38 PROGRESS REPORT, HYDROGRAPHY, 1893 AND 1894. [bull. 131. 
31 it had flooded the bottoms and washed out the approaches to nearly 
all of the bridges below Canyon. On June 1, at 4 p. in., a measure- 
ment by Mr. F. H. Newell at the wagon bridge at ISTepesta showed a 
discharge of 12,000 second-feet. At that time the water had receded 
4 feet below the highest flood mark on the bridge. The maximum 
surface velocity was 6.7 feet per second, and the mean velocity 4 feet 
per second. On June 2 the water had fallen 5.3 feet below high- water 
mark, and had a maximum surface velocity of 5.6 feet per second. The 
measurement was made while the water was falling rapidly, and the 
discharge is placed in round numbers at 8,000 second -feet. From 
a comparison of these measurements with such facts as could be 
obtained on the ground, an inspection of the flooded area, and the 
statements of men who were watching the river, the conclusion was 
reached that about 30,000 second-feet passed the Atchison, Topeka and 
Santa Fe Eailroad bridge at the top of the flood of May 31. This 
quantity would probably have been larger if the pile bridge with the 
driftwood against it had not prevented the free flowing of the stream. 
The first flood was followed by one a week later of about the same 
violence. On June 7, 1894, at 9 a. m., the measured discharge at the 
wagon bridge at La Junta at the time the water was falling from this 
second flood was 15,000 second-feet. The maximum surface velocity 
was 6 feet per second, and the height of water on the gage was 7.8 feet. 
The next day, June 8, the water stood at 6.4 feet on the gage, and the 
measured discharge was 9,500 second-feet. From these measurements 
and an examination of flood marks the conclusion was reached that the 
maximum amount passing the bridge at the time of this flood was 20,000 
second-feet, the bridges and approaches holding back the water. 
The La Junta station was inspected on October 5, 1894, by Mr. Arthur 
P. Davis, and a measurement was made, showing that the river was 
discharging 55 second-feet for a gage height of 0.4. At this part of 
its course the relation of gage height to discharge, especially during 
the low stages of the river, is constantly varying, owing to silting and 
scouring of the muddy channel. It is possible, however, that estimates 
of a fair degree of reliability can be made by making frequent measure- 
ments of discharge. 
