The New York herald., 1876-11-15

Ten months Of 1876, 30 06 inches.
BY numerous careful experiments 1t has been
tained at least OF the yearly rainfall
Will dnd It's way to the stream, tho remainder being
lost by absorption and evaporation.
According the foregoing table the average ual
rainfall in the Croton district for the eleven years
was 40 inches; the maximum OF SIX inches having
occurred In 1863 and the minimum OF 40A inches in
1872 In calculating the quantity OF water which will
run In the and may be collected and utilized
unavorable condition must be assumed In
der sale and certain results Three-cgnths
OF the above minimum rainfall Will give an average
daily supply Of water throughout tho year Of about
ESQ, 000,0 QUO gallons. As many springs within this
basin suppedfrom sources beyond the watershed,
the above amount would bo considerably Increased.
The rainfall not being evenly distributed ghout
tho wear but interrupted by periods of drought in
summer ana autumn resort 70 storage reservoirs be-
comes necessary. These arc Tiled during the wet
season aud drawn of needed during drought, and
thus certain and constant supply may be maintained
provided the conduts are OF sufficient capacity.
special report viii merely here chs The present
aqucduct capable OF conveying no. 900 900 gallons
daily, at the rate OF about 100 gallons per inhaDlant
accord ing 10 the present population. There be
doubt, With proper measures some Of the waste Of
which has heretofore occurred can be prevented
without any injury to any public or private interests
SO that the present aqueduct VIII convey ample
supply for some years 70 come and until que
duct or sucn other conduit as may be found advisable
be planned with all the dcliberaton which the sub
ject demands and executed In the most durable and
economical manner.
NY principal object in the foregoing remarks has
been show that there Is for apprehension
regard 20 abundant supply from the Crolon River
disfct and to quiet the fears which have from
the scarcity oi tho present scarcity due
As have explained, TO any deficiency at the sources
OF supply, but to the failure to provide time tho
works required 10 meet contingency like the ex-
traordinary drought through which we have passed
The reduced supply OF this season has called forth
many we'll meant suggestions by way OF remedy most
OF which are however, quite crude and chimerica
With such a reliable source as the Croton River aud
watershed within hfty miles Of he city would hardly
be wise, suggested by some TO tap the Hudson at
tho AGrondacks and tbonce to lead its waters
by aqucduct tor distance OF 800 miles to this city,
Nor would II be necessary or wise proposed by
others raise tho b ackish water OF tho Hudson at
Poughkcepsic 10 tho summit OF the high land which
divides the Hudson from tho great central valley
mug through Duchess and Putnam countless thence 10
be conveyed by aqueduc or pices and discharged INTO
the Croton basiu When this imperial city shall have
doubled ebblcd lie present population may be-
to seek other supplies than those
tcmpatcd by the able projectors Of the present water
system Of New York, or it may then and before
that time be found practicable 10 cutaI the and
In this city Looking 10 the future have tho
ISOLATION of knowing that London with nearly 600 900
OF Inhabitants gets along very vol l25 900 O00 gal
Ions OF water daily an amount very httle than
100 900. And when We reflect thai command
within present system by proper timely works
and appliances $50 COO 900 gallons daily double tho
quantity CONSUMED London, there
10 be any cause for great anxiety on this vital
question.
Though there have been many cascs OF
and discomfort in different parts OF the city during tho
present drought yet the scarcity In general has
been comparative rather tnan absolute. Tho IN nimum
quantity OF water delivered dnliy has been about
7o 600 900 gallons or sixty-ve gallons per inhabitants,
being more than tho regular supply IN several OF tho
largest cities Of the United states and lar beyond that
OF the great cities OF Europe appears from tho io
lowing tablet