Fluvial sediment in Whitehead watershed and Whitehead reservoirs, Nebraska, April 1955 to September 1956

This report gives information on the physical characteristics of Whitehead Watershed and on the characteristics of the suspended sediment transported into and discharged from the reservoirs. Selected periods of significant runoff and outflow from April 1955 to September 1956 are discussed.

Particle-size distribution of inflow and outflow samples indicates that all the sand entering reservoir 1 is trapped and that most of the sand entering reservoir 2 is trapped.

Results of chemical analyses of water samples and a comparison of suspended-sediment size analyses in native water and in distilled water with dispersing agent indicate that significant sediment flocculation may occur in the reservoirs.