Physical History of the Platte River in Nebraska

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FJ 1 Regarding the occurrence of extremely low or no flow on the Platte River, Eschner et al. (1983) report that, "little is known about the low flow behavior of the river above the confluence with the Loup prior to irrigation. " They report that Miller (1978) concluded that prior to irrigation the Platte River above the junction of the Loup rarely, if ever, went dry in the summer. This conclusion is based primarily on indirect evidence, such as construction of canals along the Platte to divert water during summer months. Miller dismisses the numerous observations (see following paragraphs) of those who traveled and lived along the Platte River of the river going dry by postulating that there may have been water in one of the many braided sub - channels farther away from an observer, or that it may have simply been more convenient or otherwise preferable to dig into the bed to find water rather than to go to where the water might have been flowing. His main logic for the Platte River not going dry is that he finds it difficult to believe anyone would build a diversion or a canal from a river that might have gone dry periodically. The information on the phenomenon of a periodically dry Platte River is too overwhelming to dismiss. Eschner et al. (1983) provided information showing that the Platte River did in fact go dry. They cite Ware (1911) who described conditions in 1864, From Fort Kearney, for many miles up, there was no water in the river. The water seemed to be in 'the underflow.' We not infrequently rode down to the river, and with shovels dug watering places in the sand of the bed* * *. We were told that 75 miles of the river were then dry, and that generally about 125 miles of it were dry in the driest season* * It is interesting to note that Eschner et al. (1983) characterize 1864 as not unusually dry. They refer to Ware (in Root and Connelley, 190 1) writing of the "unprecedented flood of 1864. " They further discuss that McKinley (1938) reported the river to be unusually high during the spring of 1864. The occurrence of extreme low -flow conditions on the Platte River is further confirmed by Eschner et al. as they cite Clarke (1902), "In the summer of 1863, the Platte having so nearly dried up as to make it difficult to secure water for cattle* * *. We sank headless barrels in the Platte * * * to secure water from an underflow. " They further refer to Fremont, who attempted to navigate the Platte River system. While descending the North Platte on September 3, 1845, Fremont wrote that the river was, "merely a succession of sandbars, among which the channel was divided into rivulets a few inches deep. " Eschner et al. further state that Fremont and his crew built a bull boat, which, when fully loaded had a draft of 4 inches of water as they attempted to navigate down the Platte River. Fremont (1845) states, On the morning of the 15`h [September] we embarked in our hide boat, Mr. Preuss and myself, with two men. We dragged her over the sands for 1 17