WATER LOSSES PROM WET AREAS 



115 



iiiig-ht be reclaimed above tbe middle control, if the water from the 

 larger springs were carried in pipes and the stream bed kept dry. 

 Table 41 similarly shows the amount of water during the days of 

 record in 1932 that might be reclaimed above the upper control, if the 



TABLE 41 



DAILY LOSS OF WATER FROM THE STREAM INDICATED BY DIPS IN DISCHARGE 

 CURVE AT UPPER CONTROL IN COLDWATER CANYON 



water from the larger springs were carried in pipes and the stream bed 

 kept dry. There are, however, many small springs in branch canyons 

 or on hillsides from which the water seeps slowly through a mantle of 

 soil toward the main canyon. When there is little or no evaporation 

 and transpiration, water from these small springs reaches the main 

 canyon and contributes to the flow in the main channel, but on warm 

 days the water from these small springs may not reach the main 

 canyon at all, as it may be intercepted and used to meet the transpira- 

 tion needs of the vegetation which has roots in the soil through or over 

 which the water must pass. During periods of increased transpiration, 

 more and more of these small springs are cut off from the main canyon 

 and the maximum flow measured at a control on the main canyon 

 becomes less each succeeding day. When the days are cloudy and cool, 

 transpiration is decreased and the soil reservoirs that have intercepted 

 these flows become filled and water from the smaller springs again 

 reaches the main canyon. Then the maximum flow in the main canyon 

 increases from day to day. This is a factor that operates to cause a 



