Variations of Runoff in the High Plains Section of the Smoky Hill Drainage, 1951-1980

Abstract

The Thiessen polygon method for determining effective uniform depth of precipitation is used to calculate annual precipitation over the Upper Smoky Hill drainage area. Annual stream discharge data are also expressed as uniform depths, enabling simple derivation of the runoff ratio in percent. Temporal variations in precipitation, runoff, and runoff ratio are illustrated and described statistically. Cumulative values of precipitation and runoff are plotted as a double-mass curve in order to show progressive decline in the runoff ratio. Spatial variations in runoff and runoff ratio are illustrated with comparisons of stream discharge for two parts of the drainage area. Hypothetical conditions which would produce substantial inflow into Cedar Bluff Reservoir are developed. HYDROLOGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UPPER SMOKY HILL RIVER The High Plains section is here considered to be that part of the Smoky Hill River drainage lying west of Cedar Bluff Reservoir (see Fig. 1). This designation corresponds to physiographic classifications used by Schoewe (1949, fig. 22) and the Kansas Water Resources Board (1962, fig. 3). For convenience, the High Plains section will also be referred to as the Upper Smoky Hill drainage. In terms of water resources, the significance of the High Plains section is greater than its size might suggest--about one-quarter of the entire Smoky Hill drainage. Inflow into Cedar Bluff Reservoir has decreased substantially since 1965 and, since 1980, contents of the reservoir have averaged about 13 percent of the designed level. Consequently, releases of water from the reservoir to entities with established water rights were discontinued, beginning in 1979. The Smoky Hill valley downstream from Cedar Bluff Dam is the next link in the domino effect. The absence of any surface or subsurface water movement past the dam, in combination with discharge from municipal, irrigation, industrial, and domestic wells and a hot, dry summer in This content downloaded from 157.55.39.116 on Sun, 18 Sep 2016 06:41:47 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 1020W 10OW 1000W Stratton Goodland Burlington 071 Oakley S.Quinter Wakeeney S390N itt U _ d -rea~ Pn CO.l-. I S r-.IS Russell _ , edao Cheyenn Wellsl Sharon Springs Springs ELKADR C BI. 2-NEAR;* . _... Jerome eservoar -I; M_rd ,.. ealI y Utica Rans a om S ,intermittent Ladder Cr U iaRstre a r n ? perennial Ness City 0 Leoti Scott City drainage divide <USGS stream gaging station 5 0 25 50 miles o weather station * undrained, shallow depression Fig. 1. Smoky Hill drainage basin, high plains. z z *-)