Water loss by stream surface evaporation and transpiration by riparian vegetation

For the period August to October 1944, evapotranspiration losses from streamflow in Farmington Creek in northern Utah have been estimated to be about one‐third of the total streamflow. Observations included streamflow, wet and dry bulb air temperatures, evaporation from several cans exposed in the stream, and water temperature. The analysis involved consideration of fluctuations in streamflow diurnally, seasonally, with changes in weather, and with the freezing of leaves. In thickly populated areas, where culinary demands for water are great, it may be economically feasible to pipe the lower reaches of water supply streams or to keep the riparian vegetation to a minimum.