GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY CIRCULAR 182

EVALUATION OF STREAMFLOW RECORDS IN FLATHEAD RIVER BASIN MONTANA

By R. T. Plunkett UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 'Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 182

EVALUATION OF STREAMFLOW RECORDS IN FLATHEAD RIVER BASIN, MONTANA

By R. T. Plunkett

Washington, D. C., 1962.

Free on application to the Geological Survey, Washington 25, D. C. CONTENTS

Page Abstract...... L Syllab'us of gaging-station records Con". Introduction...... 1 Gaging-station records Con. Purpose and Scope...... 1 Plathead River at Columbia Palls Con. Acknowledgments...... 1 Stillwater River near Kalispell.... 15 Physical features of the basin...... 2 Whitefish Creek near Kalispell... 15 Utilization of water In the basin...... 2 Ashley Creek near Kila...... 16 Water*resources data for Plathead Ashley Creek near Kalispell...... 16 River Basin...... 3 Swan River near Big Pork...... 17 Streamflow records...... 3 Big Creek near Poison...... 17 Storage reservoirs...... 4 Plathead River near Poison...... 18 Adequacy of data...... 5 Little Bitterroot River near Marion 18 Syllabus of gaging-station records...... 11 Little Bitterroot River near Hubbart 19 Explanation of data...... 11 Little Bitterroot River near Niarada 19 Gaging-station records...... 12 Crow Creek near Ronan...... 19 Plathead River at Plathead...... 12 Mud Creek near Ronan...... 19 Plathead River near Columbia Palls.... 12 Crow Creek at Lozeau ranch, near Middle Pork Plathead River: Ronan...... 20 Bear Creek: Mission Creek: Skyland Creek near Essex...... 12 Dry Creek near St. Ignatius...... 20 Bear Creek near Essex...... 12 Mission Creek near St. Ignatius.... 21 Middle Pork Plathead River at Post Creek at Pitzpatrick ranch, Essex...../...... 12 near Ronan...... 21 Middle Pork Plathead River at Post Creek at Deschamp ranch, Belton...... 12 near Ronan...... 21 Lake McDonald outlet at Post Creek near St. Ignatius..... 22 Lake McDonald...... 13 South Pork Jocko River (head of Middle Pork Plathead River near Jocko River): West Glacier...... 13 Middle Pork Jocko River near Jocko 22 South Pork Plathead River at Spotted South Pork Jocko River near Jocko.. 22 Bear ranger station near Hungry North Pork Jocko River near Jocko 23 Horse)...... 13 Palls Creek near Jocko...... 23 Spotted Bear River near Hungry Jocko River near Jocko...... 23 Horse...... t...... 13 Big Knife Creek near Jocko...... 24 Twin Creek near Hungry Horse...... 13 Agency Creek: Lower Twin Creek near Hungry Horse 14 Blodgett Creek near Jocko...... 24 Sullivan Creek near Hungry Horse.. 14 Agency Creek near Jocko...... 24 Graves Creek near Hungry Horse. >.. 14 Pinley Creek: South Pork Plathead River near East Pinley Creek near Jocko... 24 Columbia Palls...... 14 Pinley Creek near Jocko...... 25 Plathead River at Columbia Palls...... 14 Valley Creek near Ravalli...... 26 Stillwater River: Jocko River at Ravalli...... 26 Logan Creek at Tally Lake, near Revais Creek near Dixon...... 27 Whitefish...... 14 Plathead River at mouth...... 28 Logan Creek near Whitefish...... 15 Stillwater River near WhitefIsh..... 15

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page Plate 1. Map showing location of gaging stations' in the Plathead River basin...... In pocket Figure 1. Map showing location and duration of streamflow records...... 7

III IV CONTENTS

TABLES

Page Table 1. Municipal and industrial uses of water in Flathead River basin...... 4 2. Index of streamflow records in Plathead River basin...... 6 3. Storage reservoirs in Flathead River bas in...... 8 4. Streamflow records in relation to natural yield...... 9 5. Diversions in Whitefish Creek basin, above Whitefish Creek near Kalispell, Mont. . 16 6. Diversions in Big Creek basin, above Big Creek near Poison, Mont...... 17 7. Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Middle Fork of Jocko River near Jocko, Mont...... 23 8. Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Jocko River near Jocko, Mont...... '...... 24 9. Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Finley Creek near Jocko, Mont...... 25 10. Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Valley Creek near Ravalli, Mont...... 26 11. Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Jocko River at Ravalli, Mont...... 27 12. Diversions in Revais Creek basin, above Revais Creek near Dixon, Mont...... 28 13. Flathead project irrigated land, in acres ...... 29 14. Diversions in Flathead River basin, above Flathead River at mouth...... 30 EVALUATION OF STREAMFLOW RECORDS IN FLATHEAD RIVER BASIN, MONTANA

ABSTRACT basin where natural runoff prevails, these records depict the surface-water yield of the This report presents data which are, in gen­ basin at that point. Such records are of eral, supplementary to those of the surface- great value to the hydrologist or designing water investigations .made in the past by the engineer, as they are a direct measure of the Geological Survey. Those investigations have yield of the drainage basin. When upstream consisted essentially of the operation of the water use diverts and depletes the water many gaging stations on the Plathead River and supply, the discharge records no longer serve tributaries. as a measure of the yield of the basin unless appropriate adjustments are made. If the point The data presented were obtained from a de­ of proposed diversion or future use is remote tailed field investigation of the various man- from the gaging station, it is even more im­ made devices that are factors influencing the portant to have complete knowledge of these quantity or regimen of the flow at the gaging factors. stations. These factors include diversions from the stream, bypass channels carrying The primary purpose of this report is to water around the gaging stations, return flow evaluate each streamflow record in terms of from irrigation or other projects, storage and the factors that influence or alter the flow release of flood waters, and other similar of the Plathead River and tributaries at the factors. Where feasible, the location, size, gaging~station locations. Such factors in­ effect upon the streamflow, periods of use, clude diversions, bypass channels carrying method of operation, and similar information water around the gaging stations, consumptive are given. The information is segregated in­ use, regulation by storage, and other factors to sections corresponding to areas determined that alter the natural regimen of the stream by the location of gaging stations. An index or the discharge record obtained at the gaging of streamflow records is included. station. A section dealing with the adequacy of .avail­ The scope of this report is confined to in­ able water-resources data, including location dexing facts and material needed for the quan­ and period of record, also is included. This titative evaluation of the surface-water re­ information is given in general terms only, sources. Emphasis is on the factors influenc­ and is portrayed mainly by maps and graphs. ing the runoff regimen and the gaging-station records without attempting a quantitative de­ termination of their effect. For example, INTRODUCTION diversions are identified by name, location, approximate size, time of occurrence, purpose, and sources of information concerning their Purpose and Scope use. These data are basic to quantitative sur­ face-water-supply studies and to the evalu­ Studies of the water supply for a project ation of the surface-water resources of the utilizing surface water are based primarily on basin. One of the more important items of streamflow data obtained by operating gaging this information is the reference to the stations. Project design requires an estimate sources of data. of the probable future water supply that rea­ sonably may be expected during the life of the In addition to presenting information for project. This can be achieved only through a the evaluation of factors influencing basin study of records of past streamflow or other yield, some attention is given to evaluating hydrologic events. Records covering a period the adequacy of the streamflow records, them­ of many years are necessary to evaluate ade­ selves, in time and distribution. This in­ quately the effect of vagaries of the weather cludes: a bar graph picturing the length and and to determine the safe yield during drought distribution of discharge records; maps show­ periods. If during the period of operation of ing areal distribution of stations and the' a gaging station, man-made devices have altered relative length of records; a table showing the normal regimen of the stream or utilized stream-depletion data; and a table of reser­ consumptively a portion of the water supply,' voir storage potentials. the effects of these changes must be considered in analyzing the data to determine the possible future supply. Acknowledgments River discharge determined by gaging sta­ Data presented in this report were collected tions represents, in each instance, the actual from many sources, including publications and discharge at that particular point. In a files of the U. S. Geological Survey, the EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U. S. Low flows of the Plathead River basin natu­ Bureau of Reclamation, agencies of the State rally occur during the late winter, and floods of Montana, irrigation districts, and many normally occur in the late spring during peri­ individuals. The assistance of Prank H. Tyro-, ods of rapid snow melt. Rain also may be an engineer for the Plathead Project of the U. S. important factor during these flood periods. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and U. S. Forest Winter floods in this area rarely reach sub­ Service officials at the Kalispell Headquarters stantial proportions. Damaging floods are in­ is greatly appreciated. Much valuable infor­ frequent and confined to a few localized areas. mation was furnished by water-masters1 of Jocko The river is confined within high banks over ' and Missipn divisions of the Plathead Project. much of its course and has no thickly popu­ lated flood plains. This report was prepared under the immediate supervision of E. G. Bailey, Hydraulic Engineer, U. S. Geological Survey, Tacoma, Washington. UTILIZATION OP WATER IN THE BASIN Prank Stermitz, District Engineer, Surface Water Branch, Helena, Mont., and C. C. McDonald, The principal uses of water in the basin are Staff Engineer, Technical Coordination Branch, for irrigation and power generation. Municipal Tacoma, Wash., provided valuable technical and industrial use of water is relatively minor assistance. up to the present and almost negligible in com­ parison with the total amount of water used. Total regulation and diversion is not suffi­ PHYSICAL FEATURES OP THE BASIN cient to have a measurable effect on runoff in the basin. The regulation for power generation The Flathead River originates in British is confined to Plathead Lake, and all but a Columbia and follows a general southerly course small fraction of the use for irrigation is to a point about, 25 miles from its confluence practiced below the lake. with the Clark Pork, where it turns abruptly westward. The stream pattern is governed by Storage has been provifled for about 17 per­ the mountain ranges, trending northward. South cent of the average annual runoff of 8 million Pork, the largest tributary, flows northwest acre-ft, as measured at Plathead River near in close alignment with the main river above Poison. Plathead Lake encompasses 15 percent their confluence, but flows in the opposite of this storage capacity, and reservoirs built direction. for irrigation store the remaining 2 percent. The drainage basin of the Plathead River en­ Power production is of major importance at compasses nearly 9,000 sq mi, 649 sq mi of present and is now at the beginning of a period which are in Canada. The basin, which lies of great expansion. Considerable regulation of west of the Continental Divide, is high and the Plathead River results from the operation mountainous, and largely primitive and unin­ of 1,2*19,000 acre-ft of storage in Plathead Lake habited. The central portion of the area lies for power generation at Kerr Dam and other in the Rocky Mountain Trench^ a structural de­ plants on the Clark Pork and Columbia River. pression that includes Plathead Lake and the Two smaller plants on Swan River and Big Creek gently rolling hills and prairies to the north operate without storage facilities except for and south of the lake. Plathead Lake, a prom­ a small reservoir on Big Creek. The total in- inent feature in the topography of the basin, stalled capacity in the basin at present "is contains about 190 sq mi of water area. Several 60,000 kw, but studies of pdwer potentialities small lakes are on the western slopes near Gla­ indicate that an additonal 350,000 kw can be cier National Park. A few small glaciers and installed at several sites. Hungry Horse Dam, permanent snow fields are present in the head­ now under construction on the South Pork, will water areas ofi Plathead River. develop about 3.5 million acre-ft of storage for power and flood control. The largest tributaries of the Plathead River are South and Middle Porks, which join the riv­ A depletion study based on acreage irrigated er not far above the point where it cuts in 1946 shows a consumptive use in the whole through the Swan Range and enters Kalispell .basin of less than 1.4 percent of the runoff Valley. Whitefiah'Creek and Stillwater River measured at Poison. It is apparent that the enter from the west below this point, and Swan total yield of the basin is affected little by River enters Plathead Lake from the east. Sev­ consumptive use, particularly when it is noted eral smaller tributaries .from the east are u- that a substantial part of the irrigation water tilized almost entirely for irrigation in the supply is imported from adjacent river basins. Plathead Project of the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Water in the main stem of the Plathead River is not available for use in the areas where Precipitation in the valley area is light, most of the irrigable land is located without averaging 14.7 in. at Kalispell, about half of the expense of pumping. The water supply usu­ which falls during the growing season. Precip­ ally is diverted from tributaries nearby, so itation, in the mountainous areas is much that local shortages occur in spite of the greater; a substantial portion is snow. This ample supply for the basin as a whole. snow pack is the major source of the hormal spring runoff and forms the water supply for There are two principal areas of water use irrigation and power production. as well as population. The first is the rela­ tively flat valley area north of Plathead Lake Temperatures in the mountainous areas are and surrounding Kalispell. The second is the low, and the growing season is short, but broader and"more extensive area that extends there is little arable land 'in these areas. generally southward from Plathead Lake and con­ In the lower basin near Kalispell and below tains the Plathead Irrigation Project of the Plathead Lake, summer temperatures are high, Bureau of Indian Affairs. and the growing season is sufficiently long to mature most fruit and grain crops. Precipitation in the area surrounding Kali- spell generally is adequate for the growing of WATER-RESOURCES DATA 3 selected crops, and Irrigation usually is prac­ nally- expected, and development has probably ticed on small and scattered tracts. Pumping reached its limit, even with some importation and sprinkler irrigation is increasing, partic­ of water from the Thompson River basin. ularly along the lower reaches of the Still- water River and east of Kalispell. Irrigation Settlement of the Plathead River basin pro­ in the separate valleys along the forks and gressed at first more rapidly in the region tributaries of the Flathead River generally is -north of Plathead Lake, many old filings for confined to hay land, which is served by one or water rights dating back to the period of about two applications of flood water during the 1870. The former Plathead Indian Reservation, high-water season. The Ashley Irrigation Dis­ which included most of what is now Lake County, trict is the only organized development north, was closed to white settlement by treaty in of Plathead Lake, and it is served by a gravity 1855. ' Beginning in 1909, funds were appropri­ canal that diverts from Ashley Creek. The re­ ated to begin construction of the Plathead maining developments have been made by indi­ Project, and in 1910; farm lands not individ­ viduals, and information on their extent is ually allotted to Indians were opened to white meager. In many instances, such as for the settlement. Construction proceeded rapidly, irrigation of certified seed.potatoes, land and although some development is still In prog­ and water sourcesare varied in successive ress, it has reached the point of almost com­ years. Agriculture statistics show that non- plete utilization of available water. Private irrigated crops comprise only a small portion development of irrigated land, however, prob­ of the crop value. ably had reached a total approaching the pres­ ent amount by the time the Plathead Project In the second general area, nearly all irri­ had begun, and development has been fairly gated land is contained in the Plathead Project stable since, except for the recent develop­ in the valleys of Crow Creek, Mission Creek, ment of sprinkler irrigation near Kalispell. and Jocko River on the east and southeast side of the Plathead River, and of the Little Bitter- Hay accounts for about one-third of the to­ root River to the west. Here again, the pri­ tal crop production and has been the largest vately irrigated land is in widely scattered (in value) single crop produced on the project. small tracts served by diversions from various Cereal grains--of which wheat is the most tributaries of the Plathead River. Important, followed by oats and barley are produced in nearly equal value. A variety of The Plathead Project is supplied with water crops, among which potatoes and sugar beets are by streams that originate in the mountains the most important, make up the remainder of bordering this part of the valley. Lower Jocko those that are cultivated. Livestock and dairy Lake, McDonald, Mission, and Tabor reservoirs products are an important source of income; are on streams feeding the Jocko and Mission*' the animals are fed on locally grown crops. divisions, and Little Bitterroot Lake, Hubbart, Upper Dry Pork, and Dry Pork reservoirs are on Economic development in the basin is princi­ streams feeding the Camas Division. In addi­ pally confined to agriculture. The density of tion to these reservoirs, Twin, Pablo, Kicking population is low, and towns and communities Horse, and Ninepipe reservoirs, fed entirely are few and small; therefore, consumptive use by canals, are in the Mission Division. Lower of water by these municipalities is relatively Crow Reservoir on Crow Creek is supplied large­ insignificant (see table 1). ly by ground-water return flow from the large areas of irrigated land upstream, as the nat­ ural yield of the Crow Creek basin is largely WATER-RESOURCES DATA FOR PLATHEAD RIVER BASIN diverted before reaching the reservoir. Inter- basin diversions have been built in the upper basin of the Jocko River and in the basin of Streamflow Records the Little Bitterroot River to supplement the natural supply available in the basin. The Geological Survey has collected surface- water data at points in the Plathead River The on-stream reservoirs can, of course, basin since the early 1900's in cooperation store water at all times of the year, but they with the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, the catch most of their water supply during the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Federal Power spring and early-summer period of high runoff. Commission, and the State of Montana. During this same time feeder canals come into operation to fill the off-stream reservoirs. The contribution of other Federal agencies to *Fhe Pablo Feeder Canal is the controlling fea­ the stream-gaging program has been confined to ture of this system. It intercepts all streams cooperation with the Geological Survey, except from the Middle Pork of Jocko River north along for a recently instituted program, by the Bu­ the Mission Range to the headwaters of Crow reau of Indian Affairs, for measurements of Creek, and can convey water to almost any point streams draining the Mission Range. Records where it is needed, although its principal pur­ obtained will be available at the Flathead pose is to fill Pablo Reservoir. In years when Project office in St. Ignatius. the total supply is deficient, water can be turned out of this canal to where needed, and Development of the gaging-station program in water needed to fill Pablo Reservoir can be the basin may be separated into two very well pumped from the main stem of the Plathead River. defined stages. The first includes the estab­ This provides enough flexibility of operation lishment of a number of gaging stations, which so that the available water supply can be used began in 1906 in connection with the planning with great efficiency. Water supply is ordi­ of irrigation development in the basin below narily ample in the Jocko River basin, but Flathead Lake. Operation of these stations further development is limited there by the served its purpose within a comparatively lack of suitable storage sites for flood waters. short period of years and was discontinued by The situation is somewhat different in the 1918, insofar as stations on tributaries below Camas Division where the dependable supply has Flathead Lake are concerned. In the second turned out to be somewhat smaller than origi­ stage, stream-gaging above Plathead Lake began EVALUATION OP STREAMFLOW RECORDS Table 1. Municipal and industrial uses of water in Plathead River basin, Montana Approximate normal rate Sewage City Source of supply of use system Remarks (cfs) Essex Middle Pork Plathead 0.01 Several watering stations on River, Bear Creek, approach to Marias Pass; also Essex Creek. domestic supply used at hotel (Great Northern Railway) . West Glacier Middle Pork Flathead .01 - - Domestic supply for village and River. Glacier National Park Head­ quarters . Columbia Springs in Cedar Not No municipal Served 750 people in 1940j Palls. Creek basin, 3f- measured. system. 1,493 in 1950. miles north of town. Whitefish Tributaries of 1.9 . Three septic tanks Emergency supply can be pumped Haskill Creek. discharge into from Whitefish Lake. Great Whitefish Creek Northern Railway shops pump within the city. some water from lake. Kalispell Springs in sec. 6, 2.0 Empties into Served 12,000 people in 1950. T. 28 N., R. 21 W. Ashley Creek near west line sec. 20, T. 28 N. , R. 21W. Poison Big Creek in the NW£ 2 Sewage discharged Supply formerly pumped from sec. 4, T. 22 N., into Plathead Flathead Lake (1911 to 1919). R. 19 W. Lake after treat­ ment. Ronan Second Creek, 4 miles .01 No municipal Population 1,032 in 194Q east and above (in 1928) system. Pablo Feeder Canal. St. Infiltration galler­ No records No municipal System completed in 1940. Ignatius. ies under Mission available . system. Population 768 in 1940. Creek downstream from Mission Reservoir. Hot Springs Warm Springs Creek No records No municipal System completed about 193^ in sec. 6 or 7, available. system. T. 21 N., R. 25¥. Paradise Well owned by No records No municipal Well supplies water for trains Northern Pacific available . system. and also residents of Railway 4,300 ft Paradise. west of station. Charlo Drilled well 488 ft No records No municipal Supplies 58 residences. deep In town. available. system.

with establishment of stations on the three in earlier years no winter records were ob­ forks of Plathead River about 1910, but al­ tained at many of the stations. though these stations are in operation at pres­ ent, the records are not continuous for the Streamflow records available for the basin whole period. Few additional stations were are shown in table 2. Numbers opposite the added until about 1930 and after, when most of gaging stations listed in this table refer to the stations now in operation were established. locations on the map, plate 1. The record for Flathead River near Poison is the only one that is continuous for the whole Storage Reservoirs period. Water-supply papers published by the U. S. Geological Survey on surface-water supply The largest amount of storage in the basin in the Flathead River basin contain records at present is in^lathead Lake, a natural lake from 1899 to 1950, and are listed on the regulated at the'outlet by Kerr Dam to develop following page. 1,219,000 a.c-ft between elevations 2,883 and 2,893 ft. The Hungry Horse project, when com­ The stream-gaging program in the area above pleted, will provide an additional 3,500,000 Flathead Lake has been carried on with a wide acre-ft of storage for power and flood control. variety of purposes, among them investigation Several smaller reservoirs are operated for of power potentialities, irrigation and in- irrigation purposes, principally in the Flat- dudtrial water supplies, and runoff data of head' Indian Project. Table 3 includes a list value in general hydrologic studies. Stations of all reservoirs in the basin, their usable now in operation have continuous records, but capacities, and other information. WATER-RESOURCES DATA Surface-water supply in the years mentioned Water- Water- Water- Water- Water-* Year Supply Year Supply Year Supply Year Supply Year Supply Paper Paper Paper Paper Paper 1899 §J 38 1910 292 1921 532 1931 7.22 1941 932 1900 b/ 51 1911 312 1922 552 1932 737 1942 962 1901 66, 75 1912 332 -A 1923 572 1933 752 1943 982 1902 85 1913 362 -A 1924 592 1934 767 1944 1012 1903 100 1914 392 1925 612 1935 792 1945 1042 1904 135 1915 412 1926 632 1936 812 1946 1062 1905 178 1916 442 1927 652 1937 832 1947 1092 1906 214 1917 462 1928 672 1938 862 1948 1122 1907-8 252 1918 482 1929 692 1939 882 1949 1152 1909 272 1919-20 512 1930 707 1940 902 1950 1182 SJ Rating tables and index to Water-Supply Papers 35-39 contained in Water-Supply Paper 39. Monthly discharge for 1899 in 21st Annual Report, part 4. bj Rating tables and index to Water-Supply Papers 47-52 contained in Water-Supply Paper 52. Monthly discharge for 1900 in 22d Annual Report, part 4. Daily records of the elevation of Plathead Lake since 1938; however, lake records are Lake are collected by the U. S. Geological Sur­ available, which permit adjustment of the dis­ vey and published annually. Records of the charge records for storage. Records of vary­ irrigation reservoirs in the Flathead Indian ing length also are available for all the Project are collected by the U. S. Bureau of major tributaries above Plathead Lake, but Indian Affairs, and the monthly records of con­ records for smaller drainage basins within tine , tents published by the Geological Survey or area are few and cover only a short period. filed for public inspection. Records of cer­ Establishment of stations on Bear Creek and tain groups of reservoirs are combined for Skyland Creek near Essex in 1946 and on several publication: "Camas Reservoirs" and "Mission tributaries of the South Pork of Plathead Riv- Valley Reservoira" Records of other reser­ 'er in 1948 will yield records of increasing voirs are published separately. value in basin development. Adequacy of Data In the large part of the basin that lies be­ low Plathead River near Poison, gaging sta­ For consideration of the adequacy of records tions have not been operated by the U. S. collected at gaging stations, table 2 and fig­ Geological Survey since 1918. Those records ure 1 give a graphic representation of records that were collected between 1906 and 1918 are available with respect to length and time of of short duration, and winter records are operation and their geographical distribution. lacking for several of the stations. Most of The key stations for the basin as a whole are these records were obtained prior to construc­ the two main-stem stations at Columbia Palls tion of the Plathead Project, or the stations and near Poison and the stations located near were located above all diversions. The rec­ the mouths of the three main forks of the Plat- ords, therefore, are closely representative head River. A measure of their relative size of the natural flow during the periods covered. is shown in the following tabulation, which lists the average discharge at each station In table 4, all stations are listed, together for the 10- yr period October 1939 to Septem­ with comments on factors in their tributary ber 1949, the longest period of concurrent basins that have a significant effect in deplet­ record available at this time: ing or modifying the natural flow to the dis­ charge shown in records for the stations. Detailed information concerning the use of Gaging station Average discharge water by private individuals never has been (cfs) collected systematically. Most of the counties of Montana made surveys to classify land for Middle Pork Pla-thead River tax purposes about 1920, and, consequently, near West Glacier. 2,492 records of the privately irrigated land as of South Pork Plathead River that time are available. This was not done, near Columbia Palls. 3,127 however, in Plathead County, which includes Plathead River at Columbia nearly all the Plathead River basin above Flat- Palls. 8,474 head Lake, except for the headwaters of the Swan River near Big Pork 1,007 North Pork in Canada and some smaller areas. Plathead River near Poison. 10,090 All irrigation has been done by private indi­ viduals, except on land in the Ashley Irriga­ Records of these stations, while not all con­ tion District, and information given in this tinuous, have an aggregate length that covers report is based on estimates taken from sev­ a wide range of hydrologic events and condi­ eral sources. The breakdown of these estimated tions; discharges passing these stations are amounts of irrigation for the various drainage not significantly affected by depletion. Plow basins is subject to much uncertainty, owing of the Plathead River near Poison has been to the lack of information about the exact subject to regulation by storage in Plathead. location of the many small private diversions. EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS

Stream - gaging station

1. Flathead River at Flathead, B. . 2. Flathead River near Columbia Falls 3. Skyland Cr. near Essex 4. Bear Cr. near Essex 5. Middle Fk. Flathead River at Essex 6. Middle Fk. Flathead River at Belton 7. Lake McDonald Outlet at Lake McDonald 8. Middle Fk. Flathead River near West Glacier 9. So. Fk. Flathead River at Spotted Bear ranger station, near Hungry Horse 10. Spotted Bear River near Hungry Horse 11. Twin Cr. near Hungry Horse . 12. Lower Twin Cr. near Hungry Horse- 13. Sullivan Cr. near Hungry Horse 14. Graves Cr. near Hungry Horse 15. So. Fk. Flatbead River near Columbia Falls 16. Flathead River at Columbia Falls 17. Logan Cr. at Tally Lake, near Whitefish 18. Logan Cr. near Whitefish ___ 19. Stiilwater River near Whitefish 20. Stillwater River near Kalispell 21. Whitefish Cr. near Kalispell _ 22. Ashley Cr. near Kila 23. Ashley Cr. near Kalispell 24. Swan River near Big Fork 25. Big Creek near Poison 26. Flathead River near Poison 27. Little Bitterroot River near Marion 28. Little Bitterroot River near Hubbart 29. Little Bitterroot River near Niarada 30. Crow Cr. near Ronan ______31. Mud Cr. near Ronan 32. Crow Cr. at Lozeau's Ranch, near Ronan 33. Dry Cr. near St. Ignatius_____ 34. Mission Cr. near St. Ignatius_ 35. Post Cr. at Fitzpatrick's Ranch 36. Post Cr. at Deschamps' Ranch 37. Post Cr. near St. Ignatius 38. Middle Fk. of Jocko River near Jocko 39. So. Fk. Jocko River near Jocko 40. No. Fk. Jocko River near Jocko, 41. Falls Cr. near Jocko_ 42. Jocko River near Jocko 43. Big Knife Cr. near Jocko 44. Blodgett Cr. near Jocko. 45. Agency Cr. near Jocko___ 46. East Finley Cr. near Jpcko_ 47. Finley Cr. near Jockcw 48. Valley Cr. near Ravalli 49. Jocko River at Ravalli 50. Revais Cr. near Dixon

Continuous record No winter record

Table 2. --Index of streamflow records in Flathead River basin WATER-RESOURCES DATA

CANADA

EXPLANATION STREAM-GAGING STATIONS

Active Inoctivt Motion station

L*II than 10 ytart O 10 to 24 y*ori o 25 y*ars or mart

20MUES

Figure 1. Map showing location and duration of strearaflow records, EVALUATION" OP STREAMFLOW RECORDS Table 3. Storage reservoirs in Flathead River basin Date Operating Usable Name Location constructed Purpose agency capacity Method of operation (acre-ft) Hungry Horse On South Fork Started Power, flood con­ Bureau of Reservoir, of Flathead June 1948. trol, irrigation Recla­ River. on Kalispell mation. 3,500,000 Project. Whitefish Columbia Ave­ Present dam To hold Whitefish City of Gates opened only at Lake. nue Dam in built 1930. Lake at constant White- high water to pre­ Whitefish, Old dam at level for con­ fish. vent flooding at outlet many venience of homes upper end of lake. years be­ and lake resorts Gates closed and fore. along shore. flashboards in place during remainder of the year. Ashley Lake Sec. 23, T. Storage for Ash­ Ashley Stored water released 28 N., R. 1897 ley Irrigation Irriga­ 20,000 to Ashley Creek 24 W. District. tion during irrigation District. season. Mission Range Big Creek Storage be­ Power Mission Spring flood waters Power Co. gan about Range stored to the ca­ Reservoir. 1923. Power pacity of reservoir Co. for use during low water period. Plathead Lake' Sec. 12, T. Power generation Montana Storage between ele­ 22 N., R. April 1938 at Kerr Dam. Power 1,219,000 vations 2,883 and 21 W. Co. 0?PC 2,893 used for power permit,) generation. Releases based partially on requirements of Northwest Power Pool.

Little Sec. 21, T. U. S. Bitterroot 27 N., R. 1918 Irrigation Indian 24,000 Lake, 24 W. Irriga­ tion Service, Hubbart Res­ Sec. 18, T. ervoir, 25 N., R. 1923 ' do --do 12,100 24 W. Lower Jocko Sec. 28, T. Outlet seldom opened; Lake. 17 N., R. 1937 ---do --do 7,600 seepage under dam 17 W. gradually releases water during irri­ gation season.

Upper Dry Sec. 16, T. j -^ Q7E W "D --do ?£ , 71 \J\Jon Fork Reser­ do W . , K* 1940 » voir. 24 W. Dry Fork Sec. 3, T. 1934 do --do 4,000* Reservoir. 22 N., R. 24 W. Twin Sec. 18, T. Reservoir. 22 N., R. 1932 do --do 1,210 Fed entirely by 19 W. canals. Pablo Sec. 27, T. Fed entirely by Reservoir. 22 N., R. 1914 do --do 25,000 canals; some water 20 W. supplied by Flathead < pumping plant. Lower Crow Sec. 11, T, 1933 do --do 10,350 Reservoir. 20 N., R. 21 W. Kicking Horse Sec. 31, T. Fed entirely by Reservoir. 20 N., R. 1930 do --do 8,350 canals. 19 W. Ninepipe Sec. 27, T. Reservoir, 20 N., R. 1923 do --do 14,870 Do. 20 W. WATER-RESOURCES DATA

Table 3. Storage reservoirs in Plathead River basin Continued Date Operating Usable Name Location 'constructed Purpose agency capacity Method of operation (acre-ft) McDonald Sec. 10, T. U. S. Reservoir. 19 N., R. 1919 Irrigation Indian 8,220 Fed entirely by 19 W. Irriga­ canals. tion Service. Mission Sec. 16, T. Reservoir. 18 N., R. 1935 do --do 7,250 Do. 19 W. Tabor Sec.' 6, T. Reservoir, 17 N. , R. 1919 do __do 23,000 Do. 18 W. Note: Off-stream reservoirs, in general, do not store water during the winter months, because the feeder canals cannot be operated under severe freezing conditions. Reservoirs on the streams are normally closed during the winter and store any runoff that becomes available during the en­ tire year. Irrigation reservoirs of both classes receive most of their supply during the spring and early-summer flood season, and withdrawals are made during the irrigation season, as required.

Table 4. Streamflow records in relation to natural yield [For details of regulation, diversion, and other exceptions to natural yield see station descrip­ tions beginning on page 12] No. Gaging station Upstream regulation and depletion 1 Plathead River at Plathead, B. C. None of consequence. 2 Plathead River near Columbia Palls Do. 3 Skyland Creek near Essex Do. 4 Bear Creek near Essex Do. 5 Middle Pork Plathead River at Essex Do. 6 Middle Pork Plathead Rj,ver at Belton Do. 7 Lake McDonald outlet at Lake McDonald Do. 8. Middle Pork Plathead River near West Glacier. Do. 9 South Pork Plathead River at Spotted Bear ranger station near Hungry Horse. Do. 10 Spotted Bear River near Hungry Horse Do. 11 Twin Creek near Hungry Horse Do. 12 Lower Twin Creek near Hungry Horse Do. 13 Sullivan Creek near Hungry Horse Do. 14 Graves Creek near Hungry Horse Do. 15 South Pork Plathead River near Columbia Palls. Do. 16 Plathead River at Columbia Palls Do. 17 Logan Creek at Talley Lake, near None of consequence; some minor regulation by Whitefish. Talley Lake prior to period of record. 18 Logan Creek near Whitefish Do. 19 Stillwater River near Whitefish Minor regulation by Stillwater Lakes; few small diversions. 10 EVALUATION OP STREAMFLOW RECORDS Table 4. Streamflow records in relation to natural yield Continued Gaging station Upstream regulation and depletion Stillwater River near Kalispell Minor regulation by Stillwater Lakes; few small diversions. Whitefish Creek near Kalispell Minor regulation by Whitefish Lake; few small diversions. Ashley Creek near Kila Minor regulation by Ashley Lake. Ashley Creek near Kalispell Do. Swan River near Big Pork A few-minor diversions above Swan Lake. Big Creek near Poison None of consequence; minor regulation by power plant. Flathead River near Poison Regulated by Flathead Lake for power genera­ tion; no depletion of consequence. Little Bitterroot River near Marion Regulation by Little Bitterroot Lake. Little Bitterroot River near Hubbart Regulation by two lakes; one major diversion. Little Bitterroot River near Niarada Regulation by two lakes; two major diversions. Crow Creek near Ronan Several diversions. Mud Creek near Ronan Do. Crow Creek at Lozeau's ranch, near Regulation by one lake; several large di­ Ronan versions . Dry Creek near St. Ignatius None during period of rtecord. Mission Creek near St. Ignatius Regulation by two reservoirs; several large diversions. Post Greek at Fitzpatrick's ranch, Regulation by one lake; one large and two near Ronan small diversions. Post Creek at Deschamps' ranch, near No regulation during period of record; sev­ Ronan eral minor diversions. Post Creek near St. Ignatius No regulation during period of record; sev­ eral minor diversions. Middle Fork Jocko River near Jocko None of consequence during period of record. Regulation by one reservoir, and two major diversions at present. South Fork Jocko River near Jocko None of consequence. North Fork Jocko River near Jocko None of consequence during period of record; one major diversion at present. Falls Creek near Jocko Do. . Jocko River near Jocko None of consequence during period of record. Regulation by one reservoir, and three major and several minor diversions at present. Big Knife Creek near Jocko None of consequence. Blogett Creek near Jocko None of consequence known. Agency Creek near Jocko None of consequence. East Finley Creek near Jocko One major diversion. Finley Creek near Jocko One large and two small diversions. Valley Creek near Ravalli None of consequence. Jocko River at Ravalli Many small diversions during period of record. Ravais Creek'near Dixon Several small diversions. EXPLANATION OF DATA 11 The land classification made about 1920 In "Bypass channels" are those carrying surface Lake, Mlssoula, and Sanders Counties covered flow which "bypasses the gaging station and only that land not Included in the Flathead which, therefore, is not measured at the sta­ Project. No new classification has been made tion and may or may not 'be Included in the since, but probably there has been little station record, in this report' most such change In total-amount of Irrigation since channels are canals or ditches that carry wa­ that time. Complete records of the amount of ter past the station, or past several stations land irrigated by the Flathead Project have in succession, for use downstream. Any unusual been kept since 1910, but a "breakdown into the circumstances in connection with the bypass individual drainage basins is not possible in flow are explained. At certain stations the some parts of the project and in others is flow of the canal is, or can be, added to that only approximate. of the gaging station to give the total surface flow at that site; however, for most bypassing There is some Interchange of surface water canals a certain part of the water originally and ground water in parts of the basin, but no diverted is used upstream or lost through seep­ attempt is made in this report to evaluate the age and the amount actually bypassing the sta­ resultant effects on streamflow at the gaging tion is less than that diverted.. points. For example, streams entering the valley lands in the vicinity of Kalispell ap­ "Diversion" applies to water removed from pear to lose considerable water by seepage In­ the natural channel by artificial means such to the alluvial deposits-over which they flow. as a ditch, canal, pipe, or pump. Here, "lo­ Some studies of -ground-water levels have been cation" refers to the headgate or point at made adjacent to the lake, but no basis exists which water is caused to leave the stream. for evaluation of the movement of ground water Although the larger canals and ditches have for the valley as a whole. Return flow by continuous water-stage recorders in operation seepage from irrigated land on the Flathead during the irrigation season or a staff gage Project has become a factor of some Importance read by an observer, the accurate flow of most in the yield of several streams in the area. diversions is not known. Therefore, an"approx­ These streams are not gaged now at the sites imate normal flow" is given as an approximation of the original stations. No systematic of the quantities of water Involved. From ne­ ground-water investigation has been made on cessity most such values are estimates. If a the Flathead Project. reliable estimate is not possible, the amount of the water right is given, even though this amount may not always be equal to the amount SYLLABUS OF GAGING-STATION RECORDS used. When dates of establishment of canals and ditches are npt available, an approximation is made with relation to the establishment of Explanation of Data the gaging station. Although the capacities of ditches and canals are not given, some in­ The data presented in the following pages dication as to size may be obtained from the apply to the physical and hydrologlc setting "maximum recorded flow, 1 which has been In­ at and above the gaging stations. Location, cluded where available. The purpose of the records available, and bypass channels refer diversion is usually shown. Diversions for to the gaging station and the records of dis­ irrigation usually occur only during the irri­ charge at that site. Data on diversions, re­ gation season, generally from April through turn flow, and utilization refer to the area September. During the remainder of the year between that gaging station and the next gag- there may be little or no water used for this Ing station upstream. Drainage area refers to purpose. all above the station site. "Return flow" refers to water returning to Gaging stations on the stream are presented the stream from irrigated tracts, by o.verland in downstream order from headwater to mouth, flow within the area indicated. Location of with stations on tributaries to that stream wasteways, their approximate flow, and source being Inserted in the order in which the trib­ of the flow are listed if known. Some large utaries enter that stream. Diversions and re­ amounts of subsurface flow are mentioned, al­ turn flows are listed in the same downstream though data in this report usually are con­ order. The relative rank of the tributaries fined to surface conditions. is indicated in the table of contents by in­ dention. "Storage and regulation" refer to operation of reservoirs or other structures that affect The "location" paragraph shows the location the normal regimen of flow at the particular of the gaging-station with respect to latitude gaging station. So considered, regulation is and longitude or to land subdivisions, as well the alternate storage and release of water, as with respect to the nearest town or prom­ excluding withdrawals by diversion from the inent feature of the stream. stream channel. Regulation at the station also may be caused by structures situated in "Drainage area" refers to the entire drain­ areas above successive upstream gaging stations, age area above the gaging station. Where this but such regulation is mentioned only in the information is not available the paragraph has records of the gaging station immediately above been omitted. which the structure is situated. "Records available" indicates the periods "Utilization" is the use of water in the for which discharge records are known to be area indicated, regardless of the ultimate available. Unless another source is shown, source of that water. Changes in utilization these records are published by the Geological from its beginning to the present are given Survey in its series of annual water-supply if known. papers (see p. 6 ). 12 EVALUATION OF STREAMFLOW RECORDS Gaging-Statlon Records Storage and regulation. None. 1. Flathead River at Plathead, Utilization.--None. British Columbia (Published as Plathead River near Trail Creek, Remarks.--Station operated to provide data for Mont., prior to 1935; International gaging studies made at.Upper Columbia River Snow station) laboratory. Location. Staff gage, lat 49°00', long. 114° 29', at highway bridge 0.2 mile north of 4. Bear Creek near Essex, Mont. international boundary, 0.2 mile northwest of Plathead British Columbia, and 7 miles Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°16 I 50", northwest of Trail Creek, Mont. ' long. 113°25 1 30", near SGuth line of sec. 7, T. 29 N., R. 14 W., three-quarters of a mile Drainage area. 450 sq mi. downstream from Autumn Creek and 8£ miles northeast of Essex. Wire-weight gage prior Records available. March 1929 to September to March 19, 1947. 1950 (no winter records). Drainage area. 20.7 sq mi. Diversions. None of consequence. Records available. January 1946 to September Return flow. None. Storage and regulation. None. Bypas s channeIs.--None. Utilization. None. Diversions."-None. Return flow.--None. 2. Flathead River near Columbia Palls, Mont. Storage and regulation. None. Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°29', long.. 114°05', in the NW£ sec. 7, T. 31 N., Utilization. None. R. 19 W., three-quarters of a mile upstream from Middle Pork and 10 miles -northeast of Columbia Palls. Datum of gage is 3,109.70 5.--Middle Pork Plathead River at Essex, Mont. ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (levels by Bureau of Reclamation). Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°16', long. 113°36', in the SW£ sec. 14, T. 29 Drainage area. 1,620 sq mi. N., R. 16 W., 0.6 mile upstream from Ole Creek, 0.7 mile southeast of Essex, and Records available.--September 1910 to "Septem­ 4 miles downstream from Bear Creek. ber 1917, April 1929 to September 1950. Drainage area. 517 sq mi. Bypass channels. None. Records available. October.1939 to September 1950. (The information that follows applies only to the drainage area between this station and Bypass channels.--None. the next station upstream.) Diversions. No significant diversion above Diversions. No significant diversion above station. station. Return flow.--None. Return flow. None. Storage and regulation. None. Storage and regulation. None. Utilization. Great Northern Railway uses some Utilization.--About 30 acres of hay land re­ water from Middle Fork Flathead River and ported to be irrigated in Plathead River Bear Creek, mostly for watering locomotives. Valley above Coal Creek. (U. S. Forest (Oral report, U. S. Forest Service officials, Service, Kalispell, Mont.) Kalispell, Mont.) Occasional irrigation of less than 100 acres of hay land along Bear Creek. (Field observation by Geological 3. Skyland Creek near Essex, Mont. Survey engineers.) No records available. Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°17'30", long. 113°23'20", in the NW£ sec. 9, T'. 29 6. Middle Fork Flathead River at Belton Mont. N., R. 14 W., 150 ft upstream from mouth and 10 miles northeast of Essex. Location. Staff gage, lat 48 030'00", long. 113 V 58'30", in the NW£ sec. 36, T. 32 N., R. Drainage area.--8.09 sq ml. 19 W., at Belton, half a mile upstream from highway bridge and 2 miles upstream from Records1950. available. January 1946 to September McDonald Creek. Drainage area. 950 3q ml. Bypass channels. None. Records available. October 1910 to September Diversions. None. 1923, February 1929 to June 1933, August 1943 to November 1947 (discontinued). Return flow. None. QAGING-STATION RECORDS Bypass channels.--None. Storage and regulation. None. (The Information that follows applies only Utilization.--The domestic water supply for the to the drainage area between this station and village of West Glacier and the Glacier the next station upstream.) National Park headquarters is taken from the Middle Pork Plathead River. There Is Diversions. No significant diversion above no other known utilization above the station. station. Return flow. None. 9. South Pork Plathead River at Spotted Bear ranger station near Hungry Horse, Mont. Storage and regulation. None. Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 47°55'20", Utilization. The Great Northern Railway long. 113°31'25", in SW£ sec. 17, T. 25 N., diverts a small amount of water from Essex R., 15 W., 1,000 ft upstream from Spotted Creek for domestic use and the watering of Bear River and 40 miles southeast of Hungry locomotives at Essex. Facilities are avail­ Horse. able for irrigating an estimated 300 acres of hay land in Middle Pork Plathead Valley Drainage area. 959 sq ml. near Nyack ranger station. However, it Is reported (field observations by Geological Records1950. available. August 1948 to September Survey engineers) that none or only a small part of this land is irrigated each season. No records available. Bypass channels. None. Diversions.--None. 7. Lake McDonald outlet at Lake McDonald, Mont. Return flow.--None. Location. Staff gage, lat 48°32', long. 114°, Storage and regulation. None. 00', In the NW| sec. 23, T. 32 N., R. 19 W., at lower end of Lake McDonald, In Glacier Utilization.--None. National Park. Drainage area.--174 sq mi. 10. Spotted Bear River near Hungry Horse, Mont. Records available.--August 1912 to September 1914 (fragmentary; no winter records). Location.--Water-stage recorder, lat 47 055«40", long. 113"31'10", near center of sec. 17, Bypass channels.--None. T. 25 N., R. 15 W., a third of a mile up­ stream from mouth and 40 miles southeast of Diversions.--None. Hungry Horse. Return flow.--None. Drainage area.--180 sq mi. Storage and regulation. Natural storage only Records available.--October 1948 to September in Lake McDonald. 1950. Utilization.. None. Bypass channels.--None. Diversions.--None. 8. Middle Pork Plathead River near West Glacier, Mont. Return flow. None. Location.--Staff gage, lat 48 029'50", long. Storage and regulation. None. 114"00'30", In NE£ sec. 34, T. 32 N., R.. 19 W., three-quarters of a mile downstream Utilization.--None. from McDonald Creek, l£ miles west of West Glacier, and 3^ miles upstream from mouth. 11. Twin Creek near Hungry Horse, Mont. Drainage area.--1,140 sq ml. Location. --Water-stage recorder, lat 47°59'10", Records1950": available. October 1939 to September long. 113°33'30", in the E| sec. 25, T. 26 N., R. 16 W., a quarter of a mile upstream from mouth and 36 miles southeast of Hungry Bypass channels. None. Horse. (The Information that follows applies only Drainage area. --47. 6 sq ml. to the drainage area between this station and the next station upstream.) Records available. August 1948 to September Diversions. No significant diversion above station. Domestic water supply for village Bypass channels.- -None . of West Glacier and the Glacier National Park headquarters taken from Middle Pork Diversions. None . Plathead River. No records available. Return flow. None . Return flow.--None. Storage and regulation. None. 14 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS Utilization. None. 9 miles east of Columbia Palls. Datum of gage is 3,031.3 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Corps of Engineers, bench 12.--Lower Twin Creek near Hungry Horse, Mont. mark). Location.--Water-stage recorder, lat 47°59'40", Drainage area. 1,640 sq mi. long. 113°33'20", in the SE£ sec. 24, T. 26 N., R. 16 W., half a mile upstream from Records available. September 1910 to Septem- mouth and 35 miles southeast of Hungry Horse. berl916, April 1923 to September 1950. (No winter records prior to 1929 water Drainage area. 22.2 sq mi. year.) Records available,--August 1948 to September Bypass channels.--None. 1950. Diversions. None. Bypass channels. None. Return flow. None. Diversions.--None. Storage and regulation.--None. Construction Return flow. None. on Hungry Horse Dam 2 miles upstream began in June 1948. Some storage scheduled to Storage and regulation. None. begin during 1952. Utilization. None. Utilization. None.

13. Sullivan Creek near Hungry Horse, Mont. 16. Plathead River at Columbia Palls, Mont. Location.--Water-stage recorder, lat 48°01'45", Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°22', long. 113°42'10", in the W| sec. 12, T. 26 long. 114°11', in the SW£ sec. 17, T. 30 N., R. 17 W., a quarter of a mile downstream N., R. 20 W., 200 ft downstream from high­ from Quintonkon Creek, 3 miles upstream from way bridge at Columbia Palls and 5 miles mouth, and 30 miles southeast of Hungry Horsa downstream from South Pork. Datum of gage is 2,978.00 ft above mean sea level, datum Drainage area. 73 sq mi. of 1929 (levels by Corps of Engineers).. Records available. September 1948 to Septem- Drainage area. 4,440 sq mi. ber 1950. Records available. May 1922 to September 1923 Bypass channels.--None. (fragmentary), June 1928 to September 1950. Diversions.--None. Bypass channels. None. Return flow. None. (The information that follows applies only to the drainage area between this -station and Storage and regulation. None. the next station upstream.) Utilization. None. Diversions. Water supply for town of Columbia Falls diverted from tributaries to Cedar Creek. No record found of any diversion 14. Graves Creek near Hungry Horse, Mont. for irrigation; little, if any, irrigable land above station Location.--Water-stage recorder, lat 48°07'50'r , long; 113°46'10", in the Wf sec. 4, T. 27 Return flow.--None. N., R. 17 W., 2 miles upstream from mouth . and 22 miles southeast of Hungry Horse. Storage and regulation.--None. Drainage area. 33 sq mi. Utilization. The town of Columbia Palls uses water from several springs about 3^ miles Records available. August 1948 to September north of town near Cedar Creek, collected 1950. in a small reservoir and conveyed to dis­ tribution system by gravity pipe. In 1940, Bypass channels.--None. the system served 750 people (300 services); in 1950, 1,493 people (440 services). Dis­ Diversions.--None. posal by individual septic tanks (according to public water-supply records, Montana Return flow. None. State Board of Health). Storage and regulation. None. 17. Logan Creek at Tally Lake, Utilizat ion. None. near Whitefish, Mont. Location.--Staff gage, lat 48°27', long. 114' 15. South Pork Plathead River near 34', in"the NW{ sec. 17, T. 31 N., R. 23 Columbia Palls, Mont. W., 2£ miles north of Tally Lake and 10 miles west of Whitefish. August 1931 to Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°22', September 1934, water-stage recorder or long. 114°03', in the NE£ sec. 17, T. 30 N., staff gage at site 2^ miles upstream at R. -19 W., 2 miles upstream from mouth and outlet of Tally Lake. GAGING-STATION RECORDS 15 Records available. April 1936 to September It is the opinion of U. S. Forest Service 1942, May 1945 to September 1947. August officials at Kalispell (oral communication) 1931 to April 1933 and May to September that about 2,000 acres in the entire Stil-1- 1934 at former site. water River basin are being Irrigated at present. The major part of this land lies Bypass channels. None. downstream from the station. Land irrigated above the station includes some' in the Boot­ Diversions.--None. jack. Creek basin and scattered tracts along the Stillwater River which have been.cleared Return flow. None. and irrigated by sprinklers since about 1946. No official 'record appears to be available Storage and regulation.--Small timber splash to show location of diversions, the amount dam at outlet of Tally Lake was used at of water diverted, or the period of time times during period 1910 to 1934 to flush during which water has been used. logs down the Stillwater River. No artifi­ cial regulation or storage after September 15, 1934, when dam was removed. Dam was 20. Stillwater River near Kalispell, Mont. constructed and operated by Somers Lumber Company, Somers, Mont. Location.--Staff gage, lat 48°17', long. 114° 20", in the NE? sec. 14, T. 29 N., R. 22 Utilization. None. W., on highway bridge 5 miles north of Kalispell. 18.--Logan Creek near Whitefish, Mont. Records available.--September 1906 to June 1907 (gage heights only); April to August, Location.--Staff gage, lat 48°29', long. 114° 1922, June 1928 to September 1930. 33', in the NE$ sec*. 4, T. 31 N., R. 23 W., just upstream from Good Creek, 20 miles Bypass channels.--None. west of Whitefish. (The information that follows applies only Records available. April to September, 1931. to the drainage area between this station and the next station upstream.) Bypass channels.--None. Divers ions. No known diversions above station Diversions.--None known. prior to 1946. Since that time the practice of sprinkler irrigation has been introduced Return flow. None. into the valley to a small extent but rec­ ord of diversion is not available for this Storage and regulation.--None, except as noted report. (Oral report, U. S. Bureau of Rec­ by stations upstream. lamation engineers, Kalispell Project planning office, Kalispell, Mont.) Utilization.--None. Return flow.--None. 19.--Stillwater River near Whitefish, Mont. Storage and regulation. None, except as noted for station upstream. Location.--Water-stage recorder, lat 48°19', long. 114°23', in the SW£ sec. 34, T. 30 Utilization. No official data appear to be on N., R. 22 W., 600 ft downstream from high­ file showing extent of water use in the way bridge, 7 miles southwest of Whitefish, Stillwater River basin; any utilization and 10 miles upstream from Whitefish Creek. during period of record appears to have been negligible. See record for station on Drainage area. 529 sq mi. Stillwater River near Whitefish 'no. 19). Records available.--November 1930 to September 1950 (discontinued). 21.--Whitefish Creek near Kalispell, Mont. Bypass channels.--None. Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°19', long. 114°16', in the SW£ sec. 34, T. 30 N., Diversions.--Some small diversions above sta­ R. 21 W., 8 miles north of Kalispell and 8 tion for irrigation; no detailed information miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage 3s available: 2,969.7 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Corps of Engineers, benchmark). Return flow.--No known return surface flow. Drainage area. 173 sq mi. Storage and regulation. Minor regulation dur- ing early years of record in summer, due to Records available. November to December 1906 use of splash dams at lake outlets in upper (gage heights only), July 1928 to September valley for log drives. Dates not recorded. 1950 (discontinued). Utilization. A study by the U. S. Bureau of Bypass channels. None. Reclamation in 1946 found 7 acres irrigated in sec. 7, and 2 acres in sees. 6 and 7, T. Diversions. Pour small diversions for irri­ 30 N., R. 22 W., but this study was con­ gation above station (see table 5). (& S. fined to the Kalispell Project area which Bureau of Reclamation investigation for includes only a small part of the basin Kalispell Project, 1946, Kalispell Planning above this station. (U. S. Bureau of Rec­ Office, Kalispell, Mont.) City of White- lamation, Supporting Data and Economics, fish diverts its water supply from upper Kalispell Project Planning Office, Kalispell, tributaries of Haskill Creek. (Oral report Mont.) 16 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS by City Water Department, Whitefish, Mont.) (oral report by City Water Department, No other significant diversion. Whitefish, Mont.), see table 3 for data on Whitefish Lake. Return flow.--No known return surface flow. City of Whitefish returns sewage through Utilization.--About 120 acres irrigated from three septic tanks at points on Whitefish several diversions above station. Munici­ Creek within the city. (Oral report by pal water supply for Whitefish obtained City Water Department, Whitefish, Mont.) from tributary stream. No other significant water use known. Storage .and regulation. Minor regulation of level of Whitefish Lake by city-owned dam

Table 5.--Diversions in Whitefish Creek basin, above Whitefish Creek near Kalispell, Mont. Approx. Point of Date of normal Name diversion establ. flow Purpose Remarks (cfs)

Hori Ranch Used for past 20 or 30 yr on (truck farm). Haskill Creek ___ __- Irrigation 60 acres in sees. 32 and 33, T. 31 N. , R. 21 W. I/ Van Aiken truck Pumping from do Used fo'r past 20 or 30 yr on farm. Whitefish 40 acres about 2 miles down­ Creek 2 miles stream from Whitefish. I/ downstream from Whitefish,

Unnamed ditch Whitefish ___ do Used on 9 acres in sec. 5, T. Creek. 30 N., R. 21 W. I/ Unnamed ditch Whitefish do Used on 15 acres in sec. 22, Creek. T. 30 N., R. 21 W. I/ Whitefish water Upper tribu­ 1919 1.9 Municipal Whitefish also pumps supple­ supply. taries of water mental water from Whitefish Haskill Creek supply. Lake during emergencies. (called First, Prior to 1919 all water from Second, Third this source. Great Northern Creeks) sees. Railway shops at Whitefish 7, 8, 12, T. pump water from Whitefish Late, 31 N. , R. 21W. or can be served by city water system. I/. 1946 investigation by U. S. Bureau of Reclamation lists only irrigation actually found in 1946; no information given for length of time diversion has been in use.. sec. 29, T. 28 N., R. 22 W., 5 miles 22.--Ashley Creek near Kila, Mont. west of Kalispell. Location. --Staff gage, lat 48°10 f , long. 114° Drainage area.. 203 sq mi. 36', in sec. 25, T. 28 N., R. 24 W., about 1^ miles below outlet of Ashley Lake, 7 Records ayailable.--April 1931 to March 1933, miles northwest of Klla. April 1934 to September 1950 (discontinued). Records available. . --July to December 1916. Bypass channels.--None. Bypass channels.- -None . Diversions. No important diversions known. Diversions . - -None . Return flow.--None. Return flow.- -None . Storage and regulation. None. Storage and regulation. --Water stored in Ash- Utilization.--An estimated total of 80 to 100 ley Lake for irrigation (see table 3) . acres (mostly hay or pasture) may be irri­ gated above Smith Lake. (According to an Utilization.- -None . oral report by U. S. Bureau of Reclamation engineers, Kalispell Planning Office, Kalispell, Mont.) Headgate of Ashley Irri­ 23. Ashley Creek near Kalispell, Mont. gation District Canal is about 1-J miles downstream from this station. Location. Wire -weight gage and Cippoletti weir, lat 48°10«, long. 114'°26', in the GAOING-STATION RECORDS 24. Swan River near Big Pork, Mont. Bypasa channels. None Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 48°01 I , Diversions. Three diversions above station, long. 113°59', in the NW£ sec. 14, T. 26 shown in table 6. Published discharge rec­ N., R. 19 W., at outlet of Swan Lake, 7 ords for this station include water diverted. miles southeast of Big Pork. Datura of gage is 3,062.6 ft above mean sea level (river Return flow. None above station. profile survey). Storage and regulation.--Operation of power Drainage area. 647 sq mi. plant upstream causes diurnal fluctuation at gage; a small amount of storage (possibly Records available. April 1922 to September as much as 1,000 acre-ft) of spring flood 19SO~:October 1910 to May 1911 at site waters carried over for use during period 2 miles upstream from Swan Lake. of summer low flows. Poison Reservoir stores water for municipal water supply. Bypass channels. None. Utilization. No irrigation above station. Diversions.--Small diversions for irrigation Water diverted by Twin Feeder is conveyed above station, no known record of magnitude to Twin Reservoir for storage, and used for or duration. irrigation of lands at the foot of Plathead Lake east of Poison, or can be fed into the Return flow.--None. distribution system directly at points on the canal above the reservoir (East Poison Storage and regulation. Natural storage only subdivision of Plathead Project). in Swan Lake. The Big Creek power station was in oper­ Utilization. About 360 acres irrigated in ation during all of the period of record Missoula County above Swan Lake. and up to the present. Natural flow of Big Creek, supplemented by some stored water accumulated-during period of spring runoff, 25.--Big Creek near Poison, Mont. is developed by a penstock pipe under head of 585 ft, but water supply is insufficient Location. Water-stage recorder, lat 47°42', to develop full 320 kw rated capacity of the long. 114°02', in the NW£ sec. 4, T. 22 N. plant except at high water season. The plant R. 19 W., just downstream from Mission was acquired from the private owners in 1931, Range Power Co.'s plant, three-quarters of and is now part of the Plathead Project's a mile upstream from mouth, and 7 miles power system. Poison water supply serves a east of Poison. population of 2,217 (2,156 in 1940). Drainage area. 5.0 sq mi. Records available. June 1917 to September 1932.

Table 6. Diversions in Big Creek basin, above Big Creek near Poison, Mont.i/ Point of Date of Approx. Name diversion eStaUI normal Purpose Remarks flow (cfs) Hell Roaring Sec. 23, T. 1923 5.00 Irrigation Canal diverts from Hell Creek Canal. 23 N., R. (designed ca­ Roaring Creek to Big Creek 19 W. pacity; amount to supplement Big Creek diverted de­ water for irrigation. Rec­ pends on water ords available in files of available) U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. Twin Feeder Canal NWi sec. 4, Prior to 15.00 Part of May be diverted for irriga­ (formerly Poison T. 22 N. , R. 1917 (designed ca­ supply tion in area east of Poison V Canal), 19 W. pacity); 3, 686 for Twin before reaching Twin Reser­ acre-ft per Reser­ voir. year, average voir. 1907-43) Poison water NW£ sec. 4, 1919 2.49 Municipal Prom establishment of city supply intake. T. 22 N., (maximum; nor­ water water system In 1911 to R. 19 W. mally 2 cfs. supply. completion of present used) gravity- supply system in 1919, the municipal water supply was pumped from Plathead Lake. I/. Data from U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. 18 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS 26. Flathead River near Poison, Mont. April through September). No records of amounts diverted are kept by.the water- Location.--Water-stage recorder, lat 47°41', master, but the district permits 10 cfs of long. 114°15', in the NW£ SEt sec. 11, T. the flow of Ashley Creek to pass downstream 22 N., R. 21 W., half a mile downstream to satisfy prior water rights. (Unpublished from Kerr Dam and 6 miles downstream from report on Ashley Irrigation District, U. S. Poison. Prior to Oct. 1, 1941 at site 6 Bureau of Reclamation, Kalispell, Mont. miles downstream at different datum. (Old 1947). location: Water-stage recorder, lat 47°39', long. 114°20', in sec. 19, T. 22 N., R. 21 Return flow. A wasteway from Ashley Irriga- W. at highway bridge at Nbrrisvale, 12 miles tion District ditch enters the Stillwater downstream.from Poison. Drainage area: River in sec. 6, T. 28 N., R. 21 W. This 7,010 sq mi). wasteway seldom carries water, because normally the supply available from the Drainage area. 6,990 sq mi. dit'ch is inadequate for irrigation demands. Surface return flow from other sources is Records available. July 1907 to September negligible. 1950. Storage and regulation. Water stored in Plat- Bypass channels. Water diverted by Plathead head Lake; see table 3. Project Pumps to supply the Mission Di­ vision cbypasses the station. This amount Utilization.-- constitutes more than 90 percent of that pumped; the remainder is used on the West 1. About 2,000 acres of land irrigated in Poison Project above the station. Records the vicinity of Poison. Water is furnished of flow are on file with the U. S. Bureau principally from.'Pablo Feeder Canal; some of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. supplemental water is pumped from Plathead River. (The information that follows applies only to the drainage area between this station and 2. Land irrigated in the Kalispell area the next station upstream.) consists of 6,000 acres (at present) watered by private sprinkler systems, and about Diversions.-- 1,500 acres supplied from private ditches. Ashley Irrigation district contains 1,637 1. The Plathead Project Pumps, operated acres considered irrigable, of which an by the U. S. Indian Irrigation Service, average of 900 to .1,000 acres has been take water from the Plathead River in the irrigated yearly. SW£NW£ sec. 17, T. 22 N., R. 20 W. Three electrically driven pumps each deliver 67 3. Municipal water supply of Kalispell is cfs to 48 in. pipes, 650 ft long. The wa­ obtained from springs near Stillwater River ter is lifted 335 ft to a canal from which in sec. 6, T. 28 N., R. 21 W. Mean rate of it can be delivered to Pablo Reservoir or use has been about 2 cfa in recent years, used directly on land in the vicinity of heaviest use being during the summer. Sew­ Poison. Operation began in 1939. The age is discharged after treatment into Ash­ pumps deliver about 12,000 acre-ft per ley Creek near west line sec. 20, T. 28 N., month when operated continuously. Records R. 21 W. of pumpage are on file at U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. 4. Hydroelectric power plants: Big Pork plant of the Mountain States Power Compart^ 2. U. S. Bureau of Reclamation engineers at the town of Big Pork on Swan River, rated at Kalispell Planning Office estimate that at 4,000 kw, Kerr Dam on Plathead River, one- about 6,000 acres of valley lands near half mile above gage operated by Montana Kalispell were irrigated by about 100 Power Company, has installed capacity of sprinkler systems in 1950. The sources of 56,000 kw and has been in operation since water used are various small streams, lakes, 1938. or wells, and many of the units are moved from year to year to serve different lands. The lands irrigated in this manner receive 27. Little Bitterroot River near Marion, Mont. about one inch of water, three or four times during the growing season. Diversions of Location.--Staff gage, lat 48°05 f , long. 114° water for this purpose began'about 1946. 41«, in sec. 21, T. 27 N., R. 24 W., at,log No detailed information on individual bridge downstream from outlet of Little sprinkler units is available. Bitterroot Lake near Marion. 3. Numerous -diversions for irrigation of Records available.--January 1910 to September small acreages of private land in the Kali- 1916.(No winter records prior to 1915). spell Project Area exclusive of the Ashley Irrigation District. An unpublished re­ Bypass channels. None. port by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation shows an estimated total of about 1,500 Diversions.- -None*. acres. No classification of land was done by Plathead County authorities, and de­ Return flow.' None. tailed information concerning individual diversions is not available. Storage and regulation. Storage in Little Bitterroot Lake (see table 3). Water stored 4. Ashley Irrigation District ditch con­ In this lake Is used for Irrigation on structed in 1897-99 diverts from Ashley Camas Division of the Plathead Project. Creek in the NW£ sec. 21, T. 28 N., R. 22 (U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Igna­ W., during the irrigation season (usually tius, Mont.) Utilization. None above station. GAGING-STATION RECORDS 19 28.--Littie Bitterroot River near -Utilization. A small part of the flow of Camas Hubbart, Mont. "A" Canal is used to irrigate land In sees. 21, 22, 27, and 34, T. 24 N, R. 24 W., above Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°53', long. 114° the station. 40', about sec. 17, T. 25 N., R. 24 W., up­ stream from canyon leading to second fall of Little Bitterroot River, 1^ miles west of 30. Crow Creek near Ronan, Mont. ranch buildings of Hubbart Cattle Co., near Hubbart Post Office, 15'miles south of Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°29', long. 114° Marion. 65', in SW£ sec. 13, T. 20 N., R. 20 W., 500 ft upstream from old highway bridge, Records available. October 1909 to September about a quarter of a mile upstream from 19l6. April to October 1909 at site about present bridge on State road from St. Igna- 1 mile downstream (no winter records). tius to Ronan, and 3 miles south of Ronen. Bypass channels. None. Records available. September 1906 to Septem- ber 1917 (no winter records). Diversions. Briggs Creek Feeder, constructed in 1924 with 46 cfs capacity at head and Bypass channels. Water diverted by Pablo Feeder 115 cfs at outlet, diverts the entire yield Canal and Kicking Horse Feeder Canal may be of Briggs Creek In the SW£ sec. 24, T. 25 used In other stream basins within Mission N., R. 25 W." and conveys it to Hubbart Res­ division of the Flathead Project, or in Crow ervoir in the NW& sec. 18, T. 25 N., R. 24 Creek basin below this station. The munici­ W. No records of diversion. The natural pal water supply of Ronan bypasses this sta­ channel of Briggs Creek Joins the Little tion. Bitterroot River below Hubbart Reservoir, but above the probable site of the station. Diversions.-- Return flow.--Water diverted by Briggs Creek 1. Pablo Feeder Canal normally diverts the Seeder is returned to Hubbart Reservoir entire flow of South, Middle, and North Crow above the station. Creeks and several smaller tributaries In sees. 21, E8, 33, T. 21 N., R. 19 W., sec. Storage and regulation.--Storage in Hubbart 4, 9, 16, T. 20 N., R. 19 W,, during the Reservoir (see table 3). season (about April to November). This canal has operated subsequent to 1914, when Utilization. None above station. storage began in Pablo Reservoir. 2. A ditch in sec. 19, T. 20 N., R. 19 W., 29. Little Bitterroot River near may divert water to Kicking Horse Reservoir Niarada, Mont. at times since 1930. (U. S. Bureau of In­ dian Affairs, St. Ignatlus, Mont.) Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°48', long. 114° 39", in sec. 34, T. 24 N., R. 24 W., at 3. Since 1929, the municipal water supply Angus McDonald ranch, 2 miles southwest of of Ronan has been diverted from a stream Niarada. locally called Second Creek, 4 miles east of Ronan, and Just above the Pablo Feeder Records available. April 1916 to September Canal. (State of Montana, Board of Health, 1917. April 1908 to December 1909 pub­ Helena, Mont.) lished as Little Bitterroot River near Day­ ton (no winter records). 4. Probably a few minor ditches divert ad­ ditional water for Irrigation above this Bypass channels.--Nearly the entire flow of station at times. (U. S. Bureau of Indian Camas "A" Canal bypasses this station. Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.) (The information that follows applies only Return flow. The Pablo Feeder canal may supply to the drainage area between this station and water to Crow Creek drainage basin at the the next station upstream.) points of diversions, from other sources. It is not operated during freezing weather. Diversions. Since 1918, Camas "A" Canal has No other surface return flow known. ^(V. S. diverted much of the flow of Little Bitter- Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.) root River, In the SE£ sec. 16, T. 24 N., R. 24 W.,' into the Camas Division, Plat- Storage and regulation.--None. head Project. Camas "A" Canal supplies a large part of the water carried by Camas Utilization.--Municipal water supply for Ronan "B", "C", and "D" Canals, which together is obtained from a small stream above the with water from tributaries along west side Pablo Feeder Canal. No substantial Irri­ of Little Bitterroot River irrigates the gation above station. lands In Camas Division. The Canal was designed to carry 207 cfs but is seldom used to carry near capacity because of weak 31.--Mud Creek near Ronan, Mont. banks. The average delivery for a season extending from April to November is about Location. Staff gage, lat 47°33', long. 114° 21,000 acre-ft. Records of flow are avail­ 08', in about sec. 26, T. 21 N., R. 20 W., able from the project watermaster. at Jeffrey ranch, 3 miles northwest of Ronan. Return flow. One small wasteway In the N£ Records available. March to December 1909, sec. 34, T. 24 N., R. 24 W. March to December 1910, (1908 gage heights only). Storage and regulation.--None. 20 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS Bypass channels. Pablo Feeder Canal carries file at U. S. Bureau, of .Indian Affairs. water from Crow Creek basin to Pablo Res­ This canal supplies irrigation water to ervoir, outside this basin. about 3,800 acres at present. Diversions. 3. Probably some minor ditches divert ad­ ditional water for irrigation above the 1. Pablo Feeder Canal normally diverts the station; detailed information not available. entire flow of Mud Creek and several trib­ utaries of Mud Creek in sees. 5, 8, T. 21 4. Prior to 1929, the municipal water supply N., R: 19 W., sec. 28, 33, T. 22 N., R. 19 of Ronan was pumped from Spring Creek in the W., during the season (about April to No­ town. In 1928, the mean rate of pumping was vember) . This canal was not in operation about 0.01 cfs, according to information on until storage began in Pablo Reservoir in file at the State Board of Health, Helena, 1914. Mont. 2. Probably a few minor ditches divert ad- Return flow. Some ground water seepage from dit^onal water above this station for irri­ irrigation upstream; surf-ace return flow is gation in the vicinity of Pablo at times. insignificant. Return flow. The Pablo Feeder Canal may supply Storage and regulation. Water stored in Lower water to Mud Creek drainage basin from other Crow Reservoir (see table 3 for details). sources at the points of diversion. Not operated during freezing weather. No other Utilization. A large acreage of land is irri­ surface return flow known. (U. S. Bureau gated above the station. The water used is of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.) largely drawn from Pablo, Kicking Horse, and Ninepipe Reservoirs, which are supplied Storage and regulation. None. with water from several sources. The munic­ ipal water supply of"Ronan is obtained with­ Utilization. Some irrigation above station. in the basin. The water used may be taken from Pablo Feeder Canal, or drawn from Pablo Reser­ voir, in addition to direct diversions from 33. Dry Creek near St. Ignatius, Mont. Crow Creek. Location. --Staff gage, lat 47°17 t , long. 114° 00', in sec. 36, T. 18 N., R. 19 W., at 32. Crow Creek at Lozeau ranch near Felsman ranch, l£ miles downstream from Ronan, Mont. St. Marys Lake, upstream from the only trib­ utary, and 5 miles southeast of St. Igna­ Location.--Chain gage, lat 47°30', long. 114° tius . 15', in the E| sec. 15, T. 20 N., R. 21 W., at Louis Lozeau ranch, about a mile down­ Records available. April 1908 to September stream from Mud Creek, 2*? miles upstream from mouth and 8 miles southwest of Ronan. Bypass channels. Dry Creek Canal is a concrete- Records available. April 1911 to September lined canal built along the bank of Dry Creek, 1916 (no winter records except 1912 and and bypasses the former station site in the 1914 water years). original river bed. Bypass channels. Water pumped by the Crow Diversions. None during period of record. Dry Creek pumping plant is removed from Crow Creek Canal normally has carried the entire Creek drainage basin and used in the Post flow of Dry Creek since the completion of Creek basin. The Moiese "A" Canal diverts Tabor Reservoir in 1919. Dry Creek Canal water past this station downstream on areas diverts from Tabor Reservoir in sec. 6, T. tributary to the P lat head* River. 1.7 N., R. 18 W., and follows approximately the natural course of Dry Creek to Pablo (The information that follows applies only Feeder Canal in the SE£ see. 29, T. 18 N., to the drainage area between this station and R. 19 W, the next stations upstream.) Return flow. Tabor Feed canal carries water Diversions. from the Jocko River basin into Tabor Res­ ervoir located on Dry Creek. This canal, 1. Crow Creek pumping plant diverts water completed in 1923, delivers surplus Jocko from Crow Creek in the SE-J sec. 16, T. 20 River and Placid Creek water not needed- .on N., R. 20 W. and discharges into Post "A" the Jo.cko Division to Mission Division of Canal for direct irrigation, or to Ninepipe the Flathead Project. Records of water de­ Reservoir for storage. Operation began in livered by Tabor Feed canal are on file at 1937, and the plant is used during the irri­ U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, gation season; amounts pumped after Septenf- Mont. ber 30 are negligible. As much as 10,900 acre-ft have been pumped during one season, Storage and ret lation. Water stored in Tabor much less required in some seasons. Records Reservoir (formerly St Marys Lake; see of pumpage each season are available at table 3 for details). U. S.'Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. Utilization. None above station. 2. Moiese "A" Canal diverts water from Crow Creek in the NW£ sec. 14, T. 20 N., R. 21 W., for use on Moiese subdivision of Plat- head Project. Some operation records on GAGING"STATION RECORDS 21 34. Mission Creek near St. Ignatius, Mont. 35. Post Creek at Fitzpatrick ranch near Ronan, Mont. Location. Staff age, lat. 47*20', long. 114' 07', in the SW sec. 10, T. 18 N., R. 20 Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°28', long. 114° W., about 1 mile downstream from St. Igna­ 01', in sec. 4 or 5, T. 19 N., R. 19 W., tius. near the house of J. 0. Fitzpatrick, 8 miles southeast of Ronan, 10 miles north of St. Records available. September 1906 to Septem- Ignatius, and 2 miles upstream from North ber 1917. Fork of Post Creek. Bypass channels. Much of the water diverted Records available.--September 1906 to May 1911. by Pablo Feeder canal is carried out of Mission Creek basin for storage in Pablo Bypass channels. Much of the water diverted Reservoir. Some water diverted by Mission by Pablo Feeder Canal is carried out of Post "B" and "C" canals is used on lands trib­ Creek basin for storage in Pablo Reservoir. utary to Post Creek. Diversions. (The information that follows applies only to the drainage area between this station and 1. Two small private diversions above gage the next station upstream.) during period of record, of which no de­ tailed record is now available. Diversions.-- 2. Pablo Feeder Canal intercepts Post Creek 1. Pablo Feeder Canal intercepts Mission in sec. 4, T. 19 N., R. 19 W. This canal Creek below Mission Reservoir in sec. 16, carries water to Pablo Reservoir, which has T. 16 N., R. 19 W., Dry Creek in the SE£ been in.use since 1914. sec. 29, T. 18 N., R. 19 W., and several smaller tributaries. Water may be taken Return flow. The Pablo Feeder Canal may supply from Mission Creek at these points, or re­ water from other sources to Post Creek Basin leased into Mission Creek basin from the at the point of diversion. Not operated Pablo Feeder Canal. during freezing weather. No other surface return flow known. 2. Mission "B" canal diverts water in sec. 19, T. 18 N., R. 19 W., for irrigation. Storage and regulation. Water stored in Mc- Donald Reservoir (see table 3 for details). 3. Mission "C" canal diverts water in sec. 13, T. 18 N., R'. 20 W., for irrigation. Utilization. No significant use of water above station. 4. Probably several minor diversions for irrigation; detailed information not avail­ able. 36. Post Creek at Deschamp ranch, near Ronan, Mont. 5. The municipal water-supply system of St. Ignatius obtains water from infiltration Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°28', long. 114° galleries under Mission Creek about 2 miles 02', in about sec. 7, T. 19 N., R. 19 W., below Mission Reservoir. This system was at Deschamp ranch, Just upstream from North completed in 1940, and in 1948 was extended Fork of Post Creek, 7 miles southeast of to a point half a mile be*low Mission Res­ Ronan, and 10 miles north of St. Ignatius. ervoir. The water is conveyed to St. Igna­ tius by a gravity pipeline; no information Records available. April to November 1911. is available to show amounts used. There is no municipal sewage plant; disposal is Bypass channels. Water diverted by Kicking by individual septic tanks. Information Horse Feeder may be used on lands outside about St. Ignatius water supply is on file this basin. Mission "B" Canal delivers at State Board of Health, Helena, Mont. water to lands in Post Creek basin below 1 the station site. Return flow.--The Pablo Feeder Canal may supply water from other sources to Mission Creek Diversions. drainage basin at the points of diversion. Not operated during freezing weather. No 1. Several small private diversions above other surface return flow known. gage during period of record, of which no detailed record is now available. Storage and regulation. Water stored in Mis- sion Reservoir; (see table 3 for details). 2. Pablo Feeder Canal intercepts tributaries of North Fork of Post Creek in sees. 22, 27, Utilization. A large acreage of land is irri- T. 20 N., R. 19 W. Not operated until after gated above the station. The water used period of record. may be drawn from Mission and Tabor Res­ ervoirs and includes some water carried in­ 3. Kicking Horse Feeder diverts water in to the basin by Tabor Feed Canal. The town sec. 5, T. 19 N., R. 19 W., for storage in of St. Ignatius uses water from Mission Kicking Horse Reservoir, which was completed Creek. Ln 1930. 22 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS 4. Mission "B" Canal diverts water in sec. Bypass channels.--Tabor Feeder Canal carries 7, T. 19 N., R. 19 W., and intercepts sev­ water out of Jocko River basin into other eral small tributaries of Post Creek in parts of Flathead Project at times. sees. 8, 17, 20, T. 19 N., R. 19 W. Not in operation during period of record. Diversions.--None during period of record (see table 7 for diversions above site of gaging Return flow. Pablo Feeder Canal may supply station). water from other sources to Post Creek basin at points of diversion. Not operated dur­ Return flow.--Placid Creek Canal supplies wa­ ing freezing weather. No other surface re­ ter to this basin by transmountain diversion turn flow known. (see table 7). Storage and regulation.--None. Storage3rage and regulation.--Waterregulation.--Wat stored in Lower Jocko Lake (see table 3). Utilization.--A considerable acreage of land is irrigated above the site of this station Utilization. No utilization above station at present; the water is supplied in part during period of record.. At present, flow by diversions from Post vCreek, and also by of the Middle Fork of Jocko River is sup­ withdrawals from Pablo Feeder Canal. plemented by the transmountain Placid Creek Canal which imports water from Placid Creek in Clearwater River basin to Upper Jocko Lake. 37. Post Creek near St. Ignatius, Mont. Irrigated lands in Jocko River basin custom- arily have priority for delivery of this Location. Chain gage, lat 47°24', long. 114° and the natural flow of Jocko River, but 05', on line between the SW£ sec. 24 and surplus water not needed in the Jocko Di­ SE£ sec. 23, T. 19 N., R. 20 W., on high­ vision is available for diversion to Tabor way bridge on State road between St. Igna­ Reservoir by the Tabor Feeder. Tabor Res­ tius and Ronan, 1 mile downstream from ervoir water is used where needed on the North Fork of Post Creek, and 5 miles north Mission Division. The usefulness of storage of St. Ignatius. capacity in Lower Jocko Lake is limited by seepage through the outlet dam, which in­ Records available. September 1911 to Septem­ creased in rate with rising water level ber 1917. until a point is reached where no rate of inflow which has yet occurred will increase Bypass channels.--Mission "C" and Post "F" the contents, even when outlet gates are Canals bypass the station and supply water closed. No season-to-season carry-over.is to irrigate land in Post Creek basin below possible, and no other usable storage sites this station. have been discovered in the Jocko River basinj hence the diversion to Tabor Res­ (The information that follows applies only ervoir is the only present means of storing to the drainage area between this station and surplus Jocko River water. In practice, the next station upstream.) the outlet gates of Lower Jocko Lake are seldom opened, since the natural seepage Diversions.-- appears in the stream bed within a short distance below the reservoir and becomes 1. Mission "C" Canal diverts water from available for use downstream. The gates are a tributary of Post Creek in sec. 18, T. sometimes used when more water is needed 19 N., R. -19 W. than the seepage will provide.(U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.) 2. Post "F" Canal diverts water from Post Creek near the southwest corner of sec. 7, T. 19 N., R. 19 W. 39. South Fork- Jocko River near Jocko, Mont. 3. Probably a few minor private ditches Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°12", long. divert water above the station at times; 113"51 : , in the NEt sec. 35, T. 17 N., R. no detailed information of private ditches 18 W., 300 ft downstream from confluence available. with Middle Pork, and 10 miles northeast"of Return flow.--No surface return flow known. Jocko. Storage and regulation. None. Records available. May 1912 to September 1915 (no winter records). Utilization. Large amounts of water used for irrigation above the station at present. Bypass channels. None. In addition to water diverted from Post Creek, some water used is drawn from Pablo (The information that follows applies only Feeder Canal. Water use in the basin dur­ to the drainage area between this station and ing period of record was not extensive. the next station upstream.) Diversions.--No diversions above station. 38. Middle Fork Jocko River near Jocko, Mont. Return flow. None. Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°11', long. 113° 50', near north line of sec. 35, T. 17 N., Storage and- regulation. None. R. 18 W., 300 ft upstream from confluence With South Fork and 10 miles northeast of Utilization. None above station. Several Jocko. large diversions from Jocko River and 'tribu­ taries at points downstream from this station, Records available.--May 1912 to September 1915. for irrigation on Jocko Division of Flat- head Project. (U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.) GAGING-STATION RECORDS 23 Table 7. Diversions in Jocko R^ver basin, above Middle Pork of Jocko River near Jocko, Mont.

Approx. t Point of Date of normal .Name diversion establ. flow Purpose Remarks (cfs)

Placid Creek SE£ sec. 29, 1937 Usually runs Supplemental Placid Creek Canal takes Canal (Jocko T. 17 N., R. about 90 cfs water supply water from Placid Creek Lakes Feeder)* 16 W. on Placid during high to Jocko in the Clearwater River Creek in Clear- water. Division of basin and carries it by water River basin Flathead transmountaln diversion Project. to Upper Jocko Lake in the NE$ sec. 36, T. 17 N., R. 17 W. Canal op­ erates throughout the year. Records on file with U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. Tabor Feeder SEi sec. 19, T. Operated About 125 cfsj Delivers < Takes excess flow to feed 17 N., R. 17 W. several about half surplus Tabor Reservoir during years that size Jocko River high-water season. Not prior to prior to water to, "usually used later, when 1938. En­ 1938. Tabor Res­ flow of Jocko River is larged to ervoir. needed for use downstream present in irrigation season. capacity Records kept by U. S. in 1938. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.

Bypass channels. Tabor Feeder Canal, built since period of record, bypasses site of this 40. North Fork Jocko River near Jocko, Mont. station. Location. Staff gage, lat 47°12', long 113°50', Diversions. Tabor Feeder Canal built in 1923, In the NW£ sec. 23, T. 17 N., R. 18 W., crosses Falls Creek Just above station site three-quarters of a mile upstream from Falls and diverts entire flow of Falls Creek into Creek, and about 11 miles northeast of Jocko. Tabor Reservoir in Mission Division of Flat- head Project. Estimates of yield of Falls Records available. May 1912 to September 1915 Creek available in records of U. S. Bureau (no winter records). of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. Bypass channels. None. Return flow. None Diversions. Tabor Feeder Canal is used to carry Storage and regulation. None. the excess flow of North Fork Jocko River during high-water season to supply water to Utilization. None above station. Tabor Reservoir on Dry Creek for irrigation In Mission Division of Flathead Project. No other diversion above station. Canal diverts 42. Jocko River near Jocko, Mont. in the N± sec. 24, T. 17 N., R. 18 W., began operation during 1924 and has a design ca­ Location. Staff gage, lat 47°10«, long. 113* pacity of 175 cfs. Records of flow avail­ 59', in sec. 10, T. 16 N., R. 19 W., 500ft able- at U. S» Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. upstream from headworks of Jocko "KM Canal, Ignatius, Mont. 800 ft upstream from Big Knifg Creek, and 2 miles northeast of Jocko. Return flow. None. Records available. April 1918 to September Storage and regulation. None. 1919.August 1908 to September 1916 at site 2 miles downstream (gage heights and Utilization. None above station. discharge measurements only prior to April 1909). 41. Falls Creek near Jocko, Mont. Bypass channels. Jocko "S"Canal bypasses station to serve lands in Jocko Division, Location. Staff gage, lat 47°13 ! , long. 113° Flathead Project. 51', In the Nit sec. 22, T. 17 N., R. 18 W., (The Information that follows applies only about a quarter of a mile upstream from to the drainage area between this station and mouth, and 10 miles northeast of Jocko. the, next station upstream.) Records available. May 1912 to September 1915. Diversions. None during period of record. (No winter records.) Records of discharge Two diversions of as much as 50 cfs (in acre-ft by months) of Falls Creek for during irrigation season at present (see calender years 1916-18, 1921, 1922 are table 8). available at U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. Return flow. None. 24 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS Table 8. Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Jocko River near Jocko, Mont. Approx. 1 Point of Date of normal Name diversion establ. flow Purpose Remarks (cfs)

Private ditch Near north line About 20 .Irrigation Diverts flood water only from ( unnamed ); sec. 28, T. 1931 North Pork Jocko River, 17 N. , R. 18 W. in early part of irriga­ tion season. No records available. I/ Jocko "S" Prom South Fork 1941 26 Irrigation This is one of the prin­ Canal. of Jocko River on Jocko cipal canals serving in the SE£ sec.. Division of lands 6n south side of 29, T. 17 N., Flathead Jocko River. Canal picks R. 18 W. Project. up an additional* 3 ef s from an unnamed tributary in the NW£ sec. 1, T. 16 N., R. 19 W. Records available in files of U. S. Bureau of Indian t Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. _!/. Oral report of watermaster, Jocko Division, U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont.

Storage and regulation.--None, except as noted 44. Blodgett Creek near Jocko, Mont. for upstream stations. Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°09', long. 113° Utilization. Small ditch for flood irrigation 58', in T. 16 N., R. 19 W., if miles north­ near mouth of North Pork. None during per­ east of Jocko. iod of record. Records available. May to December 1909. 43. Big Knife Creek near Jocko, Mont. Remarks. Exact location of this station could not be determined. Plow of Blodgett Creek Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°09', long. 113° is now intercepted by various canals sup­ 57', in the NWj sec. 14, T. 16 N., R. 19 plying Jocko Division of the Flathead Proj­ W., 200 ft upstream from headgate of Big ect, but whether above or below the former Knife Canal and 2-| miles northeast of Jocko. station site is not known. In view of this situation, and the short-'period for which Records available. August 1910 to September periods were obtained, no evaluation 'is 1916.August 1908 to August 1910 at site attempted. 1 mile downstream. (No winter records for most years). 45. Agency Creek near Jocko, Mont. Bypass channels. None. \ Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°08', long. 113° Divers ions.--None during peri6d of record. 57', in the NWf sec. 27, T. 16 N., R. 19 "Big Knife Canal" was put into operation on W., Just upstream from intake of Matt ditch, August 1, 1910 about a mile above original 2 miles east of Jocko. site of the station. On August 5, 1910 the station was reestablished at a point above Records.available. August 1908 to September the head gates. (See Water Supply-Paper 292, 1916 (gage heights only prior to April 1909; U. S. Geological Survey.) This canal now no winter records for most years). appears to be part of the canal now called Jocko "S" Canal, which at present'crosses Bypass channels. None. Big Knife Creek Just below the station site. (U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Igna­ Diversions.--None. tius, Mont.) Return flow. None. Return flow. None. Storage and regulation. None. Storage and regulation. None. Utilization. None above station. Utilization. No utilization above station. Maps based on a beneficial use study made about -1910 show 26.6 acres irrigated from 46. East Pinley Creek near Jocko, Mont. private ditches in the vicinity of the mouth of Big Knife Creek. Jocko "S" canal now di­ Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°06>, long. 114° verts most of the-flow during the irrigation 02', near south line of sec. 32, T. 16 N., season, for use on the Jocko Division of the R. 19 W., Just upstream from Intake of In­ Plathead Project. dian ditch, 200 ft downstream from crossing aAQINQ-STATION RECORDS 25 of Bureau of Reclamation service canal, 47. Plnley Creek near Jocko, Mont. 4 miles southwest of Jocko, and 6 miles southeast of Arlee. Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°06', long. 114° 03','in sec. 31, T. 16 N., R. 19 W., at Records available . August 1908 to September ford about 100 ft upstream from highway 1915 (gage heights only prior to April 1909; bridge, one-eighth of a mile downstream no winter records for most years). from confluence of East and West Porka, 4 miles southwest of Jocko, and 5 miles Bypass channels . - -Jocko N" Canal bypasses the southeast of Arlee. station. Records available. August 1908 to September Diversions . --Jocko "N" Canal (formerly "Bureau 1915 (gage heights only prior to April 1909). of Reclamation Canal") diverts entire flow during irrigation season, in the SE£SW£ Bypass channels. A part of the water diverted sec. 32, T. 16 N. , R. 19 W., for use on by.Jocko "N" Canal bypasses the station. lands of the Jocko Division, Plathead Proj­ ect. Operation began August 1911. Records (The information that follows applies only available in files of U. S. Bureau of In­ to the drainage area between this station and dian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. the next station upstream.) Return flow. No surface return flow. Diversions. Jocko "N" Canal, Indian ditch, and two small private ditches (see table 9). Storage and regulation.- -None . Return flow. No known surface return flow. Utilization. Probably none above station. Storage and regulation..--None. Utilization. Some irrigation immediately above station from older private ditches and since 1911 from Jocko "N" Canal.

Table 9.--Diversions in Jocko River basin, above Pinley Creek near Jocko, Mont. Approx. Point of Date of normal Name diversion establ. flow Purpose Remarks (cfs) ^ Jocko "N" Prom Pinley Creek 1912 None at upper Irrigation Constructed 1912, but would Canal* in the SEf sec. end. Designed not hold water at upper 12, T. 15 N., R. for 60 cfs. end, Just south of East 20 W. (not used). Pinley Creek. This canal diverts some water from Middle Pork Pinley Creek and another small tributary (sec. 5, T. 15 N. , R. 19 W. ) I/ Indian ditch Prom East Finley Records of Irrigation According to information (Indian Creek in the flow for stock furnished by U. S. Bureau Service). SEiSWi sec. 32, period Aug. water. of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatlus T. 16 N., R. 19 W. 1908 to Sept. Mont. , water diverted by 1916 published this ditch was used for in reports of stock water and irrigation Qeological on lands now included in Survey. Jocko Division of Plathead Project. Indian ditch was gradually abandoned subse­ quent to period of record and lands formerly served by it are now served by a lateral system from Jocko "N" Canal. Records avail­ able in U. S. Geological Survey water-supply papers, August 1908 to September 1916. Private Prom North Branch 1890 Unknown Irrigation Water used on 6.9 acres of ditch East Pinley Creek hay land according to the (Pierre in the NE£ sec. Plathead Project, Water Bighawk). 31, T. 16 N. , R. Rights - Beneficial Use 19 W. Maps, 1913, 1914. No record of flow available. I/. U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. 26 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS 48. Valley CreeK near Ravalli, Mont. Return now. Probably no surface return flow. Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°14', long. 114° Storage and regulation.--None. 10', In sec. 8, T. 17 N., R. 20 W., near mouth at crossing of highway between J.ocko Utilization.--Estimated acreage of Irrigated and Ravalll, 3 miles east of Ravalli, and land In recent years above site of station: 8 miles west of Arlee. South Branch Valley Creek 125 acres Records available. May to December 1909: West Branch Valley Creek 90 acres March to June 1910 (gage heights only). Valley Creek 350 acres. Bypass channels.--None. This amount probably Is not greatly In ex­ cess of acreage Irrigated during period of Diversion. Several private ditches (see record (according to an oral report by table 10); no organized Irrigation district. wafcermaster, Jocko Division of Flathead Project).

Table 10.--Diversions In Jocko River basin, above Valley Creek near Ravalll, Mont. Approx. normal Point of Date of flow Name diversion establ. (cfs) Purpose Remarks

Unnamed ditch Prom Hewolf Creek Unknown Unknown Irrigation Water used on 21.3 acres in in the SW^SEi sec. 26 and 7.3 acres in sec. sec. 27, T. 17 27, T. 17 N., R. 21 W. I/ N., R. 21 W. Unnamed ditch Prom North Pork do do do Water used on 8.3 acres in the Valley Creek SW£ sec. 23, T. 17 N. , R. near center sec. 21 W. I/ 23, T. 17 N., R. 21 W. Unnamed ditch Prom Valley Creek do-­ - do do Water used on 65.7 acres in the in the SWg- sec. W^ sec. 24 and the w£ sec. 25, 25, T. 17 N., R. T. 17 N., R. 21 W. 21 W. Unnamed ditch Unnamed tributary May 1910 1.25 Irrigation, Reference: 1910 Project History, stream. (decree) domestic volume 4, Plathead Project. supply in the NWi sec. 13, T. 17 N., R. 21 W. Springs Sees. 2 and 12, T. 1910 1.25 Irrigation Reference: 1910 Project History, 17 N. , R. 21 W. (decree) domestic volume 4, Plathead Project. supply. Note; The above list is of water appropriations and diversions of which some record was found. There may be others not contained in available records. The Plathead Project does not divert any water from Valley Creek. j/. Prom Sheet No. 11, Water Rights-Beneficial Use Map, Plathead Project, dated Jan. 5, 1914, on file in office of U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius. Mont.

ditches were in operation before and during 49. Jocko River at Ravalli, Mont. the period of record, of which no detailed record is available. A few of these ditches Location. Chain gage, lat 47°17', long. 114° are still being used, but in many cases lands 11', in sec. 32, T. 18 N., R. 20 W., 400 ft . formerly supplied from the old private ditches downstream from railroad station at Ravalli. now receive water from the Plathead Project ditches. The present canal system is inter­ Records available.--October 1906 to April 1911. connected, making it possible to supply wa­ ter to parts of the division from several Bypass channels.--None. sources. (The information that follows applies only Return flow.--Surface return flow from irrigated to the drainage jirea between this station and areas is .negligible. Water can pass from the next stations upstream.) tributary basins into others through the in­ terconnected canal system, but this inter­ Diversions. Several major canals operated by change is contained within the basin tribu­ the Plathead. Project divert water from Jocko tary to this station. The Jocko "S" Canal, River or its tributaries above this station however, carries water from the South Pork at present (see table 11). Many private of Jocko River, some of which may be turned GAGINO-STATION RECORDS 27 into Big Knife and Agency Creeks. This canal Utilization. Water use in the basin is entirety normally carries about 26 cfs during the for irrigation, there being no Industrial irrigation season. use or municipal water systems. Table 13 shows the total irrigated acreage in Jocko Storage and regulation.--None, except as noted Division; this is all In the' basin upstream for stations upstream. from the station with the exception of an estimated 800 acres located In the area near the mouth of the stream.

Table 11.--Diversions In Jocko River basin, above Jocko River at Ravalli, Mont.

Name Point of Date of Purpose Remarks diversion establ. Matt ditch Agency Creek, sec. Prior to Irrigation At present land formerly served by 27, T. 16 N., R. 1906 Matt ditch is contained in Flathead 19 W. Project, and most t>f supply eomes from project ditches. No known rec­ ords available. Joeko "N" Agency Creek, sec. 1912 do No known records available. Canal* 22, T. 16 N. , R. 19 W. Joeko "S" Intercepts Big 1941 - do No known records available. Canal« Knife and Agency Creeks. Jocko "J" Runs from Joeko -do No known records available. Canal* "E" Canal to Agency Creek In sec. 21, T. 16 N., R. 19 W. Jocko "E" Finley Creek In do No known records available. Canal- sec. 30, T. 16 N., R. 19 W. Jocko "K" Jocko River In sec. About do Canal' 10, T. 16 N. , R. 1917 19 W.

Jocko "R" Prom Jocko "K" «-«r do Canal* Canal In sec. 9, T. 16 N. , R. 19 W. Note; No data on flow available.

50. Revals Creek near Dixon, Mont. Return flow. Probably no surface return flow. Location.--Staff gage, lat 47°17', long. 114° Storage and regulation.--Hone. 23', in sec. 15, T. 18 N., R. 22 W., down­ stream from highway bridge 4 miles south­ Utilization. Private ditches irrigated sev- west of Dlxon. era! small plots of cultivated land and hay land (see diveraion list for location). No Records available. April 1911 to September Information available about Ora Phena mining 1916, October 1917 to September 1919. claim as to use of water for mining or power except record of filing made in 1910. Lat­ Bypass channels. A part of the water diverted eral "R" was constructed to supply irriga­ by Lateral "R" bypasses the station site. tion water to about 800 acres between Revals Creek and the town of Dixon. This supply D1 veraions.--Latera1 "R" (Revais ditch) of is now supplemented by pumping from Lower Plathaad Project diverts water above this Jocko "R" Canal. (U. S. Bureau of Indian station (subsequent to period of record); Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont..) several smaller diversions diverted water before and during operation of this station under private water rights (see table 12). 28 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS Table 12. Diversions In Revals Creek basin, above Revals Creek near Dixon, Mont. Approx. Point of Date of normal Name diversion establ. flow Purpose Remarks cfs) No. 6 ditch NEfcNWi sec. 22, Appropriation Unknown Irrigation Used to irrigate 4.3 aosee T. 18 N. , R. 1891, found in the NWiSEt sec. 15, T. 22 W. in use in 1910- 18 N. , R. 22 W. This ditch along with no. 4 ditch has a water right of 160 mlfters inches. No known records available. _!/ No. 4 ditch do do do - do- . Used to irrigate 19.3 acres in sees. 14, 15, and 23, T. 18 N., R. 22 W. I/ Unnamed ditch Sec. 8, T. 17 Unknown do do Used to irrigate an estimated N. , R. 22 W. 40 to 80 acres in sees. 27 and 28, T. 18 N. , R. 22 W. $/. Ora Phena East bank 500 ft Piling made 75 Mining and P&riod of actual use not Quartz Lode south of claim. June 10, 1910. (water power known. I/ diversion* right ) Lateral "R" Near center of Constructed ___ Irrigation Used to irrigate about 800 (Revais sec. 22, T. 18 1923. acres. Information avail­ ditchji N., R. 22 W. able from U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. I/. Prom information furnished -in U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Project History and Beneficial Use Maps, on file at office, St. Ignatius, Mont.

Flathead River at Mouth partly within the area Plathead River at mouth. Because of the extensive interchange The Plathead River near Poison (no. 26) is of water between these tributary streams upon the farthest downstream gaging station on the which these stations are located, it was found main stem. Below this station, and below the impractical to segregate the utilization for stations farthest downstream on the tributaries a single station. Therefore, the amounts entering Plathead River between the Poison sta­ shown in table 13 for the Mission Division tion and the mouth, is a'large area heretofore include irrigated acreage .for the area for unaccounted for in this report. This area is Plathead River at mouth and for the areas delineated by gaging stations nos. 26, 29, 32, upstream from stations nos. 30 to 37. 34, 37, 49, and 50, and the mouth of Plathead River (see pi. l). Por convenience, the area All of the irrigated land in the Camas is referred to in this section of the report Division shown in table 13 is included in as Plathead River at mouth. the Plathead River at mouth with the excep­ tion of the small amount listed under Little Utilization of water in the area is largely Bitterroot River near Niarada (no. 29). confined to 1) irrigation in the -Plathead Proj­ ect under the supervision of the Bureau of In­ Practically all the water used in the dian Arrairs, 2) irrigation of private land's, Plathead Project is diverted from streams and 3) municipal consumption. Each item is outside the area covered by Plathead River handled under a separate heading below: at mouth. These diversions have been appro­ priately noted by upstream gaging stations. 1. Plathead Project 2. Private land Table 13 shows the acreages in the Plat- head Project that have been irrigated over Privately irrigated land in Lake and the period of operation. These acreages Sanders Counties, outside the Plathead Proj­ represent the total for the entire project ect and tributary to the Plathead River is and include some already listed above other widely scattered in small tracts served by stations. In the Jocko Division only about diversions from various tributaries of the 800 acres of that shown in table 13 is land Plathead River. According to an investiga­ irrigated in the area Plathead River at mouth tion by C. D. Bue in 1947, there was a total anytime since the start of the project. This of 847 acres in Lake County and 1,183 acres acreage is located along the north side of in Sanders County. This is based on land Plathead River, opposite the reach between classification for tax purposes made about the town- of Dixon and the mouth of Revais 1920. It.was assumed that the amount has not Creek. Accordingly, all but 800 acres of changed significantly during the period cov­ that shown in table 13 under "Jocko Division" ered in this report. is taken into account in areas above upstream gaging stations. 3. Municipal water supply The Mission Division lies partly above Three, small towns in the area tributary gaging stations nos. 30-37 inclusive, and to Plathead River at mouth have municipal water-supply systems: GAGING-STATION RECORDS 29 Table 13. Plathead Project irrigated-land, in acres I/ Jocko Mission Camas Year Division Division Division Total 1910 #9 1 Q1

1 Q11 *O T£Q 1Q1? *4,152 1 Q.TT *4,507 'l QIA 6,416 1 Q1 S 3 />4.1 1 Q1 £ 4 'TTX 1Q-T7 "1C QCT 1 QT O 0-7 1 OO 1 SI 0 34,453 1 Q/*O XO DTC

1921 30,485 1 9?? 30,357 1 Q?>^ 18,495 1924 C»Q 04.0 1 9?S flpo A O*7 1 QOC OO , *XTB I 1927 4,425 26,136.75 4,188.5 34,752.25 1928 4,419.5 25,620 4,096.5 34,136 1929 4,559 30,806.5 4,488 39,853.5 1930 4,613.25 33,874.25 5., 3 88 43,875.5 1931 5,221.75 41,639.75 5,787.25 52,648.75 1932 5,089 46,210 6,354 57,653 1933 5,524 47,028.75 6,359.25 58,912 1934 4,550 48,645.25 7,020 60,215.25 1935 5,740 54,364 7,409 67,513 1936 5,807 54,975 7,345 68,127 1937 6,202 58,191 8,274 72,667 1938 6 ',323 61,614 8,065 76,002 1939 6,234 62 ',724 7,288 76,246 1940 6,572 63,258 7,504 77,334 1941 ' 7,281 62,499 7,005 76,785 1942 7,474 57,005 7,265 71,744 1943 8,034.6 62,865 7,573 78,742 1944 8,313.7 64,215.6 8,003.0 80,532.3 1945 8,387.2 67,129.6 8,219.0 83,735.8 1946 7,975.1 70,044.0 7,984.0 86,003.1 1947 8,046.9 70,531.7 8,483 87,061.6 1948 9,595.0 80,096.7 8,491 98,182.7 1949 8,946.4 79,413.4 8,283 96,642.8 1950 8,339.4 76,770.0 8,696 93,805.4 I/ Piles of U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, St. Ignatius, Mont. * Bue, Conrad D., Irrigated Acreage in Columbia River basin (unpublished) U. S. Geol. Sur- vey, Helena, Mont., 1948.

Hot Springs diverts water from Warm Charlo obtains water from a 488-ft drilled, Springs Creek in sec. 6 or 7, T. 21 N., R: well in the town, which serves 58 residences. 25 W. The water is stored in a 200,000-gal There is no municipal sewage system. steel storage tank for distribution. The system was completed about 1936j disposal is Return flow to the area is confined to im­ by individual septic tanks. portation of water from another basin. Alder Creek Peed Canal and McGinnis Creek Canal are Paradise obtains water from a well owned interbasin diversions which carry water into by the Northern Pacific Railway, 4,300 ft the Plathead Basin for use in the Camas Di­ west of its station. There is no municipal vision of the Plathead Project. (See table 14.) sewage system. 30 EVALUATION OP STREAMPLOW RECORDS Table 14. Diversions in Plathead River basin, above Plathead River at mouth Approx. normal Name Point of Date of flow Purpose Remarks diversion establ. (cfs) Interbasln diversions in Camas Division- Alder Creek Prom Alder Creek After Natural flow To supplement Feeds Upper Dry Pork Peed Canal« in SWfc sec. 16, 1933 of Alder water supply Reservoir. No records T. 23 N., R. .25 Creek. available for of flow. W. to Upper Dry storage in Pork- Upper Dry Pork. McGinnis Creek Intercepts August Natural flow To supplement This water enters Camas Canal- several tribu­ 1941 of McGinnis water supply "C" Canal through taries of Mc­ Creek. in lower por­ Garden Creek, No rec­ Ginnis Creek in tion of Camasi ords of flow. N£ sec. 34; SW£ Division, Plat- sec. 27, T. 22 head Project. N., R. 25 W. to South Pork Garden Creek.

SK., HASH.. D.C.a*M4 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 182- PLATE 1

EXPLANATION

Active gaging station

Discontinued gaging station

5 Miles

Note: Number 44 not plotted on map

MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS IN THE FLATHEAD RIVER BASIN