The Arkansas River Flood of June 3-5, 1921

Immediately after the flood the United States Geological Survey undertook an investigation of its causes and results, and the field work was begun as; soon as conditions permitted. An examination was made of all the streams within the area affected by the flood to procure data on maximum run-off in the foothill region and the effect of this tributary run-off upon the main flood. The maximum discharge of each stream was determined from the slope shown by well-defined high-water murks and from the average of several cross sections. As there are no regular Weather Bureau stations in the area, special care was taken to obtain from local residents as reliable statements as possible regarding rainfall and time of flood flows of each stream. , From the field data ana from information obtained from various reliable sources it has been possible to show the cause of the flood and the cause; of its rapid rise and fall at Pueblo. In addition every effort has been made to obtain the best possible data for determining the maximum and total discharge of the Arkansas at Pueblo. Although no field work was done below the mouth of St. Charles River, available data regarding the flood in that part of the Arkansas Valley have been compiled and are presented in this report.