History of irrigation and characteristics of streamflow in northern Nebraska

F.B. Shaffer

doi:10.3133/ofr7501

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History of irrigation and characteristics of streamflow in northern Nebraska

F.B. Shaffer

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Abstract

Five streams drain the northern part of Nebraska and are tributaries to the Missouri River above Yankton, S. Dak. This report presents statistical data at 29 gaging sites on four of the streams, namely, White River, Ponca Creek, Niobrara River, and Bazile Creek. The fifth stream, Hat Creek, drains a small area in the extreme northwest corner of the State. Because there are no gaging stations on Hat Creek in Nebraska, only the description of the basin is included. The only station on Hat Creek is near Edgemont, S. Dak., and it does not reflect streamflow characteristics in Nebraska. Two major irrigation projects have been constructed in the Niobrara River basin since gaging of streamflow began, therefore the complete record of water discharge at some gaging stations includes periods before and after streamflow was affected by diversions to upstream projects. The Whitney Irrigation Project was in operation on the White River before streamflow records were obtained. Streamflow records presented in this report have been computed from data that represent 1974 conditions of development and water use.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 39.999998° to 43.000585° latitude; -104.053249° to -95.30829° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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F.B. Shaffer. 1975. History of irrigation and characteristics of streamflow in northern Nebraska. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr7501

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