44 
SEEPAGE OR RETURN WATERS FROM IRRIGATION. 
feet, and ill 1895, when the gain was much greater than in previous 
years. I he large gain corresponding to March, 1892, is probably 
due to the fact that this measurement was taken immediately fol¬ 
lowing a storm, which had covered the ground with snow and 
slowly thawing, had filled the surface of the soil. Such a case as 
has been shown by King, makes its influence felt at once on the 
underground water, even though the intermediate space be dry. 
Ihe return for 1891 is less than the average amount. There is a 
doubt concerning that gaging. The measurements of the lower 
0 * H ie stream from the Pump house, at Greelev, to the mouth 
ot the Poudre, were made by Messrs Hope and Trimble, who con¬ 
tinued down the Platte, while the upper ones were made by other 
parties. The results of the lower party were taken and compared 
with those ot the upper. It is possible that the interval of one day 
or the use of different meters, may have had some effect. 
Ihere is a sensible increase after allowing for the effects of 
temperature. 
RAPIDITY OF FLOW OF SEEPAGE OR UNDERFLOW WATER. 
§ 32. Inquiries tor information regarding the movement of 
urn erground waters is so frequent, that though it was not intended 
to say anything on the subject in this bulletin, it is desirable to give 
a bnet statement ot the facts as they appear to be. 
Direct evidence of the speed with which water passes through 
any considerable distance underground is almost entirely wanting. 
Attention has been awake to evidence bearing upon the question, 
but in the course o extensive travels over much country for some 
years almost none has been encountered. Cases where lands have 
been seeped subsequent to the construction of a ditch have been 
sought, but most cases have been complicated by other conditions 
which make the answer anything but conclusive. Subsequent 
expeilence has also led to the conclusion that the appearance of 
seepage may give very unreliable testimony. For example on the 
foriT t S the Color ? do Agricultural College a well was sunk about 
200 feet from a canal and about ten feet lower. In the course of 
some measurements on the well, it was found that whenever water 
twplv Ur n ed m t rn, dltch the water began to rise in the well within 
tW li '° UrS '- PT. 1S ever y reason t0 d °ubt that water passed 
• a distance in that time. The case is similar to that where water 
s turned in a hose. If the hose is already full of water, water 
enintv'f e y t beglns -ii°i mn fr0m the low er end. If the hose is 
empty some time will be required to fill the hose before the water 
short'P 0 nin 'l n a ready full > ti)e pressure is transmitted in very 
hoit time, and the increase which is seen very often in the flow of 
th! r T,fnl h m r ter appea T n a neighboring “canal may be due to 
the transmitted pressure, rather than to the direct passage of water 
