14 PROGRESS REPORT, HYDROGRAPHY, 1893 AND 1894. [bull.131. 
UPPER MISSOURI BASIN IN MONTANA. 
The river stations on the West Gallatin and Madison rivers, de- 
scribed in former reports, have been abandoned, owing to the difficulty 
and expense of reaching them. Other stations have been established 
lower down on the rivers, near the junction of the Gallatin, Madison, 
and Jefferson, but above the point where they unite to form the Mis- 
souri. On the Missouri itself, near Townsend, a number of discharge 
measurements have been made at the place where the record of height 
is being kept by the Missouri Eiver Commission, in order to furnish 
material for computing the total run-off from this drainage area. 
SPANISH CREEK STATION, ON WEST GALLATIN RIVER. 
This station was established August 17, 1889, by Mr. J. B. Williams. 
It is located on the West Gallatin Eiver, about 20 miles southwesterly 
from Bozeman, Mont., on what is known as Lemon's ranch, about one- 
half mile above the point where the river emerges from its narrow val- 
ley in the mountains. The locality chosen is above the heads of all 
canals, so that the total flow of the river is obtained. The bed of the 
river is rocky and not liable to change; the banks are high and steep; 
the stream is of nearly uniform width, and has a straight course both 
above and below the station. The section is in every respect suitable, 
with the possible exception that the bottom is perhaps too rough and 
rocky, in low water giving rise to riffles. The velocity is also some- 
what great for accurate results with the ordinary current meters. 
During 1889 only two measurements were obtained, these being at 
about the same stage. In 1890 seven current-meter observations were 
had, and in 1891 another was obtained. These furnished material for 
a rating table which has proved to be fairly applicable during the year 
1893. 
On June 14, 1893, the old river gage was washed away by flood, and 
was reestablished on August 22, by Mr. F. H. Newell. On the same 
day a measurement of the e river was made at the iron bridge below 
the mouth of the canyon, showing that for a height of 2.15 feet on 
the rod the river was flowing at the rate of 818 second-feet. This did 
not include the quantity flowing in the high-line canal taking water 
from the right bank of the river. Observations were begun on August 
22, 1893, and continued throughout the year, and until June 22, 1894, 
when, owing to a sudden rise of the river, the gage was again washed 
out, together with the large tree to which it was attached and the 
bench marks on the bank of the stream. It not being advisable at 
that time to relocate the gage, the station was abandoned. At about 
that time observations of river height were begun at the head of the 
West Gallatin Canal, which takes water out on the left-hand or west 
side of the river, near the iron bridge, a short distance from the mouth 
of the canyon. These were begun on May 27 and continued to June 
30, 1894, a time not sufficiently long to justify rating the station. 
