Foreword 



TIM nii|K)rtancc of an exact knowledge concerning the sur- 

 face wai- i -uppK "i id.- ei.iintrx has been recognized for 

 m.m\ years. The imm.-diate necessity for stream flow 

 data, to be used by those interested in or engaged upon problems 

 "t h\<iraulic engineering, including water power, domestic 

 water supply, sewage di-pn-.il. inland navigation, irrigation, 

 *\\amp aiul oNerflow land damage and flood prevention, has 

 . -ival.-d .t eniManlK inm-a-iii': drmaiid !! .t. rural.- MPMHI ll-.w 



measurement-. 



The relative im|x>rtance of the different uses of the surface 

 water supply of the country varies, not only in different local- 

 ities, hut also fn>m time to time in the same section as industrial 

 conditions change. Th.-.- uses all require accurate quantitative 

 estimates for their successful application. 



Without question the relation of stream flow records to the 

 economic de\elnpment of the country is one of continually 

 n. reusing interest. The desirability of investigating its water 

 resources, one of the most valuable natural assets that a country 

 possesses, cannot be too strongly emphasized. 



Considering these facts and a No the many costly experiences 

 resulting from misinformation, it is apparent that all data must 

 be coll. . :h appropriate equipment. unhiding properly 



designrd and \\.-ll mn-trurtrd in-tnnm-nK in ordrr in he 

 ai-enrate and dependahh-. Ina-rmn h a- it i- u-ualK imp ihh- 

 to predict future uses of stream flow data at the time the records 

 are made, in many cases most urgent demands for depend- 

 able long time records are made when it is impossible to 

 produce them, all stream gaging work should progress toward 

 tli' -oil. -rtion ..t . ..ntinuous records of the highest standard of 



