PROGRESS REPORT ON HYDROGRAPHIC WORK CARRIED ON IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

ALBANY, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1912.

HON. GEO. E. VANKENNEN, Chairman, State of New York Conservation Commission, Albany, N. Y.:

DEAR SIR.I have the honor to submit herewith the report on co-operative stream gaging work, carried on under my direction, between the United States Geological Survey and the Conservation Commission during the year ending December 31, 1911.

I have been assisted in this work by Mr. W. G. Hoyt, Assistant Engineeer, Mr. C. S. DeGolyer, Mr. G. H. Canfield, Mr. Francis Weber, Junior Engineers, and Mr. W. A. James, Clerk, all of the United States Geological Survey, Albany office; also in revision of the 1910 ice estimates and computations of the 1911 data by Mr. R. H. Bolster, Hydraulic Engineer, and other members of the computing section of the Water Resources Branch, United States Geological Survey, at Washington, D. C.

Special acknowledgments of assistance rendered in field and office, are due also to Mr. John D. Moore, Commissioner of Inland Waters, and to the engineers of that department; to officers of the United States Weather Bureau for climatological data and to power companies and individuals, who have furnished data herein contained.

Very truly yours,

C. C. COVERT,

District Engineer.

Ausable river at Ausable Forks.

Summary of yearly discharge in second-feet per square mile.

Rainfall studies:

Summary of results of experiments with different types of rain gages.
Rainfall tables..

Temperature tables.

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PROGRESS REPORT ON HYDROGRAPHIC WORK CARRIED ON IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

PROGRESS OF WORK.

The co-operative stream flow investigations begun in 1907, as a result of the passing of the Fuller bill, first covered six stations in the Upper Hudson drainage basin. The surveys and investigations that developed the extensive storage possibilities in this and other drainage basins, made it necessary to obtain additional data concerning the discharge of the various streams under consideration, before designs for storage reservoirs could be completed. These data are necessary for use not only in connection with the construction and operation of storage reservoirs, but also in relation to the building of dams and the development of water power by individuals, if the state is to have control over such enterprises. In order to make the work comprehensive and the data efficient, men trained for such work should be employed, and the investigations should be planned and executed in a manner that will make the records comparable with those obtained in other parts of the country. These results are attained most readily when the records are gathered under the direct supervision of the Federal Government. The recognition of these facts by those in authority has resulted in the continuation and expansion of the co-operative work between the Survey and the various states. Increased State appropriations in New York State have made it possible to enlarge the scope of the work, until at present, records are being obtained from twenty-eight stream gaging stations representing nearly all the important drainage basins, and eighteen rain-fall stations, principally in the Adirondack mountain region.

Rarely does the attempt to enlarge or expand scientific investigations suddenly meet with entire success. Some errors of judgment are bound to enter. Especially is this true of stream gaging work, where so many unforeseen conditions arise due to the very great difference between the high and low water flow and the influence of local conditions, such as back water due to ice and log jams. One, of necessity, must have the stream under consideration for a period covering the variations of flow, before he can, with discrimination, establish a gaging station. This cannot always be done, however, and it therefore becomes necessary to establish the stations at what appears to be a favorable site and await developments. Such a condition has existed in the New York State work, but gradually we are weeding out the poor stations, supplanting them with stations of better location and equipping them with the most modern appliances known in stream gaging practice.

During 1911, the station on Sacandaga river at Northville was discontinued on account of inability to secure reliable gage heights and the fact that the station would be within affect of back water from the Conklingville dam when completed. The station at Wells was abandoned on account of back water conditions caused by the construction of a dam just below. A new station was established on Sacandaga river at Hope to replace the Northville and