GB 1227 .S7 M4 Copy 1 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director Water-supply Paper 377 PROFILE SURVEYS IN SPOKANE RIVER BASIN, WASHINGTON AND JOHN DAY RIVER BASIN, OREGON PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF R. B. MARSHALL. Chief Geographer WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1915 Won, Qgraph DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director Water -Supply Paper 377 PROFILE SURVEYS IN SPOKANE RIVER BASIN, WASHINGTON AND JOHN DAY RIVER BASIN, OREGON PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF R. B. MARSHALL, Chief Geographer WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1915 Cf, 37^ CONTENTS. Page. Introduction 3 Spokane River basin, Washington 3 General features 3 Gaging stations 5 John Day River basin, Oregon 6 General features q Gaging stations 1 q Publications 7 ILLUSTRATIONS. Plates I-III. Plan and profile of Spokane River from mouth to Chamo- kane Creek, Wash. (3 sheets, A-C) At end of volume. IV-X. Reconnaissance plan and profile of John Day River from mouth to Middle Fork, Oreg. (7 sheets, A-G)_ At end of volume. 98107°— 15 2 D. of D. NOV 8 1915 w PROFILE SURVEYS IN SPOKANE RIVER BASIN, WASH- INGTON, AND JOHN DAY RIVER BASIN, OREGON. Prepared under the direction of R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer. INTRODUCTION. In order to determine the location of undeveloped water powers on the rivers of the United States, the United States Geological Sur- vey has from time to time made surveys and profiles of some of the streams adapted to the development of power by low or medium heads of 20 to 100 feet. The surveys are made by means of plane table and stadia. Eleva- tions are based on heights derived from primary or precise levels of the United States Geological Survey. The maps are made in the field and show not only the outlines of the river banks, the islands, the positions of rapids, falls, shoals, and existing dams, and the crossings of all ferries and roads but the contours of banks to an elevation high enough to indicate the possibility of using the stream. The elevations of the bench marks left are noted on the field sheets in their proper positions. All gaging stations are shown on the maps, and the elevation of the zero of the gage is given. SPOKANE RIVER BASIN, WASHINGTON. GENERAL FEATURES. Spokane Elver rises in Cceur d'Alene Lake in western Idaho, flows west and northwest, and discharges into Columbia River near Fort Spokane, Wash. Cceur d'Alene Lake, which receives the drainage from the western slope of the Bitterroot Mountains, occupies a wide valley. Its upper end is within the area formerly reserved for the Cceur d'Alene Indians. The lands bordering it are for the most part low and swampy, and the lake itself is being gradually filled by sediment brought in by St. Joe and Cceur d'Alene rivers, its principal tribu- taries. Undoubtedly the lake once extended a considerable distance up the valleys of these streams, and for 15 or 20 miles above their mouths the bottom lands are subject annually to overflow, except 3 4 PROFILE SURVEYS, SPOKANE AND JOHN DAY RIVERS. where the rivers are artificially confined in their channels. Along the immediate banks of the streams the land is relatively higher than that nearer the hills. The channels of the lower sections of the rivers are comparatively deep and are favorable for navigation. The valleys are used more or less for agriculture. The principal tributaries received by Spokane River between the lake and the Columbia are Latah or Hangman Creek, which enters the stream from the south near Spokane, Wash.; Little Spokane River, which comes in from the north about 12 miles below Spokane; and Chamokane Creek, which is tributary from the north and forms the eastern boundary of the Spokane Indian Reservation. Its drainage area comprises about 5,880 square miles. Nearly all of the upper portion is heavily forested and a large area is included in the Cceur d'Alene National Forest. The topography of the country is rugged and broken. The valley's sides are very steep and many of the peaks rise to regions of per- petual snow. The mean annual rainfall at Spokane is 17 inches; at St. Maries, 20 inches; and on the summit of the Bitterroot Mountains it is probabky 50 inches or more. A large portion of the precipitation, particularly at the higher altitudes, is in the form of snow whose gradual melting helps to feed the streams during the summer season. Occasionally the snow banks are melted suddenly by chinook winds, and when these winds are accompanied by heavy rainfall the flood damage is sometimes great, although its severity is mitigated to a large extent by the natural storage in Cceur d'Alene Lake. The lands bordering Spokane River are for the most part agri- cultural. Above Spokane the valley is comparatively wide and level and is underlain throughout with coarse gravel that affords ample ground-water storage from which a liberal supply for irrigation can be drawn. A gravity ditch system diverts water from the right bank of Spokane River at Post Falls. Below Spokane, where the river enters a comparatively deep canyon, the agricultural lands consist of narrow strips along the liver banks and are irrigated for the most part by pumping from the river. The lands flanking the canyon of Spokane River are high and are used extensively for wheat raising. The chief products of the region, however, are from its mines. The Spokane affords a large amount of power. At Post Falls, 8 miles below the outlet of Coeur d'Alene Lake, the Washington Water Power Co. has constructed a dam and power plant. The crest of this dam is at elevation 2,116.5 feet above sea level and is provided with a bear-trap dam 100 feet long, by means of which the water can be raised 10 feet above the crest proper. There are also eight Tainter gates, which, when opened, afford an additional spillway length of 159 feet. The company's overflow privileges do not allow PROFILE SURVEYS, SPOKANE AND JOHN DAY RIVERS. 5 them to raise the height of water in Coeur d'Alene Lake above an elevation of 2,126 feet. During floods, therefore, die Tainter gates are opened and the bear-trap dam is lowered in order to afford as large capacity of outflow as possible. When the water falls to an elevation of 2,126 feet in the lake the bear trap is raised and the Tainter gates are manipulated to maintain the water at this point as nearly as possible. The waters so stored are released through the power houses. The Post Falls plant of the Washington Water Power Co. has a nominal capacity of 15,000 horsepower ; the Spokane plant, 12,000 horsepower. The Xinemile plant ol the Spokane & Inland Empire Railroad Co. has a capacity of 10,000 horsepower. The Washington Water Power Co. has completed a plant at Little Falls for a development of 20,000 horsepower and has partly com- pleted a plant at Long Lake between Xinemile and Little Falls. The Long Lake plant * * * constitutes the latest and one of the most interesting stations on the Pacific coast. It is situated about 24 miles north- west of the city of Spokane and 4.5 miles from the Little Falls station of the same company. At the site of the station Spokane River makes a complete horseshoe bend and passes through a box canyon of granite formation rising to a height of 350 feet above the water surface. There the power company has erected the highest spillway dam in existence, with the power station around the bend about 250 feet from the dam. The dam. which is thrown across the river, gives a fall of 170 feet at the power house and backs up the water for 23 miles. 1 Another plant is projected at a favorable point 14 miles below Little Falls, and still another at the Narrows at the mouth of the river near Fort Spokane. At both- places plants of 20.000 horsepower capacity could be constructed. The results of profile surveys in the Spokane River basin are given in Plates I-III (at end of volume). GAGING STATIONS. The Geological Survey has maintained in the basin of Spokane River the gaging stations indicated by the following list. The sta- tions are arranged in downstream order, the position of tributaries being indicated by indention. A dash after the date indicates that the station was being maintained June SO, 1915. A period after the date indicates discontinuance. Coeur d'Alene River, North Fork (head of Coeur d'Alene River and through Coeur d'Alene Lake of Spokane River) at Prichard, Idaho, 1911-15. Coeur d'Alene River near Enaville, Idaho. 1911-12. Coeur d'Alene River at Cataldo, Idaho, 1911-12. Coeur d'Alene Lake at Coeur d'Alene. Idaho. 1903- Spokane River near Trent. Wash.. 1912- Spokane River at Washington Water Power Co. dam at. Spokane, Wash., 1891- 1S9G. 1 Electrical World, vol. 65, No. 22, p. 1.°>S0. May 20, 1915. 6 PROFILE SURVEYS, SPOKANE AND JOHN DAY RIVERS. Spokane River at Spokane, Wash., 1896- Spokane Valley Land & Water Co. canal near Post Falls, Wash., 1911- Spokane RiVer near Long Lake, Wash., 1912 — Little North Fork of Cceur d'Alene River near Enaville, Idaho, 1911-12. St. Joe River at Avery, Idaho, 1911- St. Joe River near Calder. Idaho, 1911-12. St. Maries River at Lotus, Idaho. 1911-12. Latah [Hangman] Creek at Tekoa, Wash., 1904-05. Latah Creek near Tekoa, Wash., 1904-05. North Fork of Latah [Hangman] Creek at Tekoa. Wash., 1904-05. Little Spokane River near Spokane. Wash., 1903-1905 ; 1911- JOHN DAY RIVER BASIN, OREGON. GENERAL FEATURES. John Day River drains the country to the northwest of the Bine Mountains. The river rises on the divide between Grant and Baker counties, Oreg., flows westward and then northward, and joins Columbia River about 28 miles above The Dalles. Its principal tributaries are the North, Middle, and South forks. Its total drain- age area is 7,800 square miles. The general elevation of its headwaters is about 6,000 feet above sea level; at Fossil the elevation is 1.500 feet. The headwater region of the stream is forested. Except wheat, which is grown on the roll- ing uplands by " dry farming,-' no agricultural products of conse- quence can be raised without irrigation, and as the areas which admit of easy irrigation are confined to the immediate valleys of the streams comparatively little has been done in this direction. Several projects have been suggested under which, by means of stor- age reservoirs and high-line canals, large areas of very productive table-lands would be developed. The storage facilities are ample for this purpose. The mean annual rainfall varies from 24 inches on the headwaters to 10 inches at the mouth. The winters are cold, and the streams are frequently icebound throughout the greater part of the winter. The results of profile surveys in John Day River basin are given in Plates TV to X (at end of volume). GAGING STATIONS. The Geological Survey has maintained in the basin of John Day River the gaging stations indicated by the following list. The sta- tions are arranged in downstream order, the position of tributaries being indicated by indention. A dash after the date indicates that the station was being maintained June 30, 1915. A period after the date indicates discontinuance. John Day River near Dayville, Oreg., 190S-1914. John Day River at Clar.no, Oreg., 1914- PROFILE SURVEYS, SPOKANE AND JOHN DAY RIVERS. 7 John Day River at McDonald, Oreg., 1904- South Fork of John Day River at Dayville, Oreg., 1908-1914. Dayville ditch at Dayville, Oreg., 1910-1914. § Rock Creek near Arlington, Oreg., 1905 ; 1911. PUBLICATIONS. The following publications of the Geological Survey contain the results of investigations of stream flow at the stations indicated in the preceding lists: Spokane River basin: Annual Reports: Eighteenth, Part IV; Nineteenth, Part IV; Twentieth, Part IV ; Twenty-first, Part IV ; Twenty-second, Part IV. Water-Supply Papers: 11, 16, 28, 38, 39, 51, 66, 75, 85, 100. 135, 178, 214, 252, 272, 292, 312, 332-A, 362-A, 1 392. 1 John Day River basin : Water-Supply Papers: 135, 178, 214, 252, 272, 292. 312, 332-C, 362-C, 394. 1 Water-supply papers and other publications of the United States Geological Survey containing data in regard to the water resources of the United States may be obtained or consulted as indicated below. 1. Copies may be obtained free of charge by applying to the Direc- tor of the Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. The edition printed for free distribution is, however, small and is soon exhausted. 2. Copies may be purchased at nominal cost from the Superin- tendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C, who will on application furnish lists giving prices. 3. Sets of the reports may be consulted in the libraries of the principal cities in the United States. 4. Complete sets are available for consultation in the local offices of the water-resources branch of the Geological Survey, as follows: Albany. X. Y., Room IS, Federal Building. Atlanta, Ga., Post Office Building. St. Paul, Minn., Old Capitol Building. Madison, Wis., Capitol Building. Helena, Mont., Montana National Bank Building. Denver, Colo., 302 Chamber of Commerce Building. Salt Lake City. Utah, Federal Building. Boise, Idaho, 615 Idaho Building. Phoenix. Ariz., 417 Fleming Building. Portland, Oreg., 416 Couch Building. Tacoma, Wash., Federal Building. San Francisco, Cal., 505 Customhouse. Los Angeles, Cal., Federal Building. Honolulu, Hawaii, Kapiolani Building. A list of the Geological Survey's publications will be sent on appli- cation to the Director, United States Geological Survev, Washing- ton, D. C. 1 In preparation. O Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/profilesurveysin04mars PLAN AND PROFILE OF SPOKANE RivER MOUTH TO CHAMOKANE CREEK. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 377 PLATE CI ? /^ loao 3 IOS0 2 1 R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer T. G. Gerdme, Geographer in charge Topography by A. P. Meade Surveyed in 1912 1,000 2,000 jffl O Feet 2 Kilometers Vertical scale 1 inch -- 40 feet Contour interval on land 25 feet Contour interval on rivet surface 5 feet Subject to adjustment PLAN AND PROFILE OF SPOKANE RIVER MOUTH TO CHAMOKANE CREEK. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 377 PLATE Marshall, Chief Geographer T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in charge Topography by A. P, Meade Surveyed in 1912 Vertical scale 1 inch - 40 feel Contour interval on land 25 feet funiunr interval on rivi'i surface ■ 3 PLAN AND PROFILE OF SPOKANE RIVER MOUTH TO CHAMOKANE CREEK. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 377 PLATE KEY MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SHEETS R. B. Marshall, Chief Geograp T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in Topography by A. P, Meade / RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MOUTH TO MIDDLE FORK, OREGON iTER. SUPPLY PAPER 377 PLATE Ft. B. Marshall. Chief Geograph. T. G. Gerdine, Geographer i Topography by E. L. Sellon Surveyed in 1909 Subject to adjustment RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MOUTH TO MIDDLE FORK. OREGON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 377 PLATE R. B. Marshall, Chiel Geogr. T. G. Gerdine, Geographer i Topography by E. L. Sellon Surveyed in 1909 6 RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MOUTH TO MIDDLE FORK. OREGON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER bject 10 adjustment 7 SHEETS . B. Marshall, Chief Geograph T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in c Topography by E. L. Sellon RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MOUTH TO MIDDLE FORK. OREGON ATER-SUPPIV PAPER 377 PLATE R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer T. G. Gerdrne. Geographer in charge Topography by E L Sella Surveyed in 1909 8 RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MOUTH TO MIDDLE FORK, OREGON R. B. Marshall. Chief Geographer T G. Ge.dine, Geographer in charge Topography by J. L. Lewis Surveyed in 1909 9 RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MOUTH TO MIDDLE FORK, OREGON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 377 PLATE R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in charge Topography by J. L. Lewis Surveyed in 1909 10 RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AND PROFILE OF JOHN DAY RIVER MQUTH TO MIDDLE FORK, OREGON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 377 R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer T. G. Getdine, Geographer in charge Topography by J. L. Lewis Surveyed in 1909 . LIBRARY OF CONGRESS , i, II I'll I'll! :l • 019 953 646 1