricultural lands do not require irrigation, and there are a few 
 other exceptional spots. The extent of the region in which agricult- 
 ure depends on irrigation is about 1,300,000 square miles. 
 
 In the same region there are also great areas of mineral lands, tim- 
 ber lands and pasturage lands still belonging to the public domain. 
 
 The general survey, topographic and geologic, to serve as a basis 
 for the classification of these lands, is being made by the Geolog- 
 ical Survey with such rate of progress as appropriations permit, 
 due consideration being had for the interests and requirements of 
 the remaining portion of the United States to which the work of 
 the organization has been extended by statute. The topographic 
 work includes the indication of forested areas, and the geologic 
 work includes the indication of mineral lands, but the discrimina- 
 tion of irrigable from pasturage lands requires such careful con- 
 sideration of details that special local surveys are needed for this 
 purpose. 
 
 There are certain streams which furnish more water than is needed 
 by the lands to which they can be made tributary, and these offer 
 relatively simple problems. Those of a second class can supply with 
 irrigation water only a fraction of the available land, and the par- 
 ticular land must be selected through the weighing of considera- 
 tions somewhat numerous and varied. In the third class, by far the 
 most numerous and important, part of the land available for one 
 stream is also available for other streams, so that a wise selection 
 can be made only by considering a group of streams conjointly. 
 
 To determine for a given stream, or for a given group of streams 
 treated collectively, first, the maximum area of farming land and its 
 most advantageous selection; second, the best selection of sites for 
 reservoirs and their proper size; and, third, the best system of head- 
 works and canals, there are three general requisites, as follows: 
 
 (a) The construction of an accurate topographic map, with grade 
 curves at such intervals as will properly represent the configuration 
 of the ground. 
 
 (6) The determination of the total annual discharge of water from 
 the catchment basin, or where there are more than one from each 
 catchment basin, and the distribution through the year of that dis- 
 charge. 
 
 (c) An examination of the soils in the area from which, under 
 existing topographic conditions, the selection of land for irrigation 
 must be made. 
 
 For the solution of the practical problems that must arise in the 
 progress of the work thus indicated, a large body of general knowl- 
 edge is necessary, a part of which is contained in existing records. 
 Irrigation has been practiced for many centuries in Europe, Asia, 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 11 
 
 Africa and America, and has been made the subject of elaborate 
 scientific investigation, so that the literature of the subject consti- 
 tutes a large library. A second body of knowledge must be derived 
 by the collation of the experience of irrigators and irrigation engi- 
 neers in our own arid region, an experience for the most part not 
 recorded in print. A third body of information, local as compared 
 with foreign data, but general when considered with reference to 
 individual streams, must be derived by direct observation and 
 experimentation in various parts of our arid region. Some of the 
 categories of this general knowledge may be indicated in the follow- 
 ing manner: 
 
 (1) The rate of evaporation from the surface of water in reservoirs, 
 canals, etc. , should be determined for the different districts of the 
 arid region and for different months. 
 
 (2) The rate of seepage from reservoirs and canals must be investi- 
 gated, as well as the means by which and the extent to which it can 
 be diminished. These factors vary greatly with different soils and 
 with water from different sources, and can be best determined by 
 the collation of experience, with some supplementary experimenta- 
 tion on existing irrigation works. 
 
 (3) The clogging of reservoirs with detritus by the streams must 
 be investigated. It is already known that the most diverse results 
 have been experienced with different streams, and the laws of stream 
 action on which this diversity depends need to be developed, so as 
 to permit their general application to the problem of the selection of 
 reservoir sites. 
 
 (4) Experience must be collated with reference to the agricultural 
 results obtained with irrigation from the various soils and with crops 
 of different kinds. 
 
 (5) The " duty of water," or the area of land which maybe served 
 by a unit of water, must be determined for the various soils and crops 
 and for the various climates involved. Under this head must be 
 considered also the subterranean return of part of the irrigation 
 water to the drainage channel, and its redi version at lower levels. 
 
 (6) Consideration must be given to the washing of surplus salts 
 from alkaline lands, as well as to the tendency to the injurious accu- 
 mulation of salts in irrigated lands and the means for its preven- 
 tion. 
 
 (7) In the case of long streams flowing past bodies of arable land 
 affected by different climates, the peculiarities of climate, with 
 especial reference to frost, must be determined. 
 
 (8) Experience must be collated with reference to the cost of con- 
 struction and maintenance of reservoirs and other head-works and 
 of canals. The experience of other lands is but partially applicable, 
 because the cost in every case must depend upon the value of labor 
 and the nature of the available materials. 
 
12 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 (9) Statistics must be gathered as to the value of irrigation lands 
 and the changes in such value depending on progressive increase in 
 population, transportation facilities, etc. 
 
 (10) Vested rights must be considered. 
 
 Thus it is that in the selection of sites and locations for the dams, 
 reservoirs, canals and irrigation areas, constituting together an irri- 
 gation system, account must be taken of the total volume of water 
 susceptible of storage, of the loss through evaporation and seepage in 
 reservoirs and canals, of the local duty of water, of the value of the 
 redeemed land for the growth of the crops adapted to the climate and 
 soil, of the expense for construction of irrigation works and the 
 interest on the same, of the expense of their maintenance, of the de- 
 terioration of reservoirs by clogging with debris, and of vested rights 
 if any exist; and all these must be considered in connection with the 
 topographic configuration. 
 
 In view of these various considerations, and also of the importance 
 to the agriculture of the arid region of immediate results, it is deemed 
 desirable to organize the work, first, by undertaking immediately the 
 local investigation of a number of drainage districts in different parts 
 of the country where different conditions prevail; and second, by in- 
 stituting a general inquiry and a general system of observations for 
 the acquirement of the information demanded by the practical prob- 
 lems. 
 
 The local work for each irrigation district will consist, first, of the 
 preparation of a topographic map with the necessary detail; second, 
 of the examination of physical features in reference to the storage of 
 water, and the estimation of cost and capacity of reservoirs at one or 
 more sites; third, of the classification of the soils within the area to 
 which the water may be diverted; and fourth, of the measurement of 
 the water supply. The most important of these, and the one which 
 will involve the greater part of the expense, is the construction of the 
 map; but the measurement of the water should be begun as early as 
 possible for the reason that the observations of at least two years are 
 needed as groundwork for determining the extent of irrigable land 
 and the general magnitude of the irrigation system. After the first 
 year, gauging stations should be established in advance of other ele- 
 ments of local survey. At each station the rate of discharge for 
 various water stages should be determined by measurement, and the 
 stage of water observed daily or at short intervals during the year. 
 
 To acquire the necessary general knowledge a study should be made 
 of the existing irrigation of the various districts of the country, atten- 
 tion being given to methods, costs, values, and agricultural results; and 
 there should also be instituted at various selected points series of ob- 
 servations on evaporations. 
 
 With reference to the amount of money that should be appropriated 
 to the proposed work, it is proper to take account of the magnitude 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE IRRIGATION SURVEY. 13 
 
 and national importance of the agricultural industry to be based on 
 irrigation, and also of the economic loss entailed by delay. 
 
 As estimated above, the area of the arid region is about 1,300,000 
 square miles. Of this, about one-fifth is too rugged or too elevated 
 to admit of cultivation under any condition of agriculture likely to 
 arise for a century to come. A smaller fraction consists of playas, or 
 drainless desert plains, so flat that it is impossible to wash the salts 
 from their soils. There remain about 1,000,000 square miles of land 
 which need only water to be rendered productive. At the minimum 
 price of public land, $1.25 per acre, a price greater than its value for 
 pasturage, this land has a valuation of $800,000,000 ; at $30 per acre, 
 a moderate estimate of its value when irrigated, it would be worth 
 $19,200,000,000. For the irrigation of this area we have the annual 
 precipitation on 1,300, 000 square miles of mountain, valley, and plain. 
 This ranges from 5 inches or less on the dryest plains to 30 inches 
 on the mountains, and even 75 or 100 inches on the highest peaks, and 
 the average for the whole region is not far from 15 inches. If all this 
 could be applied to the land suited by configuration for cultivation, it 
 would afford about 20 inches of water annually for the whole area, or 
 nearly double the amount which need be applied to crops during the 
 growing season. The water which falls in the arid region would there- 
 fore fully meet the agricultural needs if only it could be stored until 
 the proper season and then conveyed to the proper land. Unfortu- 
 nately, many causes conspire to render impossible the full realiza- 
 tion of so desirable a result. 
 
 Of the precipitation, which has the form of snow, a large fraction is 
 returned to the air by evaporation without going through the process 
 of melting. Of that which falls as rain a large part is received by the 
 soil and evaporated from it without gathering in streams, and the only 
 portion of such unconcentrated rain-fall serviceable for agriculture is 
 that which falls on the farming land during the growing season. Of 
 the water from rain and melted snow which gathers in channels and 
 forms streams, only a portion has such relation to arable land that it 
 can be utilized; the remainder flows too low, or at such distance from 
 the land as to be beyond the economic limits of conveyance. Moreover, 
 a comparatively small portion of the stream water is furnished during 
 the farming season, and that which must be stored in reservoirs in 
 order to utilize it necessarily suffers material loss by evaporation. 
 
 Under such adverse conditions it is manifest that only a small por- 
 tion of the rain-fall of the region can be made to serve the farmer, and 
 that there is no solid foundation for the opinion sometimes expressed 
 that the greater part of our arid West will ultimately be reclaimed. 
 In 1880 less than 1 per cent, of its arable portion had been supplied 
 with irrigation water, and it is believed that with the most elaborate 
 irrigation works this can not be increased to more than 20 per cent. 
 On the other hand, an estimate based on such data as are available 
 
14 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 leads to the anticipation that when all the larger streams have been 
 brought under control and the storage of water has been carried as 
 far as it may be economically there will be redeemed about 15 per 
 cent of the region, or 150,000 square miles, comprising an area which 
 exceeds one-half of the land now cultivated in the United States. At 
 $30 per acre this will add $2,880,000,000 to the wealth of the nation. 
 
 The establishment of a general system of irrigation on a compre- 
 hensive plan is of immediate importance, because the agriculture of 
 the arid region, now in its infancy, is rapidly developing, and its de- 
 velopment without suitable regulation constantly involves the use of 
 temporary plans which interfere with and obstruct the adoption of 
 those necessary to the fullest utilization of resources. The most im- 
 portant cases of interference are those in which a large stream trav- 
 ersing the center of a valley receives small affluents from the lateral 
 slopes. It is matter of experience that when irrigation is commenced 
 without regulation the small streams, being most readily controlled, 
 are first utilized, and their water is conveyed to low-lying land ad- 
 jacent to the stream. In a comprehensive system this land is served 
 by the water of the large stream, and the water of the small streams 
 is used on higher-lying land, to which that of the large can not 
 economically be conveyed. But the utilization of the small streams 
 in connection with the low lands creates vested rights which stand in 
 the way of subsequent regulation in the interest of the entire district. 
 
 In view of the magnitude of the interests involved, and of the 
 great loss entailed By delay, the surveys necessary as a basis for the 
 establishment of a comprehensive system of irrigation should be 
 pushed with all the rapidity consistent with economy in their con- 
 duct. The Geological Survey is prepared by its organization and 
 equipments, and by the special training of many of its engineers, to 
 begin this work efficiently on a limited scale; but if the scale were 
 made too great for the first year due economy could not be secured. 
 
 Impelled by these considerations I respectfully recommend that 
 an appropriation of $250,000 be made for the first year's work, and 
 would suggest the following clause for the appropriation bill: 
 
 For the purpose of investigating the extent to which the arid region of the United 
 States can be redeemed by irrigation, and the segregation of the irrigable lands in 
 such arid region, and for the selection of sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic 
 works necessary for the storage and utilization of water for irrigation, and to make 
 the necessary maps, including the pay of employes in field and in office, the cost of 
 all instruments, apparatus and materials, and all other necessary expenses con- 
 nected therewith, the work to be performed by the Geological Survey, under the 
 direction of the Secretary of the Interior, the sum of two hundred and fifty thou- 
 sand dollars-. 
 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 The SECRETARY OP THE INTERIOR., 
 
PRELIMINARY EEPOET. 15 
 
 In pursuance of law the following preliminary report of 
 the Director of the Geological Survey on the subject of irri- 
 gation was transmitted to Congress : 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 
 Washington, January 2, 1889. 
 
 SIR : In pursuance of the requirements of the act making appro- 
 priations ' ' for the sundry civil expenses of the Government for the 
 fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, and for other purposes," approved 
 October 2, 1888, I have the honor herewith to transmit, to be laid 
 before Congress, a report of the Director of the Geological Survey 
 on the organization and prosecution of the survey of the arid lands 
 for purposes of irrigation, and also his letter of transmittal, in which 
 is submitted an estimate for the continuance of the work, which, 
 with my approval, has been duly transmitted to the Secretary of the 
 Treasury, as required by law. 
 
 In the last annual report of this Department to the President, which 
 has already been laid before the Congress, I had the honor to submit 
 briefly the expression of my opinion of the desirability and impor- 
 tance of prosecuting the investigating surveys begun under the ap- 
 propriation in the act referred to, and I think the facts exhibited by 
 the report now presented lend additional sanction to the suggestions 
 then made. I beg leave to earnestly recommend favorable action, 
 with a view to the early development of a scientific system of irri- 
 gation and wise legislation for the utilization of the desert lands. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 WM. F. VILAS, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 The PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 
 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 Washington, D. C., December 31, 1888. 
 
 SIR: In compliance with instructions I have the honor to submit 
 herewith a report of the progress made in organizing and prosecut- 
 ing the survey of the arid lands provided for by the act of Congress 
 approved October 2, 1888. 
 
 The work has now been developed to such an extent by operations 
 in the field that an intelligent estimate can be made of the appropria- 
 tions which can be used with economy and efficiency in the prosecu- 
 tion of the work for another fiscal year. 
 
 In this connection it may be proper to consider the vast importance 
 of the work to the development of the agricultural industries of the 
 West. It will be remembered that about two-fifths of the whole area 
 
16 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 of the United States, exclusive of Alaska, is dependent upon irriga- 
 tion for its agricultural operations; that in the main it is upon these 
 lands that the future settlers upon the public domain are to make 
 their homes, and that already there are many thousands of people 
 in the arid lands engaged as laborers on great farms and ranches and 
 in mining industries and in roaming about the country prospecting 
 for gold, silver and other minerals, and also congregated in the 
 towns and cities that are rapidly growing throughout that country 
 all anxious for opportunity to settle upon the public lands and make 
 homes for themselves. In view of these facts and of many others of 
 equal importance, it is desirable that these irrigation surveys should 
 be prosecuted with all the dispatch compatible with economy and 
 accuracy. 
 
 If the work under the appropriation to be made should be com- 
 menced early in the spring and carried forward during the season of 
 agricultural operations it would be highly advantageous. I have 
 therefore asked that the appropriation be made immediately available. 
 
 I respectfully submit the request to the honorable the Secretary of 
 the Interior that the following estimates for this work be transmitted 
 to the Congress with his approval, and with it the brief preliminary 
 report appended: 
 
 For the purpose of investigating the extent to which the arid region of the United 
 States can be redeemed by irrigation and the segregation of the irrigable lands in 
 such arid region, and for the selection of sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic 
 works necessary for the storage and utilization of water for irrigation and the pre- 
 vention of floods and overflows, and to make the necessary maps, including the pay 
 of employes in field and office, the cost of all instruments, apparatus, and materials, 
 and all other necessary expenses connected therewith, the work to be performed by 
 the Geological Survey, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, the sum 
 of $350,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be immediately available. 
 
 I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. 
 
 PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE ORGANIZATION AND PROSECU- 
 TION OF THE SURVEY OF THE ARID LANDS FOR PURPOSES OF 
 IRRIGATION. 
 
 In the act making "appropriations for sundry civil expenses of 
 the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, and for 
 other purposes," approved October 2, 1888, provision was made for 
 the survey of the arid lands, for the purpose of redeeming the same 
 by irrigation. The following is the text of that portion of the statute : 
 
 For the purpose of investigating the extent to which the arid region of the United 
 States can be redeemed by irrigation and the segregation of the irrigable lands in 
 such arid region, and for the selection of sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic 
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT. 17 
 
 works necessary for the storage and utilization of water for irrigation and the pre- 
 vention of floods and overflows, and to make the necessary maps, including the pay 
 of employes in field and in office, the cost of all instruments, apparatus, and mate- 
 rials, and all other necessary expenses connected therewith, the work to be per- 
 formed by the Geological Survey, under the direction of the Secretary of the Inte- 
 rior, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be 
 necessary. And the Director of the Geological Survey, under the supervision of the 
 Secretary of the Interior, shall make a report to Congress, on the first Monday in 
 December of each year, showing in detail how the said money has been expended, 
 the amount used for actual survey and engineer work in the field in locating sites 
 for reservoirs, and an itemized account of the expenditures under this appropriation. 
 And all the lands which may hereafter be designated or selected by such United 
 States surveys for sites for reservoirs, ditches, or canals for irrigation purposes, and 
 all the lands made susceptible of irrigation by such reservoirs, ditches, or canals are 
 from this time henceforth hereby reserved from sale as the property of the United 
 States, and shall not be subject, after the passage of this act, to entry, settlement 
 or occupation until further provided by law: Provided, That the President may at 
 any time, in his discretion, by proclamation open any portion or all of the lands re- 
 served by this provision to settlement under the homestead laws. 
 
 In obedience to the provisions of the above statute steps were 
 immediately taken to commence the work'of an irrigation survey of 
 the arid region of the United States. Before the passage of the act 
 Congress had called upon the honorable the Secretary of the Interior 
 for general plans and estimates, and under the instruction of the 
 Secretary the Director of the Geological Survey had outlined the 
 scope of the work and delineated in brief the results that might be 
 expected to follow. He further made an estimate of the total cost 
 and of the amount which it was thought co.uld be wisely expended 
 during the first year's operations. These reports were published by 
 Congress, and constitute Senate Executive Documents Nos. 134 and 
 163, Fiftieth Congress, first session. The plan therein outlined has 
 been followed. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHIC WORK. 
 
 The necessary topographic work was placed under the charge of 
 A. H. Thompson. A number of topographers already employed in 
 the Geological Survey were selected as his chief assistants, and the 
 force was largely increased by the employment of temporary field 
 assistants, but no increase of the permanent corps was made. Under 
 the direction of Prof. Thompson the following-described work has 
 been done : 
 
 WORK IN MONTANA. 
 
 Work was commenced on the Continental Divide at the head- 
 waters of the Columbia and Missouri Rivers early in October, one 
 party surveying on the Columbia River side and another on the 
 Missouri River side. The whole was under the immediate charge of 
 Mr. E. M. Douglas. An area of 2,200 square miles has been sur- 
 veyed. The topographic features of this country were delineated, 
 
 10 GEOL, PT 2 2 
 
18 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL KEPOKT. 
 
 the courses of the streams and the sites of all considerable bodies 
 of water were ascertained, and the altitude, position, and general 
 character of irrigable lands were determined. This is a region of 
 abundant perennial streams, and many sites favorable for the estab- 
 lishment of storage reservoirs have been discovered. 
 
 WORK IN NEVADA. 
 
 Early in November Mr. H. M. Wilson, with the parties under his 
 immediate charge, previously engaged on topographic work in the 
 gold-belt region of central California, was transferred to Nevada, 
 near the headwaters of the Truckee, Carson and Walker Rivers, 
 and immediately began the work of an irrigation survey. This is a 
 region where mountain waters are in great abundance, but where 
 lands to which they can be economically conveyed are limited in 
 extent. Up to the present time the survey of an area of about 800 
 square miles has been completed. Work will be continued as late 
 into the winter as the season will permit and resumed early in the 
 spring of 1889. 
 
 WORK IN COLORADO. 
 
 In the latter part of October, and immediately on the passage of the 
 act, a party in charge of Mr. Anton Karl commenced work on the South 
 Platte River. The season was too far advanced to enter the mountain 
 region, so the survey was confined to the foot-hills and the plains ex- 
 tending eastward, embracing the city of Denver and a portion of the 
 great agricultural district of Colorado. About 1,400 square miles 
 have been surveyed. 
 
 In this region the waters of the South Platte are already employed 
 in the irrigation of many districts, and the entire volume of the river 
 during the irrigating season is utilized in serving the lands for agri- 
 cultural purposes. The future development of agriculture in this 
 country is dependent partly upon such an improved construction of 
 irrigating works as will prevent waste and loss, but chiefly upon the 
 construction of reservoirs to hold the waters which through the re- 
 mainder of the year now flow to the sea without performing their 
 duty to agriculture. The topographic work in this region is now sus- 
 pended, as it can not be economically carried on in the winter, but it 
 will be resumed in the spring. 
 
 Early in October a large party, under charge of Mr. W. D. Johnson, 
 was sent to Colorado to operate in the valley of the Arkansas, and 
 work is being prosecuted with vigor. An area of about 1,500 square 
 miles has been surveyed. It embraces some regions which have 
 already been redeemed by irrigation, but which can be further de- 
 veloped by better utilization of the great flow of the Upper Arkansas 
 and by the storage of waters in the higher mountains and the foot- 
 hills. The upper portion of the Arkansas, unlike that of the South 
 Platte, is well adapted to this purpose,, as there are many valleys, mo- 
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT. 19 
 
 raiiial lakes and basins that can be economically utilized for storage 
 basins. On the South Platte much.of the stored waters must be held 
 in lakes created in the foot-hills and on the plains, while the waters 
 of the Upper Arkansas can be held high in the mountain lands, where 
 in many ways the conditions are more favorable and the engineering 
 problems less difficult. 
 
 WORK IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 At the time of the passage of the act above mentioned, parties 
 under Mr. A. P. Davis were at work in New Mexico making topo- 
 graphic surveys of certain mountain regions. These surveys were 
 on methods adapted to the purposes of the irrigation investigation, 
 an<J it was therefore only necessary to enlarge the scale and extend 
 the work into districts of irrigable lands. The entire work of the 
 season is therefore available. The region embraced is that drained 
 by the Jemez River and other tributaries of the Rio Grande rising 
 in the Tewaii group of mountains. The most northern river of this 
 series is the Chama, which has its confluence with the Rio Grande 
 above Santa Fe'. The most southern is the Puerco, having its con- 
 fluence with the Rio Grande below Albuquerque, and between 
 these rivers the Jemez and other streams join the Rio Grande. At 
 the writing of this report an area in this region has been surveyed 
 topographically having an extent of about 6,000 square miles. 
 
 From the above it will be seen that, although the act for the irri- 
 gation survey was not signed until October, and the season favorable 
 for surveys in middle latitude was almost past, yet the work was 
 immediately pushed with vigor, so that at the close of the calendar 
 year five considerable tracts of country have been surveyed one in 
 Montana, another in Nevada, a third in the Platte Valley of Colo- 
 rado, a fourth in the Arkansas Valley of Colorado, and the fifth 
 in the drainage basin of the Rio Grande, in New Mexico. 
 
 HYDRAULIC WORK. 
 
 As set forth in the reports made to Congress and mentioned above, 
 an irrigation survey necessitates a hydraulic survey of a specific 
 character. 
 
 In order to determine the amount of water which can be stored, the 
 several streams which supply the water must be gauged that is, 
 their running volumes from day to day and month to month, through- 
 out the year, must be determined Only that portion which flows 
 during the season of irrigation can be utilized without storage. For 
 the greater part of the year the water runs to waste if not impounded. 
 
 Again, to determine the amount of lands which can be served by 
 the flowing water of the irrigating season and by the storage waters 
 of the non-irrigating season, it is necessary to determine the quantity 
 of water which should be used in serving a definite quantity of land. 
 
20 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 This is denominated by irrigation engineers the "duty" of water. 
 The duty of water artificially supplied is affected by the amount of 
 rain-fall or general atmospheric precipitation, the artificially-supplied 
 water being complementary to that. Again, it is affected by lati- 
 tude, altitude and other climatic conditions. Still again, it is affected 
 by the character of the soils. t Finally, it depends largely upon the 
 character of the crops raised. 
 
 To determine the duty of water it is necessary to resort to practical 
 experience, and to interpret the facts of experience in the light of 
 general climatic and soil conditions. In the storage of water, in 
 order to determine the amount of water which can actually be con- 
 served for useful purposes, it is necessary to ascertain the amount 
 and rate of evaporation under different conditions of latitude, alti- 
 tude and general climate. Throughout the arid region of the United 
 States the conditions which determine the amount of evaporation are 
 exceedingly variable, and it ranges from a probable minimum of 20 
 inches per year to a probable maximum of 100 inches per year. If 
 water, therefore, be stored in artificial lakes, where evaporation is 
 but 20 inches per year, a very small amount of water is thus lost; but 
 if it be stored where the evaporation reaches the amount of 100 inches 
 per year, the water lost is very great. It is necessary to determine 
 these factors in a general way in order wisely to select the sites for 
 reservoirs, and in- order further to segregate the lands that are to be 
 reclaimed. 
 
 All streams carry sediment, some in great quantities some in small, 
 but when their waters are collected in reservoirs the sediment at 
 once settles. Reservoirs, therefore, become settling basins. If the 
 amount of sediment carried by a stream into the reservoir is very 
 great the reservoir will be speedily filled, and in order to determine 
 the life of the reservoir, should it never be cleared of its deposited 
 silt, and to determine to what extent it must be purged of its sedi- 
 ment in order that it may permanently retain its due capacity, and 
 further to determine the eligibility of any site and the relative values 
 of optional sites, it is important that the amount of sediment borne 
 by the stream shall be measured in various parts of its channel. 
 
 To ascertain the factors thus briefly set forth, the hydraulic branch 
 of the Irrigation Survey was organized, with Capt. C. E. Button at 
 its head. No permanent corps for the hydraulic survey has yet been 
 selected, but a number of field assistants have been employed and 
 are temporarily engaged in experimental work. At the earliest pos- 
 sible day the methods and instruments to be used were taken up as 
 a subject of investigation. Many instruments and plans have been 
 devised by engineers throughout the'world, especially where irriga- 
 tion is practiced, for the purpose of solving the problem of gauging 
 rivers. These were considered, and finally a tentative selection of 
 methods was made and the necessary instruments were procured. 
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT'. 21 
 
 In the matter of rain-gauging much is already being accomplished, 
 as throughout the arid region the people are intensely interested in 
 this subject, which they regard as vitally important to their indus- 
 tries. Many enterprising and intelligent men have instituted rain- 
 gauge and other meteorologic observations. Similarly, various cor- 
 porations have conducted inquiries of this character, and meteoro- 
 logic societies have been organized in the arid States and Territories; 
 and finally, the Signal Service of the United States is carrying for- 
 ward its general system of meteorologic investigations in the arid 
 regions. It is proposed in the irrigation survey to utilize the work 
 of the Signal Service, the work of local societies, of State and Terri- 
 torial engineers, of colleges and other corporations, and of the many 
 individuals who have interested themselves in this subject. It is 
 therefore believed that the needed rain-fall and meteorologic re- 
 searches can be carried on at a minimum of expense, and that great 
 practical advantage can be derived therefrom. In the selection of 
 methods and apparatus for rain-gauging it was found that the prob- 
 lem had already been solved by the officers of the Signal Service, and 
 their system was adopted. 
 
 Hydraulic engineers throughout the world have been interested 
 in methods of determining the rate of evaporation under various 
 conditions, and many ingenious contrivances have been used and 
 proposed. Among these no final selection has been made, but two 
 or three have been adopted tentatively and with modifications, and 
 experiments have been instituted for the purpose of making a final 
 selection of that which seems best. 
 
 The determination of the amount of sediment carried by a stream 
 is not easy. The amount borne by suspension or flotation can be 
 determined from day to day throughout the year with reasonable 
 accuracy, but a large part is driven along the bottom and is never 
 fully held in suspension. In the great arid plains and valleys of the 
 region under consideration the amount of this driven load is com- 
 paratively greater than in humid lands, from the fact that the storm- 
 waters in such lands excessively choke the stream-channels. In 
 view of these facts experiments have been instituted for the purpose 
 of developing practical methods of observation. In selecting a site 
 for a reservoir it is incumbent upon the engineers to determine the 
 rate at which the reservoir will probably be filled by sedimentation, 
 and to determine, further, what hydraulic appliances and methods 
 can be adopted to overcome this difficulty. This subject, also, is un- 
 dergoing careful investigation by a number of the officers of the 
 Geological Survey. 
 
 It will be observed that the work of the hydraulic survey consists 
 in making a series of observations and experiments to determine the 
 volume of water flowing in the streams, the volume of precipitation, 
 or rain-fall and snow-fall, the rate of evaporation, or the volume of 
 
22 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 water which will be evaporated from reservoirs of given size and 
 situation, and the volume of silt carried by the stream ; and results 
 are obtained by continuing these observations through selected pe- 
 riods of time. For correct results it is necessary that the observa- 
 tions be made regularly and accurately ; and further, that they be 
 made systematically, in order that the records made by one person 
 may be comparable with those made by another. To secure these 
 results it was neces ary to prepare elaborate instructions for the 
 common use of the observers, and to prepare blanks upon which the 
 results of observations could be recorded. With regard to stream- 
 gauging and rain-gauging, this has been accomplished. The instruc- 
 tions and record forms relating to the other lines of observation are 
 only partly completed, but will be perfected at an early day. 
 
 SEGREGATION WORK. 
 
 After the topographic and hydraulic surveys, the next step in the 
 irrigation survey, and that which completes the work provided for 
 in the statute, is the selection or segregation of the sites for reser- 
 voirs and other irrigating works, as diverting-dams and canals, and 
 finally, the selection of the lands that can be most economically 
 served. For this branch of the work 110 scientific organization has 
 yet been made, nor has a chief been selected into whose hands the 
 work shall be consigned, but the general subject is one to which the 
 Director of the Survey has been giving careful attention, in which 
 he has received the assistance of a number of his colleagues, and 
 concerning which he has sought and obtained the advice of many of 
 the leading engineers of the country. 
 
 RESERVOIR SITES. 
 
 In the selection of reservoir sites a number of important condi- 
 tions, each one of which is vital to the best success, have to be con- 
 sidered. The basin selected must be such as will store the greatest 
 amount of water with the greatest economy of construction. It is 
 manifest that, as reservoirs can not be excavated within reasonable 
 conditions of cost, they must be natural basins. In many cases 
 these will be existing lakes, and while many such will require dams 
 at their outlets in order to regulate by gates the outflow of the 
 water, there are some which can be controlled by tapping below the 
 level of the natural discharge. Such reservoirs will be the most 
 economical, as outlets only will have to be constructed and guarded 
 with gate- ways, and the natural evaporation surface will not be en- 
 larged. 
 
 A great number of these natural reservoirs have already come 
 under the observation of the officers of the Survey. As an illustra- 
 tion, Lake Tahoe, which is the source of the Truckee River, may be 
 cited. This is a lake filled from a catchment basin of 500 square 
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT. 23 
 
 miles, and having a surface of 195 square miles. This storage lake, 
 constructed by nature, has only to be tapped and gate-ways con- 
 structed and it can at once be used, and the water which is gathered 
 through the non-irrigating season may through the irrigating season 
 be discharged again into the natural channel in addition to the 
 waters which fall from the heavens during that season, and the whole, 
 carried down to the diverting-dams in the valley below, turned out 
 into irrigating-canals, to be spread over the land. 
 
 In the total area available for irrigation to which the water of the 
 Truckee may be carried it is probable that an acre foot of .water, 
 that is, an acre of water 1 foot deep, will abundantly irrigate an acre 
 of land through one season; and it is possible to store in Lake Tahoe 
 500,000 acre feet, which can be made to irrigate 500,000 acres of land. 
 This can be done by providing for the discharge of 4 feet of water 
 from the surface of the lake through each irrigating season, and 
 providing for the conservation of the same amount annually con- 
 tributed by the clouds. The survey has not yet proceeded far 
 enough to determine where these lands can be selected; the case has 
 been here cited simply as an illustration of the manner in which the 
 natural lakes of the mountain regions of the arid land can be econom- 
 ically utilized as storage reservoirs. Such lakes exist in great num- 
 bers; altogether there are several hundred, each one of which must 
 be examined and carefully surveyed in order to determine the meth- 
 ods by which it can be used. 
 
 In addition to the natural lakes to be thus employed a great num- 
 ber of artificial lakes must be created, and as far as possible these 
 lake sites should be selected in elevated mountain regions. A variety 
 of conditions conspire to determine this preference. First, in the 
 high mountain regions evaporation is at a minimum, and the least 
 amount of water will be lost by this means where the lakes are at 
 great elevation. Second, the mountain waters are comparatively 
 pure, and hence the mountain reservoirs will be filled by sediment 
 to the smallest degree. Third, the lands to be condemned for this 
 purpose will be above the agricultural limit, and therefore can not 
 be utilized for any purpose other than that of brief summer pastur- 
 age. Fourth, the waters thus retained can be restored to their natural 
 channels and be distributed to all the communities settled in the 
 valley below whose industries are dependent upon irrigation. Fifth, 
 such reservoirs are effectually removed from positions where they 
 threaten danger to homes and lands if by reason of bad construction 
 or neglect they are permitted to breach their retaining-walls. 
 
 But while a large part of the rain-fall is concentrated in these ele- 
 vated regions it is not all found there ; the low mountains and foot- 
 hills are also regions of great precipitation, and midland reservoirs 
 are necessary to conserve all the water. To a large extent these will 
 have to be constructed in the foot-hills. They will usually be of 
 
24 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 smaller extent than those of the highlands, though notable exceptions 
 to this general rule are already known. 
 
 And finally, great reservoirs or artificial lakes will have to be 
 established along the plains and in great valleys not far from the 
 mountains. Natural morainal basins can often be discovered, and 
 valleys of small lateral streams can be utilized by constructing dams 
 along their lower courses where favorable conditions exist. These 
 reservoirs will usually have a greater area as compared with their 
 depth than those of mountains, and, being in regions of greater 
 evaporation, the waters stored therein will sustain great loss. They 
 are to be considered only as necessary and important auxiliaries to 
 the general reservoir system. But there are districts of country 
 where the mountains rise precipitously from plains or valleys to th M 
 crests of the ranges, where mountain meadows, parks, and natural 
 lakes are few, and where the principal storage must be in the lowland 
 reservoirs. As already stated, the waters of the North Platte and 
 of the Arkansas can be mainly stored in the highlands, while the 
 water of the South Platte must be chiefly stored in the lowlands. 
 
 IRRIGABLE LANDS. 
 
 In the selection of irrigable lands many important considerations 
 are involved, some of which are as follows : 
 
 The lands selected should be in a situation where the waters for 
 their fertilization can be delivered at a minimum of expense. To 
 secure this, sites for diverting-dams must be chosen where permanent 
 dams can be constructed, and where they will not be subject to 
 destruction through yielding foundations and by great floods. In 
 the region of country where irrigation is already practiced in the 
 United States this maxim has been neglected by reason of the want 
 of proper information, and great losses have resulted. Again, the 
 sites of the canals for carrying the waters must be on lands where 
 the loss by seepage and evaporation is little, and where the country 
 through which they are to be constructed is of fcuch a nature that 
 they will not be in danger of destruction from storm-waters. These 
 conditions are primary in the establishment of the fundamental 
 works of irrigation. There are certain other conditions, secondary 
 to them, which need not be enumerated here. All together they con- 
 stitute the engineering conditions affecting the selection of lands to 
 be irrigated. 
 
 .As the amount of eligible land will generally be found to be largely 
 in excess of the amount which can be served by the waters, judg- 
 ment must be exercised in the selection of the lands most available 
 and valuable for agricultural purposes. Having found where waters 
 can be economically carried, the first set of conditions to influence 
 the selection of the land may be considered under the general head 
 of altitude. The higher the selected lands are and the nearer they 
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT. 25 
 
 are to the source of the water the shorter will be the canals ; on the 
 other hand, the higher the lands the more inhospitable will be the 
 climate. In the first place, no lands should be selected at an altitude 
 where profitable agriculture can not be carried on. This rule ex- 
 cludes the elevated lands of many great mountain meadows and 
 parks. Below this elevated zone is a wide range of selection, gov- 
 erned by a wide range of varying and competing conditions. The 
 higher the lands are the greater will be the duty of water, as the 
 regions are more humid and a smaller amount of water is necessary 
 for their reclamation, while a smaller amount is lost in the process 
 of transportation. This, together with the condition mentioned 
 above, namely, that of shorter canals, leads to the selection of lands 
 in the upper portions of the valleys and along the plains near to 
 the foot-hills. 
 
 On the other hand, in the country farther down the valleys and 
 farther away from the mountains the climate is warmer, vegetation 
 grows with greater luxuriance, the harvests are more abundant, a 
 greater variety of agricultural crops can be raised, and the season of 
 agricultural operations is greatly lengthened. In a general way it 
 may be stated that a difference of 600 feet of altitude is equivalent 
 to a difference of about 1 degree of latitude. These considerations 
 tend toward the selection of lands in the lower regions. Perhaps 
 the attractions to the lower lands are about equivalent to the attrac- 
 tions to the upper lands, and if no other conditions were involved 
 the widest latitude in selection might be permitted ; but there are 
 other conditions of profound importance. 
 
 The river channels of the arid region of the United States have 
 characteristics which potently affect the interests of irrigation and 
 the problems involved in the selection of irrigable lands. The streams 
 all have their sources in the mountains, where there is great rain-fall, 
 and they descend with rapidity by steep declivities into the plains 
 and valleys below, where the channel grades are greatly reduced, 
 and where the arid regions proper are situated and the agricultural 
 lands are found. When the rivers reach the low, comparatively arid 
 lands, their characteristics suddenly change; they no longer run in 
 deep canyons or narrow valleys, but find their way through broad and 
 shallow valleys, and the agricultural lands rise from these low val- 
 leys on either side by steps or terraces, and bench lands are found. 
 Within the broad valleys the streams are wide and shallow. Be- 
 tween the width and depth of their channels there is a very large 
 ratio; a stream a hundred yards wide may be but a few inches deep, 
 and a stream a thousand yards in width may have an average depth 
 of but a yard or even a half yard. 
 
 Again, in the plain and valley reaches of the rivers the country on 
 either side is so arid that few or no perennial streams are produced; 
 
26 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 that is, the principal rivers have no prairie and plain-born affluents 
 that run throughout the year. Yet storms fall on these lowlands, 
 and the storm waters are gathered into the principal rivers and carry 
 on their floods vast loads of dust and sand which are deposited in the 
 channels of the rivers and keep them forever choked with mud. It 
 is thus that mountain torrents of clear water are suddenly trans- 
 formed into rivers of mud when they pass to the plains and valleys. 
 The importance of these factors to the problems of irrigation is enor- 
 mous. The rivers choked with mud can not flow freely to the sea, 
 but are spread out over broad surfaces and absorbed in the sands, 
 and their waters are evaporated, so that but a small proportion of the 
 outflow from the mountains finds its way to the sea. There are 
 many creeks and rivers that are wholly absorbed in this manner; 
 instead of emptying into the ocean they empty into arid sands and 
 dust plains and are lost. It is often the case with a stream that while 
 it might be made to irrigate a tract of 10,000 acres, or even 100,000 
 acres, at the point where it leaves the mountain, yet it is entirely lost 
 as it advances, so that no irrigable lands can be redeemed by it at a 
 distance of 25 or 50 miles away. 
 
 But besides the loss of waters in the process of their transportation 
 along natural channels, there is another condition of importance. In 
 the valley and plain regions the streams are loaded with mud and 
 sand, and when the current is checked by the diversion of the water 
 into canals of gentle inclination this sediment is thrown down, and 
 its volume is so great that it speedily fills and obstructs the irrigating 
 channels, and is injurious to the land over which it is poured. 
 
 It will be seen, therefore, from the explanation which has been 
 given, that it will usually be advantageous to take the waters from 
 their natural channels before they are spread into the shallow channels 
 of the lowland regions and loaded with mud. And the problem prac- 
 tically takes this form : Is it better to select elevated lands and serve 
 them through short canals, or to select lower lands and serve them 
 through longer canals? It is probable that in most cases this prob- 
 lem will be solved by a consideration of the character of the topog- 
 raphy and of the soils. 
 
 APPROPRIATION OF RESERVOIR SITES. 
 
 I respectfully invite your attention to the clause of the act provid- 
 ing for an irrigation survey which withdraws from " sale, entry, 
 settlement or occupation " the lands selected for reservoir sites and 
 those segregated as irrigable tracts. It is as follows: 
 
 And all the lands which may hereafter be designated or selected by such United 
 States surveys for sites for reservoirs, ditches or canals for irrigation purposes, and 
 all the lands made susceptible of irrigation by such reservoirs, ditches or canals are 
 from this time henceforth hereby reserved from sale as the property of the United 
 States, and shall not be subject after the passage of this act to entry, settlement or 
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT. 27 
 
 occupation until further provided bylaw: Provided, That the President may at any 
 time, in his discretion, by proclamation open any portion or all of the lands reserved 
 by this provision to settlement under the homestead laws. 
 
 It is apparent that the reservation from sale of the lands necessary 
 for the sites of reservoirs is eminently wise, as no restriction or 
 burden should be placed upon the development of agriculture by 
 irrigation in the arid lands, but some provision should be made by 
 which such reservoir sites can be promptly utilized for the pur- 
 poses for which they are designed. It is shown that further legisla- 
 tion is contemplated from the fact that the reservation is made to 
 extend only "until further provided by law." In some of the States 
 of the arid region there are already statutes providing for the occu- 
 pation and utilization of reservoir sites. Perhaps the streams, not 
 being navigable waters, are under the control of the States, but the 
 lands to be covered by waters in the reservoir system largely and 
 chiefly belong to the General Government. If these assumptions 
 are correct there is a divided jurisdiction, as the control of the waters 
 belongs to the State and the control of the lands belongs to the Gen- 
 eral Government. It is suggested that under these circumstances it 
 may be wise to cede the lands reserved for reservoir sites to the sev- 
 eral States and Territories under conditions and restrictions that will 
 secure their utilization for the purpose designed, and to prevent their 
 becoming the property of individuals or corporations and thus as- 
 suming the form of monopolies. 
 
 DISPOSAL OP IRRIGABLE LANDS. 
 
 The propriety of reserving the irrigable lands from sale, settle- 
 ment and occupation until restored under the homestead laws 
 through proclamation of the President, is worthy of further consid- 
 eration. If the selections are wisely made and this must be as- 
 sumed the best lands, all things considered, that belong to the valley 
 or plain of a given stream are segregated from the general domain 
 and peculiar restrictions are placed upon their disposal; that is, they 
 can be settled only under the homestead provisions, and that after 
 proclamation by the President, while titles to the other lands can be 
 secured under the homestead laws, the pre-emption laws, the desert- 
 land laws and the timber-culture laws. 
 
 The individual wishing to obtain titles to lands will prefer to take 
 up lands under the more liberal provisions, so that the selected lands 
 will be neglected and the non-selected lands will be entered; and as 
 the statute now stands the waters of the streams will be taken to the 
 non-selected or poorer lands. It must in this connection be further 
 understood that the difference between the good and the bad lands 
 will usually be very great. It may often be the case that the water 
 necessary to irrigate a square mile of the poorer non-selected lands 
 would, if taken to the selected lands, irrigate 2, 3, 4, 5, or more square 
 
28 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 miles. The individual making the selections can not be supposed to 
 have the general good in view, but only his personal interests, and 
 he will not consider the facts here presented. 
 
 Under these circumstances it would seem wise either to provide 
 that the waters of the streams and reservoirs shall belong to the seg- 
 regated lands, or to repeal the clause which provides that they can be 
 settled only under the homestead laws. The effect of this last pro- 
 vision would be to make the ultimate choice of the lands optional 
 with the settler in each case, and the value of the official selection 
 would be in giving to the settler the necessary information upon which 
 his judgment could be formed. Again, it might be wise to tempora- 
 rily suspend or permanently repeal the laws providing for the disposal 
 of the arid lands homestead laws, pre-emption laws, desert-land laws 
 and timber-culture laws and provide a new statute adapted to the 
 conditions now prevailing. Again, it might be wise to repeal the 
 pre-emption laws, the desert-land laws, and the timber-culture laws 
 in their application to the arid lands, and to let the homestead laws 
 remain, to be improved from time to time as circumstances demand. 
 
 With a degree of misgiving the Director begs permission to sug- 
 gest as his own opinion that the best solution of the problem under 
 the present circumstances is to withdraw all the lands of the arid 
 region from "sale, entry, settlement or occupation," except those 
 selected as irrigable lands, and to allow titles to irrigable lands to be 
 acquired only through the operation of the homestead laws and the 
 desert-land laws. 
 
 These suggestions as to legislation may be altogether unwise, but 
 the problem of the best disposition to be made of the arid lands 
 remains. It is a problem of profound importance, and it presses for 
 solution. Many thousands of persons are already in that country 
 and eagerly desirous of establishing homes for themselves, and they 
 are debarred therefrom because the land system which now exists, 
 a system which was the growth of time, and to which the highest 
 statesmanship had been devoted for a long term of years, was adapted 
 to the physical conditions which prevail in humid lands, and is not 
 adapted to the conditions which prevail in arid lands. The march 
 of settlement in its progress westward has reached a region of coun- 
 try where the physical conditions and limitations of agriculture dif- 
 fer altogether from those prevailing in the regions first settled, and 
 problems are presented new to us and unknown to our ancestors, 
 who came from northern Europe, but very old to the people of south- 
 ern Europe and of other regions of the earth. In fact, the earliest 
 agriculture known to the world was that which was carried on by 
 means of irrigation. 
 
 It is due from me to recognize the valuable services of Professor 
 Thompson and Captain Button, who have with great energy and 
 vigor assisted me in organizing and starting the Irrigation Survey. 
 
PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY. 29 
 
 Both of these gentlemen have had long experience in kindred work 
 of the Geological Survey, and have studied the special problems of 
 irrigation for many years, and they were therefore eminently quali- 
 fied by scholarship and practical experience to execute the task. In 
 like manner all of the topographers and hydrographers who have 
 been engaged in the work have exhibited enthusiasm and efficiency. 
 
 PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY. 
 
 From a consideration of the statutes thus enumerated and 
 the executive correspondence preliminary thereto, and from an 
 examination of the reports made by committees of the Con- 
 gress and the Congressional debates on the subject, it seemed 
 clear to the Director that it was not the purpose of the Congress 
 to create a survey as a preliminary step to the construction of 
 works of irrigation by the General Government. From these 
 sources it was abundantly manifest that the object of the sur- 
 vey should be to collect facts necessary to intelligent legislation 
 relating to the public domain and to wise administration of the 
 laws relating to its disposal in small parcels to the people, and 
 at the same time to furnish needed information to the agricult- 
 urists rapidly settling in the arid lands. The information 
 needed by the Congress and by the executive departments of 
 the Government may be briefly characterized in the following 
 manner : 
 
 In the arid lands, where agriculture is dependent upon irriga- 
 tion, only a small area can be redeemed, as the waters are 
 insufficient to serve all of the lands. The lands vary in quality 
 from worthless mountain slopes and lava fields to smooth and 
 rich plains. Out of these lands of variable quality the best 
 should be selected in the interest of the future agriculture of 
 the country. 
 
 The chief precipitation of moisture in the arid land is on 
 and about the mountains, where the rain-fall is great, and it 
 becomes less, other things being equal, with distance fron?. these 
 centers of precipitation. It is thus that the mountain regions 
 are the catchment areas for distant valleys and plains; and 
 an agricultual district below, where the industry may be suc- 
 cessful and profitable, depends upon the catchment area above. 
 
30 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Catchment areas and farming areas are thus interdependent, 
 though separate. The farming interests on the irrigable lands 
 of the plains and valleys must, somehow or other, be able to 
 protect the catchment areas on which their agriculture depends. 
 
 The waters of the springs flow into creeks, and the creeks 
 into smaller rivers, and these into the great rivers which ulti- 
 mately flow to the sea. In the main these are the waters to be 
 used in agriculture, and by some means they must be divided 
 between the different agricultural districts. It is possible to 
 relegate waters to lands in the mountain regions where the 
 climate and soil conditions are unfavorable to agriculture, and 
 this is being done to a large extent at the present time, greatly 
 to the disadvantage of the agricultural interests of the region. 
 It is also possible to relegate the waters to lands too far away 
 from the source of water supply, so that they are largely lost 
 in the sands of the river valleys through which they pass. 
 Under such conditions only very small regions can be culti- 
 vated and the waters are chiefly wasted. For example, it is 
 possible to select lands low down on a given stream where the 
 waters would be sufficient to irrigate only 100,000 acres. But 
 if the same stream could be taken out on lands one or two 
 hundred miles farther up, the waters would be sufficient to 
 irrigate one or two million acres of land. This wasteful use 
 of water by selecting lands too far down the stream is in prog- 
 ress and needs correction. 
 
 The controlling agricultural value in arid lands inheres in 
 the water, as the land is in excess of the water, and for the in- 
 terest of agriculture waters as well as lands must be divided 
 and distributed to the people. As the system is in progress, 
 in general the lowest lands are taken first. Gradually higher 
 and still higher lands are taken. Those who go above can 
 easily take the water from those who are below. The indus- 
 tries on the lower lands are therefore created only to be ulti- 
 mately destroyed. This condition of affairs has already been 
 reached on many rivers, and it is in this manner that the agri- 
 culture is being driven to the mountains. Only the farmers 
 in the mountains are secure, for they are the only persons from 
 whom the waters can not be taken away. It thus happens 
 
PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY. 31 
 
 that district is in conflict with district, and these conflicts must, 
 somehow or other, be settled, and future conflicts should be 
 avoided. 
 
 Many of the rivers on which the agricultural lands depend 
 cross State lines, and State is in conflict with State, the lower 
 States protesting- against the abstraction of their waters by the 
 States above. These conflicts have become bitter and are 
 likely to lead to serious interstate difficulties. 
 
 Some of the rivers flow part way in the territory of the 
 United States and part way in the territory of other nations 
 in the British possessions at the north and the possessions of the 
 Republic of Mexico at the south, and international problems 
 have already arisen, and in the future they will arise in great 
 magnitude. 
 
 To settle these international problems, interstate problems, 
 and inter-district problems, all of the facts must be collected 
 and set forth to the Government of the United States, which is 
 the custodian of the public domain, the agency for the settle- 
 ment of international disputes, and the authority for the settle- 
 ment of interstate disputes. 
 
 By unregulated and improvident disposal of lands and water 
 rights the General Government is gradually getting into unfor- 
 tunate relations with the agriculturists of many districts of 
 country. It is disposing of irrigable lands to individuals by 
 homestead settlement, pre-emption settlement, timber-culture 
 privileges, and desert-land methods, and requiring people to 
 irrigate their lands as a part of the contract by which the title to 
 the lands passes from the Government to the individual. When 
 these people have thus acquired title to their lands by processes 
 of irrigation required of them by the statutes, they will in many 
 instances be unable to sustain their rights to the use of the 
 water on the lands which they have selected and redeemed, be- 
 cause other persons will have acquired similar rights to other 
 lands above. To protect those above is to destroy those below; 
 to protect those below is to destroy those above. One party 
 must have its values destroyed, and that party will expect reim- 
 bursement for lost values from the General Government. These 
 claims are already appearing in Congress, and in the near 
 
32 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 future they will appear in large numbers, involving many mil- 
 lions of dollars. The real problem for Congress to solve is 
 this : How can the waters and lands of the arid region be dis- 
 tributed to the people in such a manner that the waters and 
 lands can be used to the best advantage for all the people ; that 
 no agricultural industries may be developed on lands where 
 they can not be maintained, and that inter-district, interstate, 
 and international conflicts may be avoided! The interests 
 involved are of great magnitude. It is possible by the neglect 
 of wise prevision to doom the development of the agriculture 
 of the arid lands to a comparatively small area in the aggre- 
 gate, -or by wise prevision to provide for the development of a 
 comparatively large area. Between the minimum and maxi- 
 mum possibilities there is a wide difference, the one being two 
 or three fold that of the other. Under the best conditions an 
 area of more than 100,000,000 acres can be redeemed by the 
 use of the streams, while by the most unfavorable conditions 
 from 30,000,000 to 40,000,000 acres only can be redeemed. 
 
 The information necessary for the people may be briefly 
 characterized in the following manner : The people should be 
 able to discover what lands can be permanently irrigated, in 
 order that they may occupy them and make their homes thereon, 
 and not make settlements where they must ultimately be aban- 
 doned. The people should know definitely and specifically 
 what waters they may be entitled to for irrigation, and that 
 their rights can not be impaired except by acts of their own. 
 The people settling upon the lands should be informed of the 
 catchment areas of the waters which they use in agriculture, 
 in order to protect them. These catchment areas are, in the 
 Hiain, mountain forest lands, and on the preservation of these 
 forest lands the agriculture below depends to an important 
 extent. The people should be informed of the manner by 
 which the waters of the streams can be brought to their lands, 
 and how the waters which usually run to waste during the non- 
 irrigating season may be stored in reservoirs to await the time 
 of growing crops when they are needed. These are facts which 
 the settlers the farmers who develop the country and carry 
 on the agricultural industries can not obtain for themselves. 
 
PLAN OF THE SURVEY. 33 
 
 There is another reason for the survey, plainly expressed in 
 the statute and existing in the conditions under which the agri- 
 culture of the arid region may be controlled. The statute 
 provides for the selection and permanent reservation of dam 
 sites, canal sites, and reservoir sites, in order that they may 
 not fall into the hands of individuals and corporations for 
 speculative purposes, and that they may be held in the hands 
 of the General Government in trust for the use of the people. 
 
 It is thus that the Director interprets the purpose of the 
 organic law of the Irrigation Survey : that it is the function ol 
 the Survey to collect information for the General Government, 
 which is the present custodian of the values involved and the 
 guardian of international and interstate rights, and to collect 
 information for the people who have already settled on the lands 
 and are to occupy them in the future, and to preserve great 
 rights and values for the use of the people at large. How it 
 is proposed to perform these functions will be briefly set forth. 
 
 PLAN OF THE SURVEY. 
 
 The work of the Irrigation Survey is naturally divided into 
 three parts, topographic, hydraulic, and the planning of works. 
 These are very distinct branches of engineering. The work is 
 naturally divided in the field in this manner, and a distinct 
 party must be organized to carry on each part ; and it is mani- 
 festly economic and in the interest of good work that men 
 trained in the special work of each department should be em- 
 ployed in that department, as by such a division of labor the 
 greatest skill can be brought to bear upon the several problems 
 and the best results obtained. The topographic work is the 
 basis of the survey and it does not differ in any material respect 
 from that necessary for the Geological Survey. Its function 
 is that of discovery, for it reveals the most important facts 
 necessary for the planning of a system of irrigation works. 
 The principal facts may be enumerated as follows : 
 
 Under the statute it is necessary to segregate the irrigable 
 lands. In almost every valley of the arid region there is more 
 irrigable land than the waters are able to serve, and it becomes 
 10 GEOL. , PT. 2 3 
 
34 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 necessary in making the selection to choose the best lands and 
 those that can be most economically served by the waters. A 
 topographic survey reveals all the essential facts necessary for 
 wise selection, and collects and assembles the facts in the 
 cheapest and most thorough manner. The statute also pro- 
 vides for the segregation of reservoir sites. To carry out this 
 provision of the law it is necessary that the reservoir sites should 
 be discovered. The most important reservoir sites are found 
 in mountains ; some are found in the foot-hills and others in 
 the valleys and plains below. Whenever it is possible reser- 
 voir sites are not selected along the course of streams, but in 
 lateral depressions, especially in the foot-hills, valleys, and 
 plains. To discover these sites the entire region must be re- 
 viewed instrumentally, and this is a topographic survey in all 
 its elements. The construction of the maps by the draughts- 
 men after the facts are known is the cheapest, simplest, and 
 most efficient manner of assembling the facts to be used. 
 
 Having discovered reservoir sites and irrigable lands, it 
 becomes necessary to discover canal sites of two classes : first, 
 those by which the waters can be delivered from the streams 
 to the reservoirs; and, second, those by which the waters are to 
 be delivered from the reservoirs to the lands. These canal 
 sites must be discovered in connection with the reservoir sites 
 themselves and must be related to them, and the selection of 
 the reservoir sites must sometimes be governed by canal con- 
 ditions, for a good reservoir site may not always be situated in 
 such a position that waters can be cheaply delivered to it and 
 from it. In any district of country, the irrigation of which is 
 to be planned, it becomes necessary to discover all diverting 
 dam sites on the stream, all possible reservoir sites, and all 
 possible canal sites connecting the diverting dam with the 
 reservoirs and connecting the reservoirs with the lands, in 
 order that the cheapest and best system can be planned. All 
 of these facts are revealed in the simplest and the cheapest 
 manner by a topographic survey; in fact, they can not be 
 properly collected in any other manner. 
 
 The most important part of the hydraulic survey relates to 
 the measurement of water supply. The statute directly pro- 
 
PLAN OF THE SURVEY. 35 
 
 vides that the survey shall determine to what extent the arid 
 region can be redeemed by irrigation, but the same problem is 
 involved in planning the irrigation works and making the seg- 
 regations which the statute directs. To carry out these pro- 
 visions of the law it becomes necessary to discover what waters 
 can be used for irrigation and how much water is necessary 
 for irrigation. The gauging of all the streams of the arid 
 region by current meters and nilometers, or river-height gauges, 
 would be enormously expensive and require a long period of 
 time. A more practical, accurate and economic system is 
 possible, which may be briefly described as follows : The sev- 
 eral drainage areas, which in the aggregate amount to all of 
 the country surveyed, may be determined. A region like that 
 drained by some great rivers, as the Missouri, the Yellowstone, 
 the Platte, the Arkansas, or the Rio Grande, may be deter- 
 mined in the following manner : Its several catchment areas, 
 which must be considered independently in planning a system 
 of works, can all be determined, and one or more typical 
 streams in one or more of these several catchment areas may 
 be gauged, and with the data thus obtained and certain other 
 data, which need not for this brief discussion be explained 
 the water supply of the several drainage areas may be discov- 
 ered. But there are two factors of importance to the hydrog- 
 rapher in measuring a drainage basin : First, the entire hori- 
 zontal area must be known with reasonable accuracy, for that 
 is the whole surface presented to the clouds as a catchment 
 district. But this fails to meet all the wants. The declivities 
 must be determined. 
 
 If the country is flat, and covered with sands and loose ma- 
 terial as flat countries usually are the rains fall upon it and 
 are absorbed and reevaporated ; but as the declivities increase, 
 more water flows into the channels. In the arid lands under 
 investigation the two extremes of this condition are found. In 
 some regions the lands are so flat and sandy that no waters 
 are collected in the principal streams ; all of the rain-fall is 
 absorbed and evaporated. In other regions the declivities are 
 so great and the surfaces are composed so largely of naked, 
 solid rock, that almost the entire rain-fall is gathered into chan- 
 
.')') IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST AX.NTAL REPORT. 
 
 nels. It therefore becomes necessary to determine the areas 
 and declivities of catchment basins. All portions of the arid 
 region constitute parts of one or another drainage basin. It 
 therefore becomes necessary to determine the areas and declivi- 
 ties of the entire country. This is the topographic survey as 
 described above. Such survey, therefore, has a double pur- 
 pose, namely, that required by the statutes in making the 
 selection of dam sites, canal sites, reservoir sites, and irrigable 
 lands, and that required by the hydraulic survey in determining 
 the amount of water which can be used in irrigation and the 
 amount which the canals will be required to carry and the 
 amount which the reservoirs will be required to hold. The 
 topographic survey is therefore the basis of all the work. 
 
 The work of the hydrographic survey consists of the follow- 
 ing principal elements : First, the gauging of typical streams. 
 Second, the gathering of rain-gauge records from the people 
 who are interested in the subject and who in the aggregate 
 make such observations on an elaborate scale. In some few 
 cases these rain-gauge records are supplemented by records 
 kept by the hydrographers. By the topographic survey the 
 areas and declivities of catchment basins are determined ; by 
 the rain-gauging records the rain-fall is determined ; by the 
 stream-gauging operations the flow of typical streams from 
 known areas and declivities with known rain-fall is determined. 
 Having thus obtained the run-off from typical areas, we are 
 able to compute the run-off from each and all of the areas in 
 a manner sufficiently accurate for the purpose in view. Third, 
 the determination of the amount of evaporation from "reservoir 
 surfaces under varying climatic conditions ; and this is neces- 
 sary in order that the waste from the reservoirs from this 
 source may be determined. Fourth, to measure and compute 
 the amount of sediment carried by the streams. This is neces- 
 sary to determine the life of the reservoirs, or the length of 
 time it will require to silt them full if methods to relieve them 
 of sediment are not used. Fifth, to determine the duty of 
 water, that is, the amount of water which is necessary to irri- 
 gate an acre of land under the varying conditions presented in 
 the arid region. 
 
PLAN OF THE SURVEY. o7 
 
 It will thus be seen that the topographic work is preliminary 
 to the hydrographic work and to the engineering work. The 
 hydrographic work is also preliminary to the engineering work, 
 which is now to be described. 
 
 The duties of the officers of the engineering branch of the 
 Survey are, to select from all of the discovered dam sites the 
 best ; to select from all of the discovered reservoir sites the 
 best ; to select from all of the canal sites the best ; and to 
 select from all of the irrigable lands the best tracts. Having 
 made these selections for any basin, they have by that process 
 planned a system of irrigation. It is now their duty to deter- 
 mine its cost. For this purpose they examine with care the 
 special diverting dam sites and plan the works and determine 
 the elements of cost quantitatively ; that is, the length, height, 
 width and slopes of the dam, the amount of material which 
 must enter into its construction and the availability of that 
 material, and the amount of labor necessary to complete the 
 work. In the same manner they examine the sites of the res- 
 ervoirs minutely and furnish plans and costs of the same. They 
 also survey on the ground- the canal lines which have been 
 selected, determine the necessary capacity of the canals and 
 their gradients, find how much cutting and filling must be 
 done, and discover the cost of all the work. They then dis- 
 cover, in a more minute way, by township and section, or by 
 Land-Office designations, the specific tracts which can be irri- 
 gated under the system. Finally, all of the facts discovered 
 by the topographic, hydrographic and construction engineers, 
 are assembled on maps, plans, sections and other diagrams, 
 with tables and explanatory text, to be reported to the Con- 
 gress and especially to the people of the arid regions. 
 
 It is proposed to set forth in a brief way the manner in 
 which the above plan of work has been inaugurated. 
 
 As the appropriation for the Irrigation Survey for the fiscal 
 year ending June 30, 1890, was made available upon the pas- 
 sa^e of the act, it was decided to inaugurate the work in the 
 
 c? ' " 
 
 spring; and this was highly advantageous, as it enabled the 
 survey to be prosecuted during the season of irrigation, when 
 the problems involved could be studied to the best advantage. 
 
38 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 The Director therefore prepared a general plan for the com- 
 mencement of operations and submitted the same to the hon- 
 orable the Secretary of the Interior for his approval, which it 
 received. The following is the plan submitted : 
 
 DETAILS OF THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., May 18, 1889. 
 The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: 
 
 SIR: I have the honor to submit the following plan for the opera- 
 tions of the irrigation survey of the arid lands. 
 
 The survey was commenced in the fall of 1888, under the author- 
 ity of the statute approved October 2, 1888, as follows: 
 
 For the purpose of investigating the extent to which the arid region of the United 
 States can be redeemed by irrigation, and the segregation of the irrigable lands in- 
 such arid region, and for the selection of sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic 
 works necessary for the storage and utilization of water for irrigation, and the pre- 
 vention of floods and overflows, and to make the necessary maps, including the pay 
 of employes in field and in office, the cost of all instruments, apparatus and ma- 
 terials, and all other necessary expenses connected therewith, the work to be per- 
 formed by the Geological Survey, under the direction of the Secretary of the In- 
 terior, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be 
 necessary. And the Director of the Geological Survey, under the supervision of the 
 Secretary of the Interior, shall make a report to Congress on the first Monday in 
 December of each year, showing in detail how the said money has been expended, 
 the amount used for actual survey and engineer work in the field in locating sites 
 for reservoirs, and an itemized account of the expenditures under this appropriation. 
 And all the lands which may hereafter be designated or selected by such United 
 States surveys for sites for reservoirs, ditches, or canals for irrigation purposes, and 
 all the lands made susceptible of irrigation by such reservoirs, ditches or canals are 
 from this time henceforth hereby reserved from sale as the property of the United 
 States, and shall not be subject after the passage of this act to entry, settlement or 
 occupation until further provided by law. Provided, That the President may at 
 any time in his discretion by proclamation open any portion or all of the lands re- 
 served by this provision to settlement under the homestead laws. (Vide Statutes of 
 the United States of America, passed at the first session of the Fiftieth Congress, 
 1887-1888, pp. 526-527.) 
 
 Under the above statute the work has been organized and contin- 
 ued to the present time. The following is a plan for the continuation 
 of the work as provided for by the statute approved March 2, 1889: 
 
 Irrigation Survey: For the purpose of investigating the extent to which the arid 
 region of the United States can be redeemed by irrigation and the segregation of 
 irrigable lands in such arid region, and for the selection of sites for reservoirs and 
 other hydraulic works necessary for the storage and utilization of water for irriga- 
 tion, and for ascertaining the cost thereof, and the prevention of floods and over- 
 
DETAILS OF THE PLAN. 39 
 
 flows, and to make the necessary maps, including the pay of employes in field 
 and in office, the cost of all instruments, apparatus, and materials, and all other 
 necessary expenses connected therewith, the work to be performed by the Geolog- 
 ical Survey under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, two hundred 
 and fifty thousand dollars, of which sum fifty thousand dollars shall be immedi- 
 ately available, and the Director of the Geological Survey, under the supervision of 
 the Secretary of the Interior, shall make a report to Congress on the first Monday 
 in December of each year, showing in detail how the said money has been expended, 
 the amount used for actual survey and engineering work in the field in locating 
 sites for reservoirs, and an itemized account of the expenditures under this and any 
 future appropriation. (Vide Statutes of the United States of America, passed at 
 the second session of the Fiftieth Congress, 1888-1889, pp. 960-961.) 
 
 The work in this survey is properly divided into three parts, namely: 
 
 I. The Topographic Survey. 
 II. The Hydraulic Survey. 
 
 III. The Engineering Survey. 
 
 It is recommended that work be prosecuted in Montana, Colorado, 
 New Mexico, Idaho, Nevada and California. 
 
 The appropriation is inadequate to operate economically in all of 
 the States and Territories where arid lands exist, and hence where 
 agriculture is dependent on irrigation. It therefore became neces- 
 sary on the inauguration of the work to make selections. The choice 
 made has been governed in the main by the following considerations. 
 
 It seems desirable to present some finished work to Congress at the 
 earliest possible date, and for this reason regions have been selected 
 where topographic maps were already finished or in process of con- 
 struction, and where rivers had already been gauged and their vol- 
 umes approximately determined. 
 
 It also seems desirable to select as far as possible regions of coun- 
 try already well settled, and where the problems presented were 
 pressing for speedy solution. It should be noticed that this last con- 
 sideration compels the Survey to attack the most difficult problems 
 first, a condition in some respects unfortunate. 
 
 In order to set forth the purposes and methods of the Irrigation 
 Survey, I beg permission to refer the Secretary to accompanying 
 documents, namely : 
 
 (1) Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting, in re- 
 sponse to Senate resolution of February 13, 1888, report concerning 
 the irrigation of certain lands. 
 
 (2) Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting, in re- 
 sponse to Senate resolution of March 27, 1888, report relative to the 
 reservoirs for the storage of water in the arid regions of the United 
 States. 
 
 (3) Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting, in pur- 
 suance of law, report of the Geological Survey on the subject of irri- 
 gation. 
 
40 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS. 
 
 It is proposed to continue the topographic work under the general 
 supervision of Mr. A. H. Thompson. 
 
 MONTANA. 
 
 That the work in Montana be extended eastward from the 100th 
 meridian along the valley of the Yellowstone River, including atlas- 
 sheets, long. 109 00', lat. 45 30', and long. 109 30', lat. 45 C 30', an 
 approximate area of 2,000 square miles. 
 
 That the organization to complete this work consist of two topo- 
 graphic parties, under the supervision of Mr. Frank Tweedy, with 
 Mr. Jeremiah Ahern as assistant. 
 
 That each topographic party consist of a chief, two field assistants, 
 two packers or teamsters, and one cook. 
 
 That the field-work be done on a scale of 1 inch to i mile, and with 
 sufficient detail to construct a map on the scale of 1 inch to 2 miles, 
 in contours having intervals in the valleys of 20 feet and in the 
 rougher country of 50 and 100 feet. 
 
 That these parties commence field-work about May 15 and continue 
 until October 15. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 For two topographic parties : two chiefs and two permanent assistants, work 
 to commence May 15 and continue five months in the season of 1889 and 
 one month in the season of 1890, area 2,000 square miles $7, 000 
 
 COLORADO. 
 
 That the area to be surveyed in Colorado be that included in the 
 drainage basin of the Arkansas River as far east as the 102d meridian 
 or-such portions as are now unmapped, an approximate area of 28,000 
 square miles. The field-work to be done on a scale of 1 inch to 1 
 mile, and in sufficient detail to construct maps on the scale of 1 inch 
 to 2 miles, in contours having intervals of 20 feet in the plains region 
 and the mountain valleys, 50 feet in foothills, and 100 feet in higher 
 regions. That the organization to perform this work consist of one 
 triangulation and supervision and four topographic parties, with 
 such other smaller organizations as may be necessary, the whole to 
 be under the immediate charge of Mr. Willard D. Johnson, with 
 Messrs. C. H. Fitch, Morris Bien, John W. Hays, and R. C. McKin- 
 ney as assistants in charge of parties. The triangulation party to be 
 organized with Mr. Johnson as chief, and to consist, besides himself, 
 of one field assistant, two teamsters and one cook. The topographic 
 parties to consist, besides the chief, of from two to four field assist- 
 ants, one teamster, and one to three cooks, as the exigencies of the 
 work demand. These parties to take the field in May and continue 
 work until late in October. 
 
DETAILS OF THE PLAN. 41 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 For one triangulation and four topographic parties : five chiefs of parties 
 and ten permanent assistants ; work to commence in May, and continue 
 five months in the season of 1889 and two months in the season-of 1890 ; 
 area 28,000 square miles $37, 000 
 
 NEW MEXICO. 
 
 That the work be prosecuted in New Mexico in the drainage basins 
 of the Rio Grande and Chama Rivers, including atlas-sheets, long. 
 106 00' lat. 36 00', long. 106 30' lat. 36 00', long. 106 30' lat. 36 
 30', in all an area of approximately 3,000 square miles. 
 
 That the organization to complete this work consist of one tri- 
 angulation and supervision and two topographic parties, all under 
 charge of Mr. Arthur P. Davis, with Mr. R. Henry Phillips as assist- 
 ant. That the triangulation and supervision party consist of Mr. 
 Davis as chief, one assistant, two packers, and one cook. That each 
 topographic party consist, besides its chief, of two field assistants, 
 two teamsters and one cook. 
 
 That field-work be done on a scale of 1 inch to 1 mile, and with suf- 
 ficient detail to construct a map on a scale of 1 inch to 2 miles, in 
 contours having intervals in the valleys of 20 feet, and in the mount- 
 ainous country of 50 or 100 feet as the grade of slope demands. 
 
 That field-work commence about June 15 and continue until Oc- 
 tober 15. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 For one triangulation and two topographic parties: three chiefs and three 
 permanent assistants; work to commence June 15 and continue four 
 months in the season of 1889, and one month in the season of 1890 ; area 
 3,000 square miles $15, 000 
 
 IDAHO. 
 
 That work be carried on in the valley of the Snake River, start- 
 ing from the vicinity of Boise" City and working east on atlas-sheets, 
 long. 115 00' lat. 43 00', long. 114 30' lat. 43 00', and long. 114 
 00' lat. 43 00'. 
 
 The field-work to be on a scale of 1 inch to 1 mile, and in suffi- 
 cient detail to construct maps on a scale of 1 inch to 2 miles, in con- 
 tours having intervals of 20 to 100 feet, as the character of the relief 
 of the country demands; that an area of approximately 3,000 square 
 miles be surveyed, the organization to do this work to consist of two 
 topographic parties under immediate charge of Mr. William T. 
 Griswold, with Mr. E. T. Perkins as assistant. These parties to com- 
 prise, besides the persons in charge, two field assistants, two 
 teamsters, and one cook each. These parties to take the field June 1 
 and continue work, if the season permit, until November 1. 
 
42 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 For two topographic parties: two chiefs and two permanent assistants; 
 work to commence June 1, 1889, and continue five months in the season 
 of 1889, and one month in the season of 1890 ; area 3.000 square miles $14, 000 
 
 NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA. 
 
 It is proposed to organize the topographic work in these States 
 under one division. 
 
 That the area to ba surveyed in California comprise such portions 
 of the drainage basins of the Yuba, American, Cosumne, Mokelumiie, 
 Stanislaus, Truckee and Carson Rivers, as are now unmapped and 
 included in atlas-sheets, long. 120 00' lat. 38 30', long. 120 00' 
 lat. 39 00', and long. 121 00' lat 38 00', in all about 3,000 square 
 miles. 
 
 That the area to be surveyed in Nevada comprise such portions of 
 the drainage basins of the Truckee and Carson Rivers as are included 
 on atlas-sheets, long. 119 00' lat. 38 30', long. 119 30' lat. 38 00', 
 long. 119 30' lat. 38 30', and long. 119 30' lat. 39 00', in all about 
 4,000 square miles. 
 
 The area in both States to be surveyed with sufficient detail to con- 
 struct a map on the scale of 1 inch to 2 miles, and in contours having 
 intervals in the valleys of 20 feet, in the rougher portions of the coun- 
 try 50 feet, and in the higher mountains 100 feet. 
 
 That the organization to perform the work in both States consist 
 of one triangulation and supervision, and four topographic parties, 
 with such other smaller organizations as may from time to time be 
 necessary, the whole to be under the immediate supervision of Mr. 
 E. M. Douglas, with Messrs. A. F. Dunnington, R. H. McKee, G. 
 T. Verrill, and R. H. Chapman as assistants in charge of parties. 
 The triangulation party, besides Mr. Douglas as chief, to consist of 
 one assistant, two packers, and one cook. Each topographic party, 
 besides its chief, to consist of two or three field assistants, as the exi- 
 gencies of the work demand, two packers or teamsters, and one cook 
 These parties to take the field in May and continue work till the last 
 of October. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 For one triangulation and four topographic parties: five chiefs of parties and 
 six permanent assistants; work to commence May 15, 1889, and continue 
 five months in the season of 1889, and one month in the season of 1890 ; 
 7,000 square miles $35, 500 
 
 Supervision, including salary of chief topographer in charge and his travel- 
 ing expenses 6, 000 
 
 Disbursements, including salary of disbursing agent and his traveling ex- 
 penses 2, 500 
 
 Instruments 3, 000 
 
DETAILS OF THE PLAN. 43 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 California and Nevada $35, 500 
 
 Colorado 37.. 000 
 
 Idaho 14,000 
 
 Montana 7, 000 
 
 New Mexico, 15, 000 
 
 Supervision $6, 000 
 
 Disbursements 2, 500 
 
 Instruments 3, 000 
 
 Total $120,000 
 
 HYDRAULIC WORK. 
 
 The operations of the hydraulic survey and of the engineering 
 survey up to the present time have been under the charge of Capt. C. 
 E. Button, of the Ordnance Corps, now on duty with the Geological 
 Survey. It is proposed to continue this arrangement for th'e pres- 
 ent and until a chief hydrographer is appointed, when the work will 
 be divided. 
 
 In Montana no hydraulic work has been projected for the present 
 season. Mr. R. S. Tarr is now at Helena, but he has been sent there 
 to gather information required for the Senate committee, for which 
 duty he has proved himself to be very apt, and it will for the next 
 two months probably occupy all his time. 
 
 In Wyoming the territorial engineer, Mr. Mead, is starting the 
 gauging of several streams and has been promised whatever coopera- 
 tion can be afforded him. 
 
 In the South Platte the State of Colorado has appropriated money 
 for the guaging, and the new State engineer prefers to conduct it 
 himself without cooperation or overlapping by this Survey. 
 
 In the Arkansas Valley Mr. Robertson has been stationed, with 
 Mr. Irving as an assistant, and he is instructed to establish a per- 
 manent station at Canyon City, another at Buena Vista, and a third 
 near Huerfano, and minor stations at other points. 
 
 In the Rio Grande Mr. George T. Quinby has been ordered to 
 establish one first-class station in the San Luis Valley and to main- 
 tain the one at Embudo ; also to keep a station on the Jemez and on 
 the Cham a, and also to keep records of the flow of the more impor- 
 tant tributaries of the Rio Grande. These have been well reconnoi- 
 tered during the past winter and spring by the assistants at Embudo. 
 Mr. Williams is now at El Paso establishing a gauging station. 
 
 Mr. Farish has been instructed to establish gauging stations on 
 the Gila, Salt, and Verde Rivers, and to measure the flow of smaller 
 streams in the Gila drainage. 
 
 Mr. Trowbridge has been sent to California to acquaint himself 
 with the progress made by the State survey in gauging the rivers 
 from the Yuba to the Stanislaus and to take such further action in 
 the same direction as may be necessary. 
 
 Mr. Harrison has been sent to the Lahontan basin to establish 
 stations on the Truckee River and its tributaries and on the Carson 
 River. 
 
44 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Mr. Hopson has been sent to Boise* City to prepare for the gauging 
 of the Snake River and its tributaries. This will be heavy work, 
 and as soon as practicable another man will be sent there, either Mr. 
 Williams or Mr. Newell. 
 
 In addition to gauging work, it is proposed to establish at selected 
 convenient stations evaporation pans. The selection of places has 
 in some cases been determined, in others not, but all will be deter- 
 mined soon. In conjunction with evaporation measurements it will 
 be necessary to use the thermometer, the psychrometer, and the rain- 
 gauge. Such stations it is proposed to make first-class stations. 
 Their equipment will be : 
 
 (1) Inclined scale for registering the rise and fall of the stream. 
 
 (2) Evaporating pan. 
 
 (3) Thermometer and whirled psychrometer. 
 
 (4) Rain-gauge. 
 
 The gauging of streams with the current meter will be performed 
 by a migratory party moving from station to station. It will be 
 necessary to keep a permanent employe* at such stations. 
 
 Second-class stations will also be established at points at which 
 only a part of the above observations will be made. The observers 
 of the second class will probably have to be paid a small compensa- 
 tion, which it is hoped will not exceed $10 per month. The probable 
 number will not be large. 
 
 Third-class stations will be selected largely at high altitudes, though 
 not exclusively so, at which only rain-gauges will be kept. Skilled 
 meteorologists, with much practical experience, state that observa- 
 tions with the psychrometer must be made by well-trained observers 
 in order to be of any value, and they all discourage the idea of plac- 
 ing such instruments in the hands of the untrained. In a few cases 
 it will be practicable to find intelligent volunteers who may be in- 
 trusted with them, but in most cases not. 
 
 Mr. Newell has spent some time and attention in examining the 
 question of measuring transported sediments. The problem is a diffi- 
 cult one. A beginning has been made, however, and it is proposed 
 that he shall continue his researches. At present it seems necessary 
 to experiment for a time in order to ascertain by what processes and 
 apparatus the problem shall be attacked. 
 
 Mr. Curtis will be recalled to Washington immediately to organize 
 a branch of this office for systematizing observations, preparing blank 
 forms and reports, and proper forms of records of all results of ob- 
 servations made in stream-gauging, evaporation and meteorology. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of F. H. Newell $1, 500 
 
 Salary of G. E. Curtis 1, 400 
 
 Salary of J. B. Williams 1 , 200 
 
DETAILS OF THE PLAN. 45 
 
 Salary of eight assistants, at $900 $7, 200 
 
 Salary of four assistants, at $720 2, 880 
 
 Total 14, 180 
 
 Purchase of instruments 4, 000 
 
 General field and traveling expenses 8, 000 
 
 Hired men 3, 020 
 
 Paid observers , 3, 000 
 
 Total hydrographic work 32, 200 
 
 ENGINEERING SURVEY. 
 
 It is recommended that this work be continued under the charge 
 of Capt. C. E. Button, and that work be prosecuted as follows : 
 
 UPPER MISSOURI DIVISION. 
 
 It is proposed to place this work under the charge of Mr. H. M. 
 Wilson. 
 
 The work in this division being in the least advanced state of de- 
 velopment, and its general features being imperfectly known, the 
 first season should be devoted mainly to a preliminary reconnais- 
 sance. It is proposed to examine the general irrigation problem in 
 
 (a) The Forks of the Missouri; i. e., the Gallatin, Madison and Jef- 
 ferson Valleys. 
 
 (6) The Yellowstone Valley from the Park to Miles City, or per- 
 haps Grlendive. 
 
 (c) The Missouri from the junction of the Forks to Fort Benton. 
 
 (d) The Milk River country. 
 
 ESTIMATE OP EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of engineer $2,400 
 
 Field assistants 1, 500 
 
 Hired men 1,500 
 
 Field supplies, instruments, animals, forage, incidentals 2, 600 
 
 Total 8, 000 
 
 COLORADO DIVISION. 
 
 It is proposed to place this work under the charge of Mr. Edwin S. 
 Nettleton. 
 
 It is proposed to make a study of the Arkansas valley from its 
 head waters to the one hundredth meridian, with a view of project- 
 ing the best method of irrigation upon the most comprehensive plan ; 
 also to select the most important or principal reservoir sites ; to plan 
 the construction of several important reservoirs and estimate costs. 
 
 The study of the Arkansas system includes also the study of the 
 Huerf ano as its most important tributary, in which system reservoirs 
 
46 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 will be conspicuous. . There are several fine sites for very large reser- 
 voirs in the Huerfano drainage, with an abundance of water to fill 
 them. 
 
 ESTIMATE OP EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of supervising engineer, in charge also of the division $4, 000 
 
 Field assistants 4, 500 
 
 Hired men 4, 000 
 
 Field supplies, instruments, animals, forage, and incidental expenses 7, 000 
 
 Total 19, 500 
 
 NEW MEXICO DIVISION. 
 
 It is proposed to place this work under the charge of Mr. Alexan- 
 der O. Brodie. 
 
 The valley of the Rio Grande presents several natural subdivisions : 
 
 (a) The San Luis Valley. 
 
 (6) The Espanola Valley, including the valley of the Chama and 
 its tributaries. 
 
 (o) The Jemez Valley. 
 
 (d) The Middle. Rio Grande, extending from Bernalillo to San 
 Marcial and including the East Puerco drainage. 
 
 (e) The Jornada del Muerto and Mesilla Valley ; ' the Taos Valley 
 would also make an interesting study on a smaller scale. 
 
 It is proposed in the coming season to make a special study of the 
 project for a dam at El Paso, with settling reservoirs in the trough of 
 the Rio Grande through the Jornada del Muerto, and a project for a 
 canal starting fro > i Fort Selden to irrigate the Mesilla Valley, and 
 another starting at El Paso to irrigate the valley below that town. 
 It is also proposed to study the Jemez subdivision in full detail, and, 
 if practicable, the East Puerco, which is one of the most promising 
 fields. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of engineer $8, 000 
 
 Field assistants 2, 000 
 
 Hired men -. 1, 800 
 
 Field supplies, instruments, animals, forage, incidentals 3, 200 
 
 Total 10, 000 
 
 IDAHO DIVISION. 
 
 It is proposed to place this work under the charge of Mr. A. D. 
 Foote. 
 
 The projected work is the study of the capabilities of this valley 
 above the Payette and the development of plans for utilizing a vast 
 area amounting to nearly 4,000,000 acres, or over 6,000 square miles. 
 This field is so extensive that probably most of the work the present 
 year will be of a reconnaissance character, though the Bois<^ River 
 drainage is now well known and the Payette to some extent. 
 
' r 
 
 OF THE 
 COLLEGE OP 
 
 DETAILS OF THE PLAN. 47 
 
 In general the plans of work and their details will be more fully 
 matured after an opportunity to confer with the division and super- 
 vising engineers is presented. 
 
 ESTIMATE OP EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of engineer ; $3, 000 
 
 Field assistants 2, 000 
 
 Hired men 2,000 
 
 Field supplies, instruments, animals, forage, and incidentals 4, 000 
 
 Total : 11 , 000 
 
 LAHONTAN DIVISION. 
 
 This division embraces Nevada and that portion of California that 
 drains eastward into Nevada. 
 
 It is proposed to place this work under the charge of Mr. Lyman 
 Bridges. 
 
 For this division the work projected includes the development of a 
 plan for utilizing the waters of the Truckee and Carson basins by 
 canals and reservoirs; also a reconnaissance of the Humboldt, Walker 
 River, and Honey Lake basins. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of engineer $3, 000 
 
 Field assistants 3, 000 
 
 Hired men 3, 000 
 
 Field supplies, instruments, animals, forage, and incidentals 6, 500 
 
 Total 15,500 
 
 CALIFORNIA DIVISION. 
 
 In the drainage basins of the Sierra Nevada north of the Cosumne 
 or Mokelumne there is but little demand for irrigation, and what- 
 ever demand exists is more than met by the old mining ditches and 
 reservoirs, whose waters are no longer permitted to be used in wash- 
 ing gravels. In the valleys immediately south of the Mokelumne 
 there is some demand for water, and this demand steadily increases 
 southward until it becomes very great in the valley of the Kern. On 
 the western sides of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, i. e. , 
 upon the eastern slopes of the Coast Ranges, the scarcity of water is 
 extreme, while the extent of arable land is very great. It is believed 
 that important areas of this land may be irrigated by the develop- 
 ment of a system of reservoirs. Many situations for reservoir sites 
 are known to exist in these ranges, and the rain-fall on the mountains 
 is probably sufficient to fill many of them. Some map work has also 
 been accomplished on a suitable scale, and it is therefore proposed 
 to begin work upon the eastern slope of the Coast Range. Maps are 
 already in process of construction for some of the drainage basins of 
 
48 IRRIGATION SUKVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, where the demand for in- 
 creased areas of irrigation is great. As this work proceeds the 
 Stanislaus and more southern rivers will engage the attention of the 
 engineering corps. One of the most important problems in irriga- 
 tion to be solved in California relates to the use of the Colorado 
 River in the southeastern part of the State. Already much is known 
 in the Survey in relation to this subject, but for climatic reasons the 
 work can best be prosecuted during the winter months. It is there- 
 fore proposed to enter upon this investigation later in the year, and 
 to place it in the hands of Mr. William Hammond Hall. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES. 
 
 Salary of supervising engineer, also in charge of division $4, 000 
 
 Field assistants 2, 500 
 
 Hired men 2, 000 
 
 Field supplies, instruments, animals, forage and incidentals 3, 500 
 
 Total 12, 000 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Montana Division . 1 $8, 000 
 
 Colorado Division 19, 500 
 
 New Mexico Division 10, 000 
 
 Idaho Division 11, 000 
 
 Lahontan Division 15, 500 
 
 California Division 12, 000 
 
 Total 76, 000 
 
 Total appropriation $250, 000 
 
 For topographic work $120, 000 
 
 For hydraulic work 32, 200 
 
 For engineering work 76, 000 
 
 228,200 
 
 To be used for contingent purposes 21, 800 
 
 The above report is submitted to the Secretary for his examination 
 and consideration, and his approval of the same is requested. 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS. 49 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 In pursuance of the above plan, the following instructions 
 
 were issued : 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. .C., May 25, 1889. 
 Prof. A. H. THOMPSON, 
 
 Chief Topographer, Irrigation Survey: 
 
 SIR: You are hereby continued in charge of the topographic work 
 of the Irrigation Survey. The sum of $120,000, from the appropri- 
 ation for an irrigation survey for the fiscal year 1890, is allotted to 
 your work. From this are to be paid the salaries of all assistants 
 assigned you, and all field expenses of every kind. 
 
 You are also authorized to employ such laborers as may be neces- 
 sary to the proper conduct of your work, having due regard for econ- 
 omy. You will employ such persons by the month or day, as circum- 
 stances require, but will not pay a greater monthly salary than $60 
 without special permission from this office. 
 
 You are also authorized to make such purchases of field supplies 
 and material, either in person or by your assistants, as may be nec- 
 essary for your work. 
 
 You will make a monthly report of progress, which should be sub- 
 mitted at the earliest possible date after the close of each month. 
 
 The following instructions have been prepared for your guidance 
 in the prosecution of the survey under your charge: 
 
 MAPS. 
 
 All field work for the general map should be done on a scale of 1 
 inch to 1 mile, and in contours having a vertical interval of 100 feet 
 in high mountain country, 50 feet in the lower and less rough coun- 
 try, and 20 feet in all areas of possible irrigable lands or sites of pos- 
 sible reservoirs. 
 
 A larger scale and less contour interval may be used for special 
 maps. 
 
 HORIZONTAL CONTROL. 
 
 Horizontal control should be secured by primary triangulation, 
 secondary triangulation, plane-table intersections and sketches, and 
 plane-table traverses between located points. 
 
 Primary triangulation should be done with accurate instruments, 
 and at least two stations should be located on each atlas-sheet. Sec- 
 ondary triangulation may be done with less refinement, but must be 
 accurate within the limits of the scale, and locate a sufficient number 
 10 GEOL., PT. 2 4 
 
50 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 of stations on each plane-table sheet for topographic work. Plane- 
 table stations must be made on secondary triangulation and other 
 convenient points so chosen that the whole country can be seen, and 
 intersections made to locate all principal topographic features. In 
 favorable country the secondary triangulation may often be done 
 over limited areas by- the plane-table. All contouring and location 
 of topographic features between the intersected points must be done 
 from plane-table stations. Primary and secondary triangulation 
 should precede plane-table work. 
 
 All roads and important topographic features must be traversed 
 and sketched by plane-table methods courses being determined by 
 the magnetic needle, and distances measured by instrumentation. 
 All streams must be traversed, and special attention paid to accurate 
 connection of their courses with the secondary triangulation and the 
 topographic features of their immediate valleys. The outlines of all 
 valleys in the mountains and foot-hills, as well as the plains, broader 
 valleys, terraces and benches of the lower country, must be accurately 
 located by plane-table intersections or traverses. 
 
 Instruments. Theodolites of approved construction should be used 
 in the primary triangulation; gradienters and plane-tables in second- 
 ary triangulation; traverse plane-tables for traverse work; odome- 
 ters, chains and stadia rods for the distances in traverses, and com- 
 passes for courses. 
 
 VERTICAL CONTROL. 
 
 One or more points on each atlas-sheet must be accurately deter- 
 mined in altitude and used as primary reference or bench-marks for 
 that sheet. All secondary triangulation and other plane-table sta- 
 tions, as well as other convenient points, must be connected with the 
 primary bench-mark by leveling, either angular or spirit. This work 
 should precede the contouring of plane-table sheets or traversing. 
 
 All plane-table intersections must be located in altitude by angu- 
 lation. All traverses must be located in altitude by angulation, 
 spirit-level or barometer, as the special case requires. In the use of 
 either method frequent reference must be had to the primary and 
 secondary bench-marks. 
 
 The slope of all possible irrigable lands must be determined by 
 level lines frequently crossing them. The gradients of all streams 
 must be determined with great care as high as any possible reservoir 
 sites, and the grade-curves of their immediate valleys and of reservoir 
 sites located frequently by instrumentation. Contours indicating 
 the outlines of valleys, plains, terraces and benches must be accu- 
 rately located by frequent instrumental determinations. 
 
 Instruments. The Y spirit-level should be often used in deter- 
 mining the gradients of streams, reservoir sites, etc. Gradienters 
 
INSTRUCTIONS. 51 
 
 and telescopic alidades may be used in angular leveling; aneroid and 
 mercurial barometers in traversing. 
 
 Herewith you will find the general plan of work as approved by 
 the honorable the Secretary of the Interior. 
 Yours, with respect, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., May 25, 1889. 
 Capt. C. E. BUTTON, 
 
 Chief Engineer, Irrigation Surrey: 
 
 SIR: I desire herewith to place before you certain governing con- 
 siderations of a general character with reference to the surveys you 
 are expected to make and the results you are expected to accomplish 
 through the employment of the engineering corps. 
 
 In each hydrographic basin it is desired to attack these problems: 
 What are the available sources of water supply ? and by what means 
 may the water be most fully utilized? A hydrographic basin may 
 mean the water-shed of a large stream or of a small one of a great 
 river or of one of its tributaries. But whether it means a trunk 
 stream or a branch of it a question to be decided by the engineer 
 it is assumed that there is some form of development and construc- 
 tion of works which may be adjudged to be the best that the engi- 
 neer can devise. The engineers should take no account of works 
 which are already constructed; nor should their judgment be swayed 
 by any opinion on their part as to what works private enterprise and 
 capital are likely to undertake in the next few years. They should 
 rather address themselves to the question already propounded: What 
 is the best system; the one which will utilize the greatest amount 
 of water and produce the greatest amount of irrigation? It is not 
 forgotten that as a practical matter irrigation development in each 
 district starts with a small beginning, and with works proportional 
 to that beginning, involving great waste of water and great cost for 
 maintenance ; that it advances through successive stages by more 
 costly works superseding the primitive ones. But of these the en- 
 gineer should take no account. His project should embrace what 
 is in his judgment the best system, irrespective of what is or actually 
 may be constructed. At the same time his project should be a prac- 
 tical one, involving no extravagance of engineering, not transcend- 
 ing the possibilities of attainment and maintenance after attainment. 
 
 The plan should have also a certain unity, and should contemplate 
 a single system of works for each irrigation district. If both reser- 
 voirs and canals are required the reservoirs should, if possible, be 
 
52 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 projected as adjuncts of the canals. No doubt it will happen some- 
 times that the rivers alone are more than sufficient for the available 
 land, as in some valleys of the northernmost States and Territories; 
 or that reservoirs alone are possible, as in parts of the southernmost 
 Territories. Still, even in such cases unity of plan should be kept 
 in view so far as practicable. 
 
 Engineers should seek to devise plans to serve the greatest amount 
 of irrigation with the least expense. When the land is in excess of 
 the water the plans should be made to utilize all available water. 
 When the water is in excess of the land the plans should be made to 
 utilize all the available land. 
 
 Engineers should seek to minimize the distributive works by which 
 water is taken from canals and reservoirs and put upon the land. 
 With a given high-line canal it will generally be possible to propose 
 many ways of distributing its water. But the distributive system 
 will in other cases probably be of a distinctive character, forming a 
 vital part of the entire project, and its employment in the project 
 will then be necessary. 
 
 In carrying out the actual survey work in the field it will not be 
 necessary, it is believed, to actually run the canal lines by transit 
 and level with cumbrous and expensive parties of rodmen, chainmen, 
 axmen, cooks and teamsters and mark the lines by stakes on the 
 ground. For the lawful purposes of the survey a simpler, far less 
 expensive, and more generally useful method is contemplated. It is 
 to be borne in mind that this survey is not primarily designed for 
 the benefit of private parties who may contemplate the construction 
 of works, though if they should incidentally derive benefit therefrom 
 it would be a matter for congratulation. Its first object, as expressed 
 in the statute directing that the survey be made, is for the information 
 of the Congress and of the State and Territorial legislatures and the 
 guidance of future legislation with respect to the arid lands and the 
 use of the natural waters. The second object of the survey is to se- 
 lect sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic works necessary for irri- 
 gation, and to reserve the same for public purposes, that they may 
 not fall into the possession of individuals or corporations. The third 
 purpose is to select and reserve the irrigable lands until the Congress 
 shall decide upon the best method for their disposition to actual set- 
 tlers. There is a fourth object, of equal importance to the others, 
 namely, to guide the agriculturists of each great hydrographic basin 
 to the most economic method of utilizing the waters for irrigation in 
 such a manner that the greatest area may be cultivated thereby. 
 Hence it is designed to spread upon good maps and set forth in 
 printed reports and records the facts as they exist, and the possibili- 
 ties which may be hoped for in their entirety. This should be done 
 with sufficient but not excessive detail. It should comprise not merely 
 delineations of the routes of canals and the locations of reservoirs, 
 
INSTRUCTIONS. 53 
 
 but all the essential accessory facts inherent in the country itself. 
 The basis of work, then, is, in the view of the Director, a topographic 
 map. 
 
 Such maps have already been begun by the topographic survey in 
 those districts where work is contemplated in the present year, and 
 upon some of them large progress has been made For the general 
 topographic maps the field-work is all done on a scale of 1 inch to the 
 mile and in contours having a vertical interval of 100 feet in high 
 mountain country, 50 feet in the lower and less rough country, and 
 20 feet in all areas of possible irrigable lands or sites of possible reser- 
 voirs. Larger scale maps with less contour intervals are contem- 
 plated for special maps. In the construction of these maps the hori- 
 zontal control is secured by primary and secondary triangulation, by 
 plane-table intersections, and by plane-table tracing between located 
 points. Points in abundance are located on each plane-table sheet, 
 and they will be located with an accuracy which is well within the 
 limits of the scale on which the map is projected. On each atlas- 
 sheet one or more points has its altitude accurately determined and 
 is used as a primary reference or bench-mark for that sheet, and all 
 secondary triangulation and plane-table stations, as well as other 
 points, are connected with these bench-marks by actual leveling. 
 The slopes of all possible irrigable lands are determined by lines of 
 level frequently crossing them. The gradients of streams are deter- 
 mined with great care by leveling as high as all possible reservoir 
 sites, and the grade curves of their immediate valleys and of reservoir 
 sites are frequently located by instrumentation. 
 
 When these maps are placed in the hands of the engineer, it is 
 believed that he can locate upon them by a simple reconnaissance 
 the line of a canal, without the necessity for a large field party and 
 its expensive equipment, and that the result will answer the prac- 
 tical purposes contemplated in the law. It may happen, however, 
 that actual leveling will have to be done sometimes, and whenever it 
 is necessary it is expected, though the effort should be to avoid as 
 much of such work as practicable. Information as to the location of 
 all determinate points on the map can always be obtained from the 
 note-books of the topographic parties. 
 
 Few of the maps are yet engraved; but photographs of the original 
 drawings and of the plane-table sheets, as rapidly as the latter are 
 finished, can be made in this office and placed in the hands of the 
 engineers. 
 
 The exigencies of the service demand that the work of the engi- 
 neers shall be commenced at an early date, in order that complete 
 systems of irrigation can be projected and the plans reported to Con- 
 gress at its next session. The engineers engaged in planning works 
 will realize that could they be supplied with maps already con- 
 structed and with the results of a hydraulic survey, giving them 
 
54 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 the facts relating to the volume, evaporation, sedimentation, etc., of 
 the several streams they are investigating, it would be highly advan- 
 tageous to their work; and in the prosecution of plans hereafter it is 
 hoped that such data can be furnished the engineers when they take 
 the field; but it is impossible to do this for the present season, and 
 it therefore becomes necessary for them to adjust themselves some- 
 what to the imperfect conditions and to consult the field sketches and 
 notes of the topographer, and to obtain from the hydrographers pre- 
 liminary and incomplete statements of the facts collected by them. 
 It is hoped that they will adapt themselves to the circumstances by 
 the wisest methods, and work with such fragmental and incomplete 
 data as may be on hand, leaving it to a later day to complete all the 
 topographic and hydraulic data necessary for final reports. Each 
 project of a canal will have some special features which can not 
 properly be expressed upon the general topographic sheets, such as 
 headworks, dams, water-falls, and special distributive works which 
 may form an integral part of the system. In so far as these call 
 for topographic representation upon a much larger scale, special 
 maps can be estimated for and requisition made for them upon this 
 office. In so far as they call for representation in engineering plats 
 and conventions, the engineers will be expected to make the neces- 
 sary surveys and delineations. 
 
 Reservoirs which constitute an essential part of any unified project, 
 will in most cases demand special plats for their representation, and 
 more or less survey by the engineer to cross-section their basins, 
 properly estimate their capacities, and define the characters and pro- 
 portions of the dams. It should be remembered that the ends in view 
 are not actual constructions by the Government, but plans and esti- 
 mates for the use of the people, and reports should be prepared in the 
 simplest manner possible. 
 
 The selection of reservoir sites involves their withdrawal from 
 occupation and entry by settlers under the various land acts. This 
 should be one of the first subjects to engage the engineer's attention. 
 He should first reconnoiter such localities as seem to offer facilities 
 for good reservoir sites, and form a preliminary judgment of their 
 possible areas of water surface without entering into detailed sur- 
 veys. To this surface should be added for each site an ample mar- 
 gin of safety around it. He should identify its situation upon the 
 Land Office plats in the local land office having jurisdiction over it, 
 and make report to this office that a practicable site has been selected, 
 specifying the ranges, townships, and sections. No subdivision 
 smaller than a section should be taken, and if the boundary of the 
 reservation cuts through any section, the whole section should be 
 embraced in the reservation. So far as this specification is con- 
 cerned, it is immaterial if a part of , the land has already been filed 
 upon or patented. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS. 55 
 
 In case the site is upon land which is unsurveyed by the Land Office, 
 a monument should be erected at a point having a height such that 
 a line of level running around the basin and through the base of the 
 monument will embrace" all the land which it is desired to withdraw. 
 It will be sufficient for the purpose of a preliminary withdrawal to 
 describe the position of such monument in terms which will enable 
 its situation to be subsequently identified, to specify the township or 
 townships within which the site is located, when it can be done, and 
 to declare that all land within such basin lying below a level-line 
 through the base of the described monument is withdrawn as a 
 reservoir site. 
 
 The preliminary withdrawal of reservoir sites is an operation which 
 should be conducted with secrecy and dispatch, and every effort made 
 to avoid being anticipated by jumpers and speculators. 
 
 For properly "investigating the extent to which the arid region 
 can be redeemed by irrigation," it is necessary for the engineer to 
 know as much as possible of the available water supply, how much 
 of it he can secure in his canals and reservoirs, and how much he is 
 likely to lose by evaporation and by other causes which he can not 
 control. It is therefore necessary to determine the amount of water 
 flowing in the streams, the variation of flow throughout the year, the 
 rain-fall, and the evaporation. For these investigations a corps of 
 hydrographers has been organized during the past winter, and they 
 have been experimenting and practicing with a view to ascertaining 
 the best instruments and methods of work. 
 
 In this branch of the work the gauging of streams is for the pres- 
 ent the most urgent. The hydrographers will be stationed in the 
 several divisions to organize and prosecute the work of stream-gaug- 
 ing under the eye of the engineer, who will select those streams 
 which demand the first gauging, and which are the subjects of their 
 immediate wants. Evaporation measurements will also be under- 
 taken with special reference to determining the amount of evapora- 
 tion from water surfaces. 
 
 Monthly reports will be required setting forth the operations of 
 the engineer in full. 
 
 Yours, with respect, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 
56 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 [General instructions for hydrographers.] 
 
 DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., May 25, 1889. 
 Capt. C. E. DUTTON, 
 
 Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Survey: 
 
 SIR: The duties which devolve upon the hydrographers will be at 
 once of a highly scientific and practical character, and will consist 
 in ascertaining by systematic observations and measurements the 
 values of numerous factors or qualities which must be known in 
 order to fully carry out the purpose of the law which requires an 
 investigation of the extent to which the arid lands can be redeemed 
 by irrigation. They may be mentioned in the following order : 
 (1) Measurements of water supply. 
 (2) Measurements of the loss of water by evaporation. 
 
 (3) The investigation of the climatology of the arid region 
 
 with reference to agriculture by irrigation. 
 
 (4) Measurements of sediments transported by streams 
 
 (5) The duty of water. 
 
 (6) Collection of general information. 
 
 (1) The measurement of water supply will consist primarily in 
 the gauging of streams. To this end the methods developed at 
 Embudo will be followed for the present, but with time and experi- 
 ence it is hoped that improvement will come. For this purpose 
 stations will be established on streams to be gauged at points selected 
 and a systematic record will be kept of the rise and fall of the streams 
 by means of inclined graduated rods, and the stations will be visited 
 by the hydrographers so as to gauge repeatedly at different stages 
 of the water until a sufficient number of stages have been gauged to 
 admit of a formula for the stream and the station. The stream beds 
 will be plotted and the slopes ascertained by leveling. Full records 
 will be kept by the hydrographers of all their gauging work and the 
 results reported monthly to this office. 
 
 (2) The evaporation will also be measured by the general methods 
 employed at Embudo. The quantity to be ascertained is the evapo- 
 ration from water surfaces. Wherever practicable it is desirable to 
 combine station work by placing evaporometers at the same stations 
 as river gauges ; but this must be influenced by considerations of 
 economy and the intelligence of the observers. 
 
 (3) The study of the climatology of the West will be mainly the 
 work of the central office, as the data upon which it depends are of 
 regional extent, and most of them are collated by the Signal Service, 
 whose records are accessible only in Washington. But hydrographers 
 are expected to furnish some accessory data, and to cultivate in 
 their divisions the interest of volunteer observers and to promote the 
 
INSTRUCTIONS. 57 
 
 organization of meteorological societies. They are cautioned, how- 
 ever, not to duplicate the work of the Signal Service, but to maintain 
 a most cordial and cooperative attitude towards the observers of that 
 Bureau and to conform to its methods. 
 
 Rain gauges will be placed at stations not occupied by Signal 
 Service observers, and for the present localities at higher altitudes 
 especially need investigating as to the amount of precipitations, and 
 as a general though not invariable rule preference should be given 
 to higher altitudes in choosing rain-gauge stations. It is deemed 
 unadvisable to use the sling psychrometer, except in cases where the 
 observer is known to be a man of exceptional intelligence and skilled 
 in the use of meteorological instruments. 
 
 (4) The measurements of sediments transported is a subject which 
 must await future development, and no instructions can be given 
 for the present with reference to it. 
 
 (5) Care should be taken, whenever opportunity occurs, to ascer- 
 tain the duty of water in all localities where irrigation is practiced. 
 The subject should be investigated personally, and too much reli- 
 ance should not be placed on the mere statements of farmers unsup- 
 ported by careful measurement. As the duty will vary, much in- 
 quiry is necessary to ascertain upon what causes such variations 
 depend. The following factors seem to be of prime importance: (1) 
 Method of flooding lands; (2) climate; (3) character of soil and sub- 
 soil; (4) kind of crop raised. 
 
 (6) The central office will be frequently called upon to furnish in- 
 formation not only to Congress, but to thousands of individuals 
 throughout the country upon the subject of irrigation. In short, it 
 must constitute itself a bureau of information. The hydrographers 
 are expected to have their eyes open to all facts relating to irriga- 
 tion, and to keep the central office advised of everything of interest. 
 
 Reports must be made monthly, embracing a full account of all 
 operations during the month. Records of guagings, with the plates 
 of the section at the station, and records of soundings and leveling 
 must be kept by the hydrographers and copies of them furnished to 
 this office at such times as will hereafter be stated and upon such 
 forms as shall be prescribed. They will also collate the reports of 
 the rain-gauge and other observers and consolidate them, forward- 
 ing the consolidated report to this office. 
 Yours, with respect, 
 
 J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director. 
 
 With the above general instructions, common to all operat- 
 ing- in like branches of the work, the parties were sent to the 
 field with specific orders to carry on the survey in designated 
 areas. A detailed account of the progress of the survey for the 
 
58 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is contained in the reports of 
 Professor Thompson and Captain Button appended hereunto. 
 
 AREAS SURVEYED. 
 
 The following statement exhibits in tabular form the areas 
 covered by the topographic survey in the several States and 
 Territories wherein it was prosecuted, the reservoir sites and 
 canal sites that have been surveyed in each State and Terri- 
 tory, the additional reservoir sites selected for segregation, and 
 the total selection of irrigable lands for segregation. The 
 table does not include a great number of reservoir sites and 
 canal sites that have been discovered and from which selections 
 are to be made hereafter: 
 
 Areas mapped by the Topographic Branch, Irrigation Survey. 
 
 States. 
 
 1888. 
 
 1889. 
 
 Total. 
 
 California 
 
 So. miles. 
 1,580 
 
 Sq. miles. 
 3,268 
 
 So. miles. 
 
 4,848 
 
 Colorado 
 
 13,000 
 
 10,200 
 
 23,200 
 
 Idaho . . . . . . . .... 
 
 
 1,900 
 
 1,900 
 
 Montana .. 
 
 3,600 
 
 1,670 
 
 5,270 
 
 New Mexico 
 
 3,800 
 
 2,570 
 
 6,370 
 
 Nv<vla ... .......... , , ........ ..................... 
 
 250 
 
 1,642 
 
 1,892 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total . . 
 
 22,230 
 
 21,250 
 
 43,480 
 
 
 
 
 
 Expenditures from October 3, 1888, to June 30, 1889 $172, 171. 83 
 
 Cost per square mile 3. 95 
 
 Reservoir sites surveyed in Arkansas River division, Colorado. 
 
 
 
 
 Height 
 
 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 of 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 
 
 
 dam. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Acre-feet. 
 
 1 
 
 Twin Lakes 
 
 Lake County 
 
 60 
 
 1,297 
 
 130,000 
 
 9 
 
 Cottonwood 
 
 Chaffee County 
 
 70 
 
 166 
 
 8,400 
 
 a 
 
 Leadville 
 
 Lake County 
 
 100 
 
 280 
 
 8,875 
 
 4 
 
 Monument 
 
 El Paso County 
 
 40 
 
 47 
 
 5,630 
 
 5 
 
 Pring 
 
 do 
 
 60 
 
 198 
 
 4,600 
 
 p, 
 
 Hayden 
 
 Lake County 
 
 100 
 
 1,118 
 
 45,000 
 
 7 
 
 Clear Creek No 1 
 
 Chaffee County 
 
 60 
 
 350 
 
 7,000 
 
 8 
 
 Clear Creek No. 2 
 
 do 
 
 45 
 
 64 
 
 1,800 
 
 I 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 Lake County 
 
 70 
 
 1,889 
 
 37,000 
 
 10 
 
 Sugar Loaf 
 
 . .. .do 
 
 60 
 
 1,070 
 
 45,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Canal lines surveyed, Arkansas division. 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 Height 
 of 
 dam. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * Leaves the Arkansas River on the north bank 12 miles west of the line between Kansas and Colo- 
 rado, and extends eastward to a point 30 miles east of said lines, and then turns northward in a very 
 direct line to the town of Leoti, Kans., 30 miles north of the most southern part of its line. 
 
AREAS SURVEYED. 
 
 59 
 
 Reservoir sites surveyed in Stanislaus and Tuolumne Basins, California. 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 Height 
 of 
 dam. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 1 
 
 
 T 7 N R 18 E 
 
 30 
 
 
 1 500 
 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 
 3,447 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 Highland Lake* 
 Kennedy's Meadow 
 
 Sec. 6, T.7N.,R.30E 
 T. 5N., R. 20 E 
 
 50 
 '"56" 
 
 356 
 
 "'se' 
 
 6,917 
 '"i,'369 
 
 4 
 
 Kennedy's Lain- 
 
 T5N,R21E 
 
 70 
 90 
 20 
 
 114 
 140 
 86 
 
 3,402 
 5,943 
 1,041 
 
 5 
 
 Tuolumne Meadows 
 
 Tuolumne County, T. 1 S., R. 33 and 
 
 30 
 50 
 
 109 
 870 
 
 2,018 
 23,753 
 
 6 
 
 Lake Eleanor 
 
 24 E., M.D.M. 
 Tuolumne County, T. 2 N., R. 19 E ... 
 
 60 
 80 
 50 
 
 972 
 1,174 
 678 
 
 32,968 
 54,408 
 8,000 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 Lake Tenaiya 
 Little Yosemite Valley 
 
 T. 1 S., R. 23 E., M. D. Iff 
 
 Mariposa County, T. 2 S., R. 22 and 
 
 23 E. 
 
 70 
 90 
 100 
 25 
 35 
 55 
 110 
 130 
 160 
 
 1,012 
 1,134 
 1,193 
 470 
 530 
 603 
 640 
 765 
 860 
 
 25,776 
 47,290 
 58,927 
 6,717 
 11,719 
 23,083 
 14,928 
 29,116 
 53,700 
 
 * Surveyed, but full details not received at civil engineer's office. 
 
 Reservoir sites surveyed in Carson and Truckee Basins in California and Nevada. 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 Height 
 of 
 dam. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 1 
 
 Donner Lake 
 
 Nevada County, Cal . 
 
 25 
 
 1,337 
 
 22 200 
 
 
 Independence Lake 
 
 do 
 
 40 
 
 984 
 
 23,700 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 Webber Lake 
 Hope Valley 
 
 Sierra County, Cal 
 Alpine County Cal . 
 
 30 
 70 
 
 778 
 219 
 
 11,200 
 2,440 
 
 5 
 
 Long Valley 
 
 Douglas County,Nev 
 
 110 
 130 
 150 
 90 
 
 1,337 
 1,595 
 1,803 
 1,086 
 
 30,300 
 61,000 
 95,000 
 34,400 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Reservoir sites surveyed in Sun River Basin, Montana. 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 Height 
 of 
 dam. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 1 
 i 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 1 
 Sun River Reservation No. 2 
 
 Lewis and Clarke and ChoteauCounties 
 do 
 
 58 
 100 
 
 300 
 350 
 
 6,000 
 13,000 
 
 a 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 3 
 
 do 
 
 96 
 
 1,000 
 
 35,000 
 
 4 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 4 
 
 Lewis and Clarke County . . . 
 
 94 
 
 700 
 
 SO 000 
 
 5 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 5 
 
 do 
 
 84 
 
 1,500 
 
 45,000 
 
 B 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 6 
 
 do 
 
 66 
 
 300 
 
 6 000 
 
 7 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 7 
 
 do 
 
 39 
 
 250 
 
 6 000 
 
 H 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 8 
 
 do . . 
 
 23 
 
 130 
 
 2,000 
 
 B 
 
 Sun River Reservation No. 9 
 
 do 
 
 36 
 
 70 
 
 1,000 
 
 10 
 
 Benton Lake 
 
 Cascade County 
 
 
 7 000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Canal lines surveyed in Sun River Basin, Montana. 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 Height 
 of 
 dam. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 1 
 
 Canal No 1* 
 
 Cnoteau and Cascade Counties 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 Canal No 2t 
 
 Lewis and Clarke County 
 
 
 
 
 -i 
 
 Canal No 3$ 
 
 ..do 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * Taken out on the north side of Sun River in sec. 21, T. 23 N., R. 7 W., 1 mile below Reservation No. 
 I. Runs in a southeasterly direction through T. 22 N., R. 7 W., and T. 21 N., R. 6 W. ; thence easterly 
 through the southern portion of T 21 N., R. 5 W. ; thence northeasterly through T. 21 N., R. 4 W, 
 Enters T. 21 N., R. 3 W., at SW. corner section 6 and then turns easterly running through the north 
 tier of sections in T. 21 N., ranges 3 and 2 W. ; thence northeasterly through T. 22 N., R. 1 W., to cross- 
 ing of Big Muddy Creek. Total length, 70 miles. 
 
 t Taken from the top of reservoir No. 2 and runs in a southeasterly direction 2f miles ; thence north- 
 erly 2| miles ; thence easterly 3 miles to reservoir No. 9 ; thence southerly to reservoir No. 8, where 
 it is turned into a natural water-way, supplying reservoirs No. 7 and 5. Total length of line, 14 miles. 
 
 t Taken from bottom of reservoir No. 5 in sec. 30, T. 21 N., R. 6 W., and running southeasterly 
 through sections 30, 29, 28, 33, 34, and 35, T. 21 N., R. 6 W. ; thence southwesterly through sections 2, 3, 4, 
 5, 8, and 9, T. 20 N., R. 6 W., ending one-half mile below the town of Augusta. Total length, 10 miles. 
 
 Survey of reservoir in Rio Grande Valley, near El Paso. 
 
 
 Name. 
 
 Location. 
 
 Height 
 of 
 dam. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Capacity. 
 
 1 
 
 Lake Constance 
 
 Mesilla Valley 
 
 60 
 
 24,900 
 
 537,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESERVOIR SITES SELECTED. 
 
 61 
 
 a* 
 
 3oo 
 av 
 
 M)" 3 " 
 On" 
 
 !-: 
 
 II 
 
 eg 
 
 1? 
 !? 
 
 3 * 
 
 I -3 
 
 fc 
 
 s s 
 
 fc> 
 
 s . . 
 
 I; ; i i i i i ii : i ; ; : : i : ; i : ; i ; : ; ; ; : 
 
 :::::::::> :::::.::::::::::::: <j 
 
 I I : : - : 3 
 
 <! 
 __ _ _ O 
 
 M M| M M M M M N M i N M 
 
 : : : : : :::::::*:::::::::: 
 :.':'. : :^ : : ; : ;::'.:::::::: 
 
 O t, d :" . 
 
 cd 
 
 . w " " " J * 
 
 i^liiiyilll 
 
 ^ tt ^.S p 
 
 O OOOOOOOOQ)^t>fc<D 
 p > >>L*t>>>t>>CB ! "-djx 
 
 ' b & 5 5 5 5 H s5 s 3 
 
 ::::::: :.5 .S.E.E-S.5.S.S.5 ^Sr^'i^^^gls 35 ^ 
 III: : 3Sa3i|2|s|^g"|| 
 
 " ;~ ^Illlll^^^"^^^ g^s 
 
 rH Ot 00 "^ 1C CO l> QO OS O TH O< CC ^ lO ?D t* 00 
 
 OO5JO 
 
62 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 ' 
 
 
 <D bC 
 
 |ss 
 
 * 
 
 1 
 
 illli IN! HI: 
 
 innMHiHi 
 
 
 
 tj t ' ' ; ; ; ; 
 
 
 1 
 
 II iflil ! 
 
 !' ulili ^ 
 
 'COSdJfliO i i .^ O 
 
 - atl*! 1 !!''^! 3 * 
 
 3 S 3 222 o S : 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 O 
 
 g^.&i O O O O.g O O 
 
 P :gH '.'.'. '."^ '. '. 
 
 
 
 ::::::::. i^ 
 
 
 td 
 
 Monache Meadows Reservoir . . . 
 Big Meadows Reservoir 
 Little Yosemite Reservoir 
 Tenaiya Lake 
 Tuolumne Meadows Reservoir . 
 Eleanor Lake Reservoir 
 Kennedy's Meadow Reservoir . . 
 Kennedy's Lake Reservoir 
 Bear Valley Reservoir 
 South Highland Lake Reservoir 
 Rattlesnake Creek Reservoir, No 
 Rattlesnake Creek Reservoir, No 
 
 a 
 
 H 
 
 6 
 
 10I>000>0~(NTO^,0 5 
 
 
 S S 10 2 
 
KESERVOJR SITES SELECTED. 
 
 63 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 All lands situate within 2 statute 
 miles of lake at high water. 
 Do. 
 
 
 * 
 
 t- 10^- g 
 
 
 
 m j TI< oo 10 jj rn e g 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Six-mile Creek, Arkansas River 
 Eight-mile Creek, Arkansas River . . . 
 Clear Creek, Arkansas River 
 Little Cottonwocd River 
 
 
 UTAH. 
 
 Jordan River, Salt Lake 
 
 San Pitch River 
 Bear River, Salt Lake 
 Sevier River 
 Cottonwood Creek 
 East Fork, Sevier River 
 do 
 West Fork, Sevier River 
 Sevier River 
 East Fork, Sevier River 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -t- 
 o> :'::::: 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 :::::: 
 
 
 1 i 
 
 IV 
 
 
 
 t> OSPnSccO 
 
 
 
 
 
 ... . .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 ! illl.1' 
 
 .... a ... 
 
 
 Six-mile Creek Reservoir 
 Eight-mile Creek Reservoir . . 
 Upper Clear Creek Reservoir 
 Cottonwood Lake Reservoir. . 
 
 Tnt.nl 
 
 
 
 Utah Lake 
 
 Gunnison Reservoir 
 Bear Lake Reservoir 
 Deseret Reservoir 
 Cottonwood Creek Reservoir. 
 Panquitch Hayfleld, Upper Re 
 Plateau Valley Reservoir 
 Panquitch Lake Reservoir . . . 
 Marysvale Reservoir 
 Otter Creek Reservoir 
 
 Tr>t,nl 
 
 
 SISSS 
 
 
 
 1-1 d CO Tl" O D t> 00 O O 
 
 
 I a 
 
 to -f f oo _> 
 
 3 41 
 
 3^ _f 
 
 3 a B 
 Sais Js 8 
 
 SSS gO 
 
 2 S 2 9- 2 
 
 cj c3 c3 c3 p^ 
 
64 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 t- 00 
 
 Group of small ret 
 five, T. 9 and 10 N, 
 Blue water cafion . . 
 Southwest corner T 
 Northern part of T. 
 San Jose River in L 
 
BEPORT OF PROF. A. H. THOMPSON. 65 
 
 Total segregations of irrigable lands. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Snake River Basin 11, 057, 360 
 
 Bear River 2, 085, 320 
 
 Upper Missouri and Yellowstone 11, 133, 440 
 
 Owens River Valley 519, 000 
 
 Rio Grande Valley 5, 760, 000 
 
 Total.. '. .. 30,555,120 
 
 REPORT OF PROF. A. H. THOMPSON. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., July 1, 1889. 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the work 
 of the topographic branch of the Irrigation Survey during the fiscal 
 year ending June 30, 1889. 
 
 TIME AND LOCATION OF WORK. 
 
 Under the appropriation made by Congress for an " Irrigation 
 survey of the arid regions of the United States " funds became 
 available October 3, 1888, and from that date work, either field or 
 office, has been carried on under my direction, and according to plans 
 submitted to and approved by you, in the States of California, Colo- 
 rado, and Nevada, and the Territories of Montana and New Mexico. 
 
 GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL. 
 
 In California, Montana, and New Mexico parties of the U. S. Geo- 
 logical Survey were already engaged in topographic work. These 
 parties were transferred intact to the Irrigation Survey, and addi- 
 tional new parties organized in Colorado and Nevada. Four divis- 
 ions for the prosecution of work were thus formed, California and 
 Nevada constituting the first, Colorado the second, Montana the 
 third, and New Mexico the fourth. 
 
 The charge of work in the Division of California and Nevada was 
 assigned to Mr. H. M. Wilson, assisted by Messrs. A. F. Dunning- 
 ton, R. H. McKee, Josiah Pierce, jr., and George E. Verrill, as 
 assistants in charge of parties. Charge of the division of Colorado 
 was given to Mr. Willard D. Johnson, with Mr. John W. Hays as 
 assistant. In addition Mr. Anton Karl was given charge of a third 
 party for special work. Mr. E. M. Douglas was given charge of the 
 Division of Montana, with Mr. Frank Tweedy as chief of a party, and 
 Mr. Arthur P. Davis that of New Mexico, with Messrs. R. Henry 
 Phillips and R. H. Chapman as assistants in charge of parties. In 
 all of these divisions work proceeded by atlas sheets bounded by de- 
 10 GEOL., PT. 2 5 
 
66 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 gree, quarter, or half -degree lines of latitude and longitude and con- 
 forming in scale and area to the system adopted by the Geological 
 Survey, viz, atlas sheets when on the scale of e^ioo- ^ represent 
 fifteen minutes of latitude and longitude each way ; when on the 
 scale of T2~sVo o to represent thirty minutes, and on the scale of aroVo o 
 one degree. 
 
 The field work was usually done on twice the scale intended for 
 publication, the relief being represented by contour lines having 
 equal vertical intervals. The following table shows the locality of 
 work, scale, contour interval, areas surveyed, and present condition 
 of office work for the fiscal year : 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Scale field work. 
 
 Contour 
 interval. 
 
 Square 
 miles sur- 
 veyed. 
 
 Condition of office 
 work. 
 
 California 
 
 1 inch to 1 mile. . . 
 
 Feet. 
 100 
 
 1,466 
 
 Completed 
 
 Colorado 
 
 ....do 
 
 (50 
 
 12,650 
 
 One-twelfth com- 
 
 Montana 
 
 1 inch to 2 miles 
 
 )25 
 
 200 
 
 3 600 
 
 pleted. 
 Completed 
 
 New Mexico 
 Nevada 
 
 1 inch to 1 mile. . . 
 ....do 
 
 J100 
 | 50 
 100 
 
 3,800 
 250 
 
 Two-thirds com- 
 pleted. 
 Not worked 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 21 766 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DETAILED REPORT BY DIVISIONS. 
 CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA. 
 
 At the time of the organization of the Irrigation Survey topo- 
 graphic work was being carried 011 in central California under the 
 charge of Mr. H. M. Wilson, with an organization consisting of one 
 triangulation and topographic party under his own immediate direc- 
 tion, and two topographic parties under charge of Mr. A. F. Dun- 
 nington and Redick H. McKee, respectively. These parties were 
 transferred intact as previously mentioned. 
 
 To Mr. Dunnington had been assigned work on what are known 
 as the Jackson and Lodi sheets in California, and to Mr. McKee 
 work on the Chico, Bidwell Bar and Downieville sheets in the same 
 State. It was decided to continue the work of the parties of Messrs. 
 Dunnington and McKee in the areas assigned them. 
 
 Mr. Wilson was ordered to proceed with his own party to Nevada, 
 assume charge of the work there in addition to that of California, 
 and directed to organize two additional topographic parties, under 
 charge of Mr. Josiah Pierce, jr., and Mr. Geo. E. Verrill, respect- 
 ively, and commence work in the areas known as the Carson and 
 Wabuska sheets. Mr. Wilson successfully accomplished the organ- 
 ization and equipment of these parties, and on November 1, 1888, 
 commenced work on the Mount Como range east of Carson City, 
 assuming charge of the triangulation party himself, but at the same 
 
REPORT OF PROF. A. II. THOMPSON. 67 
 
 time instructing and directing the topographic parties of Messrs. 
 Pierce and Verrill. 
 
 Messrs. Dunnington. and McKee completed on November 20 the 
 areas assigned them and were ordered to proceed to Washington, 
 D. C., for office work. 
 
 Messrs. Wilson, Pierce, and Verrill completed the survey of 250 
 square miles on the Carson and Wabuska sheets by December 31. 
 Their parties were then disbanded, and they were directed to proceed 
 to Washington, D. C., for office work. 
 
 Early in May, 1889, field work was again resumed in California 
 and Nevada, Mr. Wilson being still in charge with Messrs. Dunning- 
 ton, McKee, Verrill, and R. H. Chapman as assistants, the latter 
 being transferred from the New Mexico Division. One triangula- 
 tion and four topographic parties were organized, and work com- 
 menced on the Pyramid Peak, Truckee, and Markleville sheets in 
 California, and Carson sheet in Nevada. Early in June Mr. Wilson 
 was transferred to the engineering branch of the Irrigation Survey 
 and Mr. E. M. Douglas transferred from the Montana Division and 
 placed in charge of that of California and Nevada. Under Mr. 
 Douglas's direction the work is progressing satisfactorily. 
 
 This division had completed the survey of 1,716 square miles up 
 to June 1, 1889, on the field scale of 1 inch to 1 mile and in con- 
 tours having a vertical interval of 100 feet. 
 
 Topography. The topography of the area surveyed by the division 
 has varied from the level plains of the Sacramento Valley through 
 the foot-hills region to the crest line of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 
 i The maps produced will show the details of topography, the situa- 
 tion of possible reservoir sites, the approximate location of canal 
 lines, and approximate areas of irrigable lands. The Chico and Bid- 
 well Bar sheets are traversed by streams flowing in deep canyons too 
 far below the general surface of the country to be used for irrigat- 
 ing more than their immediate valleys. Only few sites for reser- 
 voirs are here found, and these of limited area. 
 
 The Downieville sheet presents broad valleys, wooded ridges and 
 . high mountains. On this sheet are many lakes which could be con- 
 verted into reservoirs, and others could be constructed in many of 
 the valleys. It is thought all the precipitation of this area can be 
 thus stored. 
 
 The Jackson sheet is mostly within the foot-hills region ; is trav- 
 ersed by streams running far below the general level of the country, 
 and water to irrigate the uplands must be brought from long dis- 
 tances. Not many sites for reservoirs were discovered in this area. 
 
 The Lodi sheet is mostly level or gently rolling country, and lying 
 in the Sacramento Valley can easily be irrigated from the streams 
 traversing it and from storage reservoirs. 
 
 The topography of the Pyramid Peak, Truckee, Markleville and 
 
68 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Carson sheets is rugged in the extreme, being largely composed of 
 high, bare mountains, and narrow intervening valleys, but the work 
 has not progressed far enough to make it possible to speak of the 
 topography of these sheets with much detail. A considerable num- 
 ber of reservoir sites have been found, but the irrigable lands are 
 mostly confined to the Carson and Truckee sheets. 
 
 COLORADO. 
 
 It was decided to commence work in this State at two points, viz. , 
 on the South Platte River, near Denver, and on the Arkansas River, 
 near Pueblo. The work in the former area was assigned to the 
 special party under Mr. Anton Karl, and the latter to Mr. Willard 
 D. Johnson, with Mr. John W. Hays as assistant in charge of a 
 party. Both organizations proceeded to their field of work early 
 in October, but such was the labor in organizing and outfitting, that 
 it was late in the month before actual field work could be com- 
 menced. 
 
 The work assigned Mr. Karl was practically the revision of previ- 
 ously constructed maps of the Denver, and a portion of the Golden 
 atlas sheets. He completed the field work 1,250 square miles 
 early in December, and was instructed to transfer his field assistants 
 and material to Mr. Johnson, and proceed himself to Washington, 
 D. C., for office work connected with the reduction of his field data. 
 
 Mr. Johnson organized two parties, one under his own personal 
 direction, and another under charge of his assistant, Mr. Hays, both 
 for topographic work. The organization and outfitting were com- 
 pleted on October 25, and both parties took the field and, reinforced 
 on the disbandment of Mr. Karl's party by his field assistants, 
 continued work in the plains region of the drainage basin of the 
 Arkansas the entire winter, and until May 1, 1889, without material 
 change. 
 
 On May 1, Mr. C. H. Fitch and Mr. Morris Bien were assigned to 
 Mr. Johnson's division as assistants, and he was instructed to organ- 
 ize two additional parties for work under their direction in the moun- 
 tain region of the Arkansas drainage basin. Mr. Johnson completed 
 the organization and outfitting of his new parties and placed them 
 in the field June 1. At this time he also reorganized the remainder 
 of his force, forming more and smaller parties, in charge of field 
 assistants, and on June 30, 1889, had completed the field work of 
 11,400 square miles, lying mostly between the eastern base of the 
 mountains and longitude 102 30', and latitude 37 and 39. This 
 area, together with the 1,250 square miles of revision work on the 
 Denver and Golden sheets, makes 12,650 square miles of origiDal and 
 revision work for this division done on the field scale of 1 inch to 
 1 mile, and in contours having a vertical interval of 25 feet in the 
 plains and 50 feet in the foot-hills regions. 
 
REPORT OF PROF. A. H. THOMPSON. 69 
 
 Topography. The topography of the area surveyed by this divis- 
 ion may be classed as of the Plains type throughout. On the Den- 
 ver and Golden atlas sheets, the valley of the South Platte River 
 forms the most conspicuous feature, traversing, as it does, almost the 
 middle line of this area from south to north, and occupying the low- 
 est altitude. On the west of the river the country gradually rises to 
 the foot-hills of the mountains. The surface of this sloping plain is 
 quite undulating, and sometimes presents broken mesas and narrow 
 valleys. It is drained by Turkey, Bear, Clear, and Rock Creeks. 
 Broad areas of cultivable lands are found, and the irrigator has al- 
 ready appropriated the waters of the traversing streams. A few sites 
 for reservoirs of limited area were discovered. In some cases these 
 might be filled by the storm-waters of the adjacent region ; in others, 
 by conducting the stream-waters to them during the non-irrigat- 
 ing season. To the east of the Platte River Valley the surface of the 
 country rises by gentle undulations to the divide between the river 
 and Box Elder Creek. It also gradually increases in altitude from 
 the northern edge of the Denver atlas sheet to its southern limit, thus 
 forming a segment of a bowl-shaped depression, having Denver near 
 its lowest point. This area is drained by Cherry and Coal Creeks 
 and smaller tributaries of the Platte. Large areas of irrigable lands 
 exist, and sites for small reservoirs are quite frequent. A consider- 
 able portion of this area is now irrigated by the waters of the South 
 Platte River and Cherry Creek, but many reservoir sites, especially 
 those where storm waters could be stored, were found above the 
 lines possible to be reached from these sources. 
 
 The valley of Box Elder Creek, a tributary of the South Platte 
 River, occupies the eastern portion of the Denver atlas sheet. It 
 contains large areas of good irrigable lands. The creek carries but 
 little water except during the winter and spring months. Reservoirs 
 might be constructed in this valley near the southern line of the 
 sheet, but it is thought better opportunities are presented further 
 south and nearer its head. 
 
 The immediate valley of the Arkansas River traverses from west 
 to east nearly the central portion of the area mapped within its drain- 
 age basin, and forms a dividing line between two areas quite distinct 
 in topographic details. The altitude of the valley is 5,000 feet at the 
 western limit of the work, and 3,750 at the eastern. It is for the 
 most part a narrow plain bounded by well defined bluffs on either 
 side and, lying but a few feet above the surface of the water in the 
 river, can be easily irrigated from that source. North of the Arkan- 
 sas Valley the country gradually rises from the bluff line to the 
 divide between the Arkansas and the South Platte and Republican 
 Rivers. This slope has its greatest altitude at its western edge, where 
 the front range of the Rocky Mountains rises abruptly from its sur- 
 face, and decreases to the eastern limit of our work, thus giving a 
 
70 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 general slope of the whole area towards the southeast; and this is 
 also the usual course of its drainage lines. 
 
 The Fountain, Chico, Black Squirrel, Horse, Adobe, Rush and 
 Big Sandy Creeks are names of the principal water-ways, but only 
 the first is a permanent stream, though the others usually carry 
 water during the early spring months and after the storms of the 
 rainy summer season are often raging torrents. These water-ways 
 have wide valleys with short lateral branches, thus leaving broad 
 gently undulating mesa-like areas between every considerable drain- 
 age line. Quite frequently these undulating plateaus do not drain 
 into the adjacent valleys, but into depressions on their surface, form- 
 ing natural basins or reservoirs. These are most numerous on the 
 Nepesta, Catlin and Las Animas sheets. Some are of large extent. 
 One near Meredith, Colo. , having a drainage basin of 40 square miles, 
 has a lake of about 2 square miles in area at its lowest point. Two 
 were noted on the Nepesta sheet nearly circular, about a mile in di- 
 ameter and at the lowest point 50 feet in depth. Other depressions 
 with outlets need only slight embankments to make reservoirs. 
 There are two sources of water supply : First, the storm water of 
 the region ; this is often enormous in quantity, over limited areas a 
 fall of 6 inches in as many hours having been noted by Mr. Hay's 
 party; secondly, from the waters of the Arkansas River, conducted 
 by a high line canal near the crest of the water shed. Almost the 
 whole of this area possesses a deep fertile soil lying at slopes suita- 
 ble for irrigation. 
 
 South of the Arkansas Valley the topography is more broken, but 
 still presents the general features of a great plain sloping toward 
 the north and east, and cut diagonally across by drainage lines hav- 
 ing a generally northeasterly course. The extreme western portion 
 .of this area reaches well up on the flanks of the Greenhorn Mount- 
 ains and presents the steep slopes and cliffs and half mesas of the 
 foot-hills region. Farther to the east the central portion of the 
 plain rises in a long gentle swell parallel to, but at some distance 
 from, the Arkansas River. This swell is cut by the southern tribu- 
 taries of the Arkansas, in canyons sometimes having walls 1,500 to 
 2,000 feet in height, and bears on its crest a line of mesa-like buttes. 
 The eastern portion gradually decreases in altitude and roughness, 
 slopes more toward the east and merges its mesa-like aspect into the 
 true plains type. There are quite a number of permanent streams 
 in this region, the St. Charles, Huerfano, Apishapa, Timpas, Las 
 Animas and Two Buttes being the principal. These streams are all 
 subject to sudden floods during the rainy season. Throughout the 
 whole area surveyed south of the Arkansas the topography presents 
 many favorable locations for the construction of reservoirs to store 
 both stream and storm waters. In the areas included by the Pueblo, 
 Waisenburg, Apishapa, El Moro, Timpas and Higbee sheets the 
 
REFOBT OF PROF. A. II. THOMPSON. 71 
 
 streams often cut through, the ridges and mesas in narrow canyons, 
 where dams controlling basins of considerable areas could be easily 
 and cheaply constructed. Sometimes these stream reservoirs can 
 be used as settling basins and the waters after depositing their sedi- 
 ment conducted to other basins for storage until used, thus iu a great 
 measure preventing the rapid destruction of reservoirs by silting 
 up ; a danger of no small magnitude in this region, where in some 
 streams 10 per cent, of the volume of a summer flood may be com- 
 posed of sediment. 
 
 The less rugged topography of the Two Buttes and Springfield 
 sheets also furnishes many opportunities for storm-water reservoirs. 
 
 Broad areas of irrigable lands are found everywhere within the lim- 
 its surveyed by this division. North of the dividing Arkansas Val- 
 ley the areas are greater in extent and the soil more easily cultivated 
 than south. Only a small portion of the area surveyed is covered by 
 forests. These are mostly on the El Moro, Walsenburg and Pueblo 
 sheets, and the forest growth is mostly composed of cedar and pinon 
 pine. A limited growth of cotton wood also occurs along the streams 
 in other portions, but the uplands bear hardly a forest tree. 
 
 MONTANA. 
 
 At the time of the organization of the Irrigation Survey topograph- 
 ic work was being carried on in Montana in charge of Mr. Doug- 
 las, with Mr. Frank Tweedy as assistant. Two parties were em- 
 ployed: a topographic and triangulation party under Mr. Douglas's 
 personal direction, and a topographic party under Mr. Tweedy. 
 These organizations were transferred to the Irrigation Survey 
 and directed to continue the work already begun on the Dillon, 
 Helena and Phillipsburg sheets. By November 15 an area of 3,600 
 square miles had been surveyed, completing the two sheets first 
 named and 1,000 square miles on the last, all on the scale of 1 inch=2 
 miles, and in contours having the vertical interval of 200 feet. Mr. 
 Douglas was then directed to disband his parties and report with his 
 assistant to Washington for office work on the completed sheets. 
 
 Topography. The topography of the area surveyed in Montana 
 is of the mountain type, the whole region being composed of rugged 
 ranges and intervening valleys. The Continental or main Rocky 
 Mountain divide, separating the waters flowing to the Atlantic 
 Ocean from those flowing to the Pacific, passes from north to south 
 through nearly the middle of the Helena atlas sheet, then trends more 
 to the west, leaving the Phillipsburgh sheet on the Pacific slope and the 
 Dillon on the Atlantic. The principal Streams on the western slope 
 are Flint Creek in the Phillipsburgh and the Deer Lodge and Black- 
 foot Creeks in the Helena sheets. These streams flow through con- 
 siderable valleys, that of the Deer Lodge being about 50 miles long 
 and from 5 to 8 miles wide, while the Flint and Blackfoot, though 
 
72 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 smaller, are of considerable magnitude. From these valleys the 
 country rapidly rises in grass-covered foot-hills to the highest mount- 
 ains. On the eastern slope in the Helena sheet are many small 
 streams flowing from the divide into the Jefferson and Missouri 
 Rivers. The valleys along these streams are generally narrow, with 
 but limited areas of level lands, though the lower valley of Prickly 
 Pear Creek is an exception. The Dillon sheet is drained by the Jef- 
 ferson River and its upper branches, the Big Hole, Beaver Head and 
 Stinking Water. 
 
 Along the courses of these rivers and those of their larger tribu- 
 taries the level valley lands vary from half a mile to 3 miles in width, 
 and are generally free from forest growth. From these valleys the 
 country rises by broken grassy slopes usually free from timber, and 
 gradually increasing in steepness to the mountains. The mount- 
 ain ranges throughout the area surveyed generally present steep 
 rocky slopes, bare near the high summits but lower down covered 
 with forests of pine, spruce and fir, and on the still lower slopes 
 grass clad. The highest summits are between 10,000 and 11,000 
 feet above sea level, and the melting snows usually furnish to 
 the draining streams an abundant supply of water for the valleys 
 below, the most notable exception to this being in the northeastern 
 portion of the Helena sheet. In the upper courses of the streams 
 a few sites suitable for reservoirs were found, but lower down, 
 where the average fall is not more than 30 feet to the mile, numer- 
 ous parks occur. These might easily be converted into reservoirs. 
 There are also lakes of considerable areas on the Phillipsburgh and 
 Dillon sheets which could easily be converted into storage basins ; 
 but where the storage of water is most needed on the Atlantic slope 
 of the Helena sheet but few reservoir sites, and these of very lim- 
 ited drainage area, were found. The valley lands are usually level, 
 easily irrigated from the traversing streams, and, when at not too 
 great an altitude, produce abundant crops. 
 
 NEW MEXICO. 
 
 In New Mexico the topographic work of the Geological Survey 
 was under charge of Mr. Arthur P. Davis, assisted by Mr. Robert 
 H. Chapman. Two parties were engaged. These were transferred, 
 October 3, to the Irrigation Survey, and a third party, under Mr. R. 
 Henry Phillips, was organized. With some changes of scale and of 
 matters of detail the work already begun was continued on the Santa 
 Clara, Jemez, Albuquerque and San Pedro sheets till January 15, 
 1889, when all except the San Pedro sheet were completed, work 
 here being suspended on account of the prevalence of small-pox in 
 the towns and the consequent quarantine enforced against all persons 
 coming from the infected districts. On January 15 the parties of 
 Mr. Davis and Mr. Chapman were disbanded, Messrs. Davis and 
 
REPORT OF PROF. A. H. THOMPSON. 73 
 
 Chapman being directed to proceed to Washington for office work. 
 Mr. Phillips with his party was directed to proceed to El Paso, 
 Tex., and, commencing in the valley of the Rio Grande near that 
 place, to extend work by atlas sheets northward. Mr. Phillips reached 
 El Paso February 1, and by May 1 had completed the El Paso andLas 
 Cruces sheets. He was then directed to proceed to the San Pedro 
 sheet and complete the unfinished work on that area. He success- 
 fully accomplished this June 30, 1889. This division surveyed an 
 an area of 3,800 square miles on the field scale of 1 inch=l mile and 
 in contours having a vertical interval of 100 feet in the mountain 
 region and 50 feet in the valleys. 
 
 Topography. The topography of three-fourths of the northern 
 portion of the area surveyed may be classed as mountainous ; the 
 remaining fourth and the southern area as of the plains type. The 
 northern area comprises the contiguous atlas sheets of Jemez, Santa 
 Clara, Albuquerque and San Pedro. The Rio Grande flows through 
 this area from northeast to south, having for its principal tributaries 
 the Puerco and Jemez Rivers on the west and Santa F6* and Galisteo 
 Creeks on the east. Through the northern third of its course it flows 
 in a deep, narrow, almost impassable canyon, and through the south- 
 ern portion in a broad, sandy plain, having a general elevation of 
 5,000 feet. 
 
 The Jemez is formed by streams draining the high valleys of Tewan 
 Mountains. In its upper course it flows through narrow canyons, but 
 lower down in a broad sandy plain. Only the lower portions of the 
 Santa F6 and Galisteo Creeks are in the area surveyed, and both here 
 flow across broad plains. The Tewan Mountains occupy the northern 
 portion of the area west of the Rio Grande, their mesa-like summits 
 ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 feet in altitude. Between these sum- 
 mits are broad valleys, having narrow canyon outlets. The draining 
 streams flowing eastward join the Rio Grande, those flowing west- 
 ward unite and form the Jemez River. 
 
 The southwestern or Albuquerque sheet area comprises the broad 
 valley of the Rio Grande and the lava-capped mesas between that 
 stream and the Rio Puerco. East of the Rio Grande the southern 
 portion of the Santa Clara sheet is occupied by the arid Cerrillos 
 hills, low in altitude and irregular in distribution. 
 
 The northern part of the San Pedro sheet is occupied by the Ortiz 
 Mountains and the Galisteo Valley. The Sandia Mountain, an im- 
 mense block, 10,400 feet in altitude, with a nearly vertical western face 
 and a long sloping terrace towards the east, occupies the western 
 portion. Between it and the Ortiz Mountains is the rough, broken 
 San Pedro Valley, extending in the southeastern corner of the atlas 
 sheet onto the Pecos plains. In the high valleys of that portion of the 
 Tewan Mountains drained by the Jemez River are many sites for 
 reservoirs of some considerable area. Along the Rio Puerco, in the 
 
74 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 western part of the Albuquerque sheet, are also sites where reservoirs 
 of limited area might be constructed. The Galisteo and Santa F 
 Creeks also afford sites, but it is thought that better opportunities oc- 
 cur near the headwaters of these streams. Smaller reservoir sites for 
 the storage of storm waters are frequently found, especially on the San 
 Pedro and Albuquerque sheets and on the southwestern part of the 
 Santa Clara. Indeed, on the sheets named outside of the immediate 
 valleys of the Rio Grande, Puerco and Galisteo, irrigation must be 
 dependent on the storage of storm waters. There are considerable 
 areas of good irrigable lands throughout the whole area, but by far 
 the largest body is within the valley of the Rio Grande, from the In- 
 dian puebio of Cochiti to the southern limit of the work, an area 
 approximately 50 miles in length and from 1 to 4 miles in breadth. 
 The next large bodies are along the Rio Puerco and Jemez River, on 
 the Albuquerque sheet, and on the Pecos plains, in the San Pedro. 
 
 FIELD METHODS. 
 CHARACTER OF WORK. 
 
 In the construction of maps for the use of the Irrigation Survey, 
 accurate representation of certain topographic features, within the 
 limits of the scales adopted, was deemed absolutely essential. First, 
 the correct determination of the drainage areas of all streams ; sec- 
 ond, the correct location of all drainage lines > third, the correct rep- 
 resentation of all hypsometric features by means of contour lines 
 representing equal vertical intervals and showing absolute and rela- 
 tive altitudes as well as the angle of slope of all surfaces. Maps so 
 constructed upon proper horizontal and vertical scales show the sit- 
 uation of all reservoir sites of any considerable area, approximate 
 location of possible dams and canal lines, and, with the necessary 
 notes upon the character of the soil, the situation of all irrigable 
 lands, thus giving the construction engineer necessary information 
 upon which to base the details of his plans and estimates for irriga- 
 tion works. 
 
 METHODS OF CONTROL. 
 
 The work in all the divisions was conducted by essentially the 
 same methods varying in details only when influenced by local con- 
 siderations. These comprised a method of determining linear dis- 
 tances or horizontal control, a method of determining altitudes or 
 vertical control, and a method of representing topographic forms. 
 
 HORIZONTAL CONTROL. 
 
 The determination of the linear distances between points on the 
 surface of the regions mapped was based primarily on the extension 
 of a system of triangulation having sides of considerable length over 
 
EEPORT OF PROF. A. H. THOMPSON. 75 
 
 the whole area, the length, geographic position, and azimuth of one 
 side of the initial triangle in each system being determined with the 
 utmost accuracy. All the angles of each triangle were repeatedly 
 measured by instruments of precision and the apices or stations per- 
 manently marked. If possible at least two stations of this primary 
 triangulation were located 011 each atlas sheet. Within this system 
 of primary triangles, and depending upon it, a secondary system, 
 either mathematical or graphic, and having sides of lesser length, was 
 developed, and, if necessary, within this second a third system of like 
 character, thus determining the position and distances between a 
 great number of points over the whole area surveyed. In the differ- 
 ent divisions the triangulation depends upon different bases. In 
 California and Nevada it was derived from the primary stations of 
 the Transcontinental Triangulation of the United States Coast and 
 Geodetic Survey. In Colorado, it rests both upon the primary 
 stations of the Transcontinental Triangulation of the Coast and 
 Geodetic Survey and upon stations determined by the United States 
 Geological Survey of the Territories, under charge of Dr. F. V. 
 Hayden. In Montana, upon stations of the United States Geological 
 Survey derived from a base line measured at Bozemaii, and in New 
 Mexico upon stations of the United States Geological Survey de- 
 rived from a base line measured at Fort Wingate. From points 
 thus determined in the triangulation all the principal topographic 
 features of the country capable of being repersented on the scales 
 adopted were located on the field-sheet by plane-table methods. 
 
 In addition a great many horizontal distances and directions were 
 measured by plane-table traverse methods, using the compass for di- 
 rections and some form of odometer for distances. These measure- 
 ments were corrected and adjusted by the accurately determined po- 
 sitions of the triangulation stations. All public roads, all the streams, 
 many drainage lines, cliff edges, valleys, and frequent lines across 
 the country were thus measured, and a complete net-work of ac- 
 curately determined distances extended over the whole area. 
 
 VERTICAL CONTROL. 
 
 The altitudes of points in the area mapped were determined by 
 horizontal leveling, angulation, and the use of both mercurial and 
 aneroid barometers. In the use of mercurial barometers stations 
 on the railroad lines running through the country were assumed as 
 bench-marks, and level lines were run from these to places occupied 
 for base barometer stations, and these points were then used as 
 secondary bench or reference marks to which all the barometer and 
 angular leveling of the adjacent atlas sheets was referred. In areas 
 where mercurial barometers were not used, points for secondary 
 bench or reference marks were located by level lines or by angu- 
 lation, and to these were referred all the angular and aneroid baro- 
 
76 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 metric observations. Several of these secondary bench-marks were 
 located on each atlas sheet. When aneroid barometers were used 
 they were compared several times daily with altitudes of known 
 points determined by other methods, and thus a check kept on their 
 errors. The altitudes of all points located by plane-table intersec- 
 tions were determined by angulation. 
 
 CONTROL OF REPRESENTATION. 
 
 The outlines and details of topographic forms were secured by 
 plane-table work on stations occupied, and by sketches from the 
 stations in the plane-table traverses. This work was done in contours 
 closely located and having a prescribed vertical interval. In some 
 cases, the topographer performed his computations and located his 
 contour lines with precision in the field. In others the contours were 
 located approximately, their final position being determined by the 
 reduction of field observations. Special attention was paid to the 
 correct location of the courses of streams,the outlines of valleys, cliffs, 
 benches and terraces, and the slopes of all irrigable lands. 
 
 OFFICE WORK. 
 
 Immediately on the disbandment of parties in the field the per- 
 sons belonging to the permanent force were directed to report to 
 the office of the Geological Survey in Washington for office work in 
 the reduction of their observations and the final plotting and draw- 
 ing of the maps. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The office force was organized by giving each chief of a division 
 charge of the office work of that division, and assigning the heads of 
 parties and assistants having charge of separate branches of the 
 work to conduct and assist in the work on that particular area, thus 
 securing in the construction of the maps all the knowledge gained 
 by personal observations in the field. 
 
 CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA. 
 
 Office work on the California atlas sheets commenced December 1, 
 and continued, under charge of Mr. H. M. Wilson, till May 30, 1889, 
 completing the Chico, Bidwell Bar, Downeeville and Jackson sheets, 
 and part of the Lodi sheet, ready for engraving. 
 
 The area surveyed in Nevada being small it was thought best to 
 defer the final plotting of the work until another season ; however, 
 all the data depending upon personal reduction for accuracy were 
 carefully prepared and with the other field-notes filed for use when 
 necessary. On the completion of the office work of this division all 
 persons engaged were directed to proceed to California and Nevada 
 for field work. 
 
REPORT OF PROF. A. H. THOMPSON. 7V 
 
 COLORADO. 
 
 On return of Mr. Anton Karl from the field he immediately com- 
 menced the reduction of his observations and the final drawing of 
 the Denver and a portion of the Golden atlas sheets. He completed 
 the work ready for engraving early in April and was then trans- 
 ferred to work in the Geological Survey. No office work has been 
 done by the parties under charge of Mr. W. D. Johnson. 
 
 MONTANA. 
 
 Office work on the Montana atlas sheets was commenced, under 
 charge of Mr. E. M. Douglas, December 1, 1888, and continued until 
 May 15, 1889, completing the Helena and Dillon sheets and 1,000 
 square miles on the Phillipsburg sheet ready for engraving. On the 
 completion of the office work Mr. Douglas was transferred to the 
 charge of the California and Nevada Division, and Mr. Tweedy di- 
 rected to proceed to Montana for field work. 
 
 NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Office work on the New Mexico atlas sheets was commenced Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1889, and continued under charge of Mr. Davis till June 15, 
 1889, when the Jemez, Albuquerque and Santa Clara sheets were com- 
 pleted ready for engraving. On account of the incomplete condition 
 of the field work on the San Pedro sheet it was decided not to at- 
 tempt its final drawing, but the data was finally revised and filed for 
 future use. On May 1, Mr. Robert H. Chapman completed the draw- 
 ing of the maps upon which he had conducted field work. He was 
 then transferred to the California and Nevada Division and directed 
 to proceed to Nevada for field duty. On June 15, Mr. Davis was di- 
 rected to proceed to New Mexico and again assume charge of field 
 work, leaving no office force at present engaged in Washington. 
 
 I herewith transmit maps of California, Colorado, Montana, Ne- 
 vada and New Mexico, showing areas surveyed by the difierent di- 
 visions during the fiscal year. I also transmit a detailed statement, 
 (Appendix A) of the amount expended in the prosecution of the 
 work under my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 A. H. THOMPSON, 
 Geographer in charge, 
 
 Hon. J. W. POWELL, 
 
 Director U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. 
 
78 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. DUTTON. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
 
 Washington, D. C., Nov. 1, 1889. 
 
 SIR: The passage of the sundry civil bill on October 2, 1888, appro- 
 priating $100,000 for surveys relating to irrigation, devolved upon 
 this bureau a new kind of work and one full of difficulties. The first 
 step was a determination of the character of the work which would 
 be required to carry out the law, and the second was to organize it. 
 In order to ascertain the extent to which the arid lands of the West 
 are capable of being redeemed by irrigation, to select reservoir sites, 
 and to segregate irrigable lands four inquiries are necessary : First, 
 what is the available water supply ; second, what lands are cultiva- 
 ble ; third, in what practical way can water be brought to the culti- 
 vable lands ; and, fourth, where are the reservoir sites, and what is 
 their character and capacity ? 
 
 The inquiry as to the available water supply seemed to you sepa- 
 rable from the other inquiries and for this investigation it was de- 
 cided to employ a special class of men. The selection of irrigable 
 lands, the investigation of methods of irrigating them, and the 
 selection of reservoir sites required the services of men skilled in the 
 special branch of engineering which deals with works for irrigation. 
 Thus two lines of inquiry were suggested, one being of a hydro- 
 graphic, the other of an engineering character. The organization 
 contemplated by you, therefore, embraced a corps of hydrographers 
 and a corps of irrigation engineers. Of the topographic work deemed 
 an essential part of the inquiry, I do not speak, as it is under the 
 charge of another division officer. 
 
 HYDROGRAPHIC WORK. 
 
 The investigation of the amount of water available involves sev- 
 eral subordinate inquiries : First, the amount of water flowing in 
 the streams, and the variation throughout the year ; second, the 
 probable amount available for catchment in storage reservoirs ; 
 third, the probable amount of loss from reservoirs by evaporation ; 
 fourth, the duty of water, i. e., the amount of land which a given 
 quantity may be made to irrigate. 
 
 The measurement of water flowing in a stream is not an easy mat- 
 ter. It requires skill and rather costly instruments. While the 
 general method has been the subject of much inquiry by a few men, 
 and has been practiced to a small extent, there is a wide variation in 
 details and considerable uncertainty or discordance in results. At 
 the beginning of the organization there were no men available who 
 possessed the requisite experience arid skill except two or three men 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 79 
 
 who were occupying responsible positions, and it was doubtful if 
 they could be induced to relinquish them. Neither were any instru- 
 ments to be found in the market as articles in regular supply, and 
 such as were needed must be made to special order. The investigation 
 of the amount of water available for catchment required the opening 
 up of an entirely new field of research. The measurement of the loss 
 by evaporation was an equally novel subject and full of difficulties. 
 
 The duty of water has been investigated carefully in other countries 
 and to a very limited extent in our own, and much valuable informa- 
 tion was accessible on this subject in printed form. But unfor- 
 tunately the results in one locality are not available except in a very 
 rough and unsatisfactory way in the effort to infer the duty of water 
 elsewhere. Every region is a law to itself in this matter, and the 
 duty varies largely in localities which seem to be similarly circum- 
 stanced. In view of the novelty of the work thus devolved upon 
 the survey, of the impossibility of finding men skilled in the work 
 required, of want of instruments adapted to the work, and in further 
 view of the fact that the winter was near at hand, during which the 
 field work would, in most portions of the West, be impracticable, it 
 was deemed best to select a small body of young men of good education 
 and high general intelligence and establish them at some advan- 
 tageous station where they could, in the course of the winter months, 
 acquire a knowledge of the methods and instruments they would 
 have to employ. Fourteen young men were carefully selected and 
 were placed in a camp of instruction, situated at Embudo, on the Rio 
 Grande River, about 50 miles north of Santa F6, in New Mexico, 
 where they passed the winter in practicing with the various instru- 
 ments selected for trial and in becoming familiar with the theory 
 and practical application of the methods. In the month of April 
 the camp was broken up and the men distributed to their respective 
 fields of work. 
 
 The camp of instruction at Embudo was placed in charge of Mr. 
 F. H. Newell, and the work required of the men consisted in practic- 
 ing stream gauging by various methods, measuring the-rise and fall 
 of the stream from day to day, measuring the daily evaporation, and 
 making observations with meteorological instruments. 
 
 STREAM GAUGING. 
 
 In measuring the flow of streams, it is to be remembered that the 
 flow varies from time to time. The measurement made on any given 
 day while the river keeps a steady flow for an hour or two, is good only 
 for that day and hour, and for times when the river is at the same 
 stage. A small rise in the stream is accompanied by a large increase 
 in the flow, and a small fall by a large decrease in the flow. To as- 
 certain the flow during a considerable period of time and thus obtain 
 an average for varying stages, two distinct classes of measurement 
 
80 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 are necessary : First, the amount of flow corresponding to each and 
 every stage ; second, a continuous record of the rise and fall. 
 
 (1) Measurement of flow. There are four methods of gauging 
 the flow of a stream : (a) by weirs ; (6) by floats ; (c) by formula ; 
 (d) by meters. 
 
 Weirs are practicable and economical only in the case of small 
 streams at low water, and in such cases the system is preferable to all 
 others. When the depth of the water passing over the weir much ex- 
 ceeds a foot it becomes sometimes uncertain. In streams not exceeding 
 25 to 30 feet in width, and carrying not more than 40 or 50 cubic feet of 
 water per second, a weir may be constructed quickly and cheaply. 
 It is almost certain to be swept away by high water, but if small and 
 in shallow water it can be easily replaced. It is desirable, however, 
 to select stations where the water above the weir has no sensible 
 " velocity of approach" other than that produced by the constant 
 movement of water over the weir, as it is difficult to make proper 
 allowance for it. 
 
 Gauging by floats is the crudest and most unreliable of all methods. 
 It consists in throwing floating objects into the water and noting the 
 length of time occupied by the float in moving through a measured 
 distance down the stream. The distance divided by the time is the 
 mean velocity of the motion of the float. But this velocity of the 
 float is not the mean velocity of the stream, which varies in different 
 parts of the width and at different depths. As a rough and ready 
 rule the mean velocity of the stream is taken to be about four-fifths 
 the velocity of the float. This is no doubt a fair approximation 
 where the cross-section of the- stream is symmetrical, the current 
 smooth, regular and free from eddies, and its course free from ob- 
 structions. But in small or medium-sized rivers such conditions are 
 rare and the whole method of measurement is liable to great uncer- 
 tainties and it is impracticable in large rivers. 
 
 Gauging by formula is based upon the assumption that with a 
 given cross-section the mean velocity of flow bears a certain ratio to 
 the declivity down which the water moves. The declivity may be 
 accurately ascertained by the spirit level. With a given declivity 
 the flow will vary with the cross-section, being greater when the 
 latter is narrow and deep than when it is broad and shallow. The 
 effect of the form of the cross-section has been experimentally inves- 
 tigated by several hydrographers and an empirical formula has been 
 devised for it which seems to give very fair results when the cross- 
 section is not of very irregular form and when the bottom is not in- 
 cumbered with large stones and other obstacles. In general, how- 
 ever, it is of very limited utility. 
 
 Gauging by meters is the most satisfactory and complete method 
 of all. The ordinary current meter is a small wheel which is caused 
 by the current to revolve when immersed. It may be of propeller, 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 81 
 
 windmill or anemometer form. The axis of the wheel is attached 
 to some device for recording automatically the number of revolu- 
 tions. It is necessary to know the number of revolutions in a unit 
 of time which corresponds to any given velocity ; in other words, 
 every meter must be "rated." In all good meters the number of 
 revolutions bears a simple ratio to the velocity of the stream unless 
 the velocity is very small. At very low velocities, say less than a 
 foot per second, even the best known form of meters become irregu- 
 lar and uncertain. They are also inferior to weirs for very small or 
 very shallow streams. In gauging with a meter, the cross-section 
 of the stream is subdivided into portions 5 feet wide in ordinary 
 streams and 10 feet wide in very broad ones. The form of the bottom 
 and areas of subdivisional cross-sections are ascertained by sound- 
 ings, and the mean velocity of each is measured with the meter. 
 Each subdivision is therefore treated as a separate stream and the flow 
 of the entire stream is the sum of the flows of its constituent parts. 
 
 In order to compute the flow of a river through a considerable 
 period of time during which its volume of flow varies, it is necessary 
 to gauge it at its extreme stages, both high and low, and also at in- 
 termediate stages. Gaugings at five or six stages will be sufficient 
 for a river between well-defined banks which it does not overflow. 
 A very close approximation can then be made to the flow at any in- 
 termediate stage which has not been gauged. It is further necessary 
 to keep a continuous record of the rise and fall of the stream through- 
 out the entire period for which the flow is to be estimated. With 
 this record and with the gaugings at the proper stages, we shall have 
 all the data necessary for computing the flow through the entire 
 period while the record is maintained, and for ascertaining how the 
 flow varies from day to day and from month to month. 
 
 (2) Record of fluctuations. There are two methods of conducting 
 these observations. The first of the methods is as old as civiliz- 
 ation. Herodotus mentions the scale by which the ancient Egypt- 
 ians measured and recorded the rise and fall of the Nile. He called 
 it the nilometer. I have not thought it worth while to change so 
 good and so old a name for an identical device for an identical serv- 
 ice. The nilometer scale is simply a strip of board painted white 
 with feet and inches graduated upon it. The lower end is placed 
 in the stream so as to be immersed at low water. It may be vertical, 
 or, still more conveniently, inclined; in which latter position it can 
 be more easily secured with firmness to the bank of the river. One 
 thing more is quite essential. The position of the zero mark of the 
 scale must be accurately determined with reference to some perma- 
 nent point or bench-mark in the close vicinity, so that the scale may 
 be relocated when disturbed by the floods, as it is sure to be. This 
 scale may be visited twice or thrice daily by an observer and record 
 made of the height of the water on the scale. 
 
 10 GEOL., PT. 2 6 
 
82 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 The second method of observation is by means of an instrument 
 which records the fluctuation automatically. A chronograph drum 
 is revolved by clockwork, making one revolution a week. A sheet 
 of profile paper is wrapped around the drum. A pencil or glycerine 
 pen has its point resting on the paper. The frame which holds the 
 pencil runs on a slide parallel to the axis of the drum. The pencil 
 frame has a fine wire attached to it, which goes over a pulley and 
 down into a well, where its end is attached to a float. The water in 
 the well is connected with the water in the river by an open pipe, 
 and rises and falls with it. Thus the motion of the float up and 
 down is transferred to the pencil which traces a curve on the paper 
 correspond] ngly . 
 
 In such a country as the West the conditions are favorable to a 
 very high rate of evaporation. The summer heat is intense and the 
 dryness of the air extreme. In estimating the efficiency of a storage 
 reservoir the loss of water by evaporation is always important, and 
 in some cases is so serious a matter as to render valueless contem- 
 plated reservoirs which otherwise might have been of the greatest 
 value. There are many instances in which the question whether a 
 site be advantageous or not for reservoir purposes depends upon the 
 probable loss by evaporation. This is always the case in large lakes 
 whose inflow is relatively small, like Clear Lake and Tahoe, in Cali- 
 fornia, Utah Lake, Flathead Lake, and many others. If the annual 
 evaporation exceeds a certain limit, and one which is not very im- 
 probable, the lake is of no value as a reservoir. If it falls below 
 that limit, every inch below means water enough to irrigate several 
 thousand acres of land. Many other considerations might be 
 brought forward to illustrate the high importance of the subject. 
 It is a very serious matter in canals and rivers, and in the distribu- 
 tive systems by which water is carried from main canals to the lands. 
 It is, moreover, a subject on which there is great uncertainty. It is 
 not easy to measure the rate of evaporation from water surfaces as 
 they exist in nature. To fill a vessel with water, place it upon the 
 ground or upon a table arid measure the daily loss, is far from meet- 
 ing the requirement, for the evaporation from such a vessel is not 
 comparable with that from a lake or reservoir. There are four fac- 
 tors which enter into the problem. The rate of evaporation depends 
 (1) upon the temperature of the water, (2) the temperature of the 
 air, (3) the relative humidity of the air, and (4) upon the wind. If 
 a vessel is used it will also depend upon the form and size of the 
 vessel and the depth to which it is filled. 
 
 In order to approximate the conditions of observation as near as 
 possible to those of the body of water whose rate of evaporation is 
 to be measured, it is necessary in the first place to keep its tempera- 
 ture as nearly even with it as possible. No better way has ever been 
 suggested than to float a thin metallic evaporating pan in the water 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 83 
 
 and keep it as nearly full as may be without danger of water slop- 
 ping in or out. The difficulty, however, is that the portion of the 
 vessel's rim above water prevents the full action of the wind. Ex- 
 periments with similar vessels unequally filled show a much greater 
 loss from the fuller vessel ; the conditions being otherwise identical. 
 Moreover, on large bodies of water there are waves which must af- 
 fect the rate of evaporation, while within the vessel waves are not 
 considerable. They would be fatal to the experiment if they were. 
 
 As soon as notice was received that the appropriation was avail- 
 able measures were taken to secure competent men for the hydro- 
 graphic work and to determine the instruments to be employed, 
 methods of use, and forms of reports to be made. Two or three 
 weeks were thus occupied and early in November Mr. F. H. Newell 
 and Mr. J. B. Williams were sent to New Mexico to select a place 
 for a camp of experiment and instruction. They decided upon Em- 
 budo, on the Rio Grande, about 40 miles above Santa Fe, and as soon 
 as preparations were made for a reasonably comfortable winter camp 
 the hydrographers were all sent there. Mr. F. H. Newell was placed 
 in charge of the camp and proved to be a highly efficient officer. As 
 the hydrologic work is closely interwoven with facts dependent upon 
 meteorologic data it was deemed necessary that the men should 'be- 
 come proficient in observations of that class. A large amount of 
 such data would require treatment and investigation in this office 
 and a skilled meteorologist was required for that purpose. Prof. 
 George E. Curtis, of Washburn College, Topeka, formerly in the 
 United States Signal Service, was selected for this purpose and 
 for the time being was sent to Embudo, where he proved himself a 
 most intelligent and capable instructor. 
 
 The object of this camp was to train the new members of the hy- 
 drographic division for active and independent field work for the 
 succeeding seasons. The principle under which the operations at 
 the camp were conducted was to attempt all those investigations 
 which seemed pertinent to the future work of the Survey, modifying 
 from time to time the methods and instruments as experience de- 
 veloped obstacles or objections. 
 
 A regular routine of observations was begun and carried on by 
 which each man in turn became familiar with the details of each 
 investigation ; but beyond this the fullest possible scope was left for 
 individual development, and opportunity for original work in such 
 lines of research or study as each should choose. 
 
 The work was classified into : 
 
 Measurement of river flow. 
 
 Measurement of rain-fall and general meteorology. 
 
 Measurement of evaporation. 
 
 Measurement of matter carried in suspension by water. 
 
 Topographic details of river courses. 
 
84 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 These operations were continued through the winter with the fol- 
 lowing results : 
 
 MEASUREMENT OF RIVER FLOW. 
 
 A small rope ferry was established near the camp across a suitable 
 part of the river and various forms of meter used for obtaining the 
 velocity. Changes and improvements in the meters were suggested 
 while experience was being acquired. 
 
 From the results obtained by the meters the velocities in various 
 parts of the river's cross-section were determined and both horizontal 
 and vertical curves of velocity were plotted, making a comparative 
 study under various conditions. 
 
 While meters were being used at one part of the river, other 
 methods of stream measurement were tried at suitable points, i. e., 
 by surface floats, subsurface floats, and vertical rods. Comparisons 
 were made between the results obtained in these various ways as 
 well as by the formula for river flow given by Kiitter. 
 
 Records of the river height were kept continuously and a study 
 made of the relation between river height and discharge. These 
 records were kept both by observation and by an automatic recorder 
 or "nilometer" which was installed and tested as to the suitability 
 for this work. 
 
 After sufficient practice was had at stream gauging in the vicinity 
 of camp, small parties were sent out to measure the river and tribu- 
 taries both above and below, a distance of 50 miles or more, each 
 party being gone for several days or a week at a time. This gave 
 the men practice not only in the actual work of stream measurement, 
 but also in outfitting a field party for this purpose and in establish- 
 ing gauging stations under difficulties. 
 
 METEOROLOGY. 
 
 The camp was fully equipped with meteorological instruments, 
 including barometers, maximum and minimum thermometers, psy- 
 chrometers, rain gauges, thermograph, and sunshine recorder. These 
 instruments were under the charge of Prof. Curtis, a skilled meteor- 
 ologist. 
 
 The men were detailed by daily or weekly turns to observe and 
 keep the records of these various instruments and received the nec- 
 essary instruction supplemented by general lectures by Prof. Curtis 
 on the care and use of instruments, so that each should be able to 
 establish observing stations and direct the ordinary observers. 
 
 An attempt was made to predict the probable flow of the river for 
 the succeeding summer, by obtaining through volunteer observers 
 the amount of snow in the mountains. 
 
REPORT OF CAFT. C. E. BUTTON. 85 
 
 EVAPORATION. 
 
 The measurement of the amount of evaporation from water sur- 
 faces, as in rivers and lakes, was undertaken by means of floating 
 metallic pans. These were kept nearly full of water and the amount 
 evaporated noted at regular intervals by a small inclined brass scale, 
 suspended in the center of the pan. 
 
 Various substitutes for this scale were tried and rejected in favor 
 of the simpler though more crude device. Comparisons between 
 pans in different localities and under various conditions were begun 
 and some valuable experience acquired, especially in the details of 
 locating and managing the pan. 
 
 SUSPENDED MATTER. 
 
 Several series of experiments were made as to the most practicable 
 method of attacking this subject, the limitations set being that the 
 apparatus should be simple, strong and portable. 
 
 The method followed was to collect a sample from the river in a 
 small vessel of known capacity, allow the earthy matter to settle, 
 decant the clear water, filter the sediment dry, and weigh. 
 
 The two matters of prime importance were: First, taking the 
 sample; second, drying the filtrate. 
 
 First. For obtaining the sample from flowing water a horizontal 
 sediment trap, with vertical doors at each end, was tried and com- 
 parisons were made between the samples taken by that method and 
 by means of bottles. The bottles were so arranged that the stoppers 
 could be withdrawn and replaced under water. 
 
 The conclusion reached by a study of the results obtained in these 
 comparisons was that the bottle was preferable if properly used, i. e., 
 the stopper being drawn and immediately replaced when the bottle 
 filled; the reason being that with no transfer of the sample there is 
 no change of loss, and the bottles, moreover, can be packed up or 
 put away until the sediment comes down or to await the convenience 
 of the operator. 
 
 Second. Drying the sample to a constant weight was a difficult 
 operation in camp. Water-baths were tried and various devices, all 
 being discarded in favor of a carefully closed sand-bath, with sep- 
 arate compartments for filter papers in various stages of moisture 
 and heated to a constant temperature by a small oil stove. 
 
 Comparative tests were begun between the sedimentary load in 
 different parts of the river's cross-section to determine if possible at 
 what portion the best representative samples could be taken. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY OF RIVER CHANNEL. 
 
 This included a general study of the whole river in a broad way 
 as to its habits and peculiarities and also a more particular ex- 
 
86 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 amination of the places at which river gauging should be under- 
 taken. 
 
 Practice was had in making small contoured maps and cross- 
 sections of river bottom and sides, and comparisons were made of 
 the changes occurring from time to time, throwing much light on 
 the difficulties encountered in calculating stream discharges. 
 
 After the close of winter the camp of instruction at Embudo was 
 broken up and the hydrographers were assigned as follows : 
 
 Arkansas River Robert Robinson. 
 
 Rio Grande in New Mexico Geo. T. Quinby. 
 
 Rio Grande at El Paso H. M. Dyar. 
 
 Gila and Salt Rivers W. A. Farish. 
 
 Sacramento Valley W. P. Trowbridge, jr. 
 
 Carson and Truckee Rivers Frank Harrison. 
 
 Utah Territory F. H. Newell. 
 
 Do T. M. Bannon. 
 
 Snake River Basin J. B. Williams. 
 
 Do L. D. Hopson. 
 
 Upper Missouri R. S. Tarr. 
 
 SUMMARY OP WORK. 
 
 The following summary of the work begun and carried forward in 
 the several districts is submitted: 
 
 ARKANSAS RIVER. 
 
 Mr. Robertson began operations for measuring the flow of this 
 stream. A good station was found at Canyon City where the river 
 emerges from the mountains and was speedily established. A nilo- 
 meter scale was placed and an observer secured to record twice daily 
 the fluctuations of the river. Gauging was also begun, though the 
 annual rise had not taken place. It was thought desirable to estab- 
 lish similar stations lower down the stream at intervals of 30 or 40 
 miles, but good sections for observing stations were not easy to find. 
 Soon after leaving the mountains the Arkansas becomes a broad and 
 shallow stream with a loose sandy bottom which changes much 
 from time to time and is liable to great changes after any storm or 
 heavy shower. These are comparatively frequent in the summer 
 months. Three stations, however, were selected one just above 
 Pueblo, another near La Junta, and one near Lamar. The total 
 length of river between Canyon City and Lamar is about 165 miles. 
 
 Stations were also established on the Huerfano at Hermosilla and 
 on the Purgatoire at Las Animas. These are two tributaries of the 
 plains entering the Arkansas from the south. At times they carry 
 large bodies of water, though at ordinary stages they are small 
 streams. From the gaugings and nilometer records made at all 
 these stations tables of daily mean discharge have been constructed 
 and graphically plotted. 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 87 
 
 RIO GRANDE RIVER. 
 
 The observations begun at Embudo in December and continued 
 through the winter by the camp of instruction were maintained 
 after the camp was broken up. Another station was established 011 
 this river at Del Norte, in the San Luis Valley, which gives the 
 amount of water entering at that point. A station was also estab- 
 lished on the Jemez River, which enters the Rio Grande from the 
 west near Bernalillo. At El Paso a first-class station was established 
 for carrying on gauging, nilometer records, the measurement of 
 evaporation and of the sediment brought down by the river. Mr. 
 Quinby placed about forty rain-gauges with carefully selected ob- 
 servers with a view of obtaining information of the rain-fall of par- 
 ticular localities when such information was specially needed. 
 
 GILA AND SALT RIVERS. 
 
 These rivers offer the greatest difficulties to hydrographic study 
 of any which have been attempted during the year. While the 
 same difficulties are present to some extent in others they are else- 
 where less formidable. They arise from the peculiar character of 
 the stream beds which afford no good cross-sections for measure- 
 ments, and also from the absence of facilities for carrying out any 
 work that may be attempted. The latter difficulty is due to the 
 scarcity of settlers and the great distance of the stations from sources 
 of supply. It is not easy to secure men who are willing to banish 
 themselves for months at a time from all human intercourse and 
 remain alone in one of the most cruel deserts in the world merely to 
 watch the rise and fall of a river. The state of the appropriation 
 would not warrant the employment of relays of men at high wages 
 for this purpose. Self-recording instruments are not practicable at 
 any place thus far found to be available for gauging, owing to the 
 shallowness of the streams and the unstable character of their chan- 
 nels. Mr. Farish, however, with rare energy and devotion has done 
 much in grappling with these difficulties. Three stations have been 
 established by him: on the Gila about 14 miles above Florence, on 
 the Salt a little above the junction of the Verde, and on the Verde 
 near the latter locality. Continuous records have been maintained 
 and repeated gaugings made. About forty rain-gauges have been 
 placed in various localities in Arizona whence observations are 
 specially desired and needed. An evaporation station has been 
 located at Tempe, where the correlated meteorologic observations 
 are maintained. 
 
 TRUCKEE AND CARSON RIVERS. 
 
 Mr. Harrison began work in these rivers in April by a preliminary 
 reconnoissance for the purpose of selecting stations and gaining the 
 knowledge of the basins necessary for attacking the problems. Great 
 
88 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 difficulty was experienced in finding suitable cross-sections owing to 
 the torrential character of the streams and to many obstructions pre- 
 sented by dams and other obstacles caused by the use of these rivers 
 for floating logs, lumber, fire-wood and railroad ties. The season 
 also was unfavorable. An exceptional storm in May caused the 
 river to rise prematurely and before that event was expected and 
 before the stations had been fully established. With the exception 
 of this storm the season was almost unprecedentedly dry and after 
 it was over the river quickly fell, so that in some of them the record 
 of river heights became unsatisfactory because there was so little 
 water to measure. Stations, however, were established at Essex, 
 Nev., and a record kept by which the daily mean discharge has been 
 calculated from May 21. The flows of the tributaries were also 
 gauged repeatedly in Prosser, Juniper, Grey, Bronco Martis, Squaw, 
 Coldstream, and Dog Creeks, and on the Little Truckee. The Carson 
 River was examined and gauging begun in June near Genoa, and 
 on the west fork of the Carson below Hope Valley. 
 
 HYDROGRAPHIC WORK IN UTAH. 
 
 In April Mr. Newell was sent to Utah to make certain examina- 
 tions of Utah Lake with reference to its capacity for a reservoir site 
 and to furnish the specifications for its withdrawal as such under 
 the law, so far as the lands covered or overflowed by it or the lands 
 bordering upon it were still public lands. Having completed this 
 work it became evident that his services for hydrographic investiga- 
 tion were so urgently demanded and so greatly needed that it seemed 
 as if no more useful station could be selected. He was therefore in- 
 structed to begin the gauging of the principal streams arid to carry 
 on systematic hydrographic work in those portions of the territory 
 which were readily accessible. Beginning with the Bear River, a 
 station was located at the lower end of the canyon where it enters 
 Malade Valley, and one has since been placed above Cache Valley at 
 Battle Creek. At all of the principal streams which flow from the 
 Wasatch into the Salt Lake basin observations and gaugings have 
 been begun, including Provo River, American and Spanish Forks. 
 Stations were established and gauged in the fertile Sevier Valley 
 at Joseph City and at Leamington. An evaporation station has also 
 been well maintained at Fort Douglas. Mr. Newell has also collected 
 a large amount of statistical information concerning the water- 
 supply, canals and irrigation of Utah, and accomplished the segrega- 
 tion of the irrigable lands in Bear River valley. 
 
 SNAKE RIVER. 
 
 Mr. J. B. Williams was assigned to the hydrographic work in Idaho, 
 with Mr. L. D. Hopson as an assistant. Prior to this assignment he 
 had been sent to El Paso to establish the important station there, and 
 
REPORT OF CAW. C. E. DtfTTOtf. 89 
 
 did not reach Idaho until the middle of June. For gauging the Snake 
 a station was selected at Eagle Rock, on the Utah and Northern Rail- 
 road. The river, channel is here 510 feet in width. A wire cable was 
 stretched, across it and a large flat-boat constructed. The first gaug- 
 ing was accomplished July 19, showing a flow of about 4,660 second 
 feet, the river being then past the flood-time and rapidly approach- 
 ing its lowest stage. Numerous gaugings at successively lower stages 
 were made here. Much water was being taken out above Eagle Rock 
 and Mr. Williams visited all the canals in active use, estimating by 
 careful measurement the water diverted, which amounted to about 
 1,100 second feet. He also gauged the forks and tributaries of the 
 river, six in number, to estimate their separate flows. Earlier in the 
 season Mr. Hopson visited the Wood River, establishing two gauging 
 stations. Continuous observations of the rise and fall are kept on 
 the Snake and on Wood River. 
 
 YELLOWSTONE AND UPPER MISSOURI. 
 
 Mr. Williams, after establishing his stations in Idaho, went to 
 Montana to take the place of Mr. Tarr who had resigned. He lo- 
 cated two stations on the Yellowstone one at Springdale and the 
 other at Horr one on the Missouri at Canyon Ferry, one on the Gal- 
 latin near Bozeman, one on the Madison 20 miles above the forks of 
 the Missouri, one on the Jefferson 15 miles above the forks, one on 
 the Sun River 18 miles above Augusta, one on the Tdton River near 
 Choteau, and one on the Dearborn near the town of the same name. 
 Repeated gaugings were made at most of these- stations and observa- 
 tions begun on the rise and fall of the rivers. Evaporation pans 
 were established at Springdale, Hogan, Great Falls, Bozeman and 
 Livingston. The year was most exceptionally dry and the rivers 
 correspondingly low. The Yellowstone in August carried at Horr 
 1,553 second feet on the 26th of August, and at Springdale 2,111 sec- 
 ond feet, which is about as low as it may be expected to fall in any 
 season. The Missouri at Canyon Ferry carried 1,643 second feet on 
 the 29th of August, and the Madison 1,104 feet on the 17th. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS ON HYDROGRAPHIC WORK. 
 
 The observations made on the rise and fall of rivers and the gaug- 
 ings at various stages have not all been reduced to final results as 
 yet, but at the present time this is being done with as much rapidity 
 as possible. During the field season and the opening of the work the 
 hydrographers were fully occupied in establishing their stations and 
 getting them in order. As these stations are generally far apart 
 much time was required to " make the rounds." The gauging work 
 is tedious and laborious; skilled men are not to be had, and almost 
 every detail of drudgery, both physical and mental, falls wholly upon 
 
90 IRRIC4ATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 the hydrographer. All things considered, the result of the first 
 season's work is quite as good as could be expected. About one-half 
 the rivers of the arid region are now under surveillance, and with 
 the experience gained the other half can be put in the same way 
 much more readily and expeditiously. 
 
 Some of the difficulties in the way of hydrographic work have been 
 proved to be even more serious than was anticipated though the an- 
 ticipations of them were serious enough. By far the worst is the 
 difficulty of getting observers to record the rise and fall of the streams. 
 In nine cases out of ten it will happen that the cross-section at which 
 it is practicable to make good records is situated at a considerable 
 distance often many miles from any human habitation. As the 
 cross-section can not be brought to the observer tke observer must 
 go to the cross-section. He must go twice daily on foot or on horse- 
 back. He can be paid for his trouble but there is no guaranty that 
 he will do the work. It is a simple matter to write down on the 
 printed form the same river height to-day that was read yesterday 
 without taking the trouble to go to the station and the false entry 
 may escape detection. It is gratifying, however, to be able to say 
 that very few cases have been found in which this trick has been 
 suspected, and the skilled hydrographer soon acquires the faculty of 
 detecting it when the falsified reports come in. Even with conscien- 
 tious observers the routine soon becomes tiresome and many of them 
 discontinue their records without sufficient notice of their intentions. 
 Several records which would have been good if continuous, have 
 been interrupted from this cause at critical stages, to the great vex- 
 ation of this office. 
 
 This want of a reliable corps of observers and the difficulty of find- 
 ing them on the ground brings into view the necessity of some self- 
 recording device. Such an instrument has been in use in Colorado 
 for several years and the results obtained are understood to be fair. 
 One of the troubles is that the instruments are liable to be meddled 
 with by the curious and destroyed or stolen by the malicious. They 
 are also liable to derangement of their working, especially at high 
 water, the time when their records are most important. If some 
 device could be obtained by which the rise and fall could be trans- 
 mitted electrically to the observer's house the expense of maintenance 
 would be minimized, and the record would quickly indicate any de- 
 rangement of the apparatus, which might be remedied in an hour or 
 two. A mere mechanical device might fail to work an hour after it 
 was left and the failure remain unknown. for a week. Serious atten- 
 tion will be given to the problem of finding some electrical device 
 for such records, as well as to the improvement of self-recording 
 mechanical devices. 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 91 
 
 MONTANA DIVISION. 
 
 It was decided that the work in this State should be chiefly of a 
 reconnoissance character. Although irrigation is as necessary here 
 as in other States the progress made has been comparatively small, 
 for settlement upon a considerable scale is very recent. The water 
 supply of Montana was known to be large and the northeastern and 
 eastern part was known to possess very great areas of arable land. 
 Some of the rivers traverse the plain portion of the State in rather 
 deep troughs which would render necessary costly works to divert 
 the waters ; but to what extent this might be the case was not fore- 
 seen. The waters in the rivers must certainly be insufficient in their 
 present condition to irrigate the great areas of good bench lands and 
 the question arose as to the part which storage reservoirs must play 
 in the highest and best development of the future. On these sub- 
 jects little was known. Mr. Wilson, who was assigned to this divi- 
 sion, took the field about the 1st of June. After a brief reconnois- 
 sance he was of the opinion that among the most interesting problems 
 in the State would be the utilization of the waters of the Yellowstone 
 and Sun Rivers. Both of them after leaving the mountains run in 
 deep troughs through the plains with very little bottom land, so that 
 their utility, if realized at all, must be obtained by bringing them 
 upon the bench lands. Both of them had facilities for storage and 
 a study of them would throw more light upon the possibility of a 
 high development than that of any other stream. He was author- 
 ized to make a detailed examination of the Sun River drainage; not 
 merely for ascertaining the capacity of the river itself, but also as a 
 typical example of a stream which requires for its development a 
 long diversion line. A field party was therefore outfitted and placed 
 in charge of Mr. J. B. Rogers, an assistant, who at the close of the 
 fiscal year was just beginning the survey of the Sun River basin. 
 Mr. Wilson proposed to occupy the greater part of the summer in 
 continuing his reconnoissance, in searching for reservoir sites and 
 for data upon which to segregate irrigable lands. At the time of 
 writing this report the field season has closed and the retained men 
 are engaged in the office work, preparing their results for record and 
 action. These results are very satisfactory, but as they are not as 
 yet sufficiently worked out in the office for formal presentation in 
 detail, nothing beyond a brief summary will here be given. 
 
 A preliminary survey of the Sun River basin has been completed, 
 resulting in the definite location of nine reservoir sites along the 
 course of the river, whose united capacity will be about 143,000 acre 
 feet. The dam sites of these reservoirs have been surveyed in suffi- 
 cient detail to enable an estimate to be made of the quantity of mate- 
 rial required to construct them and to assign the proportions of the 
 dams whenever the materials and methods of construction are deter- 
 
92 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 mined. The flow of the river during the summer season has .been 
 gauged. The last summer was one of very low water throughout 
 almost the entire West and may be taken as representing the mini- 
 mum flow for any year. The gaugings showed a mean flow of the 
 Sun River during the months of July, August, and September of 
 about 200 second feet. The winter and spring flow of the river is 
 believed to be more than sufficient to fill all the reservoirs. 
 
 A line of level and traverse has been carefully run along the 
 bluff on the north side of the river from the lower dam site a dis- 
 tance of 80 miles, the diversion line being about 41 miles long, and 
 emerges upon the bench lands above where it can be made to 
 command more than 300,000 acres of the best agricultural land. 
 This area is probably much greater than the entire summer flow 
 and storage can irrigate. Approximate estimates of costs can be 
 made from this survey. Undoubtedly the cost would be consider- 
 able and in the present condition of settlement and of land value it 
 is doubtful if it would be warranted. But with time and increasing 
 population water rapidly rises in value, and in the new West the 
 cost of construction greatly diminishes, and in the course of a very 
 few years all such doubts may resolve themselves into an affirmative 
 answer. 
 
 Mr. Wilson also examined in a preliminary way the practicability 
 of diverting the Missouri River in the Missouri Valley which has a 
 large amount of good agricultural land. Near Toston, about 40 miles 
 this side of Helena on the Northern Pacific road, a very short diver- 
 sion line would carry the waters of this river to the lands, and no 
 serious difficulties presented themselves. A survey of this locality 
 seems desirable. 
 
 Further up the stream, at the foot of Gallatin Valley, the Missouri 
 breaks into three forks the Gallatin on the east, the Madison in the 
 middle, and the Jefferson on the west. The Gallatin and its branches 
 have for some years been used for irrigation, and the important town 
 of Bozeman has owed its prosperity in a large measure to the result- 
 ing agriculture. It is, however, a rather small stream at low stages 
 and the use made of it is attributable to the ease with which it could 
 be diverted. The Madison is a very much larger stream, carrying at 
 low stages over 1,100 cubic feet per second, while the Jefferson at 
 low water has only about 200 feet. Along the courses of these rivers 
 there is a considerable amount of agricultural land, and near their 
 sources Mr. Wilson found many basins which seemed capable of 
 being converted into reservoirs The forks of the Missouri offer a 
 problem worthy of investigation. It would appear, however, even 
 at the present stage of the inquiry, that whatever uses are made of 
 the upper Missouri must be accomplished by diversions above Great 
 Palls. Here the river cascades at once into a deep gorge with abrupt 
 rocky walls from which it could not be taken by canals, and the trough 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 93 
 
 of the river maintains that character for an indefinite distance below. 
 In the Missouri Valley above Great Falls the river carries at the 
 lowest stages 1,600 to 1,800 feet of water, an amount which is not 
 sufficient to serve all the good lands which could be brought under 
 canals. But this supply can be greatly augmented by storage. 
 
 Careful attention was given by Mr. Wilson to the subject of water 
 storage. The facilities for it were found to be considerable. The 
 most extensive basins he found were in the Yellowstone Park, the 
 largest of all being the lake itself. Yellowstone Lake in fact is the 
 most effective reservoir site of which we have any knowledge at 
 present. It is also one of cheap construction. Its probable delivery 
 will exceed considerably a million acre-feet of water, sufficing to irri- 
 gate more than a thousand square miles of land. How to utilize 
 such a vast body of water would be one of the noblest of engineer- 
 ing problems. Still other basins of large capacity, though collec- 
 tively but a moderate fraction of that of the lake, occur in the Yel- 
 lowstone drainage most of them in the Park. In the Madison 
 drainage also numerous large reservoirs were found whose collection 
 capacity will probably exceed 800,000 acre-feet, and in the Jefferson 
 Valley storage capacity of quite equal and perhaps somewhat greater 
 amount was found. Mr. Wilson has reported for withdrawal about 
 sixty reservoir sites of a thousand acre feet capacity or more, of 
 which twenty-seven have each a probable capacity exceeding 9,000 
 acre-feet, eleven exceeding 45,000 acre-feet, seven exceeding 90,000 
 acre-feet, and four exceeding 200, 000 acre-feet. The first rough esti- 
 mate of capacity of all those thus far reconnoitered is not far from 
 4,000.000 acre-feet. Doubtless many others remain to be discovered 
 as Mr. Wilson's examination covered less than one-third of the State. 
 
 ARKANSAS DIVISION. 
 
 Mr. Bodfish, who was assigned to the engineering survey of this 
 river basin, did not take the field until about the middle of June, 
 and his work commenced about the close of the fiscal year. The 
 reasons for selecting this basin for special surveys were as follows: 
 
 While irrigation has made great progress in the valley of the 
 South Platte it has been comparatively backward in the Arkansas 
 Valley, which seems to offer as much advantage. The river, emerg- 
 ing from the mountains at Canyon City, flows due eastward out into 
 the great plains. These plains are of such vast extent and so pro- 
 ductive when watered, and their situation is so favorable in all 
 respects, that it seemed as if some special effort should be made to 
 devise a plan for irrigating a portion of them. The Arkansas is a 
 decidedly spasmodic river near the mountains, carrying a large body 
 of water in flood time, and shrinking to a small stream of about 250 
 to 500 second feet during the summer and autumn. If any consider- 
 able portion of its floods could be stored up, and let out upon the 
 
94 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 plains during the irrigating season, a large body of extremely valu- 
 able land could be redeemed. The river, however, runs for a long 
 distance in a depressed trough, and as a general rule, would require 
 a long diversion line. In view of the great value of irrigated land 
 in this part of Colorado, this would be no obstacle if the end in view 
 were well secured. It was believed that there were several local- 
 ities at which the diversion could be made with advantage, provided 
 the amount of available water was sufficient to justify the undertak- 
 ing. The water supply, in a great measure, turned upon the possi- 
 bilities of storage. 
 
 It was currently believed that these possibilities were large. The 
 localities in which it was supposed that reservoir sites could be found, 
 and where many were asserted to occur, may be classified into three 
 groups : First, those in the high mountain valleys and parks near the 
 sources of the streams; second, those in the foot-hills, or " hog-backs" 
 as they are termed, and third, those out upon the great plains. 
 
 In the mountainous portions of Colorado lakes occasionally occur, 
 and when their outlets have a topography suitable for dam construc- 
 tion they may make good reservoirs, and a few of these are well 
 known in the upper tributaries of the Arkansas. In many of these 
 valleys lakes with flat bottoms of grassy or swampy land are also 
 found, and these may also be turned into reservoirs whenever it is 
 practicable to dam their outlets. These meadows, as they are termed, 
 sometimes occur in the mountains. Being at a high altitude and near 
 the melting snows, they are supplied with little loss, and the evapo- 
 ration from the surface of such a reservoir is comparatively small by 
 reason of the lower temperature and greater humidity of the situation. 
 
 It was further believed that in the foot-hills numerous sites might 
 be found into which the water might be diverted from the river dur- 
 ing the spring floods and taken out during the irrigating season. The 
 peculiar construction of the hog-backs along the eastern front of the 
 Rockies in Colorado might seem, at first, favorable to the occurrence 
 of long, narrow valleys parallel to the trend of the range. 
 
 Much greater hope, however, was entertained of the possibility of 
 storing large bodies of water in natural depressions in the plains. 
 A considerable number of these were known to exist, some of them 
 being of great magnitude and capable of holding large bodies of 
 water. The engineering difficulties would be the length of canals 
 required to take the floods of the river and carry them to these 
 places, and to take the water out after it was once gotten in. Long 
 lines of canal, however, when not prohibited by the expense, are 
 objectionable by reason of the loss of water by evaporation and 
 leakage. 
 
 The problem laid out for Mr. Bodfish in this valley was to ascer- 
 tain, first, the possibilities of storage; second, the character of the 
 work which would be required to divert the waters of the river either 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 95 
 
 for direct irrigation or for any possible reservoirs on the plains. 
 There was still another question which seemed worthy of investiga- 
 tion. The ground in the valleys of the South Platte and in the Ar- 
 kansas is favorable to the return of water to the stream bed by under- 
 ground nitration. The percentage of irrigating water used in the 
 South Platte which finds its way back to the river bed is known to be 
 quite large; indeed, experiments recently made on or near the Cache 
 la Poudre River indicate that it is even larger than was supposed. 
 The ground in the Arkansas Valley near the mountains is apparently 
 identical in this respect, and thus the possibility of using water over 
 again becomes a question of importance. It is especially so in these 
 two valleys in view of the fact that the lands in western Kansas and 
 Nebraska require irrigation as much as those of Colorado, and the 
 question is likely to arise at any time as to the respective demands 
 of the two States upon the resources of the same rivers. 
 
 While this report is in preparation, Mr. Bodfish's parties are still 
 in the field. Until the surveys are worked out in the office it is im- 
 practicable to give the precise results. Some general statements, 
 subject to qualification when the office work shall have been com- 
 pleted, may be mentioned. A very thorough examination has been 
 made in the region about the Tennessee Fork of the Arkansas. One 
 large reservoir is the Twin Lakes, which are admirably adapted to 
 the purpose. At a very moderate expense a dam can be constructed 
 at the outlet which will create a holding capacity of 75,000 acre-feet. 
 There is reason to believe, however, that this capacity is beyond the 
 water supply to fill it. The entire water-shed which drains into the 
 Twin Lakes is about 103 square miles, and it would be unsafe to esti- 
 mate the run off at more than one foot over the entire area. Even 
 this amount can not be relied upon with certainty, though it is 
 slightly exceeded as shown by careful measurement in the drainage 
 basin of the Cache la Poudre. On the whole it may be hoped that 
 about 60,000 acre-feet of water will be available for catchment in 
 the Twin Lakes. A second reservoir has been discovered in the 
 neighborhood of the Twin Lakes in what is termed Haydeii Valley 
 or Park. Owing to the slope of its bottom it will require a high 
 dam, say 110 feet, in order to fully develop its holding capacity. Two 
 railroads which traverse it lengthwise will have to be relocated at 
 considerable expense. Its holding capacity with a 110-foot dam 
 would be about 60,000 acre-feet and its water-shed is somewhat larger 
 than that of Twin Lakes. This would be a much more expen- 
 sive work, not only by reason of the larger dam; but by the cost 
 of removing the railroads. Still, at no very distant day the value 
 of water will be great enough to justify it. Several small reservoirs 
 on the Tennessee Fork have also been discovered, but they will not 
 add largely to the total catchment. Surveys have been made of 
 these reservoirs to determine their capacities and also of the dam 
 
96 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 sites with sufficient details to enable estimates to be made of costs of 
 construction and relocation of railroads. 
 
 All of the northern ^orks of tfc^ Arkansas River have been care- 
 fully examined for reservoir sites, both in the mountains and in the 
 foot-hills or hog-backs. With the foregoing exceptions nothing more 
 than some doubtful cases have been found. The southern forks 
 remain to be examined, but no great hopes are entertained of better 
 success in those quarters, unless possibly in the Wet Mountain Val- 
 ley. 
 
 Search has also been made on the plains for available sites, but 
 none have so far been found which promise any satisfactory results. 
 There are several large basins, but in every case so far examined 
 some fatal objection arises. It would be possible to fill some (at 
 least partially) by means of long diversion lines, but there is no 
 practical way of getting the water out again. Others are dispropor- 
 tionately large in comparison with the quantity of water which could 
 be gotten into them. The water sheet so formed would be so thin 
 that the great bulk of it would evaporate. Still others are too far 
 away from any source of supply. The search, however, is not yet 
 complete and has hitherto been made chiefly north of the Arkansas 
 River. The topography of the south side is somewhat different and 
 may yield more encouragement. 
 
 The results, then, so far obtained in respect to storage here are 
 not large. The reservoirs on the Tennessee are the only definite 
 additions to the available water supply, and they are of importance. 
 Otherwise the prospects are not, at present, very extensive, but until 
 an examination of the entire basin has been completed in a thorough 
 and careful manner it would be premature to venture any confident 
 or final opinion. The addition which may be made to the available 
 supply of the Arkansas by the few reservoirs already found would 
 be sufficient to double and perhaps to nearly treble it at the time 
 when the water is most needed. The irrigation season in this part 
 of Colorado lasts, roughly speaking, about 150 days or nearly five 
 months. During this season the flood time occurs in which the river 
 carries more water than is likely to be used. In the flood time the 
 reservoirs would naturally be shut. It may be estimated that they 
 would be called upon to deliver water for about 110 days in varying 
 quantities, sufficient to make good the deficiency of the river. This 
 deficiency varies, of course, within wide limits. We may estimate 
 that the reservoirs would be called on to deliver an amount equal to 
 the average deficiency of about 82 days. Allowing 120,000 acre feet 
 as the net storage, the mean delivery for 82 days would be 1,460 acre 
 feet per day. This is equivalent to a flow of 725 cubic feet per sec- 
 ond. The mean flow of the Arkansas outside of the flood season 
 and during the remainder of the irrigating season may be taken in 
 an average year as about 425 feet per second. With the reservoirs 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. 0. E. DUTTON. 97 
 
 it would be necessary to deduct about 100 second feet to avoid reck, 
 oning twice over the amount captured in the reservoirs during the 
 summer flow. Thus about 1,050 cubic feet per second might be 
 maintained throughout the irrigating season by the use of these 
 reservoirs as against 425 feet per second mean flow during the low 
 stages with the river in its present condition. The reservoirs fur- 
 thermore would give the incomparable advantage of enabling the 
 distribution of water throughout the irrigating season according to 
 the varying demand for it. 
 
 Mr. Bodfish has also made surveys of diversion lines along the 
 Arkansas below Garden City, but they have not yet been worked 
 out in this office. 
 
 The work in the Arkansas basin has been extensive and varied. 
 The water supply furnished by the Arkansas River after the flood 
 season is over is comparatively small. During the past season it 
 ranged from 250 to 350 cubic feet per second, augmented occasionally 
 by spasmodic floods. The amount of land in the Arkansas basin 
 which could be reached by canals and irrigated with good effect if 
 water were abundant is, we may say, indefinitely great. It was 
 hoped that means might be found for greatly augmenting its supply 
 by reason of the very large and high mountain regions in which its 
 various tributaries take their rise. A large amount of reconnais- 
 sance work was performed for the purpose of ascertaining what 
 promising sites for reservoirs might exist, and if any very promising 
 ones were found it was determined to make surveys of them. A 
 systematic search was instituted 'in all small creeks and tributaries 
 which feed the Arkansas River above Canyon City and in its vicinity, 
 each valley and branch being visited in turn by a competent engineer. 
 Some success attended this investigation and we are in a position to 
 say that the amount of water furnished by this river during the dry 
 season can be very considerably increased by storage reservoirs, 
 which can be constructed at a remunerative cost. But on the other 
 hand the amount of storage capacity thus far found is considerably 
 less than was hoped, and not at all commensurate with the wants of 
 the immense areas of good, smooth, fertile lands spreading out upon 
 the great plains immediately east of the front range of the Rockies. 
 
 The most important reservoir sites thus far discovered are upon 
 the Tennessee Fork of the Arkansas above Leadville, of which the 
 largest and best is at Twin Lakes. A careful survey has been made 
 of this basin and of its dam site. A dam at no point exceeding 35 
 feet in height, with some excavation back of it to enlarge and deepen 
 the outlet, will give a storage of about 100,000 acre-feet. These 
 lakes have a water-shed whose area is 103 square miles, and it is esti- 
 mated that this water-shed will have a run of probably not much 
 exceeding fifty or sixty thousand acre-feet in an average season, but 
 the available catchment can be very considerably increased by a 
 10 GEOL. , PT. 2 7 
 
98 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 supplementary work, which will be spoken of presently. A little 
 further up the Tennessee Fork is a second basin which could be 
 converted into a reservoir of large capacity, but the expense of doing 
 so would be very large, probably $1,000,000 or thereabout. It would 
 require a dam 120 feet in height and five or six hundred feet long 
 on top. It would, moreover, require the relocation of two railroads, 
 the Colorado Midland and the Denver and Rio Grrande, which run 
 through the floor of the basin. And this relocation would be expen- 
 sive and more or less detrimental to the railways. It has, however, 
 been found practicable to tap the Tennessee Fork near the upper end 
 of this reservoir, and by means of a canal carry its water around a 
 mountain spur which separates the basin from that of Twin Lakes, 
 and thus divert its waters into the Twin Lakes basin. The length of 
 this canal would have to be about 12 miles and would involve some 
 heavy work. By adding this water supply to that which is furnished 
 by the water-shed of Twin Lakes it is believed that fully 100,000 acre- 
 feet of water could be secured at a remunerative cost. A few other 
 small basins have been discovered and surveyed in the Tennessee 
 Park near Leadville and vicinity, and their united storage would 
 probably be 40,000 acre-feet. The office work upon these reservoirs 
 is not yet complete, but when it is completed we shall be in a position 
 to state in full, detailed projects for storing water and all essential 
 information concerning the nature of the dam sites, and to furnish 
 the necessary data for approximate estimates of cost of construction. 
 
 RIO GRANDE DIVISION. 
 
 The Rio Grande is usually esteemed one of the larger rivers in 
 the West. In flood time it usually carries a large volume of water, 
 but at other stages the flow is small. During the last summer the 
 . river below Albuquerque was dry for nearly two months. This is 
 no doubt due in part to the diversion of all the water in its upper 
 portion into the San Luis Valley, the water supplied by lower afflu- 
 ents being insufficient to carry the stream much below Albuquerque. 
 Before irrigation was inaugurated in the San Luis Valley the river 
 always shrunk to a small volume in summer at El Paso, and in some 
 years was dry at that place for a few weeks. There is, however, an 
 unmistakable effect upon the lower courses by the diversion of the 
 higher ones. 
 
 The greater portion of the course of this river in New Mexico lies 
 between rocky canyons. Its trough deepens in the lower part of the 
 San Luis Valley, and does not widen to any important extent till it 
 opens in the Espanola Valley, about 20 miles north of Santa Fe*. 
 This valley is about 20 miles in length and 4 or 5 in width. It is 
 well situated for irrigation, and has long been cultivated by the 
 Mexican residents and Pueblo Indians in their usual fashion. Some 
 of the tributaries, notably the Taos, and especially the Chama, have 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 99 
 
 some agriculture, and might have much more. At the foot of the 
 Espanola Valley the river again enters the canyon and emerges near 
 Bernalillo. Here the valley widens out and contains for a distance 
 of nearly a hundred miles a border of land, which might be irri- 
 gated if water could be brought upon it. At San Marcial the river 
 once more enters a long rocky gorge leading along the western bor- 
 ders of the Jornado del Muerto. At Fort Selden it enters the Me- 
 silla Valley, which is nearly 60 miles in length and of considerable 
 width. At the southern end of this valley is El Paso, where the 
 river breaks through a low rocky pass 3 miles in length, and enters 
 a wide valley, which extends as far as Fort Hancock, 60 miles below 
 El Paso. 
 
 From Bernalillo to Fort Hancock there is but little agriculture, 
 and such as exists is practiced mostly by the Mexican residents and 
 is of a primitive kind. In fact, no other is practicable without ex- 
 tensive and costly works to control the water. All this portion of 
 the Rio Grande is in the highest degree spasmodic, with immense 
 floods during a few weeks of the year and a small stream during the 
 remainder of it. Under such circumstances the extent of possible 
 agriculture is measured by the smaller almost by the smallest flow. 
 The possibility of utilizing a goodly portion of the flood waters is a 
 problem worthy of the most earnest consideration. No climate could 
 be more advantageous for profitable agriculture. To arrest so large 
 a body of water as the Rio Grande in flood would require very large 
 reservoirs, and to utilize them would also require a very favorable 
 location of their basins. The belief has been held for some years by 
 residents of El Paso that both of these conditions are fulfilled at the 
 lower part of the Mesilla Valley. At the pass near El Paso, where 
 the river traverses a narrow gorge, it seems as if it might be possible 
 to build, at moderate cost, a reservoir which would hold back the 
 whole of the flood waters of the river. Immediately below the pass 
 are the wide bottom lands, where 300,000 acres could be watered and 
 where the climate is sub-tropical. A matter of special importance 
 attaches to this project, for it involves international interests. Be- 
 ginning at El Paso the Rio Grande is the Mexican boundary, and the 
 land which such a reservoir would command is about half in Texas 
 and half in Mexico. For more than a century the Mexicans have 
 used the water for irrigation, and their interests are as deeply con- 
 cerned as our own. The impoverishment of the river by the exten- 
 sive diversions in Colorado have wrought great injury to the Mexican 
 farms, and if priority of right can be claimed as between citizens of 
 adjoining countries the priority is certainly vested in the citizens of 
 Mexico. Although the value of property involved is of no great 
 amount, the principle involved is a highly important one. Further- 
 more, serious questions have arisen, growing out of the shifting of 
 the bed of the river, whose channel is made by treaty the boundary 
 
100 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNTAL REPORT. 
 
 of the two nations, and these have been the subject of much com- 
 plaint by the Government and people of Texas and of diplomatic 
 discussion with the Government of Mexico. It is apparent that if 
 the floods of the Rio Grande were, caught above the pass these shift- 
 ings of the channel would be wholly prevented, for the changes are in- 
 cident to the uncontrolled action of the floods, which would be wholly 
 stopped unless they were so copious as to more than fill the reservoir, 
 and even then they would be so mitigated as to be harmless. 
 
 The project of a dam at El Paso has for some years been a subject 
 of interest to Major Anson Mills, of the Army, who, from a disinter- 
 ested standpoint, has given it a great deal of study. Being stationed 
 at Fort Bliss on military duty, he was ordered by the Secretary of 
 War to render such assistance as was in his power to the Geological 
 Survey, and mak3 an examination of the project. Mr. W. W. Follett 
 was sent to El Paso to make the necessary surveys. His work did not 
 begin until after the fiscal year. In July, August, and September 
 the work was completed, and his report was made in October. 
 
 Mr. Follett finds it practicable to construct a masonry dam at the 
 pass 65 feet above the river bottom, with an adequate waste-weir, 
 which will create a lake 14 miles in length and 4 miles maximum 
 width, with a surface of about 26,000 acres, and an average depth of 
 23.6 feet. Its cubical contents will be 537,000 acre-feet. There were 
 two sites about If miles apart, which presented themselves in the 
 pass for making a dam. The upper one, giving a considerably shorter 
 length of dam, was chosen for survey and estimate. Some difficulties 
 not of an insurmountable nature were peculiar to both places. The 
 river bed is occupied with quicksand in both localities, but it is from 
 30 to 50 feet in depth at the upper and narrower one, and only 8 to 22 
 feet in depth at the lower one. At the lower site one end of the dam 
 would be in Mexican territory; at the upper site both ends would be 
 in United States territory. In both of them two railroads the South- 
 ern Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F* 5 would require 
 to be relocated, at great expense; but at the upper site the relocated 
 grades of the Atchison and Topeka could be made to conform readily 
 to the ruling gradient of that division of the road, while at the lower 
 one it could not be without changing their depot and terminal facil- 
 ities in El Paso. On the other hand, the lower site would compel 
 the Southern Pacific road to enter Mexican territory, in which case 
 the cost of relocation would be great. The upper site would afford 
 facilities for building the dam higher if it should be called for, while 
 in the lower one this would be far more difficult. The dam at the 
 upper site would be of much more expensive construction than at the 
 lower one on account of the greater depth of the quicksand. In either 
 case, if the construction of a dam were all, the lower site would, 
 on the whole, be preferable, but the railroad complications appear to 
 incline the balance in favor of the upper one. The question as be- 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 101 
 
 tween the two, however, may be regarded as an open one, worthy of 
 still further consideration. 
 
 Mr. Follett's surveys and estimates were made in detail at the 
 upper site. The uncertain element of cost is the keeping open of the 
 excavation in quicksand. The Poetch process of freezing the wet 
 sand by pipes and refrigerating machinery has in many cases proved 
 highly effective, but its application has hitherto been, so far as known, 
 upon a smaller scale than would be necessary here, and under cir- 
 cumstances of a somewhat different nature. It would, however, 
 naturally receive very careful consideration in this connection. Mr. 
 Follett's estimate, however, is based upon the use of crib work and 
 wooden caissons. His estimate of the cost of the dam is a little over 
 $300,000. 
 
 The cost of removing the railroads is estimated by him at $205,000 
 for the Southern Pacific, and $385,000 for the Atchison, Topeka and 
 Santa Fe. Both of these relocations would involve a considerable 
 amount of heavy rock work. Some land in the Mesilla Valley which 
 would be overflowed by the reservoir would have to be condemned, 
 but land now occupied in the lower part of the valley is of small 
 value. He estimates the cost of the site at about $69,000. His total 
 estimate for the entire work, including 10 per cent, for administra- 
 tion and incidentals, is $1,059,695, 
 
 This cost is very moderate in comparison with the value of the 
 stored water. An acre-foot of water in such a locality may be esti- 
 mated as worth at a minimum $1.50 per annum, and this valuation 
 should increase with the lapse of time. What proportion of the 
 stored water would be available for irrigation would depend upon 
 the nature and distribution of the canal lines below and the amount 
 of land which they could be made to command. At least 200,000 acre- 
 feet would be availabe for high-line canals. To secure such a body 
 of stored water, an expenditure of considerably more than $2,000,000 
 would probably be ultimately justified and would be remunerative. 
 
 A question of grave importance arises in connection with the sedi- 
 ment which the Rio Grande carries. Like all spasmodic rivers in 
 dry climates, the amount of it in flood time is very large. 
 
 Some investigation has been made on this point with a view of as- 
 certaining how long it would require the river to deposit sediment 
 enough in the reservoir to seriously impair its utility. The sedi- 
 ment of the river during the last high-water stage was frequently 
 sampled, and was found to range from about one-fourth to one-half 
 of 1 per cent, of the volume of the flow, averaging by 118 samples 
 .345 of 1 per cent. This represents only the suspended sediments, 
 and does not include the grosser material swept along on the bottom, 
 whose quantity has not yet been estimated. On the whole it seems 
 probable that a life of more than one hundred years before the reser- 
 voir is seriously impaired by the sediment may be counted upon. 
 
102 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 This might be greatly prolonged by the use of settling reservoirs 
 along the course of the river through the Jornado del Muerto. There 
 are several large basins, termed locally rincons, in that portion of 
 the river, which could be used for that purpose, a settling basin 
 being constructed whenever an older one is filled up. 
 
 CALIFORNIA DIVISION. 
 
 In this State irrigation has made greater advances than in any 
 other. The chief developments however have been in the southern 
 half of the State. In the northern half the necessity of irrigation 
 has not until within the last ten years been felt to be so absolute as 
 it is in the southern half. In most seasons some of the grosser 
 staple crops were found to mature in the Sacramento Valley without 
 irrigation. But with the increase of fruit culture it became prac- 
 tically necessary. The large affluents of the Sacramento, the Feather, 
 and Yuba rivers, as well as the Sacramento itself, are not as yet 
 fully utilized. In the San Joaquin Valley, on the other hand, the 
 rivers in their natural condition have been wholly diverted during 
 the lower stages. Irrigation in that valley has from the beginning 
 of settlement been absolutely indispensable. There is a marked dif- 
 ference between the east and the west sides of both valleys in respect 
 to climate and a still more striking one in respect to water supply. 
 The west side is the more arid in climate, and has only a few spasmodic 
 streams which are dry during the greater part, if not the whole, of 
 the irrigating season. The eastern side is more humid and has 
 many considerable streams descending from the Sierra Nevada. 
 These, however, have been found insufficient in the San Joaquin 
 Valley to irrigate more than a rather small fraction of the land. 
 The necessity for more water here is a pressing one, and the only 
 method of obtaining it is by storage. The problems, however, on 
 opposite sides of the great valley of California are totally distinct. 
 On the eastern side the reservoirs would be only supplementary, and 
 in most cases subsidiary to the rivers. On the western side they 
 would be the sole reliance. In the Sacramento Valley, moreover, 
 the reservoir problem, on the eastern side at least, is a question 
 rather of future than of present necessity, while on both sides of 
 the San Joaquin it is an instant one. 
 
 In beginning the work in this State Mr. Hall was instructed to 
 make an examination of the central part of the Sierra Nevada around 
 the headwaters of the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced Rivers for 
 the purpose of locating reservoir sites. It was expected that this 
 search would be continued as the funds appropriated might permit 
 as far south as the headwaters of the Kern River. North of the 
 Mokelumne or Cosumnes River the Sierra Nevada range has the 
 general configuration of a slightly inclined plateau, sloping westward, 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 103 
 
 with deeply incised valleys and many irregularities, but also with 
 many broad and flat table-lands between. In this portion many 
 places known to be suitable for reservoirs exist and some of them 
 have already been utilized to store water for hydraulic mining. 
 They drain chiefly into the Yuba and American Rivers and it was 
 not deemed pressing at the present stage of the inquiry to investigate 
 them. The country around the headwaters of the Stanislaus and 
 Tuolumne is much more rugged and affords fewer tracts in which 
 reservoirs may be looked for. Around the sources of the Merced it 
 is equally rugged. South of this river the Sierra platform becomes 
 much less irregular and the possible or hopeful localities for reser- 
 voir sites are more numerous and extensive. 
 
 Mr. Hall's field work was not started until July. He placed a 
 party in the field around the headwaters of the Stanislaus under the 
 immediate charge of Mr. Luther P. Wagoner, who successively ex- 
 plored this tract and those around the sources of the Tuolumne and 
 Merced. The results of this work are not yet to hand and have not 
 been completed in the office. But, in a general way, it may be said 
 that a few sites have been located as capable of being converted into 
 reservoirs and a larger number, which belong to the doubtful class, 
 whose capabilities can not be decided upon until after a thorough 
 investigation. It is to be noted, however, that this region is the least 
 hopeful of any portion of the Sierra, and more gratifying results may 
 be anticipated when the survey shall have reached the headwaters of 
 San Joaquin, King's, and Kern Rivers. Indeed, one admirable reser- 
 voir site of grand proportions is known to exist near the sources of 
 Kern River. 
 
 In the hope of discovering something which might be of prospect- 
 ive value to the western side of the valley Mr. Hall was instructed 
 to make an examination of Clear Lake in the coast range. This 
 large sheet of water must receive a very considerable inflow, but 
 during the year the outflow is small. The difference is accounted 
 for by evaporation. There are numerous lakes throughout the West 
 which present no difficulties of an engineering character which could 
 prevent turning them into great reservoirs. They also receive large 
 rivers. But the broad surfaces they offer to evaporation render them 
 of inferior value for this purpose. In some cases it is possible to 
 contract the surface, still leaving sufficient capacity to store the in- 
 flow, thus diminishing the loss. In other cases this is impracticable. 
 Clear Lake was regarded as an example which was worthy of special 
 investigation. If it could be made to yield any considerably in- 
 creased outflow the water would have exceptionally high value. 
 The lands which it might irrigate are among the most valuable in 
 the country for fruit culture. A second party was therefore organ- 
 ized, in charge of Mr. C. G. Rockwood, to make a thorough survey 
 of the lake and its outlet. This survey was completed early in Octo- 
 
104 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 her and the field notes are now being worked up in the office. At 
 the present time the results of the survey are not to hand. 
 
 In the northern part of the State, east of the Sierras, in Modoc 
 and Lassen Counties, there is a large amount of fine land needing 
 water. Although the precipitation upon the mountains is quite 
 large, and is not inconsiderable even upon the adjoining lowlands, 
 there are very few streams which are available. The country, on 
 the whole, is favorable to the occurrence of reservoir sites. It was 
 therefore decided to make a reconnaissance in search of them. Two 
 men were sent upon this errand in the month of July and found 
 several sites, two of them of large capacity. 
 
 Further work is contemplated during the winter in the southern 
 part of the State, but its details are not yet decided upon. 
 
 LAHONTAN DIVISION IN NEVADA. 
 
 It was believed that in the State of Nevada better results might be 
 hoped for in the basins of the Truckee and Carson Rivers than else- 
 where. These streams head immediately under or upon the crest of 
 the Sierra and where the snow-fall is heavy and where the water 
 passes through lakes, or basins which may have once been lakes but 
 are'now empty and can be converted into lakes again. The Truckee 
 drainage is exceptionally favorable for storage. The main fork of 
 the river issues from Lake Tahoe and a dam could be built across 
 the outlet at an insignificant cost. Tahoe, however, is one of those 
 lakes which is too large for a good reservoir. Its surface is about 
 190 square miles in extent while its entire water-shed does not ex- 
 ceed 500 square miles. Its inflow must be quite abundant, however, 
 as the feeders rise under the very eaves of the Sierra Nevada when 
 the precipitation is large. But the great surface exposed to evapo- 
 ration returns much the larger portion of the inflow to the atmos- 
 phere. Nor can this surface be diminished, for Tahoe is a very deep 
 lake, in fact one of the deepest in the world, and the slopes of its 
 basin descend into the depths with great abruptness. Even if it were 
 possible public sentiment would justly regard such a change as van- 
 dalism, destroying or marring one of the most beautiful sheets of 
 water on the globe. No degree of utility for irrigation purposes 
 would compensate such an injury. A single foot of water, however, 
 over this large surface would suffice to irrigate 50,000 acres of land, 
 and the question arises whether such a supply may not be obtained. 
 The question is a meterologic rather than an engineering one. All 
 the construction which could be of any avail would cost less than 
 $5,000. The best method of reaching a solution may be prescribed 
 at once. It is to build a dam and try it. The cost would be trifling 
 and the result incontrovertible. Even if it proved a failure the ad- 
 vantage of setting the question at rest would be worth far more than 
 the cost. 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. C. E. BUTTON. 105 
 
 Immediately above the town of Truckee is Donner Lake, a beau- 
 tiful sheet of water about 2i miles long and half a mile wide, with a 
 surface of about 900 acres. It is well adapted for a moderate-sized 
 reservoir. Its immediate watershed is only 13 square miles. But 
 just- below its outlet a second valley the Coldstream opens into its 
 lower basin, with 15 or 16 square miles of watershed. Both valleys 
 are immediately under the crest of the Sierra and receive a large 
 annual precipitation, Its precise average is unknown, but is conject- 
 ured to be nearly 33 inches per annum. The run-off is also unknown, 
 and an estimate would at present be hazardous. But if like situa- 
 tions and conditions may be used as the basis of a preliminary esti- 
 mate, an annual run-off of a foot over the entire area may be a mod- 
 erate one, giving about 18,000 acre-feet available for storage. 
 
 A few miles further north lies Independence Lake, of about the 
 same size as Donner Lake. Its available catchment is uncertain, but 
 the indications now are that it will be equal to that of Donner Lake, 
 if not larger, as a stream of about 35 feet per second was flowing out 
 of it late in August. Still further north is Weber Lake. This is 
 less than half the size of either of the other two and its watershed is 
 small; but it is at the summit of the Sierra and its tribute must be 
 considerable. Both Weber and Independence Lakes drain through 
 the Little Truckee, which enters the main river near the village of 
 Boca. There is still a fourth basin between Donner and Independ- 
 ence which is probably capable of being converted into a good res- 
 ervoir, but it contains no lakes. The indications now are that 
 50,000 or 60,000 acre feet of water may be stored in the four basins 
 at a reasonable cost. To this may be added the unknown amount 
 obtainable from Tahoe. 
 
 The Carson River is a much larger stream than the Truckee, car- 
 rying at rather low stages not far from 1,000 cubic feet per second. 
 There is the possibility of storage near its sources, but it will be less 
 in amount and more expensive to attain than in the Truckee Basin. 
 At the head of the west fork of the river in Hope Valley there is a 
 considerable basin which might be converted into a reservoir, but 
 the dam would have to be large and costly. The watershed is ample 
 and being situated upon the summit of the Sierra platform, a very 
 large supply of water would be available for catchment. A second 
 site of smaller proportions occurs between the east and west forks 
 in Long Valley. It might be filled by a diversion from the east 
 fork, but this would involve a tunnel or deep rock cut. Moreover, 
 there is no good material of which to build it in the immediate neigh- 
 borhood and the abutments for the dam are not satisfactory. It 
 would be a somewhat costly undertaking. Another possible site is 
 near Markleeville, on the east fork, but, as no survey has been made 
 of it, its capabilities are unknown. 
 
 Mr. Lyman Bridges, who was assigned to the charge of this divis- 
 
106 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 ion, took the field in June, and made surveys of Donner, Independ- 
 ence, and Weber Lakes, in the Truckee Basin, and of Hope Val- 
 ley and Long Valley, in the Carson Basin. The results of this sur- 
 vey are yet to be worked out in the office, and it is not practicable at 
 present to give more definite accounts of them than those already 
 stated. He also examined the trough of the Truckee, near Wads- 
 worth, with a view to ascertaining the best methods of taking water 
 from the river and carrying it to the lands lying southeast of that 
 town, which are well situated for receiving it and of more than suf- 
 ficient extent to utilize it. 
 
 SNAKE RIVER DIVISION. 
 
 The Snake is one of the large rivers of the West, carrying at the 
 lowest stages more than 3,000 second feet of water. Its sources in 
 Yellowstone Park arid in the Teton and Wind River ranges are 
 regions of large precipitation, which yield many perpetual streams. 
 Emerging from th' 1 mountains the Snake flows out into an immense 
 plain 250 miles in ..ength and from 50 to 100 miles in width. A large 
 portion of this plain has been overflowed, in comparatively recent 
 geological times, by extravasations of basaltic lava, much of which 
 is still an expanse of black barren rock, while some of it is imper- 
 fectly buried in drifted sand and soil. But there are also some millions 
 of acres of land of excellent quality and as favorably situated for an 
 extensive irrigation as any in the West. Indeed, it may be said that 
 the eastern portion of the Snake River plains offers about the best 
 opportunity for a splendid irrigation development of any portion of 
 the West whose capabilities are at present understood. Settlement, 
 however, has until within the last two or three years, almost wholly 
 avoided it. The reason is not far to seek. There is little opportunity 
 for the pioneer stage of development. This stage requires small 
 streams which can be attacked by the resources of a few settlers 
 without capital. Outside of the mountains the Snake has exceed- 
 ingly few small tributaries. Whatever is done must require the 
 resources of more or less capital. With very slight qualification the 
 development must in the ordinary course begin at the second stage, 
 that of multiple ditches. Until very recently there has been no 
 sufficient demand for land to cause the development to leap over the 
 first stage and begin with the second. It has, however, begun now, 
 and for two years has been proceeding with a rapidity that may well 
 be regarded as formidable. 
 
 This great river and the large extent of land adjoining it capable 
 of being irrigated by its waters, offered a problem of the highest 
 interest, and it was determined to make a thorough examination of 
 their capabilities. Mr. A. D. Foote was assigned to this division 
 and began his field work in June. A field party was equipped in 
 charge of assistant A. W. Wiley, and at once began the survey of a 
 
REPORT OF CAPT. 0. E. BUTTON. 107 
 
 high-line canal route, taking water at Eagle Rock on the Utah and 
 Northern Railroad and extending southward to Pocatello. At Eagle 
 Rock the banks of the river are very low and a natural dam site is 
 found. There is practically no diversion-line necessary. The canal 
 can leave the river bed at once, coursing directly for the foot-hills to 
 the southeastward, and having good agricultural land under it almost 
 from the very beginning. It would command all the land between 
 the foot-hills of the Snake River range and the river ; and more 
 favorably situated or better land can not be found. There is hardly 
 an acre of waste ground in the entire tract of more than 200,000 
 acres. The examination of the lands on the right bank was post- 
 poned until the early spring owing to the total absence of water, 
 which may be looked for only after the early rains. 
 
 While Mr. Wiley was surveying the canal route, Mr. Foote him- 
 self undertook a reconnoissance of the main fork of the river in search 
 of reservoir sites. The result of his search was most gratifying. 
 At the head of the main fork of the Snake are Shoshone and Lewis 
 Lakes, both of which might make reservoirs, but only of very limited 
 utility. Much better resources were found. At Jackson's Lake, 
 between the Teton and Wind River ranges, it is possible to construct, 
 at relatively small cost, a reservoir which will hold a far greater body 
 of water than the entire annual flow of the river above the lake's 
 outlet. The present area of the lake is not far from 40 square miles, 
 while its water-shed is between 750 and 800 square miles. The pre- 
 cipitation over this area is, for the Western country, a maximum. 
 In estimating the resources of grand reservoirs it is to be borne in 
 mind that their utility is in most cases greatly impaired by loss from 
 evaporation. But when the ratio of inflow to surface exposed is 
 large, the perc ntage of loss is greatly reduced and the value of the 
 reservoir is vastly increased. This is the case with Jackson's Lake. 
 The indications now are that, after a reasonable allowance for evap- 
 oration, an available output of stored water may be obtained from 
 Jackson's Lake of at least 500,000 acre-feet, and possibly much more. 
 
 Farther down the fork at Swan Valley is another reservoir site of 
 the grandest proportions, with a narrow outlet where a dam can be 
 constructed at moderate cost. A little above it is another basin of 
 somewhat larger proportions, but in a hasty reconnoissance it was 
 impracticable to form a confident opinion upon the dam site. 
 
 On the Falls River fork of the Snake, which is the second branch 
 in respect to size, a reservoir site has been discovered which is of 
 almost indefinite capacity. The available catchment will be insuf- 
 ficient to fill it. An apparently good dam site exists. 
 
 All these basins remain to be surveyed with a view of ascertaining 
 more definitely their capacities, available catchments, and cost of 
 construction. But enough is known to warrant the statement that 
 the possibil ties of storage are vast, far exceeding that of any other 
 
108 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 known river in the West, and that the cost, though absolutely con- 
 siderable, will be small relatively to the value of the stored water. 
 The larger portion of the upper tributaries of the Snake remains 
 to be reconnoitered for reservoir sites. Many others are reported 
 and the topography of the country is favorable to their occurrence. 
 Mr. Foote has also made an examination of the question of taking 
 out the water of the Snake at American Falls, on the south side, with 
 a view of reaching some good lands below that place. The scheme 
 was found to be impracticable by reason of prohibitory cost. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 C. E. BUTTON, 
 
 Captain, etc. 
 
 EXPENDITURES. 
 
 Classification of expenditures of $100,000 for irrigation, 1889. 
 
 A. Services 
 
 B. Traveling expenses 
 
 C. Transportation of property 
 
 D. Field subsistence 
 
 E. Field supplies and expenses 
 
 F. Field material 
 
 G. Instruments 
 
 K. Books and maps 
 
 L. Stationery and drawing material 
 
 O. Office furniture 
 
 P. Office supplies and repairs 
 
 Q. Storage 
 
 R. Correspondence 
 
 Bonded railroad accounts settled at Treasury, viz: 
 
 Transportation of assistants $1, 280. 35 
 
 Freight 519. 34 
 
 Unexpended balance. 
 
 $40, 628. 37 
 
 9, 959. 97 
 
 1,705.72 
 
 6,333.57 
 
 8, 940. 53 
 
 17,756.74 
 
 11,420.12 
 
 28.60 
 
 727. 08 
 
 97.25 
 
 100. 85 
 
 105. 00 
 
 264. 97 
 
 1,799.69 
 131.54 
 
 Total 100, 000. 00 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Jno. D. McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. 
 S. Geological Survey, during the second quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1888. 
 Oct. 23 
 
 83 
 
 C. E. Button 
 
 
 gl5 70 
 
 24 
 
 88 
 
 S. J. Haislett 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 32 00 
 
 31 
 
 123 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 
 Services, October 1888 
 
 188 22 
 
 31 
 
 128 
 
 do 
 
 do... 
 
 37 10 
 
 Nov. 2 
 
 138 
 
 do 
 
 do ... 
 
 158 86 
 
 2 
 
 140 
 
 Q. E. Verrill 
 
 
 39 15 
 
 2 
 
 141 
 
 Josiah Pierce, jr 
 
 do 
 
 39 25 
 
 2 
 
 142 
 
 H. M. Wilson . . 
 
 do .... 
 
 16 25 
 
 2 
 
 143 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 12 75 
 
 5 
 
 146 
 
 Robert Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 19 51 
 
 6 
 
 152 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 570 35 
 
 14 
 
 174 
 
 Sparks Bros 
 
 18 horses 
 
 2 358 00 
 
 14 
 
 175 
 
 Asken Bros 
 
 -.'<> horse blankets 
 
 105 00 
 
 15 
 
 178 
 
 Quartermaster's Department U. S. 
 
 Tents 
 
 302 91 
 
 
 
 Army. 
 
 
 
ABSTRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 109 
 
 Abstracts of disbursements made by Jno. D. McChesney, etc. Continued. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1888. 
 
 188 
 
 E R Rail 
 
 Field material 
 
 $616.11 
 
 20 
 
 189 
 
 
 do 
 
 441.65 
 
 20 
 
 190 
 
 
 Subsistence supplies 
 
 67.05 
 
 20 
 
 191 
 
 G T Davis 
 
 . . .do 
 
 109.05 
 
 20 
 
 194 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 Miscellaneous field supplies 
 
 96.05 
 
 20 
 20 
 
 195 
 196 
 
 ...'...do 
 do 
 
 Field material 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 387.f>0 
 20.00 
 
 20 
 
 197 
 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 20.79 
 
 22 
 
 203 
 
 R S Tarr 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 17.90 
 
 22 
 
 204 
 
 Geo T Quinby .... 
 
 do 
 
 17.35 
 
 22 
 
 210 
 
 
 Instruments and repairs 
 
 217.35 
 
 22 
 
 211 
 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 46.65 
 
 23 
 
 217 
 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 9.25 
 
 23 
 
 318 
 
 do , 
 
 do 
 
 24.33 
 
 23 
 
 219 
 
 G T Davis 
 
 Field subsistence, etc 
 
 52.97 
 
 23 
 
 220 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 24.79 
 
 23 
 
 221 
 
 
 Field material 
 
 134.00 
 
 23 
 
 222 
 
 G E Verrill 
 
 Field expenses, etc 
 
 32.90 
 
 24 
 
 223 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 do 
 
 185.08 
 
 30 
 
 244 
 
 R S Swift 
 
 18 mules 
 
 2,421.00 
 
 30 
 
 259 
 
 
 Salary, November, 1888 
 
 110.00 
 
 30 
 
 262 
 
 W D Castle 
 
 Supplies 
 
 14.00 
 
 30 
 
 2(53 
 
 
 Services, October 30 to 31, 1888 
 
 3.87 
 
 
 291 
 
 
 Instruments 
 
 83.00 
 
 10 
 
 305 
 
 Fred A Schmidt 
 
 Topographic supplies 
 
 16.50 
 
 10 
 
 340 
 
 
 
 .25 
 
 20 
 
 357 
 
 C H Pond 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 
 14.00 
 
 27 
 
 370 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams 
 
 34.32 
 
 27 
 
 371 
 
 
 Letter-file case 
 
 77.00 
 
 27 
 
 378 
 
 S J Haislett 
 
 Tents 
 
 40.00 
 
 31 
 
 421 
 
 
 Services, December. 1888 
 
 156. 13 
 
 31 
 
 430 
 
 
 Transportation of assistants . . . 
 
 6.65 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 9, 392. 04 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Mark B. Kerr, disbursing agent, U. S. Geologi- 
 cal Survey, during the second quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1888. 
 Oct 13 
 
 26 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 <26 25 
 
 13 
 
 50 
 
 
 do 
 
 49 50 
 
 13 
 
 51 
 
 R H McKee . .... 
 
 ....do 
 
 57.81 
 
 13 
 
 52 
 
 Dan D Calkins 
 
 ....do... 
 
 8.50 
 
 15 
 
 54 
 
 Paul Holmau 
 
 do... 
 
 1.40 
 
 16 
 
 57 
 
 A F Dunnington 
 
 do 
 
 58.65 
 
 
 58 
 
 R H McKee 
 
 do 
 
 60.19 
 
 17 
 
 59 
 
 . do 
 
 do 
 
 30.77 
 
 18 
 
 60 
 
 Arthur P Davis 
 
 do .... 
 
 54.81 
 
 21 
 
 62 
 
 R Henry Phillips 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 22 25 
 
 22 
 
 63 
 
 Dan D Calkius 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 43.25 
 
 25 
 
 65 
 
 W L Tremble & Co 
 
 Forage 
 
 27.00 
 
 25 
 
 68 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 116 86 
 
 27 
 
 69 
 
 F G Pratt & Co 
 
 Field subsistence 
 
 22 21 
 
 27 
 
 70 
 
 A E Laudenslager 
 
 do 
 
 21.84 
 
 27 
 
 71 
 
 G W Bond & Co 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 10 45 
 
 27 
 
 72 
 
 Arthur P Davis 
 
 Field expenses ... 
 
 49 35 
 
 27 
 
 73 
 
 \ F Dunnington 
 
 do 
 
 69.80 
 
 31 
 
 75 
 
 Paul Holman . . . 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 66 23 
 
 31 
 
 78 
 
 Pay-roll (McKee) 
 
 do 
 
 265 25 
 
 31 
 
 80 
 
 H M Wilson . . . . 
 
 Field expenses .. 
 
 74 50 
 
 31 
 
 81 
 
 do 
 
 Services. October, 1888 . . 
 
 92 39 
 
 31 
 
 82 
 
 Pay-roll (Davis) 
 
 do 
 
 753. 59 
 
 
 89 
 
 Pay-roll (Chapman) 
 
 do 
 
 342 30 
 
 g 
 
 90 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 35 76 
 
 g 
 
 91 
 
 Pay-roll (Tweedy) ... 
 
 Services, October 1888 
 
 326 55 
 
 g 
 
 92 
 
 Pay-roll (Dunnington) 
 
 do 
 
 236.44 
 
 g 
 
 04 
 
 Redick H McKee . . 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 31 25 
 
 g 
 
 95 
 
 A F Dunnington 
 
 do .... 
 
 44.55 
 
 
 98 
 
 I Karker & Co 
 
 Field repairs etc 
 
 19 50 
 
 g 
 
 99 
 
 
 Field subsistence 
 
 86 43 
 
 R 
 
 inn 
 
 Harrv H. Hackett . 
 
 Services. October 30. 1888. . . 
 
 3.23 
 
110 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Abstract of disbursemente made by Mark B. Kerr, etc. Continued. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1888. 
 Oct 8 
 
 102 
 
 Dan D. Calkins 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 $20. 50 
 
 g 
 
 103 
 
 Arthur Bishoff 
 
 Field material 
 
 8 98 
 
 8 
 
 105 
 
 Reaser Bros 
 
 Field subsistence 
 
 143.28 
 
 8 
 
 106 
 
 W. H. McKenzie 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 38.15 
 
 8 
 
 107 
 
 Redick H. McKee 
 
 Field expenses. 
 
 40 95 
 
 8 
 
 108 
 
 A. F. Dunnington ... ... 
 
 do 
 
 34.00 
 
 5 
 
 111 
 
 Mark B. Kerr 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 141.82 
 
 13 
 
 112 
 
 A. F. Dunnington .... 
 
 Field expenses . 
 
 29 90 
 
 15 
 
 116 
 
 Philip S. Levflls 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 25.25 
 
 15 
 
 118 
 
 R. H. Chapman 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 4.50 
 
 15 
 
 119 
 
 Arthur P. Davis 
 
 do 
 
 85.15 
 
 15 
 
 120 
 
 VanArsdell & Co.. . 
 
 Forage . . 
 
 19.30 
 
 16 
 
 121 
 
 A. F. Dunnington 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 63.60 
 
 21 
 
 125 
 
 Sparks Bros 
 
 Forage ... 
 
 14 50 
 
 21 
 
 126 
 
 A. Holmes 
 
 Services, November 1 to 10 1888 
 
 15.00 
 
 22 
 
 129 
 
 Redick H. McKee 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 42.00 
 
 22 
 
 130 
 
 Arthur P. Davis 
 
 do 
 
 57.20 
 
 28 
 
 131 
 
 A.H.Thompson 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 191 50 
 
 28 
 
 134 
 
 Josiah Pierce, jr 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 73.06 
 
 28 
 
 135 
 
 G.E. Verrill... 
 
 do.. . 
 
 67.17 
 
 28 
 
 136 
 
 H. M. Wilson 
 
 do 
 
 51.89 
 
 28 
 
 138 
 
 Redick H. McKee 
 
 do 
 
 78.25 
 
 30 
 
 140 
 
 Arthur P Davis 
 
 Services, November 1888 
 
 163 00 
 
 30 
 
 142 
 
 Redick H McKee 
 
 Field expenses ..... 
 
 21.00 
 
 30 
 
 143 
 
 Pay-roll (McKee) 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 
 177. 40 
 
 30 
 
 144 
 
 Frank Senn 
 
 do 
 
 6.67 
 
 30 
 
 145 
 
 Harry H Hackett 
 
 do 
 
 50.00 
 
 30 
 
 146 
 
 J. H. Boring 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 45.16 
 
 30 
 
 150 
 
 Pay-roll (Wilson) 
 
 Services, November. 1888. 
 
 809.20 
 
 30 
 
 151 
 
 William L. Maxwell 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 6.00 
 
 30 
 
 152 
 
 Dan D Calkins 
 
 do 
 
 33.75 
 
 30 
 
 153 
 
 William L. Maxwell ... ... 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 20.32 
 
 30 
 
 155 
 
 Pay-roll (McKee) . 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 
 140.00 
 
 30 
 
 156 
 
 S. P. Johnson 
 
 Services, December. 1888 
 
 27.09 
 
 30 
 
 157 
 
 R H Chapman 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 
 97.80 
 
 30 
 
 158 
 
 Alice M. Prouty 
 
 Services, December, 1888 
 
 5.16 
 
 Dec 15 
 
 161 
 
 Pay-roll (Davis) 
 
 Services November 1888 
 
 220.00 
 
 15 
 
 162 
 
 Pay-roll (Douglas) 
 
 do 
 
 384.96 
 
 15 
 
 163 
 
 Frank Tweedy .... 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 115.20 
 
 15 
 
 164 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 72.12 
 
 15 
 
 165 
 
 do 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 5.00 
 
 15 
 
 168 
 
 C S. Swift 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 
 39.00 
 
 15 
 
 169 
 
 Charles W. Friend 
 
 do 
 
 19.00 
 
 15 
 
 171 
 
 R H Chapman 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 9.27 
 
 15 
 
 172 
 
 E M Douglas 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 44,54 
 
 15 
 15 
 
 176 
 177 
 
 Pay-roll (Davis) 
 Mark B Kerr 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 Field expenses 
 
 763. 10 
 19.94 
 
 Nov 30 
 
 179 
 
 ... do 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 
 146.80 
 
 Dec 15 
 
 180 
 
 Redick H McKee 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 110.72 
 
 15 
 
 181 
 
 Harry A Hackett 
 
 Services, December, 1888 
 
 4.84 
 
 15 
 
 183 
 
 
 Forage 
 
 12.00 
 
 15 
 
 187 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 39.67 
 
 15 
 
 188 
 
 G T Davis 
 
 Field subsistence 
 
 99.14 
 
 15 
 
 189 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 2 50 
 
 15 
 
 190 
 
 do 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 129.75 
 
 15 
 
 191 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 80.86 
 
 15 
 
 192 
 
 G E Verrill 
 
 do 
 
 36.00 
 
 15 
 
 193 
 
 
 .... do 
 
 51.53 
 
 15 
 
 194 
 
 
 ....do 
 
 95.15 
 
 15 
 
 195 
 
 
 do 
 
 40.31 
 
 17 
 
 199 
 
 
 Telegrams . . 
 
 14.85 
 
 17 
 
 201 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 9.22 
 
 17 
 
 205 
 
 Arthur P Davis 
 
 Services, October, 1888 
 
 9.27 
 
 17 
 
 206 
 
 Paul Holman 
 
 Services, November, 1888 . . . . 
 
 68.40 
 
 17 
 
 208 
 
 G E Verrill 
 
 Field expenses . 
 
 32.35 
 
 17 
 
 209 
 
 A. H Thompson 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 180.00 
 
 20 
 
 210 
 
 Henry Gannett 
 
 do 
 
 132.90 
 
 23 
 
 211 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 37.93 
 
 23 
 
 212 
 
 Arthur P Davis 
 
 do 
 
 76.02 
 
 23 
 
 .213 
 
 R. H. Chapman . 
 
 do 
 
 32.20 
 
 23 
 
 214 
 
 Thomas Clement 
 
 
 12.50 
 
 23 
 
 215 
 
 W. S Montgomery 
 
 Pasturage . 
 
 67.00 
 
 23 
 
 216 
 
 C. S. Swift 
 
 Services, December 1 to 10, 1888 
 
 16.00 
 
 23 
 
 217 
 
 Mark B Kerr 
 
 Services December, 1888 
 
 151.60 
 
 31 
 
 224 
 
 R. H. Chapman 
 
 do 
 
 101.10 
 
 31 
 
 225 
 
 
 
 122.00 
 
 31 
 
 233 
 
 Pay-roll (Kerr) 
 
 Services December, 1888 
 
 460.30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total . . . 
 
 
 10,021.40 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A15STRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Anton Karl, disbursing agent, U. S. Geological 
 Survey, during the second quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1888. 
 Oct. 17 
 16 
 17 
 16 
 16 
 16 
 16 
 19 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 21 
 21 
 24 
 24 
 24 
 27 
 Z* 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 Nov. 3 
 6 
 7 
 7 
 14 
 15 
 15 
 16 
 16 
 12 
 15 
 19 
 19 
 19 
 21 
 23 
 23 
 26 
 29 
 29 
 28 
 29 
 29 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 Dec. 1 
 4 
 3 
 3 
 7 
 18 
 8 
 7 
 9 
 10 
 13 
 14 
 18 
 16 
 17 
 17 
 17 
 20 
 24 
 31 
 31 
 19 
 29 
 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 30 
 31 
 32 
 88 
 34 
 35 
 36 
 37 
 38 
 39 
 40 
 41 
 42 
 43 
 44 
 45 
 46 
 47 
 48 
 49 
 50 
 51 
 52 
 53 
 54 
 55 
 56 
 57 
 58 
 59 
 60 
 61 
 62 
 63 
 64 
 65 
 66 
 67 
 68 
 69 
 70 
 71 
 72 
 73 
 75 
 76 
 77 
 78 
 
 J C McGuire 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 $19.50 
 19.00 
 19.25 
 6.00 
 125.75 
 405.00 
 254.50 
 
 
 do 
 
 Louis William Mohun 
 
 ....do 
 
 W H Hyatt 
 
 Horse-shoeing . 
 
 do 
 
 Field material 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do . 
 
 F Morgan 
 
 Services, October 17 and 18, 1888 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 5.00 
 24.25 
 19.25 
 18.50 
 45.35 
 18.00 
 18.00 
 1.75 
 680.10 
 63.00 
 25.00 
 6.60 
 189. 14 
 188.87 
 10.50 
 9.00 
 18.85 
 487.68 
 101.59, 
 21.10 
 242.75 
 34.00 
 390. 93 
 28.50 
 24.25 
 382.00 
 5.00 
 10.60 
 162. 98 
 30.50 
 22.00 
 8.50 
 28.12 
 23.25 
 6.00 
 22.00 
 1.75 
 6.25 
 6.17 
 8.25 
 1.70 
 2.25 
 2.50 
 41.16 
 150.00 
 99.26 
 117. 15 
 723.09 
 40.80 
 14.70 
 9.00 
 25.00 
 5.40 
 221.01 
 1.50 
 1.90 
 1.25 
 21.00 
 1.00 
 44.25 
 19.85 
 5.00 
 5,45 
 14. 10 
 12.00 
 5.96 
 
 
 William S Post 
 
 . ...do . 
 
 W B Corse 
 
 do 
 
 Alexander C Barclay. 
 
 do 
 
 
 do. 
 
 
 do 
 
 W C Wertman 
 
 Services, October 22, 1888 
 
 
 Camp equipment 
 
 W C Furst 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 W. H. Hyatt 
 \ E Finn 
 
 Transportation 
 Subsistence . 
 
 
 Camp equipment 
 
 do 
 
 Subsistence and camp equipment. . . 
 ... do 
 
 
 
 Transportation 
 
 Robert \ Farmer 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 October, 1888 
 
 do 
 
 ... do . 
 
 J W Hays 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 W H Hyatt 
 
 Field material 
 
 A E Finn 
 
 
 
 
 D C CrawfoVd 
 
 
 John T. Williams 
 Willard D Johnson 
 
 Transportation 
 . . . .do . 
 
 A E Finn 
 
 Field material 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 Willard D Johnson 
 
 Camp equipment 
 
 Annie Campbell 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 John Taylor 
 Anton Karl 
 
 Transportation 
 Traveling expenses . . 
 
 Mrs. James Kennedy 
 
 Subsistence . 
 
 J.B.McNeal 
 
 Transportation 
 Subsistence and transportation 
 Subsistence 
 
 Clay Bell 
 
 S. A. Snyder 
 
 Transportation and field material. . . 
 
 
 . .do . . . .. 
 
 Telegrams 
 
 S A. Snyder 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 F Bradley 
 
 
 H S Stansbury 
 
 Services November 26 1888 
 
 John Fisher .... 
 
 . .do 
 
 Edward Elgenfritz 
 
 
 'Pay-roll 
 
 November 1888 
 
 Willard D. Johnson . . . 
 do 
 
 Field material 
 Subsistence 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 November 1888 
 
 Charles P. Abdell 
 
 
 Noah Cann 
 S. Montrose 
 
 Subsistence 
 . ...do 
 
 John Boyd 
 
 do 
 
 J. W. Dobbins 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 Willard D. Johnson 
 
 Subsistence and field material 
 do 
 
 E. Forster 
 
 Noah*Cann 
 
 Transportation 
 
 John Boyd 
 W. H. Lithgran . . ... 
 
 Subsistence 
 do 
 
 H. F. Comstock 
 
 Expressage 
 
 J. S. Parker 
 A. E. Finn 
 Edward Rollandet .... 
 
 Lodging and transportation 
 
 Subsistence 
 Field material 
 
 Anton Karl 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 do .. 
 
 ... do 
 
 Clay Bell 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 December, 1S88 
 
 833.20 
 20.75 
 68.50 
 52.31 
 
 Anton Karl 
 W H Hyatt 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 Transportation 
 
 J C McGuire 
 
 do 
 
 Total 
 
 
 6,805.37 
 
 
 
112 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by P. H. Christie, special disbursing agent, U. S. 
 Geological Survey, during the second quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ' ment. 
 
 sl 
 
 1 
 
 fcg 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1888. 
 Nov. 30 
 30 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 Pay-roll 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 Services, November, 1888 
 Services November 16 to 30 1888 
 
 $467. 50 
 73 37 
 
 Dec. 10 
 
 3 
 
 Geo. T . Quinby 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 28 05 
 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 Fred'k H. Newell 
 
 do 
 
 92 10 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 J. B. Williams 
 
 do 
 
 111 65 
 
 11 
 
 6 
 
 Palace Hotel 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 90 00 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 Gerard D. Koch 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 112 94 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 H. B. Cartwright 
 
 do 
 
 95 08 
 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 do 
 
 144 43 
 
 13 
 
 10 
 
 R. S. Tarr. .\ 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 42 83 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 do . 
 
 157 15 
 
 14 
 
 12 
 
 Geo. T. Quinby 
 
 
 101 33 
 
 19 
 
 13 
 
 R. S. Tarr 
 
 . . do 
 
 13 95 
 
 19 
 
 14 
 
 Album Lopez 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 34 37 
 
 19 
 
 15 
 
 F. H. Newell 
 
 
 35 60 
 
 20 
 
 16 
 
 C. E. Dutton 
 
 
 72 85 
 
 20 
 
 17 
 
 Philo, Ttnmsfty 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 53 38 
 
 20 
 
 18 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 49 06 
 
 22 
 
 19 
 
 Gurasfeld, Lindheim & Co 
 
 do 
 
 21 47 
 
 22 
 
 20 
 
 Gerard D.Koch 
 
 do 
 
 30 32 
 
 22 
 
 21 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 do 
 
 52 75 
 
 22 
 
 22 
 
 H. B. Cartwright 
 
 do ... 
 
 168 72 
 
 26 
 
 23 
 
 Palace Hotel 
 
 
 37 00 
 
 31 
 
 24 
 
 Pay-roll, December, 1888 
 
 
 825 62 
 
 31 
 
 25 
 
 George E . Curtis 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 18 78 
 
 31 
 
 26 
 
 Alf red C. Lane 
 
 do 
 
 90 60 
 
 31 
 
 27 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 
 94 52 
 
 31 
 31 
 
 28 
 29 
 
 Pay roll of employes . . . 
 F.H. Newell 
 
 Services, December, 1888 
 Field expenses 
 
 97.57 
 46 93 
 
 31 
 
 30 
 
 George E. Curtis 
 
 Services, December 20 to 31 1888 
 
 45 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 3 295 06 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Jno. D. McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. S. 
 Geological Survey, during the third quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 '1889. 
 Jan 10 
 
 5 
 
 J W Powell 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 $58 55 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 46. 55 
 
 18 
 
 16 
 
 J Karr 
 
 Irrigation instruments 
 
 30.00 
 
 21 
 
 36 
 
 Robt. Boyd 
 
 Office supplies . 
 
 1.60 
 
 21 
 
 38 
 
 
 Freight charges. . . ... 
 
 113 00 
 
 21 
 
 40 
 
 W & L E Gurley 
 
 Instruments 
 
 319.05 
 
 22 
 
 41 
 
 Pennsylvania R R . . 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 93.30 
 
 22 
 
 45 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio R. R 
 
 do 
 
 760.50 
 
 25 
 
 72 
 
 M W Beveridge 
 
 Material 
 
 1.35 
 
 25 
 
 73 
 
 Adams Express Co 
 
 Freight charges 
 
 30.05 
 
 25 
 31 
 
 74 
 82 
 
 Geo. W. Davis 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 Services January, 1889 .... 
 
 32.60 
 165. 00 
 
 31 
 
 85 
 
 Charles D Poston 
 
 Services, Dec. 29, 1888, to Jan. 31, 1889. 
 
 50.00 
 
 Feb. 2 
 
 101 
 
 C E Dutton 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 82. 15 
 
 4 
 4 
 11 
 
 113 
 118 
 144 
 
 Chicago, Santa F6 and California Rwy 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 Quartermaster's Dep't U S Army 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 Telegrams 
 Fisld material 
 
 10.25 
 6.70 
 834.72 
 
 18 
 
 165 
 
 E. S Ritchie & Sons 
 
 Instruments 
 
 150. 00 
 
 18 
 
 168 
 
 Herman Baumgarten 
 
 Supplies 
 
 3.00 
 
 28 
 
 193 
 
 William Ham Hall 
 
 Services, Jan. 7 to Feb. 16, 1889 
 
 425. 00 
 
 28 
 
 195 
 
 Atchison Topeka and Santa F6 R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 159. 15 
 
 Mar 1 
 
 204 
 
 
 
 25.90 
 
 Feb. 28 
 Mar. 6 
 
 217 
 236 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 Denver and Rio Grande R R 
 
 Services, February. 1 889 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 165.00 
 18.00 
 
 7 
 
 240 
 
 United Lines Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams 
 
 .68 
 
 7 
 
 248 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 do 
 
 7.34 
 
 13 
 
 257 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio R R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 68.00 
 
 13 
 
 263 
 
 Henry J. Green 
 
 Instruments 
 
 960.40 
 
 13 
 
 265 
 
 William Ballantyne & Son 
 
 
 6.40 
 
 13 
 
 267 
 
 Missouri Pacific Rwy 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 55.50 
 
 13 
 
 269 
 
 Adams Express Co ... 
 
 Freieht . . 
 
 47.35 
 
ABSTRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 113 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Jno. D. McChesney. etc. Continued. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 Mar 22 
 
 270 
 
 Wash B Williams 
 
 Miscellaneous supplies 
 
 $12.00 
 
 23 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 109.95 
 
 23 
 
 281 
 
 Geo W Knox 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 303 
 
 
 Services March 25 to 31 , 1889 
 
 .33. 87 
 
 30 
 
 313 
 
 Pay-roll of employed 
 
 Services, March, 1889 
 
 220.32 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 5,109.41 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by P. H. Christie, special disbursing agent, U. S. 
 Geological Survey, during the third quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 *J 
 
 3 
 fcg 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 Jan. 7 
 7 
 14 
 14 
 14 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 21 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 28 
 31 
 31 
 Feb. 1 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 7 
 7 
 8 
 8 
 9 
 12 
 13 
 13 
 13 
 18 
 18 
 21 
 21 
 22 
 25 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 28 
 Mar. 13 
 13 
 13 
 21 
 31 
 31 
 31 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 30 
 31 
 32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 36 
 37 
 38 
 39 
 40 
 41 
 42 
 43 
 44 
 45 
 46 
 47 
 48 
 49 
 50 
 51 
 52 
 53 
 54 
 55 
 
 Frank Harrison . 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 $51.75 
 148.00 
 100.30 
 15.90 
 63.47 
 16.45 
 12.45 
 35.10 
 34.30 
 28.70 
 50.30 
 79.00 
 40.71 
 66.13 
 372.00 
 275.00 
 56.50 
 1,380.84 
 15.00 
 26.75 
 27.48 
 6.37 
 55.00 
 46.00 
 33.00 
 9.00 
 51.30 
 8.37 
 53.63 
 99.10 
 14.40 
 22.45 
 86.84 
 150.81 
 50.00 
 90.00 
 60.00 
 20.20 
 52.82 
 140.00 
 125.00 
 956.66 
 125.00 
 109.55 
 18.50 
 11.30 
 83.07 
 130.16 
 3.00 
 75.56 
 2.25 
 177.59 
 1,308. 11 
 30.00 
 12 90 
 
 Nettlelon & Campbell 
 
 
 C. E. Dutton . 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 W. A. Farish 
 
 do 
 
 Robert Robinson 
 
 do 
 
 Frank P. Fisher . 
 
 ... do 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 do .... 
 
 do. ... 
 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 Miscellaneous field supplies 
 
 G. W. Bond & Bro 
 
 Forage 
 
 Wm. Malboeuf 
 
 Field material 
 
 A. C Schmidt 
 
 ..do .. .. 
 
 R. C. Stewart 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 Jas. W. Queen & Co 
 
 Instruments, etc. 
 
 W. & L. E. Gurley 
 
 do 
 
 Hugh Loudon 
 
 Mules 
 
 Plaza Hotel 
 
 Subsistence . ... 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 Services January 1889 
 
 C. W. Taylor 
 
 Office supplies 
 
 L. C. Rice 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 The Denver Fire Clay Co 
 
 do 
 
 Mequillett & Macrum 
 
 do 
 
 Hermann H. Heiser 
 
 Field material 
 
 W. E. Scott & Co 
 
 do 
 
 R. W. Stuart & Co 
 
 do 
 
 Hermann H. Heiser 
 
 do 
 
 The Scbiff-Carlston Grocery Co 
 Mequillett & Macrum 
 
 Subsistence supplies 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 Chas. H. Smith 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 Geo. T. Quinby 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 J. B. Williams 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 do 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 
 F. H. Newell 
 
 do 
 
 W. & L. E. Gurley 
 
 Instruments 
 
 Wall & Pursel 
 Hermann H. Heiser 
 
 Field material 
 do 
 
 Geo. T. Quinby 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 Geo T Quinby 
 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 Services February 1889 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 H. B. Cartwright & Co 
 
 Subsistence supplies 
 
 Palace Hotel 
 R. S. Tarr 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 
 R. S. Tarr 
 
 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 
 Gore, Janney & Co 
 
 
 F. H. Newell 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 Services, March, 1889 
 
 Draper Manufacturing Co 
 
 
 Harold M. Dyar 
 
 Services March 1889 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 7,114.07 
 
 
 
 10 GEOL., PT. 2 8 
 
IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Mark B. Kerr, disbursing agent, U. S. Geolog- 
 ical Survey, during the third quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 Jan. 3 
 
 1 
 
 R H Chapman 
 
 
 $43 94 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 L. G. Stepnenson 
 
 . . do 
 
 54 00 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 Robt. Muldrow 
 
 do. .. . 
 
 152 25 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 E. M. Douglas 
 
 do. ... 
 
 87 40 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 Redick H. McKee . 
 
 do 
 
 131 25 
 
 7 
 
 12 
 
 Josiah Pierce, jr 
 
 do 
 
 107 75 
 
 15 
 
 13 
 
 do 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 19 87 
 
 15 
 
 14 
 
 H. M. Wilson 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 107 75 
 
 15 
 15 
 
 15 
 16 
 
 G.E.Verrffl 
 H. D. Bushnell 
 
 Field expenses 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 37.61 
 21 75 
 
 15 
 
 18 
 
 Mark B. Kerr 
 
 .... do .... 
 
 69 20 
 
 28 
 
 19 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 
 823 20 
 
 82 
 
 21 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams 
 
 6 28 
 
 28 
 
 23 
 
 H. M. Wilson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 298 00 
 
 28 
 
 24 
 
 Philip Sawyer 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 18 50 
 
 28 
 
 25 
 
 do . . .... 
 
 
 6 85 
 
 28 
 
 27 
 
 G.E.Verrill. 
 
 
 98 50 
 
 28 
 
 29 
 
 Arthur P. Davis . . 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 82 76 
 
 28 
 
 30 
 
 do 
 
 do . . . 
 
 19. a") 
 
 28 
 
 31 
 
 do.. .. .... 
 
 
 18 50 
 
 28 
 
 32 
 
 R. Henry Phillips 
 
 Services December 1888 
 
 84 20 
 
 28 
 
 33 
 
 Pay-roll 
 
 ... do 
 
 839.95 
 
 29 
 
 38 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 Field material 
 
 53.70 
 
 29 
 
 39 
 
 Isador Ferron 
 
 Forage 
 
 20.00 
 
 29 
 
 40 
 
 D. T,, Snmimiss 
 
 do 
 
 23 66 
 
 29 
 
 43 
 
 Amos Snott . . . . . . . , , 
 
 Services December 1888 
 
 60 00 
 
 29 
 
 44 
 
 Reaser Bros 
 
 Forage 
 
 18.50 
 
 29 
 
 45 
 
 Geo. Chase 
 
 Repairs etc . . 
 
 M. 75 
 
 29 
 
 46 
 
 Kauzenbach & Habuland 
 
 Subsistence, etc . 
 
 23.58 
 
 29 
 
 47 
 
 Arthur Bishoff 
 
 Field subsistence 
 
 9.70 
 
 31 
 
 54 
 
 Pay-roll (office) 
 
 Services January 1889 
 
 1,311.40 
 
 31 
 
 55 
 
 do 
 
 do. . .'.' 
 
 258.30 
 
 31 
 
 56 
 
 Pay-roll (Davis) 
 
 do 
 
 394. 16 
 
 31 
 
 57 
 
 Pay-roll (Johnson) 
 
 do 
 
 950.00 
 
 Feb. 15 
 
 63 
 
 A. H. Thompson . . . . ... 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 195. 95 
 
 26 
 
 70 
 
 R. H. Chapman 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 3.00 
 
 26 
 
 71 
 
 Henry Vilas 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 11.70 
 
 26 
 
 72 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 66.70 
 
 27 
 
 73 
 
 Willard D Johnson . . . 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 275.15 
 
 27 
 
 76 
 
 Reaser Bros 
 
 Subsistence etc 
 
 107.08 
 
 27 
 
 77 
 
 F. G. Pratt & Co 
 
 ,lo 
 
 18.62 
 
 27 
 
 78 
 
 Stuart & McNair 
 
 ....do... 
 
 33.22 
 
 27 
 
 79 
 
 McClutcheon, Payne & Co 
 
 Forage 
 
 38.03 
 
 27 
 
 80 
 
 Adolph Lea 
 
 do 
 
 9.00 
 
 27 
 
 81 
 
 Isaac N. Hoger 
 
 Pasturage, January 1889 
 
 26.88 
 
 27 
 
 82 
 
 do 
 
 Pasturage, February, 188'J 
 
 52.50 
 
 28 
 
 86 
 
 Pay-roll (Phillips) 
 
 Services February 1889 
 
 277.80 
 
 28 
 
 87 
 
 Pay-roll < office) 
 
 . ..do 
 
 1,386.60 
 
 28 
 
 89 
 
 do 
 
 ... do . . . 
 
 233.40 
 
 Mar. 5 
 
 91 
 
 Amos Scott 
 
 
 60.00 
 
 5 
 
 92 
 
 ... do . . 
 
 Services February 188!) 
 
 60.00 
 
 5 
 
 93 
 
 A. J. Newman 
 
 Pasturage 
 
 14.20 
 
 5 
 
 94 
 
 Willard D. Johnson 
 
 Traveling expenses. 
 
 16.70 
 
 5 
 
 95 
 
 Pay-roll (Johnson . . . 
 
 Services February 1889 
 
 875.40 
 
 5 
 
 1)6 
 
 R. Henry Phillips . . 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 19.80 
 
 9 
 
 102 
 
 W. & L. E. Gurley 
 
 Instruments 
 
 26.95 
 
 9 
 
 103 
 
 R. Henry Phillips 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 26.17 
 
 9 
 
 104 
 
 John W. Hayes . 
 
 do 
 
 468.62 
 
 9 
 
 105 
 
 do 
 
 
 5 85 
 
 19 
 
 106 
 
 Willard D. Johnson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 30.08 
 
 19 
 
 107 
 
 Isaiah Prendell 
 
 Forage 
 
 67. 50 
 
 19 
 
 108 
 
 J. & J Raycraf t 
 
 
 50.00 
 
 19 
 
 110 
 
 John W. Hayes 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 24.25 
 
 23 
 
 112 
 
 Marchey Kelley . . 
 
 Services January 23-30 1889 
 
 20.00 
 
 23 
 
 113 
 
 McClutcheon Payne & Co 
 
 Forage 
 
 32. 14 
 
 23 
 
 114 
 
 do 
 
 . . . . do 
 
 7.49 
 
 23 
 
 115 
 
 Stuart & McNair 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 24.62 
 
 23 
 
 116 
 
 C. V Mead 
 
 do ... 
 
 18.45 
 
 23 
 
 117 
 
 Eugene Moreno 
 
 Forage 
 
 13.50 
 
 23 
 
 118 
 
 R Henry Phillips 
 
 
 37.53 
 
 31 
 
 122 
 
 Pay-roll (office) 
 
 
 1,767.50 
 
 31 
 
 124 
 
 do 
 
 .do 
 
 58. 07 
 
 31 
 
 125 
 
 Pay-roll (Phillips) 
 
 do 
 
 286.10 
 
 31 
 
 126 
 
 Amos Scott 
 
 do . . 
 
 60.00 
 
 31 
 
 128 
 
 H. C'. Daugberg .... 
 
 Pasturage 
 
 198. 00 
 
 31 
 
 129 
 
 Jacob Klein 
 
 
 15.00 
 
 31 
 
 130 
 
 Thomas Clements 
 
 
 15.00 
 
 31 
 
 131 
 
 
 
 102 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tutal . . 
 
 
 13,409.06 
 
ABSTRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 115 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Anton Karl, special disbursing agent, U. S. 
 Geological Survey, during the third quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 Jan 18 
 
 1 
 
 Arthur P Davis .... 
 
 Transportation and subsistence .... 
 
 SR-) 89 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 John Parker 
 
 do 
 
 4.00 
 
 X!3 
 
 3 
 
 Willard D Johnson 
 
 .. .do ... 
 
 291 06 
 
 xT> 
 
 4 
 
 J W Hays 
 
 Field supplies .... 
 
 297.05 
 
 25 
 
 5 
 
 do 
 
 Subsistence . .... 
 
 113 57 
 
 Mar 30 
 
 7 
 
 
 Field material 
 
 5 76 
 
 Feb 2 
 
 g 
 
 Win Noedel . . 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 132. 53 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 A E Laudenslager 
 
 do 
 
 59.67 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 VanArsdell & Co 
 
 Field material 
 
 47.19 
 
 2 
 
 U 
 
 Geo W Bond & Bro 
 
 
 19 16 
 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 j \v Miller 
 
 Field material .... 
 
 51 02 
 
 2 
 
 13 
 
 Mauley L Hart . . . 
 
 Services December 1-24, 1888 
 
 38.71 
 
 2 
 
 14 
 
 F Geo Pratt & Co 
 
 
 28 18 
 
 2 
 
 15 
 
 L B Putney 
 
 Field material 
 
 21.49 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 J J Shumway 
 
 Services January 21 to 31 , 1889 
 
 17.74 
 
 2 
 
 17 
 
 G W Bond & Bro 
 
 
 14 53 
 
 Mar 30 
 
 18 
 
 
 Field expenses . . 
 
 270 00 
 
 30 
 
 19 
 
 Samuel A Foot 
 
 Services 
 
 4.73 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 W N Eminert 
 
 Subsistence 
 
 20.65 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total . . . . 
 
 
 1,522.93 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by John D. McOhesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. 
 S. Geological Survey, during the fourth quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date of 
 pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 April 11 
 11 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 29 
 29 
 29 
 30 
 May 4 
 4 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 21 
 21 
 23 
 29 
 31 
 31 
 June 4 
 4 
 5 
 5 
 
 12 
 17 
 21 
 22 
 27 
 27 
 29 
 29 
 29 
 
 9 
 11 
 24 
 26 
 28 
 46 
 52 
 61 
 78 
 95 
 105 
 143 
 144 
 147 
 149 
 155 
 161 
 162 
 181 
 190 
 217 
 226 
 239 
 242 
 246 
 248 
 
 292 
 316 
 327 
 328 
 341 
 342 
 364 
 374 
 384 
 
 J. Schultzbach 
 
 Supplies 
 
 $474.00 
 3.87 
 163.90 
 35.60 
 27.75 
 57.30 
 30.00 
 24.65 
 320.00 
 30.00 
 6.43 
 166.00 
 3.00 
 136.85 
 24.96 
 79.00 
 17.80 
 92.70 
 380.00 
 140.11 
 5.85 
 372. 50 
 22.65 
 9.96 
 101). 00 
 269.32 
 
 18.15 
 14.50 
 45.10 
 36.00 
 15.00 
 8.25 
 100.00 
 69.20 
 572.50 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams February 1889 
 
 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe R. R. 
 Denver and Rio Grande R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 do 
 
 Chicago and Alton R R 
 
 do 
 
 Geo Ryneal, jr 
 
 Supplies ... 
 
 Crane & Co 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 
 Adams Express Co 
 
 Freight charges 
 
 Pay-roll of employSs 
 
 Services. April, 1889 . . 
 
 J. S. Topham 
 
 Field Material 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams 
 
 Geo Ryneal jr 
 
 Topographic supplies 
 
 E W Woodruff 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 
 
 
 Alvah Bushnell 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 
 Fred A Schmidt 
 
 Supplies 
 
 Denver and Rio Grande R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 United States Express Co 
 
 
 Lyman Bridges 
 
 Services, April 2 to May 14, 1889. . . . 
 Services, May 15 to May 31, 1889. . . . 
 
 dp 
 
 Montana Central Rwy. 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 
 Services, May, 1889 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 Columbia Phonograph Co 
 
 Telegrams, April, 1889 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 
 Josiah Pierce, jr 
 
 Salary, May, 1889 
 
 Quartermaster's Department, U. S. 
 Army. 
 Burlington and Missouri River R. R. . 
 Castle & Henshaw 
 
 
 Freight charges 
 
 Irrigation material . . 
 
 Pennsylvania R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 S. J. Haislett 
 Z. D Gilman 
 
 Field material 
 Supplies 
 
 
 
 Josiah Pierce, jr 
 Paul Holman 
 
 Services, June, 1889 
 do 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 
 do 
 
 Total 
 
 
 3,872.90 
 
 
 
116 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by P. H. Christie, disbursing agent, U, S. Geolog- 
 ical Survey, during the fourth quarter of 1889. 
 
 Date of 
 pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 April 18 
 
 1 
 
 L. I). Hopson 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 %->9 HO 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 J B Williams 
 
 do 
 
 36 80 
 
 19 
 
 3 
 
 William P. Trowbridge, jr 
 
 do 
 
 47 22 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 do " .'.". 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 11. 35 
 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 W. & L E. Gurley 
 
 Instruments 
 
 197 20 
 
 19 
 
 6 
 
 F. H. Newell 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 106 16 
 
 30 
 
 
 W. & L. E. Gurley 
 
 Instruments . . . .... 
 
 195. 00 
 
 29 
 
 8 
 
 R. W. Stewart & Co 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 88.67 
 
 29 
 
 9 
 
 Lallie & Bailey 
 
 Instruments 
 
 100 00 
 
 29 
 
 10 
 
 E. S. Ritchie & Sons 
 
 do 
 
 250 00 
 
 30 
 
 11 
 
 Pay-roll, April, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 125 00 
 
 May 3 
 
 12 
 
 Robert Robertson 
 
 Traveling expeLses 
 
 63 40 
 
 3 
 
 13 
 
 do 
 
 
 127 92 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 J. B. Williams 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 93 00 
 
 April 30 
 
 15 
 
 Pay-roll, April, 1889 
 
 Services . . . 
 
 731 32 
 
 May 6 
 April 30 
 SO 
 
 16 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 Harold M. Dyar 
 R. S. Tarr, April, 1889 
 P. H. Christie 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 Services 
 ... do 
 
 67.70 
 75.00 
 148 30 
 
 May 7 
 
 19 
 
 The Schiff-Carleton Grocery Co 
 
 Subsistence supplies 
 
 35.20 
 
 8 
 
 20 
 
 G.W. Bond & Bro ' 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 42.32 
 
 8 
 
 21 
 
 George E. Curtis 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 286 62 
 
 10 
 
 22 
 
 Cartwright & Griswold 
 
 Field supplies ... 
 
 8.50 
 
 8 
 
 23 
 
 Denver and Rio Grande R. R. Co 
 
 Transportation 
 
 121.54 
 
 10 
 
 24 
 
 W. A. McKenzie 
 
 Field supplies. . 
 
 40.91 
 
 10 
 
 25 
 
 F. C. Ductscher 
 
 do 
 
 8 50 
 
 10 
 
 26 
 
 George T. Quinby 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 14.22 
 
 10 
 
 27 
 
 do 
 
 
 73 66 
 
 April 30 
 
 28 
 
 Frank Harrison, April, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 75.00 
 
 30 
 
 29 
 
 Frederick H. Newell, April, 1889 . . 
 
 do 
 
 125 00 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 T. M. Bannon, April, 1889 
 
 do 
 
 50.00 
 
 May 13 
 
 31 
 
 Palace Hotel 
 
 
 15 63 
 
 14 
 
 32 
 
 J. W. Mitchell 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 13 75 
 
 15 
 
 33 
 
 Lallie & Bailey 
 
 Instruments 
 
 300.00 
 
 20 
 
 34 
 
 R. S. Tarr 
 
 Subsistence . . 
 
 35.00 
 
 24 
 24 
 
 35 
 36 
 
 F. H. Newell 
 do 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 Field expenses 
 
 34.50 
 164.60 
 
 24 
 
 37 
 
 F. M. Bannon 
 
 Traveling expenses .... 
 
 55. 75 
 
 June 30 
 
 110 
 
 Lyman Bridges 
 
 . . . do 
 
 125.75 
 
 30 
 
 111 
 
 Frank Harrison 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 219 37 
 
 30 
 
 112 
 
 B. J. Briggs 
 
 Field material . .... 
 
 125.00 
 
 30 
 
 113 
 
 J. B. Williams, June, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 100.00 
 
 30 
 
 114 
 
 R S Tan- 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 8 62 
 
 30 
 
 115 
 
 Pay-roll, June, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 466. 66 
 
 30 
 
 116 
 
 Douglas Taylor 
 
 ... do 
 
 34. 50 
 
 30 
 
 11? 
 
 William M Welch 
 
 do 
 
 34 50 
 
 30 
 
 118 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 do 
 
 197.80 
 
 30 
 
 11') 
 
 P H Christie 
 
 
 19 55 
 
 30 
 
 120 
 
 William P Trowbridge, jr 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 37.00 
 
 30 
 
 121 
 
 Pay-roll [Foote], June, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 281.75 
 
 30 
 
 122 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 161.99 
 
 30 
 
 123 
 
 William Gilbert 
 
 do 
 
 50 00 
 
 30 
 
 124 
 
 Harold M Dyar 
 
 do 
 
 50.00 
 
 30 
 
 125 
 
 Lallie & Bailey 
 
 Instruments .... 
 
 212.00 
 
 30 
 
 126 
 
 P H Christie 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 93 69 
 
 30 
 
 127 
 
 William Ham Hall. May, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 186.81 
 
 30 
 
 128 
 
 William Ham Hall, June, 1889 
 
 ....do . 
 
 329.70 
 
 30 
 
 129 
 
 
 
 30 95 
 
 30 
 
 130 
 
 Curt W Miller, June, 1889 ... 
 
 Services . . 
 
 20.00 
 
 30 
 
 131 
 
 H M Wilson . T. . . 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 46.62 
 
 30 
 
 132 
 
 do 
 
 .... do 
 
 8.60 
 
 30 
 
 133 
 
 do 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 43 <50 
 
 30 
 
 134 
 
 do 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 100.15 
 
 30 
 
 135 
 
 L D Hopson 
 
 do . . 
 
 33.84 
 
 30 
 
 136 
 
 George T. Quinby 
 
 do 
 
 237. 05 
 
 30 
 
 137 
 
 J. B.Williams 
 
 do 
 
 48.49 
 
 30 
 
 138 
 
 Rich Shumway, June, 1889 . ... 
 
 Services 
 
 50.00 
 
 30 
 
 139 
 
 Goldman & Co 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 27.97 
 
 30 
 
 140 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 4.00 
 
 30 
 
 141 
 
 R S TaiT 
 
 ... do 
 
 5.25 
 
 30 
 
 142 
 
 A J.Wiley 
 
 ....do . 
 
 39. 33 
 
 30 
 
 143 
 
 George T. Quinby 
 
 do 
 
 8.60 
 
 30 
 
 144 
 
 W A Farish . . 
 
 do 
 
 119.71 
 
 30 
 
 145 
 
 F H Newell 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 58. 115 
 
 30 
 
 146 
 
 do 
 
 
 44.12 
 
 30 
 
 147 
 
 Robert Robertson 
 
 Services, June, 1889 " 
 
 75. 00 
 
 30 
 
 148 
 
 R P Irwin 
 
 . ..do . 
 
 50.00 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 149 
 150 
 
 W. A. McKenzie . .- 
 L II Shortt 
 
 Field supplies 
 Field expenses 
 
 7.00 
 4.75 
 
 30 
 
 151 
 
 
 do 
 
 75. 97 
 
 30 
 
 152 
 
 E. S. Nettleton. Mav. IKS'.) . . . 
 
 Services. . . 
 
 186.81 
 
ABSTRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 117 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by P. H. Christie, etc. Continued. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 June 30 
 
 153 
 
 J.J.Rogers 
 
 Field material . . 
 
 $22 75 
 
 30 
 
 154 
 
 E. S. Nettleton, June, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 329.70 
 
 30 
 
 155 
 
 Joseph Werlin 
 
 Forage . . . 
 
 12 00 
 
 30 
 
 156 
 
 S.H.Bodflsh 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 45.98 
 
 30 
 
 157 
 
 Wall & Pursel 
 
 Field material 
 
 230 00 
 
 30 
 
 158 
 
 Edward F Vincent, June, 1889 
 
 Services 
 
 10 00 
 
 30 
 
 159 
 
 E. S. Nettleton ' '. 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 21 15 
 
 30 
 
 160 
 
 W W Sargeant June 1889 . ... 
 
 Services 
 
 16 00 
 
 30 
 
 161 
 
 W. L. Wilson 
 
 do 
 
 20 00 
 
 30 
 
 162 
 
 J A Green 
 
 do 
 
 5 00 
 
 30 
 
 163 
 
 J W Nelson 
 
 ..do 
 
 4 50 
 
 30 
 
 164 
 
 L. H. Friend 
 
 do 
 
 5 00 
 
 30 
 
 165 
 
 A. W. Ralston 
 
 do 
 
 2.33 
 
 30 
 
 166 
 
 S H Bodflsh . . . 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 83 25 
 
 30 
 
 167 
 
 E S. Nettleton 
 
 Field expenses ... ... 
 
 63 20 
 
 30 
 
 168 
 
 W W Montague & Co 
 
 Field material 
 
 72 14 
 
 30 
 
 169 
 
 R W Neil 
 
 do 
 
 82 25 
 
 30 
 
 170 
 
 James Smiford 
 
 Field supplies .... 
 
 17 45 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total . . 
 
 
 18.004.92 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Mark B. Kerr, disbursing agent, U. S. Geolog- 
 ical Survey, during the fourth quarter of 1890. 
 
 Date of 
 pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 Apr. [10 
 15 
 15 
 15 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 24 
 24 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 May 1 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 13 
 16 
 22 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 29 
 31 
 31 
 31 
 31 
 31 
 31 
 June 29 
 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 23 
 31 
 32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 40 
 41 
 43 
 44 
 45 
 46 
 57 
 58 
 59 
 61 
 64 
 66 
 67 
 68 
 69 
 70 
 71 
 72 
 73 
 74 
 75 
 78 
 79 
 87 
 89 
 90 
 91 
 94 
 
 John W Hayes 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 1463.44 
 3.80 
 4.15 
 93.95 
 917. 60 
 755.00 
 180.00 
 250.00 
 125.00 
 7.58 
 22.22 
 30.58 
 52.50 
 23.20 
 413. 99 
 200.33 
 20.35 
 300.00 
 90.00 
 1,868.35 
 60.00 
 19.15 
 282.40 
 19.00 
 537.60 
 33.55 
 14.00 
 69.10 
 455.40 
 135. 85 
 24.05 
 33.90 
 18.25 
 39.70 
 41.98 
 54.75 
 94.60 
 102.25 
 164.08 
 7.25 
 25.00 
 1,024.60 
 170.40 
 102.20 
 255 50 
 
 J W Dobbins 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 S S. Mitchell 
 
 do 
 
 Willard D. Johnson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 
 Services March 1889 
 
 M Studjuski 
 
 Field material 
 
 W. H. Hyde 
 
 do 
 
 William H. Anderson 
 
 do 
 
 F. E. M. Jayne 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 do do ... 
 
 Martin Tolman . . 
 
 Forage 
 
 Isaac N. Hogan 
 E M Douglas 
 
 Pasturage 
 
 Willard D. Johnson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 R. Henry Phillips 
 
 do 
 
 J B Hamilton . . 
 
 Two horses 
 
 W H Hyde 
 
 One wagon 
 
 
 Services April 18811 
 
 Amos Scott 
 
 do ... 
 
 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 
 Services, April, 1889 
 
 C H Fitch 
 
 
 Pay-roll of employes 
 
 Services April 1889 
 
 McCutcheon, Payne & Co 
 
 Forage ... ... 
 
 Stuart & McNair . . . 
 
 
 R. H. Chapman . . . 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 
 
 E. M Douglas 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 Daniel M Adams ... 
 
 do 
 
 C H Fitch 
 
 do 
 
 Robert J Breckenridge 
 
 ..do 
 
 P. V. S Bartlett 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 R H Phillips 
 
 do 
 
 H. M Wilson 
 
 do . .. . 
 
 R. C. McKinney 
 
 Traveling expenses ... .... 
 
 G. E. Verrill 
 
 do. ". . . .*. 
 
 Mark B. Kerr 
 
 do 
 
 .... do 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 
 Services May 1889 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 do 
 
 R H Chapman 
 
 ...do... 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 .. .. do ... 
 
 153.40 
 233.85 
 
 William H Hyde 
 
 Field material 
 
 Total . . 
 
 
 9, 993. 90 
 
118 
 
 IRRIGATION SURVEY FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 SUPPLEMENTAL, JUNE 30, 1889. 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Jno. D, McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. S. 
 Geological Survey, during the first quarter of 1890. 
 
 Date of 
 pay- 
 ment. 
 
 M3 
 
 o,3 
 
 *I 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 July 10 
 
 13 
 
 John C. Parker 
 
 Supplies, etc 
 
 $5 90 
 
 11 
 
 20 
 
 Fauth & Co 
 
 Irrigation instruments 
 
 2 900 00 
 
 18 
 
 66 
 
 Denver and Rio Grande R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 34 25 
 
 18 
 
 67 
 
 Atlantic and Pacific R. R 
 
 ... do 
 
 28 05 
 
 20 
 
 95 
 
 Maricopa and Phoenix R. R 
 
 Freight 
 
 .52 
 
 22 
 
 100 
 
 John T<\ Pqrftt 
 
 Supplies 
 
 23 55 
 
 22 
 
 121 
 
 Quartermaster's Department, U. S. 
 
 Material 
 
 91.21 
 
 31 
 
 129 
 
 Army. 
 Northern Pacific R. R . . 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 19 45 
 
 31 
 
 130 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio R. R 
 
 do 
 
 28.00 
 
 Aug. 1 
 
 146 
 
 Robert Boyd 
 
 Supplies 
 
 3 83 
 
 
 147 
 
 TRiomas Riggs .... 
 
 Services 
 
 7 50 
 
 3 
 
 150 
 
 Royce & Marean 
 
 Supplies 
 
 1 80 
 
 3 
 
 157 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams 
 
 4 12 
 
 3 
 
 163 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 3.01 
 
 6 
 
 165 
 
 Utah Central Rwy 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 1 50 
 
 6 
 
 168 
 
 Idaho Central R. R 
 
 Freight 
 
 8 27 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 171 
 
 177 
 
 George Ryneal, jr 
 
 Adq,ms Kxprpss C<"> 
 
 Material and supplies 
 Freight April 1889 
 
 . 318.99 
 10 70 
 
 7 
 
 178 
 
 do ..." 
 
 Freight, March 1889 
 
 7 25 
 
 10 
 
 182 
 
 Northern Pacific R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 41.70 
 
 15 
 
 187 
 
 Denver and Rio Grande R. R 
 
 do 
 
 139. 85 
 
 15 
 
 191 
 
 Arthur Watts 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 49 00 
 
 15 
 
 192 
 
 Sparks Bros 
 
 Forage 
 
 59.60 
 
 19 
 
 195 
 
 Adams Express Co 
 
 Expressage May 1889 
 
 70 95 
 
 19 
 
 198 
 
 Idaho Central R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 1 00 
 
 19 
 
 201 
 
 Denver and Rio Grande R. R . . 
 
 do . 
 
 51.90 
 
 19 
 
 204 
 
 do 
 
 Freight 
 
 1 20 
 
 20 
 
 207 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 
 
 Telegrams May and June, 1889 
 
 51 47 
 
 21 
 
 215 
 
 Columbia Phonograph Co 
 
 Rent, April 1 to June 30 1889 
 
 10.00 
 
 21 
 21 
 
 216 
 217 
 
 Alvah Bushnell 
 < !olora o Midland Rwy 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 24.90 
 
 8.00 
 
 22 
 
 220 
 
 E. Morrison .... 
 
 Supplies 
 
 3 50 
 
 22 
 
 221 
 
 John Roach 
 
 Repairs to field material 
 
 15.50 
 
 Sept. 12 
 13 
 
 246 
 248 
 
 Colorado Midland Rwy 
 Baltimore and Ohio Rwy 
 
 Transportat.on of assistants 
 do 
 
 7.05 
 413 40 
 
 14 
 
 249 
 
 Adams Express Co . . . 
 
 Freight charges, June, 1889 
 
 184.80 
 
 16 
 
 250 
 
 Fred. A. Schmidt 
 
 Irrigation supplies 
 
 12.00 
 
 19 
 
 252 
 
 Daniel M. Adams 
 
 Services, May 1 to 15, 1889 
 
 24.19 
 
 26 
 
 254 
 
 Willard D. Johnson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 225.4? 
 
 30 
 
 255 
 
 John W. Hayes 
 
 do 
 
 342.02 
 
 30 
 
 257 
 
 J W Powell 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 66 75 
 
 30 
 
 258 
 
 Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 57.50 
 
 30 
 
 259 
 
 W & L E Gurley 
 
 
 2 158 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 7, 518. 31 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Jno. D. McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. 
 S. Geological Survey, during the second quarter of 1890. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 Oct. 23 
 
 7 
 
 Henry J Green 
 
 Instruments . . 
 
 $60 62 
 
 31 
 
 8 
 
 C. J. Jones 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 4.50 
 
 Nov. 8 
 
 23 
 
 Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 126. 31 
 
 11 
 12 
 
 24 
 25 
 
 Adams Express Co 
 Paul Holman 
 
 Freight 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 6.80 
 39.00 
 
 19 
 
 30 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio R R 
 
 Freight 
 
 8.58 
 
 Dec. 7 
 
 34 
 
 
 (JO 
 
 10.95 
 
 14 
 
 38 
 
 Willard D Johnson 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 129.99 
 
 14 
 
 39 
 
 ...do ... 
 
 do 
 
 1C3.85 
 
 14 
 
 40 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 83.65 
 
 ir 
 
 42 
 
 Chesapeake and Ohio R. R 
 
 Transportation of assistants 
 
 69.95 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 644.20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABSTRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 119 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by Mark B. Kerr, disbursing agent, U. S. Geolog- 
 ical Survey, during the first and second quarters of 1890. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 July 30 
 
 1 
 
 Wells Fargo & Co 
 
 Expressage 
 
 $50 70 
 
 Oct 26 
 
 2 
 
 
 Services May, 1889 
 
 25 81 
 
 Nov 1 
 
 4 
 
 A T Kyle jr 
 
 Pasturage 
 
 10 84 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 87.35 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract of disbursements made by P. H. Christie, special disbursing agent, U. S. 
 Geological Survey, during the first quarter of 1890. 
 
 Date 
 of pay- 
 ment. 
 
 No. of 
 voucher. 
 
 To whom paid. 
 
 For what paid. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 1889. 
 July 20 
 
 1 
 
 Robert Robertson 
 
 Traveling expenses 
 
 $43 95 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 ... do 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 257 87 
 
 24 
 26 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 T.E. Parish 
 A.J.Wiley 
 
 Services, June, 1889 .- 
 Field expenses 
 
 100.00 
 13 38 
 
 26 
 
 5 
 
 J W Mitchell 
 
 do 
 
 19 34 
 
 31 
 
 6 
 
 S W Pomeroy 
 
 Hire of transportation 
 
 15 50 
 
 31 
 
 7 
 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 35 35 
 
 Aug 10 
 
 a 
 
 Royce and Mareau ... 
 
 Instruments 
 
 75 00 
 
 10 
 
 9 
 
 W & L E Gurley 
 
 do 
 
 394 33 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 H M Wilson 
 
 
 53 55 
 
 10 
 
 U 
 
 Bach Cory & Co 
 
 Field supplies 
 
 87 21 
 
 Sept 13 
 
 12 
 
 L H Shoitt 
 
 Field expenses 
 
 10 75 
 
 19 
 
 13 
 
 George E. Curtis 
 
 Traveling expenses. 
 
 9 90 
 
 19 
 
 14 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 143 05 
 
 30 
 
 15 
 
 C H Treat. 
 
 Instruments 
 
 18 07 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 1 277 25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Amount expended as per foregoing statement $98, 068. 77 
 
 Amount of bonded railroad accounts for freight and passenger transportation settled 
 
 through the Treasury Department 1 , 799. 69 
 
 Balance on hand 131. 54 
 
 Total 100, 000. 00 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Abstract of total disbursements 108-119 
 
 Ahern, Jeremiah, work of 40 
 
 American River, work on 42 
 
 Appropriation recommended for irrigation 
 
 survey, first year's work 14 
 
 Areas surveyed 58-60 
 
 Arid lands, mode of acquirement of 28 
 
 Arid region, area and character of 4,9,10,13 
 
 Area surveyed to March, 1888 8 
 
 Characteristics of rivers of 25 
 
 Arkansas River, work on 18, 19, 24, 40, 43, 
 
 45,69,86,93,98 
 
 Arkansas River Division, reservoir sites sur- 
 veyed in 58 
 
 Canal lines surveyed in 58 
 
 Work of. 93 
 
 Bannon.T. M., work of 86 
 
 Bear River, irrigable land selected for segre- 
 gation 65 
 
 Bien, Morris, work of 40, 68 
 
 Bodfish.S. H., work of 93,94,95,97 
 
 Box Elder Creek, work on 69 
 
 Brodie, A. O., work of 46 
 
 Bridges, Lyman, work of 47, 105 
 
 California, work in 42, 66, 68, 76, 102, 104 
 
 Reservoir sites selected in 61-62 
 
 California Division, work of 47, 102, 104 
 
 Canal lines surveyed 46,58,60 
 
 Canal sites, discovery of 34 
 
 Carson River, Nevada, work on 18,42,43,47, 
 
 87,88,104,105 
 
 Chama River, New Mexico, work on 19,41,43 
 
 Chapman, R. H. , work of 42, 65, 67, 72, 77 
 
 Christie, P. H., disbursements by 112, 113, 
 
 116,117,119 
 
 Clear Lake, California, work at 103, 104 
 
 Climatology ' 56 
 
 Colorado appropriates money for stream- 
 gauging 43 
 
 Colorado, work in 18, 40, 62, 66, 68-71 , 77, 93-98 
 
 Reservoir sites selected in 62 
 
 Colorado Division, work of 45-46 
 
 Columbia River, Montana, work on. 17 
 
 Commissioner of General Land Office, letter 3 
 Congress authorizes irrigation survey ; res- 
 olution 2 
 
 Congress inquires concerning segregation of 
 
 lands, etc 4 
 
 Cosumne River, work on 42, 102 
 
 Curtis, G. E., work of 44,83,84 
 
 Davis, A. P., work of 19,41,65,72,77 
 
 Page. 
 
 Director of the Geological Survey, letters . . 4, 9, 
 
 15,38 
 
 Disbursements, abstract of 108-119 
 
 Donner Lake, Nevada 105, 106 
 
 Douglas, E. M., work of 17,42,65,67,71,77 
 
 Dunnington, A. F., work of 42,65,66,67 
 
 Dutton, C. E., chief engineer of irrigation 
 
 survey, work of 20,43,45 
 
 Letter of instructions to 51-55 
 
 Report of 78-108 
 
 Duty of water 11,20,57,79 
 
 Dyar, H. M., work of 86 
 
 El Paso, dam at 46, 100 
 
 Engineering problems stated 51 
 
 Engineering survey, work of 87, 45-48 
 
 Engineering work, irrigation survey, report 
 
 of 78-108 
 
 Espafiola Valley, work in 46 
 
 Evaporation 11,21,56,82,85 
 
 Farish, W. A., work of 43,86,87 
 
 Field work, methods of 74-76 
 
 Fitch, C.H., work of 40,68 
 
 Follett, W. W., work of 100, 101 
 
 Foote, A. D., work of 46, 106, 107, 108 
 
 Gallatin River, work on 45, 92 
 
 Gila River, work on 43,87 
 
 Griswold, W.T., work of 41 
 
 Hall, W. H., work of 48, 102, 103 
 
 Harrison, Frank, work of 43; 86, 87 
 
 Hayden Valley Park a reservoir site 95 
 
 Hays, John W., work of 40,65,68 
 
 Honey Lake basin, work in 47 
 
 Hope Valley, Nevada 105 
 
 Hopson.L. D., work of 43,86,88 
 
 Huerfano River, work on 45, 86 
 
 Humboldt River, work on : 47 
 
 Hydraulic work 19-22,48-45 
 
 Hydrographers, instructions for 56 
 
 Hydrographic observations, stations 86 
 
 Hydrographic survey, work of 36 
 
 Hydrographic work 78-108 
 
 Idaho, work in 41,88-89 
 
 Idaho Division, work of 46,47 
 
 Independence Lake, Nevada 105, 106 
 
 Instructions issued to chief topographer 
 
 and chief engineer irrigation survey 49-57 
 
 Instructions for hydrographers 56 
 
 Instruments used in irrigation survey . . 44, 50, 80-85 
 
 Irrigable area, extent of 14 
 
 Irrigable land present and prospective 
 
 values 13 
 
 121 
 
122 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 Irrigable land considerations governing 
 
 selection of 24, 25 
 
 Disposal of 27,28 
 
 Segregations 65 
 
 Irrigation, conditions of future develop- 
 ment . 4-6 
 
 Requisites of survey for 10-12 
 
 Rainfall available for 13 
 
 Information needed concerning 83 
 
 Expenditures for 1889 classified 108 
 
 Irrigation survey, purpose of 29-33, 52 
 
 Plan of 3-3-38 
 
 Law establishing 38,39 
 
 Details of plan of operations . . 38-48 
 
 Irrigation work, instructions 49-57 
 
 Jackson's Lake, Wyoming, availability as a 
 
 reservoir 107 
 
 Jefferson River, work on 45 
 
 Jemez River, New Mexico, work on 19, 43, 46, 73 
 
 Johnson, W.D., work of 18,40,65,68 
 
 Jornado del Muerto, work on 46 
 
 Karl, Anton, work of 18,65,68,77 
 
 Disbursements by Ill, 115 
 
 Kern River, work on 47 
 
 Kerr, M . B. , disbursements by .. 109, 110, 1 14, 1 17, 1 19 
 Lands capable of irrigation, present and 
 
 prospective values 13, 15 
 
 Areas 14,32 
 
 Selection of 24,25 
 
 Disposal of 27,28 
 
 Total segregations 65 
 
 Land of the arid region, legislation needed 
 
 concerning 28 
 
 Laws authorizing irrigation survey 1, 2, 38, 39 
 
 Laws for land tenure, proposed modifica- 
 tions of 28 
 
 Lewis Lake 107 
 
 Land-laws, proposed modifications of 28 
 
 Lake Tahoe, capacity as a reservoir 22, 23 
 
 Lahontan Division, work of 47, 104-106 
 
 Madison River, work on 45, 92 
 
 Maps', scale and contour intervals 49 
 
 Use by -irrigation engineers. 53 
 
 McChesney, J. D. , disbursements by 108, 112 
 
 115,118 
 
 McKinney, R. C., work of 40 
 
 McKee, R.H., work of 42,65,66,67 
 
 Mercer River, work on 102, 103 
 
 Mesilla Valley, work in 46 
 
 Meteorology, work in 84 
 
 Milk River, work on 45 
 
 Mills, Anson (Major, U. S. Army), work of. . . 100 
 Mississippi River, effect of storage of water 
 
 of Missouri River floods on 7 
 
 Missouri (Upper) Division, work of 45 
 
 Missouri River, work on 17,45,89,92 
 
 Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, irrigable 
 
 land selected for segregation C5 
 
 Mokelumne River, work on 42, 102 
 
 Montana, work in 17, 40, 66, 71 , 72, 77, 89, 91 
 
 Reservoir sites selected in 61 
 
 Mount Como range, Nevada, work on . 66 
 
 Nettleton, E.S.,workof 45 
 
 Nevada, work in 18, 66, 104-106 
 
 Nevada and Calif ornia, work in 42, 66-68, 76 
 
 Page. 
 
 Newell, F. H.,work of. 44,79,83,86,88 
 
 New Mexico, work in 19, 41, 66, 72-74, 77 
 
 Reservoir sites selected in 63, 64 
 
 New Mexico Division, estimated expenses. . 46 
 
 Nilometer described 81 
 
 North Platte River, storage of waters of 24 
 
 Origin of the irrigation survey 1 
 
 Owens River Valley, irrigable land selected 
 
 forirrigation 65 
 
 Payette River, work on 46 
 
 Perkins, E.T., work of 41 
 
 Phillips, R.H., work of 41,65,72,73 
 
 Pierce, Josiah, jr. , work of 65, 66, 67 
 
 Plane table, use of 50 
 
 Provo River, work on 88 
 
 Puerco River, New Mexico, work on 19, 73, 74 
 
 Preliminary report of the Director on the 
 survey of arid lands for purposes of irri- 
 gation 16-29 
 
 Quinby, G. T., work of 43, 86, 87 
 
 Rainfall, amount available for irrigation . . 13, 14 
 
 Determination of 21 
 
 Regions of 29 
 
 Rain gauging 21, 22 
 
 Reservoir sites, considerations governing se- 
 lection 22-24 
 
 Appropriation of 26, 27 
 
 Discovery of 34 
 
 Selection of 54, 55 
 
 Tables 58,59,60,61-64 
 
 Resolution of Congress authorizing irriga- 
 
 tionsurvey 2 
 
 Rio Grande, work on 41,43,46,87,98-102 
 
 Rio Grande Division, work of 98-102 
 
 Rio Grande Valley, reservoir site surveyed 
 
 near El Paso 60 
 
 Irrigable lands selected for irrigation. . . 65 
 
 Rio Puerco, work on 19,73,74 
 
 Rivers of arid region, characteristics of 25 
 
 River flow, methods of measurement 84 
 
 Robertson, Robert, work of 43, 86 
 
 Rockwood, C. G., work of 103 
 
 Rogers, J.B., work of 91 
 
 Sacramento River, work on 47, 86 
 
 Salt River, work on 43, 87 
 
 San Joaquin River, work on 47 
 
 San Luis Valley, work in 4ti, 98 
 
 Secretary of the Interior, letters 1, 8, 15 
 
 Sediment in rivers, measurement of 1 1 , 20, 21 , 
 
 56,85 
 
 Segregation work 22 
 
 Senate resolution inquiring as to practica- 
 bility of irrigation survey . . . . 1 
 
 Shoshone Lake 107 
 
 Snake River Basin, irrigable land selected 
 
 for segregation 65 
 
 Snake River Division, work of. 106-108 
 
 Snake River, work on 41,44.88,106-108 
 
 South Platte River, Colorado, work on. . . 18, 111, 24, 
 
 43,69 
 Stanislaus and Tuolumne Basins, reservoir 
 
 sites surveyed in -. 59 
 
 Stanislaus River, work on 42, 102 
 
 Stream gauging 19, 22, 43, 55, 56, 79-82 
 
 Sun River, work on 91, 92 
 
INDEX. 
 
 123 
 
 Sun River Basin, Montana, reservoir sites 
 
 surveyed in 59 
 
 Canal line surveyed in 60 
 
 Survey for irrigation, information required . 11 
 
 Specific purposes of 32, 33 
 
 Swan Valley, reservoir site in 107 
 
 Tahoe Lake 104 
 
 Taos Valley, work on 46 
 
 Tarr, R. S., work of 43, 86 
 
 Tennessee Fork of Arkansas River, reser- 
 voir sites on 95,97,98 
 
 Thompson, A. H. , chief topographer, work of 17, 40 
 
 Letter of instructions to 49-51 
 
 Report of 65-77 
 
 Topographic operations 40^3 
 
 Topographic survey, work of 36, 76, 77 
 
 Topographic work 17-19, 36, 40-43, 65-77 
 
 Recapitulation of expenses 43 
 
 Field methods 74-76 
 
 Topography of river channels 85, 86 
 
 Triangulation methods 49, 50 
 
 Trowbridge, W.P., work of 43,86 
 
 Truckee River, work on 18, 23-23, 42, 43, 47, 87, 
 
 88,104 
 
 Tuolumne River, work on 102 
 
 Tuolumne and Stanislaus Basins, reservoir 
 sites surveyed hi 59 
 
 Page. 
 
 Tweedy, Frank, work of 40, 65, 71, 77 
 
 Twin Lakes, Colorado, as a reservoir 95, 97, 98 
 
 Upper Missouri Division, work of 45 
 
 Utah, reservoir sites selected in 63 
 
 Hydrographic work in 88 
 
 Utah Lake, examinations of 88 
 
 Value of irrigable lands, irrigated and unir- 
 
 rigated 13, 14 
 
 Verde River, work on 43 
 
 Verrill, George E., work of 42,65,66,67 
 
 Wagoner, L. P., work of 103 
 
 Walker River, Nevada, work on 18, 47 
 
 Water rights 11, 12,28,30-32 
 
 Water supply, measurement of 34-36, 56 
 
 Weber Lake 106 
 
 Wiley, A. W., work of 106, 107 
 
 Williams, J.B.,work of 43,83,86,88,89 
 
 Wilson, H. M. , work of .. 18, 45, 65, 66, 67, 76, 91 , 92, 93 
 
 Wood River, work on 89 
 
 Wyoming, work in 43 
 
 Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers, irrigable 
 
 land selected for segregation 65 
 
 Yellowstone Lake as a reservoir 93 
 
 Yellowstone Park, work in 93 
 
 Yellowstone River, work on 40, 45, 89 
 
 Yuba River, work on 42 
 
9 Mar 5 5V l 
 APR 2 9)195519 
 
 LD 21 
 
 _lOO,n-l,'54(1887sl6)476 
 
YE 10877 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA LIBRARY