Fluctuations in concentration of dissolved solids of some southwestern streams

The concentration of dissolved solids in waters of streams of the Southwestern United Stated fluctuates widely as the stream discharge changes. These fluctuations may be extensive in a period of a few days or even a few hours. Data in this paper show the extent of the day‐to‐day changes in specific conductance and discharge of the Rio Grande at San Acacia, New Mexico, during the spring run‐off period of 1945. Data also are presented to show rapid fluctuations in concentration for the Pecos River near Artesia, New Mexico, the Gila River near Bylas, Arizona, and the Rio Grande at San Acacia during typical summer months. Hourly changes in chloride and discharge are shown for a day of approximately normal flow for the Pecos River near Malaga, New Mexico, and for a 36‐hour period of extremely low flow for the Gila River near Fort Thomas, Arizona.