144 



fall is thus less than 6%, So far, then, as the table goes, it 

 indicates that there has been a moderate increase in the 

 rapidity with which floods rise and a slight increase in the rate 

 of their fall, as compared with the rate of their movements in 

 a corresponding period thirteen years ago. 



It is impossible from data at hand to determine whether or 

 not the general drainage of the basin has shortened the period 

 of high water and extended that of low water with a consider- 

 able diminution of volume at low-water stage. The decade prior 

 to 1896 seems to have witnessed such a change, as hydrographs 

 on Plate VII. show. This diminution is the more marked when 

 allowance is made (d loiv-irater stages for the 2 feet which the 

 dam at LaGrange (completed October 12, 1889) is estimated to 

 raise the water on the lower gage at Copperas Creek. The fact 

 that the rainfall was deficient during this decade doubtless 



Monthly Means of Gage-readings Cin feet) below Copperas Creek Dam 



1 879- 1 899. 



(Basis of reference, low water of 1873 and 1879.) 



