Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Water Yields In Utah Developing A State Water Plan, Jay M. Bagley, Roland W. Jeppson, Cleve H. Milligan

Reports

Need and Importance of Study

Utah's problems of water use and water supply are becoming increasingly important. They are also becoming increasingly complex as competition for our water resources becomes more keen among various types of uses. In the formulation of plans for sound and efficient use of water it is essential to know the characteristics of occurrence and use of water supplies so that requirements can be balanced most effectively and economically against supply. This ordinarily requires basic hydrologic data to determine relations among climate, water losses, and water yield from watersheds.

Such data are often unavailable - especially …

Evaporation And Potential Evapotranspiration In Central Iraq, Ala H. Al-Barrak

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The principal objectives of this study were to compare several formulas for estimating pan evaporation and evapotranspiration and to derive new formulas or modify existing formulas that will better fit the data for central Iraq. Computed evaporation was compared with measured evaporation by determining the differences and the ratios. The pan evaporation formulas were also compared by expressing them all in the form
Ev = K C_RC_TC_WC_HC_DTC_SC_M

Three pan evaporation formulas were modified. For the Meyer and Utah formulas, the constants were changed and expressions were derived …

Simplified Approach To The Problem Of Stability Of Soil Slopes Under Horizontal Earthquake And Pore Pressure, Dalim Kumar Majumdar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A problem that has confronted engineers for a great number of years is that of determining the stability of soil slopes. Many factors introduce complications into stability analysis. Most embankments contain heterogeneous soils, often of several types. This and other complications usually necessitate the use of a simplified cross section. At the same time, it is often necessary to adopt simplified average soil characteristics which represent actual characteristics as best as possible. Those steps which bear on the choice of the simplified section and the simplified soil characteristics are always important in stability analysis work. These steps are independent, however, …

Point Flow Measurements In Irrigation Furrows, David Ernest Mortin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A new flow measurement concept is needed to facilitate the study of intake characteristics of the soil under furrow irrigation. Knowledge of the flow rate at various points throughout the furrow length is required but measurement must be made without altering the normal flow regime. Conventional water measuring devices such as weirs, orifices or flumes which require a loss of head in their operation, are usually unsatisfactory because to create a measuring head would alter the normal flow depth upstream thus changing the intake pattern.

The purpose of this study is to develop a simple, reliable method of measuring small …

Calibration Of Irrigation Headgates By Model Analysis, Gaylord V. Skogerboe, Vaughn E. Hansen

Reports

Introduction

The purpose of this research project was to calibrate the slide gates used by the D.M.A.D. Company (Delta, Melville, Abraham and Deseret Irrigation Companies). These gates, which number more than 600, are located throughout the distribution system. Each gate is placed in a concrete box 4 feet wide, 3-1/2 feet deep and 4 feet long. The structure is used as a means of diverting the water and is also used as a measuring device.

A similar structure, but with a different type of slide gate, was calibrated in 1914. At the time rating tables were prepared which listed the …

Aerial Application Of Evaporation-Reducing Chemicals, Development And Evaluation Of Equipment And Techniques, C. Earl Israelsen, Vaughn E. Hansen

Reports

Aerial applications of both liquid and powder evaporation retardants have been made in parallel strips on large lakes for purposes of comparison. Films formed from powder spread more rapidly than did those from liquid, but usually both films ultimately spread to approximately equal widths and had the same degree of compression as determined with indicator oils. Evaporation retarding materials with large numbers of particles having diameters smaller than 75 microns are greatly affected by the wind. As the chemical is dispensed from the airplane. the fine particles drift with the wind and in some instances are carried onto the land …

Utah State University Stilling Basin Pipe Flow To Open Channels, Hameed Rasheed

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Energy dissipation problems are often encountered where pipelines discharge into open channels. Normal pipe flow velocities most often result in super-critical velocities in canals. These high velocities may cause scour, overtopping, and unstable flow in the channel.

The principal objective of the study was to find an efficient and economical design of a stilling basin transition from pipe flow to open channels. Pertinent variables were selected and their effects determined by extensive experimentation.

An efficient stilling basin was developed utilizing a short dissipator pipe on the wall opposite the inflow pipe. The optimum diameter, length, and differential elevation between center …

Developing A State Water Plan Utah's Water Resources--Problems And Needs--A Challenge, Utah Water Research Laboratory

Reports

Of all the natural resources with which Utah has been endowed none is more vital to the social and economic well-being of the people than it water resource. We cannot manufacture water. We have found no acceptable substitute. Not one more drop of water is available for our use today than was available to the pioneers. Yet water uses and water demands have multiplied over the years. Since we can do little to change nature's water allotment to Utah we must learn how to utilize our existing supplies more judiciously. This means devoting increasingly more attention to problems of water …

Water Requirements For Waterfowl Areas Near The Great Salt Lake Parts V-Vi, J. E. Christainsen, Ming Chang Tsai, D. K. Kaushik, J. B. Law, J. W. Teeter

Reports

This report reviews activities on this project since the Progress Report, Part IV, June 1961.

The summer of 1961 has been one of the driest on record for Ogden Bay and Howard Slough Refuge. The extreme shortage of irrigation water has resulted in very little flow in the Howard Slough which originates from return flow. The available water from the Weber River for the Ogden Bay Refuge was also the lowest on record. The scarcity of water at these two refuges has resulted in increased salinity.

Most of the routine work on the project during the summer was done by …

The Influence Of Water-Reducing Admixtures On The Curing Of Concrete, Wallace Don Budge

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of water-reducing admixtures in concrete has grown continuously since their introduction over 25 years ago, with a present estimated usage in the production of 25 million cubic yards of concrete annually in the United States alone. Opposition to anything added to concrete, other than cement, aggregates, and water, is gradually disappearing, and considerable recognition is being given to the value of using other ingredients.

The research contained in this study may be divided into two portions: tests to determine the rate of volume change of cement paste and compressive strength tests to indicate the effect of moist curing …

Soil Moisture As A Factor In Streamflow Forecasting For Logan River, Utah, Yu Kam Fok

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Purpose

Forecasting the annual water supply in an arid area by using the water content of snow on watersheds on some particular date, such as April 1, has become a very useful practice. Although these forecasts have given results of great practical value, they have sometimes been considerably in error. Seeking to minimize error, forecasters have incorporated various additional data such as temperature and antecedent rain to improve the relation between snow measurement and measured runoff.

Numerous methods have been suggested in the search for a reliable streamflow forecasting equation and various data have been used. Nearly all of the …

Model Analysis Of Spillway And Stilling Basin Of Porcupine Dam, Gordon H. Flammer, C. Earl Israelsen

Reports

Introduction: The Engineering Experiment Station at Utah State University was engaged by the Utah Water and Power Board to make a model analysis of the spillway and stilling basin of the Porcupine Dam. This dam will be located on the East Fork of Litle Bear River, just east of Avon, Utah. It will be approximately 650 feet long and 160 feet high, composed of zones earth fill with rock rip-rap facing. The spillway will have a reinforced concrete inlet section and the remainder of the chute and stilling basin will be excavated out of the rock and leck unlined. The …

A Rational Approach To The Estimation Of Evaporation And Evapotranspiration From Climatological Data, Jerald Emmet Christiansen, B. B. Patil

Reports

Many attempts have been made to derive mathematical expressions relating evaporation and evapotranspiration, or consumptive use, to climatological data. IN the United States, the Blaney-Criddle formula is probably the best known for estimating consumptive use (2 and 3). Blaney (1) has also suggested that this formula is suitable for estimating evaporation as measured with a Weather Bureau pan. Other well known formulas are the Penman formulas (10), the Thornthwaite formula (15) and the Hargreaves formulas (8). Halkias, Beihmeyer and Hendrickson (6) suggest that water requirements of crops can be determined from atmometer data. Lowry and Johnson (() in an early …

Irrigation And Drainage Problems In Uruguay, Jerald Emmet Christiansen

Reports

Synopsis: Uruguay irrigates about 65,000 acres, mostly rice (74%) and sugar cane (15%). Summer rainfall averages about 3.5 in. per month, but frequent droughts seriously affect both crops and livestock. Irrigation can be increased by storage in small reservoirs on tributary streams by means of low earth dams. Some areas will require flood control and draiange before intensive agriculture can be practiced.

Report Of Engineering Research With Recommendations For Strengthening The Program, Vaughn E. Hansen

Reports

Progress of Engineering Research: The growth initiated with the reorganization of the Engineering Experiment Station in 1957-58 has been stready and consistant through 1958-59. Every sign points to continued expansion through the coming year. This growth is shown in Table 1. The number of active projects this year has increased to nineteen, the funds allocated for Engineering research were $53,861 plus $17,826 to contract research, exclusive of approximately $75,000 in the Agricultural Experiment Station. The number of staff members engaged in research is now twelve. Contract research money has been obtained to finance four projects which were financed previously with …

The Importance Of Hydraulics Of Surface Irrigation, Vaughn E. Hansen

Reports

Summary: Surface irrigation is a complex hydraulic phenomenon. The hydraulic elements involved in surface irrigation are listed and discussed. Relating these hydraulic elements is the key to efficient irrigation, good design, and permanent agriculture.

Temperature Forecasting At Logan, Utah, For The Snowmelt-Runoff Season, Clifton Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the practicability of forecasting temperatures for the spring and summer snowmelt-runoff season. A successful temperature forecast for Logan, Utah, would be useful in studies of Logan River streamflow, as well as other related applications.

Logan, Utah, is situated in a region where the snow accumulates during the winter and early spring at high altitudes and remains until the proper sequence of meteorological events provides the thermodynamic conditions essential for melting. Snow surveys provide an index to the water available on a watershed. Temperature conditions during the melt period largely determine the available …

Evaluation Of Sprinkler Systems In Northern Utah, Murray J. Gavel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sprinkling as a method of irrigation has been expanding rapidly in the United States, with acreages irrigated by this method increasing every year. One of the major reasons for the expansion is the great improvements that have been made in sprinkler irrigation equipment. Light weight aluminum pipe, with quick couplers, improved pump and motor efficiencies have all made sprinkler irrigation more desirable. High efficiency of water application, labor requirements, and favorable plant response have also favored the expansion.

Another reason for the increase in sprinkler irrigation is that new lands being brought under irrigation are often not adaptable to surface …

Measurement Of Irrigation Water, Eldon M. Stock

Reports

Foreword: Although irrigation has been practiced in Utah for more than one hundred years, irrigation water still is being distributed to farmers with little or not thought about its measurement. A farmer would not think of buying or selling other farm commodities, such as hay, grain, beef cattle, or dairy products, without weighing or accurately measuring them, but at the same time he is often content to accept and pay for the irrigation water received with little or no knowledge as to the actual amount received, or whether or not he is receiving the amount he is entitled to. Measurement …

Henrys Fork Project Wyoming-Utah, Bureau Of Reclamation; Department Of Interior

Elusive Documents

The accompanying report on the potential Henrys Fork project presents in reconnaissance scope the possibilities for further water resource development in the Henrys Fork and Sheep Creek Basins in northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. The report is based on findings of recent investigations conducted during the past year although much of the available basic data used in the studies was obtained in previous intermittent investigations made during the past 50 years.

Effectiveness Of Evaporation From Ground And Foliage In Reducing Soil Moisture Depletion, Val D. Wynn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Field irrigation efficiency is the percentage of the water delivered to the field that becomes available to the crop as soil moisture. The so-called "evaporation losses" from wetted ground and foliage are rather difficult to measure, but are estimated by Christiansen (3) to be between 15 and 30 percent. No doubt part of this may be termed as a "loss," but the other part may be incorrectly termed as such. Many authorities claim that water must pass through the plant before being transpired into the atmosphere to be effectively used.

Evaluation Of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems In Northern Utah, Jay M. Bagley, Wayne D. Criddle

Reports

Summary and Conclusions: Sprinkler irrigation will continue to expand in Utah as well as in other irrigated areas of the world. This method of irrigation is suitable to all farm crops grown in the state and to most soils. It is particularly adapted to steep foothill areas where the water supply can be obtained at higher elevation and pumping is not necessary to develop pressure for the sprinkler systems. Also, much of the irrigated land of the state, particularly along the Wasatch front, is owned and operated by "part-time" farmers. Having the water under complete control and the irrigation schedule …

Sediment Movement In Bear River, Utah, Calvin Geary Clyde

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the northern part of Cache Valley, Utah, accelerated erosion in recent decades has cut deep gullies of impressive size into the flat, irrigated bench land along the Bear River. Millions of tons of fine sediment have been washed into the river and great amounts have been deposited in the river bed. The resulting flooding and high water-table have caused much damage to the land near the river.

Consumptive Use Of Water By Major Farm Crops In The Milford District Of Utah, Glen H. Calder

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Irrigation water supplies in the arid West have become limited, yet the area of irrigable land is still extensive. To realize the more efficient use of the available supply, or for planning new irrigation projects, studies are needed to determine how much water is consumptively used by farm crops and native vegetation.

Drainage Of The Logan-Hyde Park-Benson Area, Utah, Gordon H. Flammer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

B.A. Etcheverry (4) in his book, Land Drainage and Flood Protection, states that inadequate drainage causes: (1) a public health menace, (2) an animal health menace, (3) lower grade plant life, (4) inadequate soil saturation, (5) lower soil temperatures, (6) shallow root penetration and, therefore, plant suffering in late summer months from effects of drought, (7) poor soil texture and workability, (8) increased surface washing and erosion of land surface, and (9) alkali and saline conditions. Other factors such as poorer roads and highways, decreased tax revenues, etc., might be added to this list. The advantages of adequate drainage …

The Discharge Coefficient In The Coordinate Method For Measuring Pipe Flow, Day L. Bassett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Agriculture, industry, and community life continue to impose great demands upon available sources of water, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Efficient utilization of water, demanding careful distribution and use, implies flow measurement.

The coordinate method for measuring pipe flow finds some application in industry where estimates must be made of the flow of fluids containing relatively large amounts of suspended solids that would render other measuring devices ineffective. Widest application may be found, however, in agriculture where a simple, quick, and inexpensive means for estimating well flow, pump discharge, drain efflux, etc., is necessary if the farmers are to …

Unit Consumptive Use Of Water Studies In The Ashley And Ferron Valleys Of Utah For The 1950 Growing Season, James O. Henrie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For the past 2 years a project has been carried on by the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station and the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in cooperation with the Utah State Engineer, in the Ashley and Ferron valleys of Utah to determine the consumptive use of water in these areas. This report is the preliminary part of the third year of study. It includes a determination of unit consumptive use values for the major agricultural crops. These values will later be used by the Soil Conservation Service and Experiment Station in determining the valley consumptive use by the …

Drainage By Pumping In The Lewiston Area, Utah, Paul J. Pehrson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In irrigated areas it often becomes necessary to provide means by which the excess water may be removed. After a period of time if these drainage provisions are not made, it may become necessary, because of the saline soils or water logged condition that may develop, to abandon the land for agricultural purposes.

The increases of irrigation on the higher lands in Utah has resulted in an increased need for drainage on much of the lower land in the valleys. This increased need for drainage has long been recognized and in 1947 it influenced the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, in …

Consumptive Use Of Water Studies In The Ashley And Ferron Creek Areas Of Utah, Elden E. Fisher

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The inadequacy of water and power supplies in Utah for agriculture, for industry, for domestic and community consumption has retarded the State's economic growth. Shortages of water and hydroelectric power are the principle impediments to the full realization of other potentials of Utah, that is, the full use of its arable lands, the wide and diversified use of its industrial raw materials, and the unrestricted development of its communities. The problem of securing additional sources of water and power has resolved itself into one of major concern. The objective of this study was to determine unit values of consumptive use …

Relative Productive Value Of Land, Karl Harris, Vaughn E. Hansen

Reports

Location, markets, hard surface roads and other transportation facilities, churches, taxes, schools, and utilities are major factors in the monetary value of land, yet these things do not contribute to the land’s productivity. In this bulletin the only factor considered in determining the agricultural value of land is its productive capacity.

The three major factors in the productive value of land are water, climate, and soil.

These three factors are the principal ones in crop production. If any one of them is unfavorable to plant growth, it can inhibit or even prevent plant growth regardless of how favorable the other …