UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (3E0RGE OTIS SMITH, Director Water-supply Paper 366 PROFILE SURVEYS OF SNOQUALMIE, SULTAN, AND SKYKOMISH RIVERS, WASHINGTON PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF R. B. MARSHALL, Chief Geographer ^■^.•^ WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1914 Glass jife^^Z^fcT Book )l ^ mZ DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director Water- S11PPI.Y Paper 366 PROFILE SURVEYS OF SNOQUALMIE, SULTAN, AND SKYKOMISH RlYERS, WASHINGTON s^~^ . PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OP R. B. MARSHALL, Chief Geographer WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1914 S ^^73 ^ w \ o?V^ D. OF 0. JAN IS 1915 CONTENTS. Page. General features of Snohomish RiA'er basin 5 Gaging stations - 6 Publications - - 7 ILLUSTRATIONS. Plate I. A~D, Plan and profile of Snoqualmie River and certain tributaries above Fall City, Wash. . . . ... . .' '. At end of volume. II. A-B, Plan and profile of Sultan River above Sultan, Wash At end of volume. III. A-F, Plan and profile of Skykomish River and certain tributaries above Gold Bar, Wash At end of volume. 49607°— WSP 366—14 3 PKOflLE SURVEYS OF SNOQTIALMIE, SULTAN, AND SKYKOMISH RIVERS, WASHINGTON. Prepared under the direction of R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer. GENERAL FEATURES OF SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN. Snohomish River is formed by the imion of Skykomish and Sno- quahnie rivers, in the southwestern part of Snohomish County, Wash., and flows northwestward into Puget Sound. Skykoixdsh River drains the west slope of the Cascade Momitains for a distance of 30 miles as measured along the divide or 22 miles in a straight line, northward between the point common to King, Kittitas, and Chelan counties, along the eastern boundary of King and Snohomish counties to a point 1 mile south of Indian Pass, at the divide between the Skykomish and Sauk drainage basins. Skykomish River proper is formed by the junction of its Xorth and South forks near the town of Index and the southern boundary of Snohomish Countv. The largest tributaries of the North Fork are Trout, Troublesome, Gobble, and Cady creeks. The South Fork is formed by the junction of Beckler and Tye rivers near the town of Skykomish, and the largest tributaries below the junction are Miller Creek and Money Creek, which enter from the south near the town of Berhn. Below Index, at the junction of the forks. Sultan River is the main tributary. It enters from the north and flows into the Skykomish at Sultan. Ten miles below Sultan the Skykomish unites with the Snoqualmie, whose Middle Fork, forming the continuation of the main stream, rises on the west slope of the Cascade Range not far from the head of the South Fork of the Skykomish and takes a westerly and northwesterly course. Above the junction of the North and South forks the drainage area of the Skykomish is situated in the Snoqualmie National Forest, in King and Snohomish counties, except a strip about 1 mile wide along the bed of the South Fork, which is privately owned. The topography is very rugged. The mountains are 5,000 to 6,000 feet high. In the valleys and on the lower slopes is a good stand of 6 SURVEYS OF SNOQUALMIE, SULTAN, AND SKYKOMISH EIVEES, WASH. Douglas fir, hemlock, and cedar, which grows thinner up the slopes and is entirely absent on the mountain tops. The soil in the vallc3's is a loose glacial gravel, with banks of blue clay and a few pockets of loam. The soil is thin on the slopes and entirely absent on the higher elevations. During the winter the basin is covered with snow 2 to 10 feet deep. At the headwaters, over the greater part of the higher slopes, the snow remains until May or June, and on the higher peaks never entirely disappears. The Skykomish reaches its lowest stage in September, when freezing begins in the higher parts of the basin, and before the fall rains begin. Another low period is in February, w hen the stream is ice locked and all precipitation is held back in the form of snow. There are many power sites on the forks of the Skykomish above Index. The low-water flow is augmented by the natural storage furnished by many small lakes at the headwaters and by the glacial and everlasting snow in which the stream has its source. It is prob- able that this flow can be further conserved by artificial storage. GAGING STATIONS. The Survey has maintamed in the area drained by Snoqualmie, Sultan, and Skykomish rivers the gaging stations shown by the fol- lowing list. The stations are arranged in downstream order, the main stem of the river being determined by measuring or estimating its drainage area; that is, the headwater stream draining the largest area is considered the continuation of the main stream and all sta- tions from source to mouth are presented first; stations on the tribu- taries, in regular order from source to mouth, follow. Relations of tributaries are indicated by indention. A dash following a date indi- cates that the station was being maintained June 30, 1913. A period after a date indicates discontinuance. Soilth Fork of Skykomish River (head of Snohomish River) near Berlin, Wasli., 1910- South Fork of Skykomish River near Index, Wash., 1902-1905; 1912- Skykomish River at Sultan, Wash., 1910-1912. Foss River near Skykomish, Wash., 1911. East Fork of Foss River near Skykomish, Wash., 1911. Miller Creek near Berlin, Wash., 1911- West Fork of Miller Creek near Berlin, Wash., 1911-1912. North Fork of Skykomish River near Index, Wash., 1910-1912. Middle Fork of Snoqualmie River (head of the Snoqualmie) near Ncrth Bend, Wash., 1911- Snoqualmie River at Snoqualmie Falls, Wash., 1902-1906; 1911- North Fork of Snoqualmie River near North Bend, Wash., 1911- South Fork of Snoqualmie River above Alice Creek, Wash., 1911- South Fork of Snoqualmie River at North Bend, Wash., 1911- Tokul Creek near Snoqualmie, Wash., 1911- Pilchuck Creek near Granite Falls, Wash., 1911-12. SURVEYS OF SXOQUALMIE, SULTAN, AND SKVKOMISII RIVERS, WASH. 7 PUBLICATIONS. Information concerning stream flow at the stations listed in the preceding table has been published by the Survey in the following reports : Water-Supply Papers: 85, 100, 104, 178, 214, 292, 312, ^ 332,2 3^2.2 Water-supply papers and other publications of the United States Geological Survey containing data in regard to the water resources of the United States may be obtained or consulted as indicated below. 1. Copies may ))e obtained free of charge by applying to the Director of the Geological Survey, Washington, D. C, but the edition printed for free distribution is small and is soon exhausted. 2. Copies may be purchased at nominal cost from the Superin- tendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C, who will on application furnish lists giving prices. 3. Sets of the reports may be consulted in the libraries of the prin- cipal cities in the United States. 4. Complete sets are available for consultation in the local offices of the water-resources branch of the Geological Survey, as follows: Albany, N. Y., Room 18, Federal Building. Atlanta, Ga., Post Office Building. St. Paul, Minn., Old Capitol Building. Helena, Mont., Montana National Bank Building. Denver, Colo., 302 Chamber of Commerce Building. Salt Lake City, Utah, Federal Building. Boise, Idaho, 615 Idaho Building. Portland, Oreg., 416 Couch Building. Tacoma, Wash., Federal Building. San Francisco, CaL, 328 Customhouse. Los Angeles, CaL, Federal Building. Santa Fe, N. Mex., Capitol Building. Honolulu, Hawaii, Kapiolani Building. A list of the Geological Survey's publications will be sent on appli- cation to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. 1 In press June, 1914. 2 In preparation June, 1914. O Ju i. U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON M. E, HAY. GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SNOQUALMIE RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE FALL CITY, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE I A R. B. Maishall, Chief Geoataphe T G. Gerdine. Geographer in cha Topography by R. M. LaFoliette Vertical scale 1 inch = 100 feet Contour interval on land 25 feet Contour interval on river surface 5 and 25 feet U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON M E. HAY, GOVERNOR -IFMRY LANCES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SNOQUALMIE RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE FALL CITY. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE I B R. B. Marshall, Chiet Geographer T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in charge Topography by R. M. LaFolletle Surveyed ir. 191 1 Vertical scale 1 inch = 100 feet Contour interval on land 25 feet Contour interval on river surface B and 25 feet Datum 19 mmn Ma level 1914 DECLINATION 1' 3 U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER. GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SNOQUALMIE RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE FALL CITY. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE I C R. B. Ma.shall, Chiiil Geogoph T. G, Gefdine. Geogfaph Topogiaphy by A. J, Ogl Surveyed in 1913 Scale sifeff Subject to adjustment cha Vertical scale 1 inch = 100 feet Contour interval on land 25 feet Contour interval on river surface 5 and 25 feet 4 U, S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER, GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SNOQUALMIE RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE FALL CITY, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE I D S NOQUA LMiE A 'V .1 '^^ i "^1 R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographei T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in ch. Topography by A. J. Ogle Surveyed in 1913 Scale WM nil Vertical scale 1 inch = 100 feet Contour interval on land 25 feet Contour interval on river surface 5 and 25 feet Datum if mtan aca level 1914 Subject to adjustment ^ SHEETS 5 U 5. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER. GOVERNOR HENRY LANOES, STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SULTAN RIVER ABOVE SULTAN. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPfR 366 PLATE H A Reservoir Site Topography by Washington Railroad & Electric Co. Scale 3tW Contour interval 10 feet Datum M mean aea level ^ tl " ■- 23- ^^^^^5 ■ \ W" A 32 m \f[f^'^ 33 ^ R. B. Marshall, Chief Geoecaphet T. G. Gerdine. Geographer in charge Topography by A. J, Ogle Surveyed in 1913 Scale STBfio Subject to adjustmeni 2 SHEETS (I plan, 1 profile) 4,000 2,000 I Contour interval on land 25 feel Contour interval on river surface 5 feet 1914 6 U, S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER, GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SULTAN RIVER ABOVE SULTAN. WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE II B R 8 Mafshall. Chief Geogfaphi T G Gerdine, Geog'aphi Topography by A, J. Ogl Surveyed m 1913 2 SHEETS (I plan, 1 profile) Vertical scale 1 inch = 40 feet Dftliim is mean sea leivl 1914 U S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER. GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SKYKOMISH RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE GOLD BAR, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE III A R. B. Maishall, Chiel Geogtaphet T. G. Gerdine, Geographer in chatee Topography by A. J. Ogle Surveyed in 1913 Scale suJSF Subject to adjustment 6 SHEETS (3 plans, 3 profiles) 4,000 2,000 Contour intei^al on land 25 feet Contour interval on river surface 5 feet Dntum u mmn ua (nW 1914 DECLINATION I! 8 1 U S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER, GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SKYKOMISH RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE GOLD BAR, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE Contour interval on land 26 feet Contour interval on river surface 5 feet Datum is mean Bea level 1914 9 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER. GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SKYKOMISH RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE GOLD BAR, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE III c R. B, Marshall, Chief Geographet T, G. Gefdine, Geographer in charge Topography by A. J Surveyed in 1913 10 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER, GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SKYKOMISH RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE GOLD BAR, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE III D 6 SHEETS (3 plans, 3 profiles) R, B. Marshall, Chiel Geographer T. G. Geidine, Geographer in chargr Topography by A. J. Ogle Surveyed in 1913 11 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER. GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SKYKOMISH RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE GOLD BAR, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE HI E R, B. Maishall, Chief Geoecapher T. G. Gerdine. Geogtapher in charge Topogfaphy by A. J. Ogle Surveyed in 1913 Scale STKo Subject to adjustment 6 SHEETS (3 plans. 3 profiles) Vertical scale 1 inch = 40 feet Datum it nuan ma teoel 1914 12 U S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ERNEST LISTER, GOVERNOR HENRY LANDES. STATE GEOLOGIST PLAN AND PROFILE OF SKYKOMISH RIVER AND CERTAIN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE GOLD BAR, WASHINGTON WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 366 PLATE 111 F R, B. Marshall, Chiel Geographer T. G, Gerdine, Geographer in charge Topography by A J, Ogle Surveyed in 1913 Scale ^fflO Subject to adjustment 6 SHEETS (3 plans, 3 profiles) Vertical scale 1 inch = 40 feet Datum ia nwan tea Uvet 1914 LB.VIr'15 h I L/BRary Op ^