CLASS A PAN

The U.S. Weather Bureau evaporation pan is a cylindrical container fabricate of galvanized iron or monel metal with a depth of 10 inches and a diameter of 48 inches. The pan is placed on an open 2- X 4-inch wooden platform with the top of the pan about 41 cm (16 inches) above the soil surface. It is accurately leveled at a site that is nearly flat, well sodded, and free from obstructions. The pan is filled with water to a depth of eight inches, and periodic measurements are made of the changes of the water level with the aid of a hook gage set in the still well. When the water level drops to seven inches, the pan is refilled. Its average pan coefficient is about 0.7 for lake evaporation.