Fort Peck Reservoir

Abstract

A foreknowledge of the probable runoff from large drainage‐areas at points quite distant from the headwater‐regions is of great value in connection with the problems involved in the disposition and control of this water. During dry periods it is helpful in the allocation and conservation of water; during wet periods it is helpful in the conservation of life and property from high water.A prediction of the “spring” runoff at Fort Peck, which is made each year in the Division Office of the Corps of Engineer at Kansas City, is one example of the prediction, from snow‐surveys, of runoff at a locality quite removed from the snow‐courses. Fort Peck is situated about 225 miles below the nearest snow‐course, and the climatic and topographic characteristics of the terrain below the headwater‐regions where the courses are located are materially different from those in the headwater‐regions.