38 



TABLE 1 

 Summation of Discharge of Sacramento River at Red Bluff 



AND OF THE RiVER's PRINCIPAL TRIBUTARIES 



Note: The normal discharge of Sacramento River noted in table 1 is the average of the monthly 



estimates by the U. S. Geological Survey for the period 1905 to September 30, 1920. It is probably 

 somewhat below the actual normal because there has been a preponderance in recent years of seasons 

 with less than normal rain. The rain noted in the table is expressed in per cent of normal and is based 

 on the records of rainfall at San Francisco, Sacramento and Red Bluff. The figures are used only to 

 give an approximate indication of the relative amount of rain in the watershed of Sacramento River 

 which produced the run-off. 



has been much greater, as for example in the season 1906-1907 (see table 1). The 

 curves shown in fig. 18 will give a fair idea of the river stages throughout the year 

 in per cent of the normal mean annual discharge. The information is given in this 

 diagram for Sacramento Ri\er and for both rivers combined. 



Under natural conditions at flood stages the greatest momentary discharge of 

 both rivers combined probably reached quite frequently 200,000 to 300,000 second 

 feet. The Gox-ernment project for flood control will withdraw from inundation the 

 natural flood basins which flanked the rivers, or will materially reduce their areas. 

 The retarding effect of these basins upon the flood volume will be eliminated or 

 greatly reduced and the peak of the flood discharge will be raised. After this project 

 is carried out, the Sacramento River alone may be expected, under conditions such 

 as prevailed at the flood of March, 1907, to deliver some 500,000 to 600,000 second- 

 feet at its extreme stages. 



It is of considerable importance in the study of the habits of the Sacramento and 

 San Joaquin Rivers, that the characteristics which are most marked today were 

 faithfully described more than a century ago. From the Publications of the Academy 

 of Pacific Coast History the following is quoted. Fray Narcissus Duran in his diary 

 writes: 



"May 16, 1817. All along the Sacramento River it is like a park, because 



of the verdure and luxuriance of its groves of trees. Still, it is difficult to 



land, because everything is inundated, due to the rise of the river from the 



melting of the snow." 



