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Barren area evapotranspiration estimates generated from energy budget measurements in the Gila River valley of Arizona

Open-File Report 80-1003
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr801003

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Abstract

Estimates of evapotranspiration for 479 successive days were created by using energy budget measurements. The measurement point was on the 2-kilometer wide flood plain of the Gila River in east-central Arizona, about 18 kilometers above Coolidge Dam. The flood plain had been cleared of all tall vegetation for distances of about 20 kilometers upstream and 5 kilometers downstream from the measurement site. Chaining, raking, and burning had been used to clear the area immediately surrounding the measurement site about 6 months before measurements began. Ground cover was sparse volunteer Bermudagrass and scattered seepwillow for a distance of at least 1 kilometer in all directions from the measurement point . The water table was deep , so most of the evaporated water came from rainfall, but some came from soil moisture deeper than 2 meters. The March to March water loss (evapotranspiration less rain) was about 47 millimeters, evapotranspiration demand was 377 millimeters. Daily rates varied from very small amounts of condensation to almost 5 millimeters of evapotranspiration. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Leppanen, O., 1980, Barren area evapotranspiration estimates generated from energy budget measurements in the Gila River valley of Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-1003, v, 36 p. ill., map ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr801003.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Barren area evapotranspiration estimates generated from energy budget measurements in the Gila River valley of Arizona
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 80-1003
DOI 10.3133/ofr801003
Year Published 1980
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey, WRD, Gulf Coast Hydroscience Center,
Description v, 36 p. ill., map ;28 cm.
Additional publication details