Floods of September ^952 in the Colorado Guadelupe River … · 2011-01-24 · Floods of September...

$: Floods of September ^952 in the Colorado Guadelupe River … · 2011-01-24 · Floods of September 1952 in the Colorado and Guadelupe River Basins, Central Texas \By S. D. BREEDING$
Floods of Septemberi

^952 in the Coloradoi

Guadelupe River Basins, Central Texasi iGEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1260-A

Prepared in cooperation with the Texas State Board of W^ater Engineers ind other agencies within the State

Errata slip for Water-Supply Paper 1260-A

The name Guadalupe is erroneously spelledGuadjslupe on the cover and title page and

at the top of pags 1.

Floods of September 1952 in the Colorado and Guadelupe River Basins, Central Texas

\By S. D. BREEDING and J. H. MONTGOMERY

FLOODS OF 1952

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1260-A

Prepared in cooperation with the Texas State Board of ff^ater Engineers and other agencies within the State

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1954

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Douglas McKay, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

W. E. Wrathlr, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price 45 cents (paper cover)

PREFACE

This report on the floods of September 1952 in the Colorado and luadalupe River basins of central Texas was prepared in the Wa- er Resources Division, C. G. Paulsen, chief, under the general iirection of J. V. B. Wells, chief, Surface Water Branch, and 2. E. Ellsworth, district engineer, Austin, Tex.

Records of discharge were collected and compiled in coopera- ion with the Texas State Board of Water Engineers, H. A. Beck- vith, chairman, and with other agencies within the State.

The isohyetal map of the storm of September 9-11 is based up- >n rainfall records of the U. S. Weather Bureau, including supple- nental data obtained through field "bucket surveys", rainfall rec- >rds of the Lower Colorado River Authority, and from field infor- nation collected by personnel of the Austin district, Surface Wa- er Branch.

The report was prepared by S. D. Breeding, assistant district engineer, and J. H. Montgomery, hydraulic engineer. Personnel )f the Austin district, and E. G. Barren and J. L. Patter son, hy- iraulic engineers detailed from the Louisville, Ky., and Fort Smith, Ark., districts respectively, assisted in the collection and compilation of data presented in this report, under the general supervision of the senior author.

Ill

CONTENTS

PageDstract........................................................... 1troduction........................................................ 1eneral features of the storm and floods .............................. 2

Antecedent conditions............................................. 2Precipitation .................................................... 2Description of the floods .......................................... 2

Lood damage ...................................................... 6etermination of flood discharges .................................... 10ages and discharges at stream gaging stations. ....................... 11Explanation of data ............................................... 11Colorado River basin ............................................. 16

Colorado River at Winchell..................................... 16San Saba River at Menard.................................... 16

Brady Creek at Brady..................................... 17San Saba River at San Saba................................... 18

Colorado River near San Saba. .................................. 19Buchanan Reservoir near Burnet................................ 20

Llano River near Junction ................................... 20Llano River at Llano ........................................ 21Pedernales River near Johnson City. .......................... 22

Lake Travis near Austin ....................................... 22Colorado River at Austin....................................... 23

Gudalupe River basin ............................................. 24Guadalupe River at Comfort .................................... 24Guadalupe River near Spring Branch. ............................ 25Guadalupe River above Comal River at New Braunfels ............. 26

Comal River at New Braunfels ............................... 27San Marcos River:

Blanco River at Wimberley. ............................... 28San Marcos River at Luling .................................. 29

Plum Creek near Luling. .................................. 30Guadalupe River at Victoria .................................... 31

San Antonio River:Medina Lake near San Antonio ............................. 32

San Antonio River near Falls City............................. 32Cibolo Creek near Bulverde ............................... 33Cibolo Creek at Selma .................................... 34Cibolo Creek near Falls City ............................... 35

San Antonio River at Goliad .................................. 36iummary of flood stages and discharges. .............................. 37Storage............................................................ 45lecords of previous floods ........................................... 45 elected Bibliography ................................................ 46ndex.............................................................. 47

ILLUSTRATIONS

'late 1. Isohyetal map of central Texas, showing total precipitation, in inches, Sept. 9-11, 1952, and location of flood - determination points .............................. .In pocket

''igure 1. Bar graph of precipitation at selected weather stations inColorado River basin .................................. 3

2. Bar graph of precipitation at selected weather stations inGuadalupe River basin ................................. 4

V

VI CONTENTS

Pag Figure 3. Graph of accumulated rainfall at two weather stations ........ 5

4. Pedernales River near Johnson City showing destruction ofbridge on U. S. Highway 281 ............................ 7

5. Truck, loaded with steel, washed from U. S. Highway 290. . . .6. Floodwaters of Comal River submerge Landa Street bridge

at New Braunfels ...................................... 107. Graph of discharge at selected gaging stations in Colorado

River basin above Buchanan Reservoir ................... 138. Graph of discharge for Llano and Pedernales Rivers, and

inflow into Lake T ravis................................. 149. Graph of discharge at selected gaging stations in Guadalupe

River basin ........................................... 1510. Relation of unit discharge to size of drainage basin .......... 44

TABLES

Table 1. Summary of flood damages ................................ 92. Summary of flood stages and discharges .................... 38

FLOODS OF 1952

FLOODS OF SEPTEMBER 1952 IN THE COLORADO AND

GUADELUPE RIVER BASINS, CENTRAL TEXAS

.By S. D. BREEDING and J. H. MONTGOMERY

ABSTRACT

Following a severe drought floods of exceptional size occurred in the central Texas "hill country "as a result of heavy rains during the period September 9-11, 1952. As much as 26 inches of rain fell in the Guadalupe River basin and in the central and lower Colorado River basin and broke the extended drought. The belt of the heavy rainfall was about 60 miles wide and extended northwest from New Braunfels for a distance of about 200 miles. The greatest concentration occurred along the divide between the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins.

Record floods occurred on many large and small streams. Inflow into Lake Travis on the Colorado River reached 803, 000 cfs from a 6, 650 square mile contributing area.

Five persons were killed and 454 homes damaged. The total flood damage in the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins was nearly 12 million dollars.

INTRODUCTION

The central Texas "hill country" floods of September 1952 ex ceeded all known previous floods at many points on streams in the upper Guadalupe and central Colorado River basins. Exception ally large discharges occurred in the basins of theSanSaba, lower Llano, and Pedernales Rivers, and Sandy Creek--all tributary basins of the Colorado River. Record floods occurred also on tributaries of the Guadalupe River in Blanco, Comal, and Kendall Counties.

The great size of the floods made the collection and preservation of data very desirable for future purposes of study and design. Current-meter measurements could not be obtained at all the gaging stations; furthermore, measurements at gaging stations, only, would have been insufficient to evaluate the discharge. Therefore, immediately after the floods receded, and before floodmarks

2 FLOODS OF 1952 IN CENTRAL TEXAS

became obliterated, three survey parties were in the field col lecting data to make indirect determinations of discharge. Meas urements of discharge were made at 42 points other than gaging stations--3 by current-meter and 39 by indirect methods.

This report presents records of stage and discharge for the flood period at 22 gaging stations and records of contents at 3 major reservoirs, and a summary of peak discharges at 64 points in the flood area. An inset map on plate 1 shows the area covered by this report.

GENERAL FEATURES OF THE STORM AND FLOODS

Antecedent Conditions

Before the flood, central Texas was suffering from one of the most severe and prolonged droughts it had ever known. The over all runoff for the whole flood area before the flood was the lowest of record. The topsoil was exceedingly dry, stock tanks were empty or nearly so, and storage in reservoirs was at a very low point. Lake Travis, on the Colorado River, held 374,000 acre- feet of usable water, or only 30 percent of conservation capacity and 18 percent of flood capacity. The upper reaches of major streams across Texas from the Sabine to the Pecos Rivers and their tributary streams throughout central and west Texas were dry or nearly so. During August 1952 the spring-fed Comal River at New Braunfels had its smallest known discharge--135 cubic feet per second.

Precipitation

In the 60 days preceding the floods the weather stations at Blanco and Boerne reported total rainfall of only 1.55 and 0.62 inches re spectively. During the period September 9-11, 1952, from 2 to 26 inches of rain fell on an area of 25, 000 square miles, over a belt 100 miles wide extending from Corpus Christ-i, on the Gulf of Mexico, northwestward for 250 miles. The rain covered essen tially all the basin of the Guadalupe River and the lower part of the basin of the Colorado River as far as Ballinger. The heaviest rainfall was centered in the vicinity of Hye, Bankersmith, and Blanco (pi. 1 and figs. 1, 2, and 3), along the divide between the basins.

Description of the Floods

The heavy rains caused tremendous floods far exceeding any known at many points. The steep slopes, narrow channels, and small flood plains were factors that contributed to the height of the

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FLOODS OF 1952 IN CENTRAL TEXAS

10 15SEPTEMBER 1952

20

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GENERAL FEATURES OF THE STORM AND FLOODS

SEPTEMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 10 SEPTEMBER II

Figure 3. --Graph of accumulated rainfall, in inches, at two weather stations, September 1952.

flood crests. Peak discharges in some of the smaller basins were equivalent in depth to about 3 inches of runoff per hour.

The peak stages in the area of the most intense rainfall occurred during the afternoon and night of September 10. Many highways were submerged in the vicinity of stream crossings, and many major highways were damaged in the flood area. Roads were covered by water estimated to be as much as 60 feet deep (Hamilton Pool road on Pedernales River) having flow velocity as much as 15 and 20 feet per second.

The greatest runoff occurred along the divide between the Colo rado and Guadalupe River watersheds in the Johnson City and Blanco regions. Flows were not excessive in the upper Guadalupe and upper Pedernales River basins. Flood peaks on the Guadalupe River below San Marcos River rapidly diminished as they spread out over a wide flood plain on their way to the Gulf of Mexico. On the upper Colorado River above Ballinger and on the Llano River


above Junction, floodwaters were insignificant. Buchanan Reser voir and Lake Travis on the Colorado River stored floodwatei originating upstream, and rises downstream from Lake Travis wer only moderate.

At Johnson City the Pedernales River swept away the bridge ar several piers at the crossing of U. S. Highway 281 (fig. 4). Whe floodwaters subsided this modern steel structure was left a ruine mass several hundred yards downstream. The peak discharge ( 441, 000 cfs at this point cannot be fully appreciated unless it i noted that this discharge was more than double that of the flood ( 1869--the greatest known before 1952. U. S. Highway 290, th main artery from Austin west through Fredericksburg, was close to traffic because of washed-out fills and flooded pavement.

The floods stripped the valleys of valuable pecan groves an shade trees. In the Pedernales valley, cypress trees 5 feet in di ameter were broken off like match sticks; pecan trees 2 feet in di ameter were uprooted and washed away. As an indication of th depth and velocity of thefloodwatersin the Pedernales River valley a truck loaded with 19 tons of structural steel was washed fror U. S. Highway 290 near Stonewall, east of Fredericksburg (fig. 5)

Spectacular rescue work by helicopters from theSanMarcos Ai Force Base saved several lives and removed marooned people, i helicopter was used to string emergency power lines across th Pedernales River near Johnson City, thereby restoring electrica power to Blanco and Johnson City.

FLOOD DAMAGE

Five persons lost their lives and three were injured. The U. S Weather Bureau reported 17 homes as destroyed and 454 homes a; damaged.

Table 1, furnished by the Corps of Engineers, Department of th< Army, summarizes estimated damages.

Destruction of roads, bridges, and power lines paralyzed busi ness in large parts of Blanco, Gillespie, Kendall, Hays, and Coma Counties for several days after the floods (figs. 4 and 6). People turned from normal activities to aid in rescue and clean-up work, help displaced persons, and salvage what was left of damagec property.

o o H

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4.

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Sum

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dam

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Tex

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1952

Str

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To

tal

dam

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Cen

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iver

b

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Colo

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bet

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n m

outh

of

San

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and L

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Bla

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and

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To

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440,0

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19

0,0

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40,0

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16

5,0

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80,0

00

57

4,0

00

43

1,0

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85,0

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2,0

05,0

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._-.

....

150,0

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200,0

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10,0

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36

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20

0,0

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35,0

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55,0

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30,0

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15

8,0

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57

5,0

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37,0

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1,0

90,0

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7,0

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1,0

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2,0

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4,0

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5,0

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3,0

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22,0

00

25,0

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5,0

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5,0

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50,0

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10

,00

0

95

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0

67

2,0

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231,0

00

40

,00

0

227,0

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110,0

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93

6,0

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1,2

11,0

00

14

5,0

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3,5

72,0

00

215,0

00

90

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10,0

00

70,0

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30,0

00

30

0,0

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400,0

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42,0

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1, 1

57

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0

887,0

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321,0

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50,0

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29

7,0

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14

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1,2

36

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18

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61,0

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74,0

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126,0

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83

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3,5

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5,5

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16,0

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607,5

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96

7,5

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128,0

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251,0

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75,0

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54,0

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50,0

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558,0

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1,6

48,0

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00

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79,5

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33

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7,2

25,5

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11

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Figure 6. --Floodwaters of the Comal River submerge Landa Street bridge at New Braunfels, Tex. , Sept. 11, 1952. Photo graph by Seidel Studio, New Braunfels, Tex.

DETERMINATION OF FLOOD DISCHARGES

Indirect determinations of peak discharge were made at 44 sites where current-meter measurements could not be obtained. Of the indirect determinations, 40 were made by the slope-area method, 3 by the contracted-opening method, and 1 by measurement of flow

EXPLANATION OF DATA 1 1

aver highway embankment. Several current-meter measurements were made at or near peak stage on the lower reaches of the Gua- dalupe River.

On September 13 and 14, immediately after the flood had sub sided and before highways were opened to traffic, S. D. Breeding and J. H. Montgomery inspected the flood area by chartered plane. By flying along the channels at about 1, 000 feet altitude, it was possible to locate the points of greatest flooding, find the straightest possible slope-area reaches, and spot access roads on county maps. About 900 miles of stream channels were inspected from the air. Many crooked and undesirable reaches of channel were thereby, eliminated. The most suitable-appearing reaches for slope-area determinations were given further inspection from the ground.

STAGES AND DISCHARGES AT STREAM GAGING STATIONS

Explanation of Data

The data given for each gaging station are as follows: a station description, a tabulation of daily discharge for the month of Sep tember, and a tabulation of stage and discharge at selected times of the day for the period of flood runoff.

The station description gives information about the type and lo cation of gage, size of drainage area, length of record, nature of gage-height record obtained during the flood period, definition of the stage-discharge relation, the maximum, stage and discharge during the present flood and previous maxima of record, and other pertinent information.

Daily mean discharge is tabulated for the month of September. A summary gives the monthly mean discharge in cubic feet per second, the runoff in acre-feet, and the runoff in inches for gaging stations where the discharge records are not affected by regulation.

The tabulation of stage and discharge at indicated time for the flood period is presented in sufficient detail to permit delineation of the instantaneous stage and discharge for the flood period.

A record of the flood was obtained on a water-stage recorder graph at most gaging stations. As 2 recording gages were destroyed and 1 submerged, these records had to be based on observations by local residents, on floodmarks, or on gage readings made by local gage observers.

The stage-discharge relation at many gaging stations was pre viously well defined by cur rent-meter measurements to the peak stage of the present flood. At those gaging stations where the peak

Z99183 O - 54 - 3


stage far exceeded previously measured discharge and an extensior could not be reliably made the peak discharge was .obtained by in direct methods. These methods, such as contracted-opening 01 slope-area method, or measurement of flow over highway embank ments, were used to determine peak discharges at 38 points other than gaging stations.

Figures 1, 8 and 9 are graphs of discharge at selected gaging stations.

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DISCHARGE, IN THOUSANDS OF CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

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EXPLANATION OF DATA 15

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Colorado River Basin

Colorado River at Winehe11, Tex.

Location. Lat 31°28'05", long 99°09'45", near left bank on downstream side of pier of bridge on 0. S. Highway 377, 0.3 ml south of Winchell, Brown County, 6.2 miles up stream from Home Creek, and at mile 561. Datum of gage is 1,264.86 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage' area. 24,580 sq mi, approximately, of which 11,900 sq mi is probably non- contributing.

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph.

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 20-30.

Maxima.--September 1952: Discharge, 44,000 cfs 8 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 38.92 ft).1923-34, 1939 to August 1952: Discharge, 76,100 cfs Oct. 15, 1930 (gage height,

51.B ft, present site and datum).Stage known, 62.2 ft Sept. 19, 1936, present site and datum, from Information by

Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Co.

Remarks. Plow slightly regulated by Lake Nasworthy (capacity, 10,290 acre-ft), San Angelo Reservoir (capacity, 391,490 acre-ft) , Lake Colorado City (capacity, 30,800 acre-ft), and by Lake J. B. Thomas (capacity, 204,000 acre-ft). Practically all the flood-runoff occurred below these reservoirs.

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, September 1952

Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 0

8,810

Day

11 12 13 14 15

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet Runoff, in acre-feet ................

Discharge

30,900 2,660

916 430 246

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

158 112 299 143

69

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge52 5240 31 25

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge20 16

184 201 132

1,517 90,240

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1952

Hour

12

N12

123456789

1011

N

Gage height

Sept0.97

Discharge

ember 80

September 9.97

2.02Sept

2.102.162.302.422.612.642.612.552.492.442.412.39

00

ember 10002.28.4

23262318139.87.76.5

Hour

12345e789

101112

12345

Gage height

2.3811.5416.0818.8221.3623.8125.9027.7029.3031.1033.1035.00

Sep35.7036.6037.2537.8538.35

Discharge

6.05,590

10,00012,80015,60018,20021,20023,70026,00028,70031,90035,100

;ember 1136,50038,50040,00041,40042,600

Hour

6789

1011

N123456789

101112

Gage height

38.7538.88J8.9238.8638.5538.0037.4036.3535.0032.6030.0025.0022.7020.0018.2016.6014.9013.2012.20

Discharge

43,60043,90044,00043,80043,10041,80040,40038,00035,10031,10027,00020,00017,20014,00012,10010,5008,8407,1506,200

Hour

2468

10N6

12

N12

N12

N12

Gage height Discharge

September 1210.509.578.988.478.027.666.806.27Sept

5.534.98Sept

4.564.22Sept

3.963.73

4,6503,8203,3202,9102,5502,2801,6601,320

ember 13876591

ember 14412305

ember 15243194

San Saba River at Menard, Tex.

Location.--Lat 30°55', long 99°48', on right bank at bridge on 0. S. Highway 83 in Menard, Menard County, 0.7 mile downstream from Las Moras Creek. Datum of gage Is 1,863.05 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--1.151 sq mi.

Page-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph.

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shlfting- control method used Sept. 17-26.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 535 cfs 10:30 a.m. Sept. 10 (gage height, 5.81 ft).1915 to August 1952: Discharge, 117,000 cfs July 23, 1938 (gage height, 22.2 ft,

present site and datum, from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 60,000 cfs on basis of slope-area determinations at gage heights 21.0 and 22.2 ft.

Stage known, 23.3 ft June 5 or 6, 1899, present site and datum, from Information by local resident.

Remarks. Some diversion Into Noyes Canal at point 4 miles upstream during month, but maximum flow on Sept. 10 not greatly affected.

COLORADO RIVER BASIN 17

San Saba River at Menard, Tex.--Continued


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 0

85

Day

11 12 13 14 15

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet Runoff, in acre-feet ...............

Discharge

11 3.6 2.2 1.6 1.2

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge0.9

.7

.4

.1

.2

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge0.2

.2

.6

.7

.4

Day

26 27 2829 30

Discharge3.1 9.7

12 14 14

5.39 321


Hour

12

N12

123456789


September 81.13Sept

1.131.13Sept

1.131.131.131.131.131.131.131.872.65

0ember 9

00

ember 100000000.8

18

Hour

1010:3011N123456789

101112

Gageheight

5.335.815.695.114.564.183.873.623.503.463.623.533.343.143.002.89

Discharge

34653548627316311992736663736755443630

Hour

48N6

12

N12

N12

height **<*»***

r September 112.63 172.49 112.39 8.22.27 5.72.21 4.7September 122.12 3.52.06 2.7September 132.01 2.11.97 1.7

Hour

N12

N12

N12

N12


September 141.961.93Septe1.921.90Septe1.891.88

1.61.3

>mber 151.21.0

>mber 16.9.8

September 171.871.85

.7

.5

Brady Creek at Brady, Tex.

Location.--Lat 31°08 T 15", long 99°19 I 55" J on left bank just upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 377 on North Bridge Street In Brady, McCulloch County, 0.4 mile down stream from Live Oak Creek. Datum of gage is 1,646.50 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--575 sq mi.

Gage-height record. Water-stage recorder graph.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-contro1 method used Sept. 11-30.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 39,100 cfs noon Sept. 10 (gage^ height, 24.80 ft).1939 to August 1952: Discharge, 13,900 cfs April 27, 1941 Tgage height, 16.81 ft), Stage known, 29.1 ft July 23, 1938, present site and datum (discharge at site 5

miles downstream, 86,000 cfs by slope-area determination).


Day

1 2 34 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 1.6

21,100

Day

U 12 13 14 15


Discharge

6,740 117 31 11 5.0

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge4.4

71 155

9.4 4.9

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge3.7 2.4 1.8 1.8 1.7

Day

26 27 28 29 30

per second. ...................................

Discharge1.2

.9

.5

.4

.3

942 56,060


Hour

12

N123456789

101112

12


September 82.46

Sept2.452.573.143.243.343.954.13

.15

.11

.12

.66

.55

.40

Sept.30.20

0ember 9

000002.03.63.83.43.5

108.46.4

ember 105.24.2

Hour

3456789

1011

N12345678

Gage height

5.855.054.844.82

12.0018.5022.9023.0524.2024.8024.6023.8522.7221.4520.5519.9019.9020.25

Discharge

40171313

5,20021,20033,50033,90037,30039,10038,50036,30033,00029,40026,80025,00025,00026,000

Hour

9101112

123456789

1011

N2

Gage height

20.7020.9020.7520.40

Sep19.8519.3018.5017.5516.2515.0213.7512.5611.5010.659.959.508.89

Discharge

27,30027,80027,40026,400

tember 1124,90023,30021,20018,60015,20012,0008,9006,2604,3703,1802,2801,7201,010

Hour

468

1012

6N6

12

N12

N12

N12

Gage height

8.508.368.188.047.93Septe

7.707.537.407.28

Discharge

636502375296237

mber 12155101

6750

September 137.137.03Septe

6.976.91Septe

6.866.83

2916

mber 14106.5

mber 155.04.7


San Saba River at San Saba, Tex.

Location.--Lat 31°12'10", long 98°42'15", on left bank at downstream side of pier of bridge on San Saba-Chadwick Mill Highway, three-quarters of a mile northeast of San Saba, San Saba County, and 15 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 1,153.32 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area. 3,046 sq ml.

gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph except Sept. 10, 11, when graph was drawn on basis of several gage readings, and Sept. 16, 17, 23-30 when only a fragmentary water-stage recorder graph was available.

Maxima.--September 1952: Discharge, 70,400 cfs 6 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 36.90 ft, from floodmark).

1904-6, 1915 to August 1952: Discharge, 203,000 cfs July 23, 1938 (gage height, 45.18 ft, from floodmarks), from rating curve extended as described above.

Flood of July 23, 1938 is highest known since at least 1899. Flood of June 6, 1899, reached a stage of 42.6 ft, from information by local resident.

Remarks. Low flow affected by diversions for Irrigation and municipal use.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

3.0 4.0 3.7 4.2 4.7

Day

67 8 9

10

Discharge

3.5 4.2 9.2

12 2,130

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

36,300 3,840

/99 436 295

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

200 650

1,510 903 344

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

194 223 132 126 119

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge

112106 100

93 86

1,625 96,700


Hour

12

N2468

1012

123456789

1011

N12


September 82.99

Sep2.882.892.912.953.073.153.16

9.2tember 9

8.28.79.9

13222930

September 103.173.173.203.453.904.404.604.684.674.594.504.424.354.30

31313460

117190220233231218205193182175

Hour

3456789

101112

123456789

1011

N1

Gage height

4.255.309.40

13.2016.5019.1022.0025.0028.0031.30

Discharge

168335

1,2202,3403,3704,2605,8008,100

12,50021,600

September 1133.535.035.936.536.836.936.736.435.935.435.034.534.1

30,30042,00054,60064,00068,80070,40067,20062,40054,60047,60040,80035,10031,800

Hour

23456189

101112

123456789

1011

N

Gage height

33.633.032.532.031.430.830.229.528.928.327.6

Sep26.826.125.324.523.722.922.021.220.219.118.217.2

Discharge

28,80025,80023,30021,20019,00016,90015,30013,40012,10011,0009,780

member 128,7408,010t ,2506,6506,0805,4804,9504,5604,1203,7403,4403,070

Hour

123456789

101112

48N48

12

H12

N12

Gage height16.415.815.014.013.212.511.811.311.010.710.410.1

Sept9.158.508.017.637.307.00Sept

6.305.85Sept

5.555.30

Discharge

2,8202,6402,4002,1301,9201,7401,5601,4501,3901,3301,2801,220

ember 13984855768685616556

ember 14423344

ember 15292252


COLORADO RIVER BASIN

Colorado River near San Saba, Tex.

Location.--Lat 31°13'05", long. 98°33'50", on left bank at downstream side of pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 190, 5.2 miles downstream from San Saba River, 9.2 miles east of San Saba, San Saba County, and at mile 474. Datum of gage is 1,096.22 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--30,600 sq mi, approximately, of which 11,900 sq mi is probably noncon- tributing.


Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 14-30.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 69,000 cfs 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 38.36 ft).1915-22, 1923 to August 1952: Discharge, 224,000 cfs July 23, 1938 (gage height,

63.2 ft, present site, based on floodmarks at site then in use).Flood of July 23, 1938 is highest known since at least 1878. Flood of Sept. 25, 1900,

reached a stage of 58.4 ft, present site, from floodmarks at former site (discharge, 184,000 cfs).

Remarks. Flow partly regulated by Lake J. B. Thomas, Lake Colorado City, Lake Nasworthy, San Angelo Reservoir, Hords Creek Reservoir, and Brownwood Reservoir, having a combined capacity of 786,000 acre-ft. Practically all flood runoff occurred below these reservoirs.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

4.7 4.0 4.0 5.1 5.8

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

6.3 6.3 5.8

28 429

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

51,200 36,600 20,100 1,920 1,030

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

718 617

2,240 1,560

748

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge485 856 420 238 206

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge

180 169 149 134 131

4,007 238,400


Hour

12

2468

10N2468

1012

1:302468

10N2


September 81.30 5.8

September 91.301.301.301.301.301.311.321.431.471.581. !92.66

5.85.85.85.85.86.36.8

14183058

33 /September 10

3.23.3.182.782.592.502.422.382.39

616590391306270238222226

Hour

468

1012

123456789

1011

N12

2:30345

Gage height

2.562.843.083.344.60

Sep6.248.20

13.1019.3024.5028.7031.5033.8035.4036.5537.3037 .84:38.2038.3333.3638.3138.1057.82

Discharge

294420540677

1,520t ember 11

3,1605,560

13,10023,60034,00043,70050, ^0056,70061,00064,10066,10067,60068,60068,90069,00068,90068,30067,500

Hour

6789

101112

2468

10N2468

1012

246

Gage height

37.3536.7536.0035.2734.5033.6232.85

Discharge

66,20064,60062,60060,60058,60056,20054,200

September 1231.0829.5028.1226.7825.6024.6023.7323,0922.5122.0921.7621.47

Sep21.2721.0720.83

49,60045,60042,30039,10036,40034,30032,40031,10029,90029,00028,30027,700

tember 1327,30026,90026,500

Hour

810N2468

1012

2468

10N48

12

N12

N12

Gage height

20.4719.9019.0717.7816.0413.9011.639.347.52

Sept6.365.665.285.074.884.764.584.424.31

Sept3.993.75

Sept3.543.38

Discharge

25,80024,70023,10020,80017,90014,40010,7007,1204,680

ember 143,2402,4702,1001,9001,7301,6201,4701,3401,260

ember 151,000

850ember 16

704616

299183 O - 54 - 4


Buchanan Reservoir near Burnet, Tex.

Locatl6n.--Lat 30 0 45'05", long 98°25'00", in powerhouse at Buchanan Dam on Colorado River, 1 mile upstream from bridge on State Highway 29, 10 miles west of Burnet, Burnet County, and at mile 413. Datum of gage is 0.48 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (levels by Lower Colorado River Authority).

Drainage area. 31,250 sq mi, approximately, of which 11,900 sq mi is probably noncon- tributing.

Gage-he ight re c ord.--Hourly readings of Selsyn indicator.

Maxima.--September 1952: Contents, 623,000 acre-ft Sept. 23-30 (gage height, 1,002.0

1937 to August 1952: Contents, 1,004.000 acre-ft July 27, 1938 (gage height, 1,020.5 ft).

Remarks.--Reservoir is formed by two reinforced concrete multiple-arch sections, three banks of taintor gates, and a 1,088-ft reinforced concrete spillway section. Dam completed and storage began May 20, 1937. Total capacity, 992,000 acre-ft (gage height, 1,020.0 ft, top of spillway section). Usable capacity for power development, 955,000 acre-ft between gage heights 937.0 ft (sill of powerhouse penstock) and 1,020.0 ft (top of spillway section). Water below gage height 937.0 ft can be withdrawn through two 5-ft Bunger gates (emergency) down to gage height of 890.0 ft. Figures given here in represent total contents. Water used for power development and irrigation of rice in several districts below Columbus.

Contents, in acre-feet, 12 p.m. September 1952

Day12345

Contents350,600345,600344,400343,200343,200

Day6789

10

Contents342,000342,000340,800340,800340,800

Day1112131415

Contents441,000537,000588,800601,400603,200

Day1617181920

Contents605,000606,800610,400615,800617,600

DayZlZ2Z3Z425

Contents619,400621,200623,000623,000623,000

Day26Zl282930

Change in contents during month .............................................

Contents623,000623,000623,000623,000623,000

+272,400

Llano River near Junction, Tex.

main channel, 3 miles east of Junction, Kimble County, 4 miles downstream from con fluence of North Llano and South Llano Rivers, and 4-3/4 miles upstream from Johnson Fork. Datum of gage is 1,630.32 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area. --1,762 sq mi.


Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements.

Maxima. --September 1952: Discharge, 24 cfs 1 p.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 1.01 ft).1915 to August 1952: Discharge, 319.000 cfs June 14, 1935 (gage height, 43.3 ft,

present site and datum, from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 54,000 cfs on basis of slope-area determinations at gage heights 32.2 and 43.3 ft.

Flood of June 14, 1935 is highest known since at least 1888.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

14 15 15 15 15

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

15 15 15 16 21

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

23 23 Z2 20 ZO

Day

16 1Y 18 19 20

Discharge

19 19 19 19 19

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge19 18 19 20 21

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge21 20 20 19 18

18.5 1,100



Llano River at Llano, Tex.

Location. Lat 30°45', long 98°40', on right bank in Llano, Llano County, 0.4 miledownstream from State Highway 16 bridge, 2,290 ft downstream from City of Llano dam, 0.7 mile upstream from Oatman Creek, 3.8 miles downstream from Johnson Creek, 7.0 miles upstream from Little Llano River. Datum of gage is 970.0 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area. 4,000 sq mi.


Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 129,000 cfs and extended above on basis of slope-area determination at peak stage. Shifting-control method used Sept. 18.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 232,000 cfs 11 p.m. Sept. 10 (gage height, 32.6 ft).1939 to August 1952: Discharge, 108,000 cfs June 25, 1948 (gage height, 22.90 ft,

from floodmark).Stage known, 41.5 ft June 14, 1935 (discharge, 380,000 cfs, from rating extended

above 129,000 cfs as explained above), from information by local resident.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge0 0 0 0 0

Day6 7 8 9

10

Discharge0 0 0 0

52,000

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge51,400 3,000 1,070

582 386

Day1617 18 19 20

Discharge288 384

5,120 915 339

Day21 22 23 24 25

Discharge224 164 132 137 119

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge114 112

99 81 72

3,891231,500


Hour

6789

1011

N123456789


September 101.611.631.641.681.731.801.882.032.342.45

14.9022.6025.3025.1525.6027.00

0.81.01.11.42.03.04.8

103754

42,800106,000134,000133,000138,000154,000

Hour

101112

123456789

1011

N1

Gage height

30.6032.6031.10

Discharge

202,000232,000210,000

September 1128.6026.4023.6020.1018.0016.8016.0515.4515.1019.2017.8016.0013.80

175,000147,000116,00081,90064,00055,60050,40046,40044,20073,80062,60050,00035,700

Hour

23456789

101112

48N48

12

Gage height

12.1011.2410.5210.009.559.208.908.658.448.248.04

Discharge

25,10019,90015,90013,10011,000

9,4008,2207,3206,6306,0405,500

September 127.507.086.826.426.125.87

4,2403,3502,8602,2201,8201,550

Hour

6N6

12

N12

N12

N12


September 135.535.285.124.87

Sept4.594.36

Sept4.194.08

1,2301,020

905736

ember 14570452

ember 15379336


279259


Pedernales River near Johnson City, Tex.

Location.--Lat 30°18', long, 98°24', on right bank at upstream side of pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 281, 0.2 mile downstream from Plat Creek, 1.2 miles northeast of Johnson City, Blanco County, and 3.5 miles downstream from Buffalo Creek. Datum of gage Is 1,096.70 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929, supplementary adjustment of 1942.

Drainage area. 947 sq ml.

Gage-height record. Prom graph based on gage readings, readings from reference points and floodmarks.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 42,000 cfs and extended above on basis of slope-area determinations at gage heights 27.6 and 42.5 ft. Shifting-control method used Sept. 12-30.

Maxima.--September 1952: Discharge, 441,000 cfs 3 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 42.5 ft, from floodmark).

1939 to August 1952: Discharge, 128,000 cfs (revised) Aug. 30, 1944 (gage height, 27.6 ft from floodmarks), from rating curve extended as explained above.

Stage known, that of Sept. 11, 1952. A stage of about 33 ft occurred In July 1869, from Information by local residents.

Remarks. The concrete recording gage structure was overtopped and destroyed by the flood of September 1952.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 0

54,300

Day

11 12 13 14 15

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet Runoff, in acre-feet ..... .........

Discharge

129,000 2,190

661 387 292

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

244 329 962 352 198

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge156 134 123 117 103

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge97 88 82 76 68

6,332 376,800

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time. 1952

Hour

12

123456789

1011

N12345


September 91.40

Sept1.401.401.401.41.41.41.41.51.82.32.63.03.33.64.04.55.0

0ember 10

00000000

.28.0

33137257406675

1,1201,730

Hour

6789

101112

123456789

1011

N

Gage height

9.217.525.233.440.840.139.0

Sep38.039.742.541.239.036.432.829.226.122.919.016.8

Discharge

9,23042,200

101,000218,000390,000369,000341,000

tember 11316,000358,000441,000402,000341,000281,000206,000149,000110,00079,20050,80038,400

Hour

123456789

101112

2468

10N2

Gage height

15.013.512.511.610.810.19.59.08.58.17.67.3Sep

6.76.25.85.45.204.884.75

Discharge

29,70023,60019,80016,60013,80011,6009,9208,8007,7707,0006,0605,520

tember 124,4403,5902,9302,3102,0101,7001,520

Hour

468

1012

6N6

12

N12

N12

N12

Gage height

4.604.454.354.254.15Septe

3.923.763.623.52Sept«

3.353.22Septe

3.183.12Septs

3.083.0

Discharge

1,3401,1801,080

978885

mber 13772645544478

>mber 14379313

>mber 15294266

smber 16248214

Lake Travls near Austin, Tex.

Location. Lat 30°23'20", long 97°54'35", In powerhouse at Mansfield Dam on Colorado River, 7.3 miles downstream from Sandy Creek, 12 miles northwest of Austin, Travls County, and at mile 318. Datum of gage Is 0.12 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (levels by Bureau of Reclamation).

Drainage area.--37,900 sq ml, approximately, of which 11,900 sq ml Is probably non- contributing. During the flood period the Inflow Into Lake Travls originated below Buchanan Reservoir from the intervening area of 6,650 sq mi.

Gage-height record. Oraph based on float gage readings.Discharge record. Inflow rates computed from gage readings at 15-minute intervals and

change in contents.Maxima. September 1952: Contents, 1,111,000 acre-ft Sept. 18 (gage height, 677.7 ft).

Rate of inflow, 803,000 cfs 7:30 a.m. Sept. 11.1940 to August 1952: Contents, 1,377,000 acre-ft Oct. 23, 1942 (gage height,

691.2 ft).Remarks. Reservoir is formed by concrete gravity-type dam. Storage began Sept. 9, 1940;

dam completed early in 1942. Total capacity, 1,950,000 acre-ft (gage height, 714.0 ft, top of spillway). Capacity between gage heights 681.0 and 714.0 fc is 778,000 acre-ft, and is reserved for flood control. Usable capacity, l,144.0ro acre-ft be tween gage heights 535.8 (bottom of 24 83 ft diameter Paradox gates) and 681.0 ft (maximum power pool). Bottom of penstocks, gage height 552.0 ft. Figures given herein represent total contents in acre-feet and rate of inflow in cubic feet per second.



Lake Travls near Austin, Tex.--Continued

Contents, in acre-feet, at 12 p. m., September 1952

Day

1 2 3 4 5

Contents

383,000 381,300 : 380,500 373,600 376,200

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Change in contents d

Contents

374,400 374,400 371,900 372,700 373,600

Day

11 12 13 14 15

Contents

1,073,000 1,085,000 1,085,000 1,085,000 1,089,000

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Contents

1,094,000 1,094,000 1,111,000 1,110,000 1,109,000

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Contents

1,109,000 1,107,000 1,105,000 1,105,000 1,105,000

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Contents1,105,000 1,103,000 1,102,000 1,100,000 1,100,000

+715,200

Rate of inflow, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1952

Hour

12

12

2:152:302:45

33:153:30

44:30

55:30

66:30

height Inflow

September 10600

September 11600 800

1,620442,900480,000195,000i505,000528,000562,000590,000615,000641,000365,000589,000

Hour

77:157:307:45

88:30

99:30

1010:30

1111:30

N12:30

11:30

hGelIht Inflow

757,000790,000803,000789,000782,000770,000758,000717,000603,000577,000530,000490,000454,000426,000405,000388,000

Hour

22:30

33:30

44:30

55:30

66:30

77:30

88:30

99:30

h^ht Infl

372,000357,000344,000329,000313,000297,000277,000255,000231,000202,000151,000109,00083,00062,00051,00042,000

Hour

1010:30

1111:30

123456789

1011

N

h^ght M

38,00034,00029,00026,000

September 1217,00014,00012,00011,00010,0009,0008,0007,0006,0005,0005,0005,000

Colorado River at Austin, Tex.

Location. Lat 30°14'40", long 97°41'20", on right bank just upstream from Hontopolis Bridge on U. S. Highway 183 at southeast edge of Austin, Travis County, 2.8 miles up stream from Walnut Creek, 3.8 miles downstream from Waller Creek, 5 miles downstream from Barton Creek, and at mile 290. Datum of gage is 407.28 ft above mean Sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area. 38,160 sq mi, approximately, of which 11,900 sq mi is probably noncontri- buting.

Page-height record. --Water-stage recorder graph.

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements.

Maxima . September 1952: Discharge, 3,720 cfs 12 p.m. Sept. 17 (gage height, 4.59 ft).1898 to August 1952: Discharge, 481,000 cfs June 15, 1935 (gage height, 45.0 ft,

from f loodm.ark) .Stage known since 1843, 46.0 ft July 7, 1869, present site and datum (adjusted to

present site on basis of record for flood of June 15, 1935) .

Remarks . Plow regulated by Buchanan Reservoir (see p. ), Lake Travis (see other smaller reservoirs, having a combined capacity of 3,939,600 acre-ft.


), and

Day

12 34 5

Discharge

746 1,370 1,390

847 916

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

730 570 866 741 484

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

1,820 1,090

675 363

1,010

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

2,080 1,950 1,830 1,870 1,480

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

710 920 645 302 276

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge

269 235 209 235 402

901 53,620


Guadalupe River Basin

Guadalupe River at Comfort, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°58', long 98°54', on left bank at downstream side of pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 87, a quarter of a mile downstream from Cypress Creek, half a mile east of Comfort, Kendall County, and at mile 397. Datum of gage is 1,372.03 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--990 sq mi, approximately.

Gage -height record. Water-stage recorder graph except for Sept. 13-17, 20, during which only the peaks on Sept. 16, 17 were indicated. Recorder graph corrected on basis of outside gage readings and floodmark on Sept. 11, 12.

Discharge record. Stage -discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 13,000 cfs and extended to peak stage on basis of logarithmic plotting. Discharge for Sept. 13-17, 20 interpolated or computed from graph estimated on basis of normal re cession and indicated peaks. Shifting -control method used Sept. 18, 19, 21-30.

Maxima. --September 1952: Discharge, 38,600 cfs 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 (gage height, 25.44 ft, from floodmark) ..

1917-32, 1939 to August 1952: Discharge, 182,000 cfs July 1, 1932 (gage height,ent), by slope-

area method.

, , 38.4 ft, from floodmarks, from data furnished by Texas Highway Departmen

.Stage known since at least 1848, that of July 1, 1932; flood of July 16, 1900,

reached about the same stage, from information by local residents.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 0

6,900

Day

11 12 13 14 15

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet Runoff, in acre-feet ............

Discharge

2,810 292 105

65 55

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge60 87

176 149

97

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge80 72 71 71 67

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge65 65 61 60 58

382 22,740


Hour

N12

N12

123456789

hGe!Sht Di-harge

September 82.38 02.38 0September 9

2.38 02.41 0September 10

2.41 02.69 172.71 192.73 212.73 212.77 262.84 343.43 1256.50 1,120

Hour

1011

NI23456

6:30789

101112

Gage height

9.7012.7213.1412.8712.6515.5018.0021.0024.5025.4423.5018.0013.5012.3011.9511.72

Discharge

2,3204,6705,1704,8404,6008,850

13,90021,80034,80038,60030,80013 , 9005,6604,2103,8303,600

Hour

123456789

1011

N123456

Gageheight Discharge

September 1110.909.658.507.927.909.60

13.0015.3515.5414.6013.8512.3010.348.607.446.766.245.82

2,9402,3001,8501,6301,6202,2805,0008,6008,9207,3306,1804,2102,6001,8901,4601,2201,030

887

Hour

789

101112

6N6

12

N12

N12

N12

Gage height5.585.345.144.984.884.80

Sept4.323.973.723.53

Sept3.293.15

Sept3.073.02

Sept3.003.00

Discharge

803719649593558531

ember 12371264193147

ember 139876

ember 146457

ember 155454

GUADALUPE RIVER BASIN 25

GUADALUPE RIVER BASIN

Guadalupe River near Spring Branch, Tex.

Location.--Lat 29°51'40", long 98°23'00", on right bank at downstream side of pier of bridge on county highway, 4 miles southeast of Spring Branch, Comal County, 6 miles downstream from Curry Creek, and at mile 334. Datum of gage is 948.13 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--1,452 sq ml.

Gage-height record. Water-stage recorder graph except Sept. 16, 17, 19-22, when there was no gage-height record.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Dis charge for periods of no gage-height record estimated on basis of recorded range In stage and weather records. Shifting-control method used Sept. 23-30.

Maxima^--September 1952: Discharge, 66,900 cfs 4:30 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 35.83 ft).1922 to Aagust 1952: Discharge, 121,000 cfs July 3, 1932 (gage height, 42.10 ft),

from rating 2urve extended above 70,000 cfs.Stage known since at least 1859, about 53 ft In 1869; flood of July 1900 reached a

stage of aboat 49 ft, from information by local resident.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 0

3,100

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

44,600 10,900

892 528 382

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

318 286 414 343 225

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge204 190 184 175 161

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge150 142132 124 119

2,119 126,100


Hour

N12

N123456789

101112


September 90.82

.84Sep

.881.632.002.202.332.393.437.92

13.1516.9019.0019.8026.60

00

tember 100

1036638799

4343,5308,480

13,30016,10017,20030,200

Hour

1234

4:3056789

9:301011

N12

2:3034


September 1129.0630.6531.2035.4035.8335.5034.1532.8031.3530.2030.1230.1430.4530.9931.3731.6031.6531.6031.45

37,30042,70044,80064,60066,90065,10058,00051,50045,30041,10040,80040,90042,00044,00045,40046,30046,50046,30045,700

Hour

56789

101112

123456789

1011

Gage height

31.1430.6530.2029.7029.2028.7028.1527.70

Sep27.1426.5525.8124.8523.9022.7021.1018.9514.4011.609.18

Discharge

44,50042,70041,10039,40037,70036,10034,40033,100

;ember 1231,60030,10028,40026,30024,30022,10019,30016,00010,0006,8704,660

Hour

N2468

1012

6N

12

N12

N12

Gage height

7.536.556.055.705.405.154.96Septe

4.534.233.85

Discharge

3,2002,4102,0401,7801,5601,4001,280

;mber 131,020

846638


3.293.20

520434

mber 15376340


Guadalupe River above Comal River at New Braunfels, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°42'55", long 98°06'40", on right bank at New Braunfels, Comal County, 1.1 miles upstream from Comal River, and at mile 281. Datum of gage Is 586.65 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--1,666 sq ml.


Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements.Shifting-control method used Sept. 1-9. Backwater from Comal River 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 11.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 72,900 ofs 1 p.m. Sept. 11; maximum gage height, 30.70 ft 12:30 p.m. Sept. 11 (affected by backwater from Comal River).

1927 to August 1952: Discharge, 101,000 cfs June 15, 1935 (gage height, 32.95 ft).Stage known, 38 ft In 1869 and In December 1913, from Information by local resi

dents .


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

5.4 4.6 4.3 4.6 4.6

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

4.4 4.6 4.6 9.0

138

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

46,500 32,800 2,540 1,400 1,020

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge820 694 751 843 698

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

630 536 472 429 396

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge370 347 329 312 293

3,079 183,200


Hour

N12

2468

10N2468

1012

12345


September 90.81

.87Sept.91.93.92.98

1.141.131.141.241.351.892.812.82Sept

3.155.00

11.4017.6523.50

9.612

ember 10151716223938395166

164784794

ember 111,1903,8609,660

17,30026,900

Hour

6789

1011

N123456789

101112

12

Gage height

25.5525.8426.7528.3529.5530.3530.6230.6530.4029.9029.2028.5027.5026.6525.9525.3725.0824.8524.74

Sep24.6724.60

Discharge

36,50041,80047,20055,30061,80067,00070,70072,90071,30068,90064,60060,70056,60053,80052,00050,90050,20049,90049,500,

tember 1249,20048,800

Hour

3456789

1011

N123456789

101112

Gage height

24.5024.3324.1223.7823.5023.0922.7022.2721.8421.4020.9020.2519.6018.9017.9416.7514.9912.47

9.707.946.685.72

Discharge

48,40047,60046,60045,00043,80042,00040 , 40038,80037,40036,00034,50032,60030,80028,90026,40023,50019,50014,90010,7008,1306,3004,910

Hour

2468

10N6

12

N12

N12

N12

N12


September 134.924.574.344.184.023.923.693.48

Sept3.253.06

3,7503,2402,9102,6802,4402,3001,9801,680

ember 141,3801,160


Sept2.712.64

Sept2.572.52

1,000900

ember 16814751

ember 17690647



Comal River at Hew Braunfels, Tex.

Location.--Lat 29°42"05", long 98°07'10", on right bank 200 ft upstream from San Antonio Street viaduct in Hew Braunfels, Comal County, and 1.1 miles upstream from mouth. Da tum of gage is 582.80 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area. 117 sq mi (revised).

Gage-height record. Water-stage recorder graph except for period 3:20 a.m. Sept. 11 to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 16. Graph drawn on basis of outside gage reading Sept. 12-16.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 1,600 cfs and extended to peak stage on basis of slope-area determinations at gage heights 14.87 and 36.14 ft. Discharge for Sept. 11 estimated on basis of partial gage-height record, floodmark, and records for Guadalupe River above Comal River at Hew Braunfels. Backwater from Guadalupe River Sept. 12, 13. Shifting-control method used Sept. 17-23.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 35,000 cfs 11 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 36.14 ft, from floodmark).

1927 to August 1952: Gage height, 30.71 ft June 15, 1935, from floodmarks, back water from Guadalupe River (discharge not determined).

Stage known since at least 1869, 37.65 ft Oct. 17, 1870, from floodmark about half a mile downstream (may have been affected by backwater from Guadalupe River).


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

132 132 120 128 135

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

130 120 135 145 177

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

13,900 988 202 180 192

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge195 197 196 205 202

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge205 208 210 210 213

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge208 210 210 208205

663 39,470


Hour

12

2468

10N2468

1012

2468

10N2468


September 82.10 110September 9

2.102.102.102.122.382.342.302.332.272.332.312.19Sept

2.302.272.212.342.462.42.42.32.32.4

110110110115183172161169153169164132

ember 10161153138172205188188161161188

Hour

1012

123456789

1011

N123456789

101112

Gage height

2.52.6

Discharge

216245

September 116.5

11.317.926.024.323.422.424.028.333.036.1434.031.028.025.222.321.120.219.719.319.118.918.718.5

1,7904,4809,010

17,80015,50014,40013,40015,20021,20029,20035,00031,00025,60020,70016,70013,10011,0009,0107,3206,1805,2004,4803,8303,250

Hour

2468

10N2468

1012

2468

10H6

12

H12


September 1218.217.817.617.417.217.016.716.113.811.18.15.5Sep

4.523.873.453.102.822.772.602.48

Sep2.372.33

2,4601,8901,4501,090

854642502410312277245216

tember 13213210208205202199199191

tember 14180169

Hour

48H48

12

48H48

12

48H48

12


September 152.322.332.532.482.452.43

Sept2.412.382.532.372.442.42

Sept2.422.452.512.492.462.71

166169225210202196

ember 16191183225180199194

ember 17188188199194185258


Blanco River at Wimberley, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°59' 1,200 ft upstream Wimberley, Hays Coi 1929.


Gage-height record. Water-stage recorder graph except for period Sept. 1-22. Graph for period Sept. 10-22 was drawn on basis of frequent staff-gage readings and floodmark of peak.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 30,000 cfs and extended above on basis of slope-area determination at peak stage. Discharge for Sept. 1-9 estimated on basl-s of discharge measurement and weather records. Shifting-control method used Sept. 10, 26-30. Backwater from debris Sept. 11-15.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 95,000 cfs 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 30.1 ft, from floodmark).

1924-26, 1928 to August 1952: Discharge, 113,000 cfs May 28, 1929 (gage height, 31.10 ft, from floodmarks), by slope-area method.

Stage known since at least 1869, that of May 28, 1929, from Information by local residents.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

7.5

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

} "168

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

36,900 1,260-

658 427 330

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

266 222332 279 196

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

182 162 139 133 125

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge

122 116 108 103

98

1,413 84,090


Hour

12

2468

1010:30

H24568

1012

12


September 90.50Sept.50.50.65.95

1.852.111.601.351.351.551.481.251.101.25Sept

15.0025.10

11ember 10

11113084

430589304200200282251166121166

ember 1124,00064,600

Hour

345678

8:309

1011

H123456789

Gage height

23.8022.0020.5023.6027.6029.9230.1029.9028.9026.0022.0018.3015.8513.8012.0010.209.208.367.707.15

Discharge

58,00049,50042,80057,00078,60093,70095,00093,60086,80069,50049,50033 , 10023 , 40015,90011,1007,5006,0004,7804,0503,500

Hour

101112

2468

10H2468

1012

48H

Gage height

6.686.285.94Sept

5.304.824.404.083.863.703.553.263.082.962.842.74Sept

2.662.502.26

Discharge

3,0502,7002,400

;mber 121,9501,6701,4601,3001,2101,1501,080

980920890850820

smber 13790740650

Hour

48

12

6N6

12

N12

H12

H12

Gage height

2.061.931.84Septe

1.731.641.581.52

Discharge

580530495

mber 14455420400372


1.241.19Septe

1.111.08

332286

mber 16266246

mber 17217206



San Marcos River at Lulling, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°39'55", long 97°39'05", on left bank 390 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 80, 1 mile south of Luling, Galdwell County, and 8 miles upstream from Plum Greek. Datum of gage is 322.05 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area. 833 sq mi.


Discharge re cord.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 1-10.

Maxima.--September 1952: Discharge, 57,000 cfs 1:30 a.m. Sept. 12 (gage height, 34.95ft}. T939 to August 1952: Discharge, 29,500 cfs July 5, 1942 (gage height 32.93 ft). Stage known, 40.4 ft in 1869 and 1870, from information by State Highway Department.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

92 84 84 82 81

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

81 62 96

109 2,610

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

9,420 25,000 2,020

930 693

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

560 482 686 620 482

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

401 362 338 312 299

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge

283 273 267 249 242

1,577 93,820


Hour

6789

101112

123456789

1011

N123456789

1011IS


September 93.153.103.083.123.203.153.30Sept

3.623.884.104.455.407.609.VO

12.6015.0017.4019.8521.2522.2022.6022.7522. V822.7022.5022.3322. 3622.5022.6522.8522.98

65626163686576

ember 10104124146183302594905

1,4001,8702,4703,1803,6403,980

,140,220,230,190,100,030,040,100,160,260,330

Hour

123456789

1011

N123456789

101112

11:30

23456


September 1123.0322.9022.6021.9021.1520.2019.2018.3817.8017.6817.8518.1518.7019.3519.9320.3820.7421.7023.3528.7032.6533.9734.5034.85

Sep34.9434.9534.9034.7534.5534.5234.05

4,3504,2904,1403,8603,6003,2902,9902,7502,5802,5502,6002,6302,8403,0403,2103,3503,4703,8004,520

11,10029,00042,30049,80055,400

tember 1256,80057 , 00056,20053,80050,60047,10043 , 400

Hour

789

1011

N123456789

101112

2468

10N2468

1012

Gage height

33.7433.2732.6432.0031.4030.8230.2029.5528.9228.2527.7627.2526.7226.1525.5024.8524.1323.35

Discharge

39,50034,50028,90024,10020,40017,70015,40013,40011,70010,0009,0008,0907,3906,7006,0105,4604,9604,520

September 1321.3519.4017.5516.0014.7613.8713.1512.5612.1211.7311.4011.12

3,6703,0502,5102,1101,8201,6401,5001,3901,3101,2401,1801,130

Hour

2468

10N2468

1012

2468

10N2468

1012

48N48

12


September 1410.8510.5610.2810.149.979.819.649.479.319.169.048.91

Sept8.798.698.588.488.388.288.178.07

.96

.89

.83

.74Sept.60.47.34.22.12.04

1,0901,040

995972946922896870846824806786

ember 15768754737722707692676660644635626614

ember 16594576558541527516


Plum Creek near Luling, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°42', long 97°37', near left bank on downstream side of pier of bridge on county road, 1 mile downstream from West Fork Plum Creek, 2 miles upstream from Texas & New Orleans Railroad bridge, and 3 miles northeast of Luling, Caldwell County. Datum of gage Is 326.57 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--556 sq ml.


Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 1,060 cfs 10-11 p.m. Sept. 10 (gage height, 10.17 ft).T930 to August 1952: Discharge, 78,500 cfs July 1, 1936 (gage height, 25.7 ft, from

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 54,000 cfs.Stage known, that of July 1, 1936; flood of December 1913 reached about same stage,

from Information by local residents.


Day12345

Discharge00000

Day

6789

10

Discharge000

.4496

Day1112131415

Discharge555344

25137.8

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second Runoff, in acre-feet ........... . . ... .......

Day1617181920

Discharge5.13.9

319237

26

Day2122232425

Discharge116.74.53.12.5

Day2627282930

Discharge2.22.01.81.81.7

69.0 4,100


Hour

2468

10N2468

1012

1234567

7:3089

1011


September 9-0.63-.63-.63-.63-.13-.12-.04

.11

.09

.08

.08

.06Sept.06.05.07.14.27.37

1.241.391.101.552.503.45

000000

.11.41.11.01.0

.8ember 10

.8

.7

.91.85.29.7

140ISO118178263331

Hour

N123456789

101112

123456789

1011

N

h^fht Dischar*e

5,20 4826.75 6467.71 7528.17 8048.43 8368.66 8638.94 8979.24 9359.51 9719.89 1,020

10.17 1,06010.17 1,06010.05 1,050

September 119.60 9848.65 8627.52 7316.30 5975.06 4684.00 3753.23 3142.67 2752.35 2522.21 2422.40 2563.10 305

Hour

123456789

101112

123

3:30456789

1011

N

h^fht Dischar*e

3.94 3704.76 4415.46 5086.03 5676.55 6247,00 6747.33 7107.51 7307.55 7347.50 7297.31 7086.84 656September 12

5.96 5605.04 4674.21 3924.27 - 3814.27 3975.10 4725.78 5406.07 5726.12 5776.06 5715.83 5455.50 5124.99 462

Hour

1254561a9

101112

N12

N12

N12

N12

N12

Gage height

4.363.803.102.361.641.04

.79

.73

.69

.67

.64

.62Sept.54.49Sept.42.37Sept.33,30Sept.26.25Sept.23.22

Discharge

405359305253187107

594943403633

ember 132418

ember 14139.7

ember 157.76.2

ember 164.84.5

ember 173.83.5



Guadalupe River at Victoria, Tex.

Location.--Lat 28°47', long 97°01', on left bank just upstream from pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 59 in Victoria, Victoria County, 1,300 ft upstream from Texas & New Orleans Railroad bridge, 10 miles upstream from Coleto Creek, and at mile 51. Datum of gage is 29.23 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--5,511 sq mi.

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph except Sept. 1-11, during which graph was drawn on basis of once-daily outside gage readings by U. S. Weather Bureau.

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 1-11, 15-30.

Maxima.--September 1952: Discharge, 28,400 cfs 7 p.m. Sept. 16 (gage height, 29.46 ft). 1934 to August 1952: Discharge, 179,000 cfs July 3, 1936 (gage height, 31.22 ft).

Stage known, that of July 3, 1936.

Mean discharge. ubic feet per second, September 1952

Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

123 123 119 117 113

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

113 121 121 229 417

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

1,110 3,330 6,040

10,400 16,400

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

25,300 23,700 9,550 3,130 2,640

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

2,840 2,140 1,900 1,740 1,580

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge

1,430 1,360 1,250 1,180 1,180

3,993 237,600


Hour

6N6

12

48N48

12

2468

10N2468

1012

6


September 92.202.582.822.93

Sept2.912.923.073.593.833.69Sept

3.623.583.593.794.506.006.4/6.626.687.007.708.35Sept

10.34

155240298326

ember 10320323362502569530

ember 11510499502558^62

1,2701,4201,4801,5001,6201,8902,130

ember 122,940

Hour

N6

12

6N6

12

6N6

12

6N6

12

6N67

12

6N

Gage height

11.3112.1313.18

Sep14.5016.1017.6719.20

Sep20.6421.7723.0224.41

Sep26.0027.3028.1228.64

Sep29.0129.2929.4529.4629.41

Sep29.3329.14

Discharge

3,3903,7804,310

tember 135,0205,9506,9608,160

tember 149,340

10,30011,40012,700

tember 1514,40016,40018,30020,300

tember 1623,10025,90028,20028,40027,600

tember 1726,40023,900

Hour

48

12

2468

10N2468

1012

48N48

12

48N

Gage height

29.0028.8228.48

Sep28.2027.6026.5025.0023.1520.7518.4516.4015.0013.9913.2412.67

Sep12.0011.6011.3011.0010.6910.39

Discharge

22,00020,40018,700

;ember 1817,60016,20014,40012,50010,5008,2806,2905,1904,5304,1203,8403,610

tember 193,3603,2503,1203,0102,8702,740

September 2010.159.999.95

2,6402,5802,560

Hour

48

12

48N48

12

6N6

12

6N6

12

6N6

12

Gage height

10.0510.2410.46

Sept10.6610.8010.8110.6910.4410.04

Sept9.328.708.348.16Sept

8.178.278.258.04

Sept7.807.817. 167.56

Discharge

2,6002,6802,770

ember 212,8602,9202,9302,8702,7602,600

ember 222,3102,0801,9401,870

ember 231,8901,9301,9201,840

ember 241,7501,7501,7301,660


Medina Lake near San Antonio, Tex.

cation.--Lat 29°32', long 98°56', at gate operating platform, 576 ft from left end of


Page-height record. Wire-weight gage read once-daily when stage is changing materially, otherwise intermittently.

Maxima.--September 1952: Contents observed, 26,170 acre-ft Sept. 23-27 (gage height, 996.4 ft).

1913 to August 1952: Contents observed, 288,800 acre-ft Sept. 16, 1919 (gage height, 1,078.0 ft).

Remarks.--Reservoir Is formed by gravity-type concrete dam. Dam completed and storagebegan May 7, 1913. Spillway section is located near right end of dam and is of natural rock, 880 ft long, with a 3-ft wide cut-off wall. Total capacity, 254,000 acre-ft (gage height, 1,072.0 ft, top of spillway section). Water for irrigation Is supplied by three 60-Inch pipes equipped with vertical lift gates, at gage height 966.5 ft (capacity, 4,780 acre-ft). Reservoir can be emptied by two 30-Inch sluice pipes equipped with vertical lift gates, at gage height 920.0 ft. Water used for irrigation of lands in Bexar, Medina, Atascosa Counties Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, which has a permit from the Texas Board of Water Engineers to divert 300,000 acre-ft of water to Irrigate 150,000 acres. There is no power developed. Qage heights and capacity table furnished by Bexar, Medina, Atascosa Counties Water Control and Improvement District No. 1.

Contents, in acre-feet, September 1952

Day1 2 34 5

Contents

:

Day6 7 8 9

10

Contents14,080

14,080

Day11 12 13 14 15

Contents20,660 24,190 24,410 24,520

Day1617 18 19 20

Contents

24,630 24,630

26,060

Day21 22 23 24 25

Contents

26,170

26,170

Day26 27 28 29 30

Change In contents during month

Contents

26,170

26,060

+11,800

San Antonio River near Palls City, Tex.

Location. Lat 28°57'05", long. 98°03'55", on left bank 23 ft downstream from bridge on Farm to Market Highway 791, 0.9 mile upstream from Scared Dog Creek, and 3.6 miles southwest of Palls City, Karnes County. Datum of gage Is 285.49 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Drainage area.--2,071 sq mi.

Sage-height record. Water-stage recorder graph.

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 1-11, 23-30.

Maxima.--September 1952: Discharge, 857 cfs 4 a.m. to noon Sept. 13 (gage height, 2.51 ft, from floodmark).

1925 to August 1952: Discharge, 47,400 cfs Sept. 29, 1946 (gage height, 33.80 ft, from floodmark).

Stage known since at least 1875, that of Sept. 29, 1946, from information by local residents.

Remarks.--Flow partly regulated by Medina Lake (see preceding page) and Olmos flood- control reservoir, having a combined capacity of 269,500 acre-ft. Storage began In Medina Lake in 1913, and Olmos Dam was completed In 1926. Diversions above station for irrigation.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

73 70 61 61 64

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

67 70 67 75

107

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

522 813 845 507 201

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge145 122 274 206 278

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

167 126 112 112 115

Day

2627 28 29 30

Discharge115 115 112 112 108

194 11,550



Gage height,Palls City, Tex.- -Continue

cated time, 1952

Hour

12

48N48

101112

48N48

12


September 80.94Sept.96.96.96.96.96.96

1.061.07Sept1.041.011.101.081.121.03

67ember 9

737373737373

105108

ember 109889

11911212695

Hour

123456789

1011N123456

height Di-h"*e

September 111.03 951.03 951.03 951.08 1121.19 1511.62 3211.92 4792.01 5342.09 5842.20 6552.29 7142.33 7402.35 7522.35 7522.31 7262.26 6942.21 6622.17 636

Hour

789

101112

48N48

12

48N48

Gage height

2.152.162.202.252.292.33Sept2.412.432.442.472.492.50Septf2.512.512.512.492.47

Discharge

622629655688714740

smber 12792804811830844850

smber 13857857857844830

Hour

12

48N48

12

6N6

12

N12

N12

Gage height

2.42Septe

2.322.151.941.731.571.45Septe1.351.321.291.25Septe1.171.14Septe1.111.11

Discharge

798mber 14

733622491374299250

mber 15210198186170

mber 16140129

mber 17119119

Cibolo Creek near Bulverde, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°43'35", long 98°25'40", on left bank at William Classen ranch house, 1.8 miles downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 281, 2 miles southeast of Bulverde, Comal County, and 4.7 miles upstream from Dripping Springs Creek. Altitude of gage is about 1,015 ft (from topographic map).

Drainage area.--198 sq mi.

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph except for two short periods totaling11 hours on Sept. 11, during which floodmarks were used to complete gage-height graph.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 4,400 cfs and extended above on basis of slope-area determination at peak stage.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 11,700 cfs 3 p.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 15.16 ft, from floodmark).

1946 to August 1952: Discharge, 8,510 cfs Sept. 27, 1946 (gage height, 12.50 ft, from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 4,400 cfs as described above.

Remarks.--The purpose of this station is to determine the streamflow losses during periods of medium and low flow. There are no surface diversions, but much of the surface flow enters sink holes and caverns in the Glen Rose limestone above station.


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge0 0 0 0

24

Day11 12 13 14 15


Discharge4,720

319 60 15 2.4

Day16 17 18 19 20

Discharge0.1 0

.2 0 0

Day21 22 23 24 25

Discharge0 0 0 0 0

Day26 27 28 29 30

Discharge0 0 0 0 0

171 10,200


Hour

12

N12

123456789

1011

N12345


September 81.11

Sep1.111.11

Sep1.111.111.111.481.361.391.371.341.351.331.321.331.331.321.311.421.37

0tember 9

00

tember 10000

.20000000000000

Hour

6789

101112

123456789

1011

N123

Gage height

1.361.382.122.853.643.803.74

Discharge

00

1159

186220207

September 114.36

10.7014.2012.5010.648.907.666.605.905.485.285.629.10

13.4015.16

3996,470

10,6008,5106,4004,4903,1302,0401,3901,030

8861,1504,7109,590

11,700

Hour

456789

101112

2468

10N2468

1012

Gage height

13.8011.509.189.279.208.187.106.305.78Sep

5.114.634.344.113.873.733.603.503.403.323.233.17

Discharge

10,1007,3504,8004,9004,8203,7002,5401,7501,280

tember 12767510391308238205178159141127113103

Hour

6N6

12

6N6

12

6N6

12

6N6

12

N1112


September 133.002.832.682.53Septe

2.362.212.061.96Septe

1.861.771.671.57Septs

1.481.391.321.28Septt

1.231.341.56

78574129

>mber 1420149.06.2

mber 153.72.0

.8

.4;mber 16

.2000

jmber 1700

.4


Cibolo Creek at Selma, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°35'35", long 98°18'40", on right bank 0.6 mile downstream from Missouri -Kansas -Texas Railroad bridge and 0.8 mile upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 81 at Selma, Bexar County. Datum of gage Is 728.34 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.'



Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 7,000 cfs and extended above on basis of slope-area determination at peak stage.

Maxima . September 1952: Discharge, 36,400 cfs 8 a.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 19.37 ft). to August 1952: Discharge, 7,240 cfs Sept. 27, 1946 (gage height, 10.48 ft).1946 to Augus : iscarge, , cs ep. , gage eg, .

Stage known since at least 1869, about 26 ft In 1889; flood of 1913 was probably about 2 ft lower, from information by local residents.

Remarks . --There are no surface diversions, but part of the flow enters Edwards limestone in the Balcones fault zone which crosses the basin between this station and the station upstream near Bulverde (see preceding page) .


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

0 0 0 0 0

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge

8,970 1,760

208 86 36

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge

16 6.2

12 5.0 2.4

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge

1.6 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge0.9

.8

.8

.7

.6

370 22,040


Hour

12

N12

N12

1234567


September 80.36Sept.36.36Sept.36.38Sept.38.40.41.42

10.5014.4017.50

0smber 9

00

smber 1000

smber 110000

7,20016,60028,200

Hour

89

1011

N123456789

101112

Gage height

19.3717.6014.8312.2510.108.437.627.086.626.306.067.309.80

12.1912.9312.4411.58

Discharge

36,40028,60018,00010,9006,4804,0603,0902,5002,0201,7001,4602,7406,000

10,80012,50011,4009,380

Hour

2468

10N2468

1012

6N6

12

htlht Discha^e

September 129.22 5,1307.58 3,0506.63 2,0306.09 1,4905.72 1,1405.41 8745.21 7185.01 5824.84 4744.74 4194.64 3704.55 331September 13

4.33 2484.18 1984.04 1583.92 127

Hour

N12

N12

N12

N12



Sept3.343.22

Sept3.123.02

Sept2.942.86

8252

ember 153424

ember 16169.3

ember 175.93.8



Clbolo Creek near Palls City, Tex.

Location. Lat 29°01', long 97°56', on right bank at downstream side of pier of bridge on State Highway 123, 5.5 miles northeast of Palls City, Karnes County, and 9 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage Is 264.28 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929, Houston supplementary adjustment of 1943.

Drainage area.--831 sq ml.

Gage-height record.--Water stage recorder graph.

Discharge record. Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 1-10, 21-30.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 18,200 cfs 2 p.m. Sept. 11 (gage height, 27.93 ft). 1930 to August 1952: Discharge, 33,600 cfs July 6, 1942 (gage height, 34.45 ft). Flood In October 1913 reached a stage about half a foot higher than that of

July 6, 1942.

Remarks.--There are no surface diversions, but much of the surface flow of Clbolo Creek enters sink holes and caverns In Glen Rose limestone and In Edwards limestone In the Balcones fault zone which crosses the basin above station at Selma (see preceding page).


Day

1 2 3 4 5

Discharge

4.9 6.2 6.6 6.2 5.3

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge

5.34.9 5.37.6

283

Day

11 12 1314 15

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet Runoff, m acre-feet ................

Discharge9,380 7,440 4,790

521 323

Day

16 17 18 19 20

Discharge253 108 806 194

87

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge65 51 43 39 35

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge34 32 31 30 30

821 48,850


Hour

12

N12

123456789

1011

N123456789

101112


September 80.85

Sep.89.94Sep

.94

.94

.94

.94

.961.041.452.582.963.292.953.504.304.163.933.433.013.104.155.155.575.806.256.50

5.7member 9

7.49.8

;ember 109.89.89.89.8

111545

163213259212288414389351278219232387583677732840900

Hour

123456789

1011

N123456789

101112


September 116.316.316.326.908.50

10.6013.1015.8018.4021.3025.0026.5027.5527.9327.8427.4526.8626.1525.3024.5023.6022.6421.6520.66

854854857

1,0001,4802,2103,1904,5006,3209,130

13,50015,70017,50018,20018,00017,30016,30015,10013,90012,80011,70010,6009,5208,460

Hour

2468

10N24678

1012

2468

10N2468

1012


September 1219.0017.9017.6217.9418.5519.3020.1020.7321.1021.1521.1220.8020.20

Sep19.5219.0218.7318.4517.9517.0615.8214.2012.4010.25.87267.00

6,8505,9305,7305,9606,4407,1207,9008,5308,9108,9608,9308,6008,000

:ember 137,3206,8706,6106,3605,9605,3404,5103,6602,910

- 2,0801,4001,030

Hour

48N48

12

6N2468

1012

2468

10N6

12

N12


September 145.705.004.534.183.913.67

Sept3.393.153.083.023.053.905.506.36

Sept5.304.003.282.942.752.642.442.32

Sept2.111.98

708550456392348312

ember 15273239229221225346660866

ember 16616362257210186171145130

ember 17105

92


San Antonio River at Goliad, Tex.

Location. Lat 28°39', long 97°22', on right bank at upstream side of pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 183, 1.3 miles southeast of courthouse in Goliad, Goliad County, and 10 miles upstream from Manahuilla Creek. Datum of gage is 91.08 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929, Houston supplementary adjustment of 1943.

Drainage area. 3,918 sq mi.

Gage-height record. Water-stage recorder graph except for period Sept. 10-14, when graph was estimated on basis of floodmark of peak and observer's gage readings and estimates of gage heights (after outside gage was destroyed).

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used Sept. 1-9, 15-18, 21-30.

Maxima. September 1952: Discharge, 23,900 cfs about 11 a.m. Sept. 14 (gage height, 39.82 ft, from floodmark).

1924-29, 1939 to August 1952: Discharge, 33,800 cfs July 9, 1942 (gage height, 44.9 ft).

Floods of October 1913 and June 15, 1935, reached about same stage as that of July 9, 1942.

Remarks. Plow partly regulated by Medina Lake and Olmos flood-control reservoir, having a combined capacity of 269,500 acre-ft. Storage began in Medina Lake in 1913, and Olmos Dam was completed in 1926.


Day

1 2 34 5

Discharge

81 86 89 82 79

Day

6 7 8 9

10

Discharge69 71 74 80

993

Day

11 12 13 14 15


Discharge8,070

15,200 21,100 23,400 15,800

Day

16 1-7 18 19 20

Discharge5,060

946 860

1,840 1,800

Day

21 22 23 24 25

Discharge702 547 396 315 275

Day

26 27 28 29 30

Discharge252 238 238 230 222

3,306 196,800


Hour

12

N12

123456789

1011

N123456789

101112

246


September 82.59Sept

2.592.66Sept

2.662.662.662.662.672.672.682.692.692.783.534.695.516.327.508.509.74

10.9011.8012.9013.9014.9015.9016.90

Sept18.3020.0021.50

77ember 9

7789

ember 10898989899191939595

111234416561718965

1,1801,4801,7702,0102,3702,7003,0703,4603,920

ember 114,6405,3106,010

Hour

810

N2468

1012

48N48

12

48N48

12

48

11N48

12

48

Gage height

23.0024.1525.3026.3027.2528.1529.0029.8030.40

Sep31.7032.9033.9034.8035.6436.40

Sep37.1037.7038.2138.7039.1039.45

Sep39.7039.8039.8239.8039.7839.3038.70

Sep38.0037.00

Discharge

6,8007,4408,1708,7609,390

10,00010,80011,50012,100

bember 1213,10014,20015,20016,30017,40018,500

;ember 1319,60020,40021,20022,00022,60023,200

;ember 1423,70023,80023,90023,80023,80022,90021,900

;ember 1520,50018,300

Hour

N48

12

2468

10N2468

1012

48N48

12

12468

10N6

12

Gage height

35.9034.5032.9431.06

Sep29.9528.6827.3325.8624.3122.5020.6318.7816.9415.1213.4511.74

Sep9.278.207.907.677.447.07Sep

6.926.956.987.007.027.137.277.827.67

Discharge

15,80013,10011,1009,700

bember 169,0208,0907,1506,2305,3604,6003,9603,3902,8602,4002,0001,600

;ember 171,110

902860833805728

;ember 18718724730734738782833

1,0301,000

Hour

12468

10N48

1112

48N48

12

48N48

12

K12

N12

If12


September 197.657.687.988.629.52

10.4811.5212.9413.7413.9113.90

Sept13.4612.5111.149.578.127.12Sept

6.596.246.136.106.086.01

9961,0001,0701,2101,4201,6601,9402,3202,5502,5902,590

ember 202,4702,2001,8401,4401,100

885ember 21

763692670664660646

September 225.515.03Sept

4.684.44Sept

4.244.13

543457

ember 23389348

ember 24309293

FLOODS OF 1952 IN CENTRAL TEXAS 37

SUMMARY OF FLOOD STAGES AND DISCHARGES

Table 2 is a summary of flood discharges for the flood of 1952 nd comparative data for previous floods at stream-gaging stations ndat locations where no systematic streamflow records have been ollected on streams in the area covered by this report. Dated ntries in the column "Period of record" identify gaging stations

the table. Locations are plotted on plate 1, showing all points >t which maximum discharge during the flood was determined.

Figure 10, embodying data from table 2, shows the flood dis- :harges in cubic feet per second per square mile for the floods of .952 plotted against the corresponding drainage areas.

Tab

le 2

. --

Su

mm

ary

of

floo

d st

ages

and

dis

char

ges

in

Co

lora

do

and

Guad

alupe

Riv

er b

asin

s in

centr

al

Tex

as,

Sep

tem

ber

19

52

[Max

imum

dis

char

ges

wer

e o

bta

ined

fro

m g

agin

g st

atio

n r

ecord

s o

r o

pen

ing d

eter

min

atio

n; F

, co

mp

ute

d f

low

over

hig

hway

em

ban

km

ent;

by d

isch

arge

mea

sure

men

t nea

r cre

st e

xce

pt

as i

ndic

ated

by

the

foll

ow

ing s

ym

bo

ls:

C,

con

trac

ted

- R

, in

flow

to

rese

rvo

ir,

bas

ed o

n ra

te o

f ch

ange

of

conte

nts

in

rese

rvoir

; S

, sl

op

e-a

rea d

eter

min

atio

n]

No.

on pn i 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Str

eam

and

pla

ce o

f det

erm

inat

ion

CO

LO

RA

DO

RIV

ER

BA

SIN

Colo

rado R

iver

at

Bal

linger

, T

ex.

Elm

Cre

ek a

t B

alli

ng

er,

Tex

.

Con

cho

Riv

er n

ear

Pai

nt

Roc

k,.

Tex

.

Colo

rad

o R

iver

at

Win

chel

l,

Tex

.

Pec

an B

ayou

at

Bro

wnw

ood,

T

ex.

San

Sab

a R

iver

at

Men

ard

, T

ex.

Bra

dy C

reek

at

Bra

dy

, T

ex,

San

Sab

a R

iver

at

San

Sab

a,

Tex

.

Colo

rado

Riv

er a

t S

anS

aba,

T

ex.

Bee

Wat

er H

ole

Bra

nch

nea

r C

her

okee

,T

ex.

Ch

ero

kee

Cre

ek n

ear

Chap

pel

, T

ex.

Dra

inag

e are

a

(squar

e m

iles

)

a 5,2

40

458

a 5,

263

a 12

, 68

0

1, 6

14

1, 1

51 575

3, 0

46

a 18

, 70

0 4.74

162

Per

iod

of

reco

rd

1907

-52

1932

-52

1915

-52

1923-3

4,

1939

-52

1917

-18,

1923

-52

1915

-52

1939

-52

1904

-6,

'1915-5

2

1915

-22,

1923

-52

-_.

_-.

Max

imum

flo

od p

revio

usl

y k

now

n

Dat

e

1884

Aug

. 6,

19

06S

ept.

18

, 19

36

Au

gu

st

1906

May

14

, 19

46

Au

gu

st

1882

Aug

ust

1906

Sep

t.

17,

1936

Oct

. 15

, 19

30S

ept.

19

, 19

36

Sep

tem

ber

190

0O

ct.

14,

1930

July

3,

19

32

June

5 or

6, 1

899

July

23

, 19

38

July

23

, 19

38A

pr.

27

, 19

41

June

6,

1899

July

23

, 19

38

Sep

t.

25,

1900

July

23

, 19

38

...

(m)

Gag

e h

eig

ht

(fee

t)

b 36

d 3

2.0

28

.6

b,c

14

.61

0.8

4

b 3

9.9

e 39.5

f 4

3.4

51

.8g

62.2

g21.7

16

.92

---

e 23.3

f 22

. 2

i 29

. 1

16.8

1

e 42

. 6

f 4

5.1

8

k 5

8.4

k 63.2

_--

-_.

Dis

char

ge

(cfs

)

--_

75,

400

29,

200

...

-_.

30

1,0

00

76,

100

---

--.

52,

700

h 235,0

00

117,0

00

j 86,0

00

13,

900

._-

20

3,0

00

184,

000

224,0

00

--.

...

Cfs

per

squar

e m

ile

.-.

..-

14.4

63

.8

_-_

57

.2

6. 0

0--

-

32.

614

6

102

150 24.2 ..-

66.

6

9.8

31

2.0

...

--

Max

imum

du

rin

g p

rese

nt

floo

d

Dat

e an

d hour

Sep

t.

10

Sep

t.

10,

2 p

.m.

Sep

t.

10,

6:30

p.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

8 a.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

7 a.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

10:3

0 a.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

12 m

.

Sep

t.

11,

6 a.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

2:30

p.m

.

Sep

t.

10

Sep

t.

11,

5 a.m

.

Gag

eh

eig

ht

(fee

t)

c 9.

20

7. 3

6

13.

97

38.

92 .70

5. 8

1

24

.80

f 3

6.9

0

38.

36

...

...

Dis

char

ge

(cfs

)

1, 9

00

8, 6

00

1,3

70

44,

000 5.

0

535

39,

100

70,

400

69

,000

2, 8

50C

m 4

6, O

OOS

Cfs

per

squ

are

mil

e 0. 3

6

18.8 .2

7

3.7

7

0

.46

68.0

23.

1

3.6

9

601

284

r o § CD

CJ

1to O M

«

H

» > r

SUMMARY OF FLOOD STAGES AND DISCHARGES 39

CO *-t C- CO

_ooooo

Junction, Tex.

aG

Llano River

OJH

3id

id0) G

Llano River

0) EH

auac0)

I

a

ear Llano, Tex.

GM 0)

Six Mile Cr

X

o"

1

GX

Johnson Cre

EH

f

3id u G

O

§

X

EH

8idJId

Llano River

X H

I3idC

j<iD

Oatman Cre

EH

8idJid c

O

X!

g

"I

0)H

r at Lone Grove,

g «o G

3

3

r Kingsland, Tex

id0)G

Honey Cree

X

Ho" G id3SiidG

X!

G idt4

03M Oa

x'

oS 3id

G >>

a42

X!

Gid «mMOa

0)H

O

Snear

Coal Creek

H

0

O

idS

X!

Gid g o O

X

H

r Round Mountain

nJ 0) C

0) 0

U

t a! en

H

ar Round Mountal

G

6 I"a

H

Gid

2

o

> K

Pedernales

xT

A

o

near

M

L,U3 o

H

Fredericksburg,

near

J<!0)<uO

id <um

X

EH

6D

3

near Fredericksb

J<! <u

Live Oak Ci

EH

M

near Fredericks!:

end of table.

I 13

o c<^ o

'a >JOH OT

Tab

le 2

. --

Su

mm

ary

of

floo

d st

ages

and

dis

char

ges

in

Co

lora

do a

nd G

uad

alupe

Riv

er b

asin

s in

centr

al

Tex

as,

Sep

tem

ber

19

52

--C

on

tin

ued

No.

on

pll

34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

Str

eam

and

pla

ce o

f det

erm

inat

ion

CO

LO

RA

DO

RIV

ER

BA

SIN

--C

on

tin

ued

Sou

th G

rap

e C

reek

nea

r S

tonew

all,

T

ex.

Ped

ernal

es

Riv

er a

t S

tonew

all,

T

ex.

Roc

ky C

reek

nea

r H

ye,

Tex

.

No

rth

Gra

pe

Cre

ek n

ear

San

dy,

Tex

.

Ped

ernal

es R

iver

nea

r Jo

hnso

n C

ity,

Tex

Mil

lers

Cre

ek n

ear

Johnso

n C

ity,

T

ex.

Cy

pre

ss C

reek

at

Cypre

ss M

ill,

T

ex.

Ped

ern

ales

Riv

er n

ear

Spi

cew

ood,

T

ex.

Lak

e T

rav

is n

ear

Aust

in,

Tex

.

Colo

rado R

iver

at

Aust

in,

Tex

.

GU

AD

AL

UP

E R

IVE

R B

AS

IN

Joh

nso

n C

reek

nea

r In

gra

m,

Tex

.

Gu

adal

up

e R

iver

at

Com

fort

, T

ex.

Big

Jo

shu

a C

reek

nea

r W

arin

g,

Tex

.

Lit

tle

Josh

ua

Cre

ek n

ear

Wel

fare

, T

ex.

Gu

adal

up

e R

iver

nea

r S

pri

ng

Bra

nch

, T

ex.

Dra

inag

e are

a

(sq

uar

e m

iles

)

61.

0

647 28

.1

85.7

947 51

.3

52.1

1,26

0

a 6,

650

ad 3

8, 1

60 150

990 17

.8 8.94

1,4

32

Per

iod

of

re

cord

...

-"

1939

-52

...

1940

-52

1898

-195

2

1941

-52

1917-3

2,

1939

-52

...

_.

1922

-52

Max

imum

flo

od p

revio

usl

y k

now

n

Dat

e

---

1913

1876

"-

July

18

69

Aug

. 30

, 19

44

May

28

, 19

29

...

"-

...

July

7,

18

69

June

15,

1935

July

2,

19

32

June

14,

1935

June

23,

1947

July

16

, 19

00

July

1,

19

32

...

1869

Ju

ly

1900

Ju

ly

3,

1932

Gag

eh

eig

ht

(fee

t)

(z)

27.

3

...

...

b 33

2

7.6

(ac)

...

...

...

ae 4

6.0

f

45

.0

b 35

b

31

or3

21

1.7

6

b 3

8.4

ag

38.4

...

...

ah 5

3 b

49

42

.10

Dis

char

ge

(cfs --

-

...

...

...

128,0

00

22,9

00

...

...

...

48

1,0

00

af 1

38,

000

16,2

00

182,0

00

...

...

121,

000

Cfs

per

sq

uar

e m

ile

...

...

...

...

135

446 ..

.

...

...

12

.6

920

108

184 ..

.

...

84

.5

Max

imum

du

rin

g p

rese

nt

floo

d

Dat

e an

d hour

Sep

t.

10,

9:30

p.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

12:3

0 a.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

2 a.m

.

Sep

t.

10,l

l-12p.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

3 a.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

10 p

.m.

Sep

t.

10,

10 p

. m

.

Sep

t.

11, a

bout

6 a

m.

Sep

t.

11,

7:30

a.m

.

Sep

t.

17,

12 p

.m.

Sep

t.

10,

6 p

.m.

Sep

t.

10,

6:30

p.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

4:45

p.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

5 p

.m.

Sep

t.

11,4

:30 a

.m.

Gag

e h

eig

ht

(fee

t)

...

28

.4

(aa)

(ab)

f 42

. 5

(ac)

...

...

... 4.5

9

5.0

8

f 2

5.4

4

...

...

35

.83

Dis

char

ge

(cfs

)

30,

500S

170,

OOO

S

38

,70

03

117,

OOO

S

441,0

003

34,

700S

6.2

10F

45

2,0

00

3

80

3.0

00

R

3,7

20

1,1

20

38,6

00

30

,90

03

12

,80

03

66

,90

0

Cfs

per

squ

are

mil

e

500

263

1,38

0

1,37

0

466

676

119

359

121

7

.47

39.0

1,74

0

1,43

0 46

.7

r o o D CO

CJ

1 C

O O

H fe

Gu

adal

up

e R

iver

abo

ve C

om

al R

iver

at

New

Bra

un

fels

, T

ex.

Com

al C

reek

at

New

Bra

un

fels

, T

ex.

Dry

Co

mal

Cre

ek a

t N

ew B

raunfe

ls,

Tex

.

Com

al R

iver

at

New

Bra

un

fels

, T

ex.

Bla

nco

Riv

er n

ear

Bla

nco

, T

ex.

Hin

es C

reek

nea

r B

lanco

, T

ex.

Lit

tle

Bla

nco

Riv

er a

bo

ve

Tw

in S

iste

rs,

Tex

Lit

tle

Bla

nco

Riv

er b

elow

Tw

in S

iste

rs,

Tex

Bla

nco

Riv

er a

t W

imb

erle

y,

Tex

.

Bla

nco

Riv

er a

t S

an M

arco

s ,

Tex

.

San

Mar

cos

Riv

er a

t L

uli

ng,

Tex

.

Plu

m C

reek

nea

r L

uli

ng,

Tex

.

Gu

adal

up

e R

iver

nea

r G

on

zale

s,

Tex

.

Guad

alupe

Riv

er a

t C

uer

o,

Tex

.

Gu

adal

up

e R

iver

at

Vic

tori

a,

Tex

.

Co

leto

Cre

ek n

eat

Vic

tori

a,

Tex

.

San

Anto

nio

Riv

er a

t S

an A

nto

nio

, T

ex.

See

fo

otn

ote

s at

end

of

tab

le.

1,6

66 17

.9

94 117 93

.5 2.92

21.8

60.3

364

432

833

356

3,6

03

5,0

73

5,3

11

514

a 42

1927-5

2

...

1882

-195

2 ak

"-

"-

...

1924-2

6,

1928

-52

...

1939

-52

1930

-52

1915-2

2

1903-6

, 19

15-5

2

1934

-52

1939

-52

1915-2

9,

1939

-52

1869

D

ecem

ber

19

13

June

15,

1935

1882

1882

Oct

. 17

, 18

70

June

15,

1935

1929

(aq)

1919

May

28

, 19

29

May

28

, 19

29

-

18

69

1870

Ju

ly

5,

1942

Dec

emb

er

1913

Ju

ly

1,

1936

Dec

. 4,

19

13

Oct

. 18

, 19

19

May

29

, 19

29

Mar

. 1,

19

03

July

2,

19

36

July

3,

19

36

July

1,

19

36

Oct

. 16

, 19

46

July

5,

18

19

June

10,

1921

e 38

e

38 32

.95

<aj)

(aj)

am 3

7. 6

5 c,

f 3

0.7

1

(ap)

...

(ar)

...

as 3

1. 1

0

(at)

au4

0.

4 au

40.

4

32

.93

b 2

5.7

f

25

.7

av 3

8. 1

av

34.

1

av 3

8.3

2

aw 4

3.0

av

43

.2

31.

22

ax 2

7. 2

ay

31.

64

(az)

f 20

. 14

101,0

00

...

...

(an) ...

...

...

...

113,

000

29,5

00

78,

500

43

,60

0

71,

300

179,0

00

89,

000

15,

300

60.6

...

...

...

...

...

310 ..

.

50

.0

221 12

.1

14.

1

33

.7

173

364

Sep

t.

11,

1 p

.m.

Sep

t.

11,

4 a.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

11 a

.m.

Sep

t.

11,

11 a

.m.

Sep

t.

11,

1:30

a.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

8 p

.m.

Sep

t.

10,

9 p.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

9 p

.m.

Sep

t.

11,

8:30

a.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

12 m

.

Sep

t.

12,

1:30

a.m

.

Sep

t.

10,

10-l

lp.m

.

Sep

t.

12,8

-9 p

.m.

Sep

t.

15,

2:15

a.m

.

Sep

t.

16,

7 p

.m.

Sep

t.

12,

2 a.m

.

Sep

t.

18,

1 a.m

.

ai 3

0. 7

0

...

f 36

. 14

---

(aq) ...

...

f 30

. 1

...

34

.95

10.

17

av 3

4. 3

8

av 3

. 10

29.

46

13.7

1

3. 4

7

72,9

00

8, 4

80S

35,0

008

35

,00

08

61,9

008

5,4

303

19,9

008

41,0

008

95,0

003

96,4

00

57,

000

1,0

60

90

,90

0

44,

700

28,4

00

13

,20

0

363

43.8

474

372

299

663

1,86

0

909

680

261

223 68.4

2.9

8

25.2

8.8

1

5.3

5

26.8

8.6

4

Tab

le 2

. --

Su

mm

ary

of

floo

d st

ages

and

dis

char

ges

in

Co

lora

do

and

Gau

dal

upe

Riv

er b

asin

s in

centr

al

Tex

as,

Sep

tem

ber

19

52

--C

on

tin

ued

No.

on

p

i 1

66 67 68 69 70 71 72

Str

eam

and

pla

ce o

f det

erm

inat

ion

GU

AD

AL

UP

E R

IVE

R B

AS

IN--

Conti

nued

VIe

dina

Riv

er n

ear

San

An

ton

io,

Tex

.

San

Ant

onio

Riv

er n

ear

Fall

s C

ity,

Tex

.

Cib

olo

Cre

ek n

ear

Boer

ne,

T

ex.

Cib

olo

Cre

ek n

ear

Bulv

erde,

T

ex.

Cib

olo

Cre

ek a

t S

elm

a,

Tex

.

Cib

olo

Cre

ek n

ear

Fall

s C

ity,

Tex

.

San

An

ton

io R

iver

at

Goli

ad,

Tex

.

Dra

inag

e

are

a

(sq

uare

m

iles)

1,2

25

2,0

71 77

.6

198

280

831

3,9

18

Per

iod

of

re

co

rd

1929-3

0,

1939-5

2

1925-5

2

...

1946-5

2

1946-5

2

1930-5

2

1924-2

9,

1939-5

2

Max

imum

flo

od p

rev

iou

sly

kno

wn

Dat

e

(ba)

Aug

. 29

, 19

46S

ept.

27,

1946

Sep

t.

29,

1946

June

1,

1937

1913

Sep

t.

27,

1946

---

1889

1913

Sep

t.

27,

1946

Oct

ober

19

13Ju

ly

6,

1942

Oct

ober

19

13Ju

ne

15,

1935

July

9,

19

42

Gag

e h

eig

ht

(fee

t)

ba

55 __-

c 41.5

7

bb 3

3.8

0

(be)

(bd)

f 12.5

0

b 26

b 24 1

0.4

8

be

35.0

34.4

5

be

44.9

be

44.9

44.9

Dis

char

ge

(cfs

)

.

31

,80

0

47,4

00

"-

.._

8, 5

10

-.-

___

7, 2

40

._.

33

,60

0

--_

-__

33,

800

Cfs

per

squ

are

mil

e

...

25.

9--

-

22.

9

...

-.-

43.0

--_

25.

8

.-_

40.5

...

---

8. 6

3

Max

imu

m d

uri

ng p

rese

nt

floo

d

Dat

e an

d hour

Sep

t.

12,

1:30

a.m

.

Sep

t. 1

3,4

a.m

. to

12 m

.

Sep

t.

10,

5 p.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

3 p.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

8 a.m

.

Sep

t.

11,

2 p.m

.

Sep

t.

14,

abo

ut

11

a. m

.

Gag

e h

eig

ht

(fee

t)

9. 1

1

f 2

.51

"-

f 15

. 16

19.

37

27.9

3

f 39.8

2

Dis

char

ge

(cfs

) 801

857

27

,90

03

11,7

003

36

,40

08

18,

200

23,

90

0

Cfs

per

square

m

ile

0. 6

5

. 41

360 59

. 1

130 21.

9

6. 1

0

8 o»

O CO

UI to n M a H » > r H M Ixl

SUMMARY OF FLOOD STAGES AND DISCHARGES 43

S 8

^3 d

^5 g e

5-2

^_o a

>5

a -<

rt rtbo ^

3 *

Includes noncontr Highest stage sim

T3 QJa a

a

p O

a

1-9 1 51^H

m Pcn

^, t^^ {U

record for floo furnished by DI

1-1 ° 1glle downstr

s maximun

'S 'u

a rt"

^ 55

S So

-1

rt

rt

C

C S°B

3-**u ^

JS Cbo <u2 8

Determined at po: miles above ga From floodmark, Highway Depar

rt Ma

rt0)

13

o.2

c

About; highest knc

JS

ti -0

13 <D

1 £ ?, acted by bac led about s

En rtrt <u

L*' " (N

£ ""

_ -a

Occurred at 12:3C Floods of 1882 an

~! r-,rt rt

O

- S

3 s

a S'c a

£ 'rtQJ ,£3 "3

s£U n<

Only discharge m From floodmark ;

^ Grt rt

3 O CM

3so. -a a o<; "

^ 5£ o

boa!S5 >- 0 0rt co

o «S LQ

raS ?«*H O

fcl Ku 2 1 ^? 0

s

oT3

r than floo

? _g

c ^£^t, inu ..

Discharge not del Flood of 1929 was

a &

o «« ~o o 25-0 S " 0 -14-1 O +J

than highe jwer than i

own since

v $bo CD tnj^ _ i£1 *" SPM 7[? 3

rt in ^H SCD Ol T3 rt ,-H O"3 *3 d O T3 Go o y

ft< fe feO1 h M

IS '^

Crt u £ "rt

M-&

^ 13^ fc,rt C^

CD GCM O

o Ko °°

0) LO^i 3

u 13rt bo

^ bo>^i

%P en

residents. Flood of May 28, Maximum known,

Gage height from U. S. Geological

*j 3a a -* 5rt a

s^

" s

s§? fcl

"S Sri p^

& o

-lad i-3

QJ Rfil.0)

££

1 JS ^ LO 3 MO rt "oo S

3 5-5

s s r

c js bo

^s,5°§ 2 ».

c o

« £ So S ri S -° ^3 £ rt^ft-ocui.,^

taf,Il-^-GGcS W) G G G « h Q.

-S P ^ I S § - i

^ d "S ojS bOT3 -

< cd O

a ^ T3

i ^ a

a i c ^H ^ o

"i S o 3 « « u"O G X (M QJ O) "O

"'"* Sh S

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND PER SQUARE MILE

>- TO CO £ C* 00 O O

jnCTOOO O O O O O O O O O O O O o

8

s

6

%

at00

8

<J>

6

%

CO*

2

*

N>

a

£

NsJ

* *

u »-J

s

z

iCT

o o3o3?

3-

o

^

Q CT

a>

03

T>

0

RECORDS OF PREVIOUS FLOODS 45

STORAGE

The storage reservoirs on the Colorado River--Buchanan Res- rvoir and Lake Travis--discharged no water during the flood >eriod. The smaller reservoirs--Inks, Granite Shoals, Marble ralls, and Austin are "run-of-the-river " intended principally for ower generation. These small reservoirs had little regulatory :ffect on discharges.

The closing of the gates during the flood period on the dams at Suchanan Reservoir and Lake Travis effectively divided the Colo- ado River basin into three independent parts: above Buchanan leservoir, between Buchanan Reservoir and Lake Travis, and be- Low Lake Travis.

Lake Travis effectively controlled the flow of the Colorado River >elow the lake. Without this control it would be difficult to estimate .he resultant damage to the present building developments in the lood plain at Austin, for Lake Travis stored water at a peak rate rf 803, 000 cfs.

RECORDS OF PREVIOUS FLOODS

At all points where discharges were determined for the flood of 1952, investigations were made to obtain information on historical floods. Table 2 contains data on the greatest flood previously known at each point where records are collected systematically. More detailed information on historical floods in the Guadalupe and Colo rado River basins can be found in U. S. Geological Survey reports listed in the bibliography at the end of this report. Available in formation on floods prior to 1921 is summarized in Water-Supply Paper 488.

The flood of July 1869 was the highest known on the Colorado River at Austin. According to Taylor (1900, p. 34) the stage of that flood was 43 feet (46 feet, present site and datum). The flood of June 1935 reached a stage of 45 feet, present site and datum, and was only a foot lower than the flood of July 1869.

The greatest floods on Colorado River prior to 1935 for which there are authentic records occurred in 1900 and 1913. A study of all available information shows that those floods were of about the same size. The Austin dam failed during the flood of 1900.

The greatest flood of record on the Pedernales River prior to 1952 was in July 1869 when the maximum discharge was about one- half of that of September 11, 1952.


The flood of December 1913 was one of the greatest floods o the Guadalupe River for which any records are available. At Ne 1 Braunfels, a stage of about 38 feet was reached in December 191 and in 1869, which was about 5 feet higher than the flood of Jun 1935 and more than 7 feet higher than the flood of September 1952 Downstream at Gonzales, the flood of December 1913 reached stage of 38. 1 feet and the flood of May 1929, a stage of 38. 32 feet according to gage readings made by the Weather Bureau. Thes> are the highest stages known at Gonzales, and are about 4 fee higher than the stage of the flood of September 1952. At NBA Braunfels, the flood of 1929 was not exceptional.

With one exception the flood of September 1921, which covered, large area in south-central Texas, was the highest on the San An tonio River at San Antonio of which there is any information. Tb flood of July 1819 probably equaled if not exceeded it and washei away buildings in San Antonio that had stood for nearly 200 year! Flood runoff was comparatively light on the San Antonio River i] September 1952.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Breeding, S. D., I948a, Texas floods of 1940: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1046.

1948b, Flood of September 1946 at San Antonio, Tex: U. S.Geol. Survey Circular 32.

Breeding, S. D. and Dalrymple, Tate, 1944, Texas floods of 1938and 1939: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 914.

Dalrymple, Tate, and others, 1937, Major Texas floods of 1936:U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 796-G.

1938, Major Texas floods of 1935: U. S. Geol. Survey Water- Supply Paper 816.

Ellsworth, C. E., 1923, The floods in central Texas in September 1921: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 488.

1939, Summary of records of surface waters of Texas: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 850.

Taylor, T. U. , 1900, The Austin dam: U. S. Geol. Survey Water- Supply Paper 40.

INDEX

Page Abstract ......................... 1Antecedent conditions ............. 2Austin, Colorado River at. ......... 23

Lake Travis near............... 22

Bibliography, selected ............ 46Blanco River at Wimberley. ........ 28Brady Creek at Brady. ............. 17Buchanan Reservoir near Burnet. ... 20Bulverde, Cibolo Creek near ....... 33Burnet, Buchanan Reservoir near. .. 20

Cibolo Creek near Bulverde ........ 33at Selma. ...................... 34near Falls City. ................ 35

Colorado River at Austin. .......... 23at Winchell .................... 16near San Saba .................. 19

Comal River at New Braunfels. ..... 27Comfort, Guadalupe River at ....... 24

Damages, flood ................... 6-9Description of the floods ........... 2-6Determination of flood discharges. 10-11 Discharges, summary of flood. ..... 37

Explanation of data .............. 11-15

Falls City, San Antonio River near. . 32 Cibolo Creek near .............. 35

Flood damage. .................... 6-9Flood determination points, location . pl.l Flood discharges, determination of . 10 Flood stages, summary of. ......... 37Floods, description of ............. 2-6

general features of ............. 2

Gaging station records. .......... 16-36General features of the storm and

floods. ...................... 2Goliad, San Antonio River at ....... 36Graphs of discharge, Colorado River

basin ..................... 13, 14Guadalupe River basin .......... 15

Guadalupe River at Comfort ........ 24at Victoria. .................... 31above Comal River at New Braunfels 26 near Spring Branch ............. 25

Introduction ...................... 1Isohyetal map. ................... pi. 1

Page

Johnson City, flood scene ......... 7Pedernales River near ......... 22

Junction, Llano River near. ....... 20

Lake Travis near Austin .......... 22Llano River at Llano ............. 21

near Junction ................. 20Luling, Plum Creek near ......... 30

San Marcos River at........... 29

Map of central Texas ............ pi. 1Medina Lake near San Antonio ..... 32Menard, San Saba River at........ 16

New Braunfels, Comal River at 27 flood scene ... ............... 10Guadalupe River above Comal

River at .................. 26

Pedernales River near Johnson City 22 Plum Creek near Luling .......... 30Precipitation .................... 2Precipitation graphs ............. 3-5Previous floods, records of. .....45-46

Records of previous floods .......45-46

San Antonio, Medina Lake near .... 32San Antonio River at Goliad ....... 36

near Falls City. ............... 32San Marcos River at Luling ....... 29San Saba, Colorado River near. .... 19San Saba River at Menard ......... 16

at San Saba ................... 18Selma, Cibolo Creek at ........... 34Spring Branch, Guadalupe River

near. .................... 25Stages and discharges at stream

gaging stations ........... 11Storm, general features of ........ 2Storage ......................... 45Summary of flood stages and dis

charges. ................. 37

Unit discharge plotting ........... 44

Victoria, Guadalupe River at...... 31

Wimberley, Blanco River at. ...... 28Winchell, Colorado River at. ...... 16

47

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE :O 1954

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