Lyle Watts

A winter view of the lodge at the Priest River Experimental Forest in Idaho.

Wintertime scene at the Office-Laboratory Building at the Priest River Experimental Forest in Idaho. The Priest River Experimental Forest, established in 1911, was one of the first experimental forests. In 1930 it became a part of the Northern Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station.

Photo of eroded slope with barbed wire fence. Back of photo reads, "Pullman Was [Washington] Mar 29, 1932. Steep slope south of house. Upper slope was covered with snow which caused erosion below. Recent rains have washed slightly where drift was located." This was evidently taken in the state of Washington.

Documentation for a snow study by Lyle Watts. To show scale, a pencil rests beside a pine needled branch nearly covered by snow. Mr. Watts studied the amount of granulation and the effect of the needles on the rate of snow melt.

An unidentified Forester stands in a national forest in Idaho. Back of the photo in pencil reads, "MC -2 Idaho - See two views taken about April 27 This is part of a panorama of 3 pictures taken at same time from same place [illegible]" On a separate line in ink, he writes, "Panorama (C-11-C12-D2)." This would be photos 2009-2940, 2009-2941, and 2009-2946.

Documentation for a snow study by Lyle Watts showing melting snow in a forest in Idaho. The back of the photo reads, "SR - 3. Near SR3 - April 28 Last snow on north side of trees in deep shade."

Documentation for a snow study by Lyle Watts showing a needled branch mostly covered with snow. A pencil lies beside the branch for scale. Mr. Watts measured the granulation of the snow and the effect of the needles on the rate of melting. He has the numbers 257454 at the lower right corner of the photo and may have used this to record his findings. Most of the snow studies were done in Idaho.

Documentation for a snow study by Lyle Watts showing a forest with only traces of snow remaining. The back of the photo reads, "M.C.-2-Idaha. 4/28/31 - 10AM - Stop 16. Time 1/10s. V-film. Face SE from P-1 - Joins #11." Mr. Watt's "#11" is photo 2009-2940.

Unidentified men inspect a spillway in Lind, Washington. On the back of the photo, Lyle Watts writes, "Lind, Wash. Rain of .13 inch on Jan 15, 1931 deposited 12 000 cu. ft. soil above dam filling dam to crest of spillway. Drainage area 871 acres. Soil was frozen at time of run-off. Maximum flow was 79 cu. ft. per sec."

Documentation for snow study by Lyle Watts showing most of the snow gone from among the tall trees. Back of photo written pencil reads, "SR3-Taken about May 1. Record in Ogden-" Written in pen is "all of the snow gone from plot. Just a little in dense adv. growth with no overhead crowns." Most of the snow studies were in Idaho, though this may refer to Ogden, Utah.