CONFIRMATION OF ESTIMATES OF HUDSON FLOW BY RAINFALL STUDIES. Frequently in problems of power development, the only reliable basis for estimating the amount of power that can be developed, is furnished by a measurement of the watershed area, a study of the rainfall and a comparison with rainfall records on similar watersheds from which run-off has actually been measured, and although in the present case, the gagings at Mechanicville, gave a much better basis for estimating the yield of the Sacandaga and other tributaries, it was deemed prudent to confirm these estimates based on gagings by studies of the rainfall and by comparisons with the yield of other watersheds. The first question to be answered by a study of the rainfall records is whether the average yield of the 1,050 square miles of Sacandaga drainage is substantially the same as that found for the 4,500 square miles above Mechanicville. The chief results of our enquiry on this point have already been stated, but some further notes are of interest. The rainfall records upon the elevated Adirondack plateau are few and far between as compared with other portions of the State. The most complete compilation is found in the study by Mr. Emil Kuichling, published in the Barge Canal Report and summed up in his isohyetal map, on plate 27 and described in page 795 of the Barge Canal Report of 1901. The records for most of the stations there quoted have been obtained for the later years, and in order that discrimination might be made in the use of these records and greater weight given to those where the surroundings for the rain-gage were more favorable or where it appeared that the observer was more painstaking, I arranged for Prof. Francis J. Seery of Cornell University to make a personal inspection of all the rain-gages in the Adirondack plateau, with an examination of the original records and conference with the observers. REPORT BY PROF. FRANCIS J. SEERY UPON THE SEVERAL RAIN-GAGE STATIONS IN THE ADIRONDACK PLATEAU. The surroundings of each of the several gages found in use at the beginning of our work are shown in the following sketches. Prof. Seery found little data from which to judge of the accuracy of observation at many of the stations and we have yet found little to justify giving greater weight to the record of one station than to that from another, save in the length of period covered and in noting how it conforms to record of two or more neighboring gages, or in conforming to the probable course of the isohyetal curve. Brief notes regarding quality of observations at some of the stations are given in the following sketches. ADDITIONAL RAIN-GAGE STATIONS IN ADIRONDACKS. The following named new stations were established in order to close gaps in the existing lines of stations. The locations are shown on the isohyetal map of the Adirondack region, plate 10. There was a failure from one cause and another to get the new gages set in time to obtain comparisons of the precipitations in the very remarkable rainstorms of September and October. It is proposed to continue observations at these stations indefinitely. Maximum and minimum thermometers of the Weather Bureau pattern were supplied at each rain-gage station and are exposed in standard thermometer shelters and the readings taken daily. The records at Nehasane obtained to January 31st are given in following table. |