Document Type

Report

Publication Date

9-1-1964

Abstract

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 for the smaller basins and streams which characterize many parts of Utah. With greater emphasis on small watersheds and small project development, some way of estimating quantities and characteristics of streamflow which are vital to hydraulic design is essential. In spite of increased emphasis and expenditures for development of water, the expansion of basic data programs still lags behind actual development. At present, investigations and data gathering are not completely adequate to delineate the potential water resources nor to determine the extent of possible development. Without an expanded program of surface and underground water investigations, we cannot hope to outline our potentials completely. However, a broad picture of long-time average annual runoff, developed indirectly or from data at hand, should have considerable value in first stage planning on a statewide basis. The total hydrologic picture must be outlined to evaluate better the effect of individual project development on future regional development programs. Piecemeal development frequently does not fit into an ultimate patterns for most complete and efficient use of the water resource within a region or state. To avoid this kind of development, those responsible for formulating water programs and policies need all the hydrologic information they can get. Deficiencies of such information lend great emphasis to the need for developing dependable indirect methods and techniques to speed preliminary hydrologic surveys. This study was undertaken to develop techniques useful in making was undertaken to develop techniques useful in making rapid and economical estimates of water supplies. The study is restricted to the estimation of mean annual values. Much other information regarding extremes and variations is necessary for detailed project planning. The objective in this study, however, is to provide means of getting a broad perspective of the state's water supply of sufficient accuracy for initial planning a regional nature.

Download

Share

COinS