The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-23
THE INDIANA SOLDIERS MONUMENT.
O

FLOOD RECURRENCE,
Floods occurring three successive years in
the Ohio valley, two exceeding any others in
history, have awakened the inquiry whether
such are to be expected annually. 1t has been
asserted, and with much apparent truth and
reason, that the drainage of the soil and the
clearing of the forests tend to sudden and ex-
treme rises in the rivers. and that we may
look for a constant repetition of these disas-
tiers. 1t is possible, however, that this coin
cidence of annual deluges may never happen
again, whatever be the real effect upon the
rainfall of the causes named.
The water of February, 1882, at Pittsburg
was not much below that of 1884, and the
latter years prOportionately higher at Cincin-
natl and the falls on account Of the
unusual SHOWS i'll the Eastern interior
States. Surely no one will argue that the
early food was caused by tree-felling or land
draining. High water again devastated the
country in l847, when but little progress had
been made in these danger-bearing improve
ments of modern agriculture. About thirty
years ago the Ohio overlooked its banks twice
within three months. Then for twelve years
OF more it did but little damage. In 1867 a
rise that reminded old settlers of twenty years
before occurred. Since then, till 1882, no
serious catastrophes resulted.
The reasoning which attributes all these
phenomenal floods to the decrease Of forests
and the increase Of drainage is somewhat de-
fective, or at least liable to question. Very
much timber, it is true, has been removed,
but the change in the conditions of moisture
may not be so great as some infer. If we in
clude the new growths on the p%rairies, which
may largely influence the general rainfall,
there may be about as much leaf production
as ever. If the denuding of the earth is un-
favorable to the creation and retention of
moisture, how is it that the floods have been
so excessive these last three years. Care, of
course, ought to be taken for the preservation
of the forests, but if a heavy walnut or pop
lar has been felled, abushy maple or evergreen
is growing in place thereof. Trees absorb and
extract, as well as attract and protect the
rainfall. Ditching operates against, as well
as for, a sudden freshet. By
means of thing the soil is well
drained. like a sponge out of which the water
has been squeezed, so that the earth must
again be saturated with water before the
heavy showers can produce an effect on the
large streams. Then the drains begin to carry
off the water, and not until then. Previous
to the construction of the bitches there were
swamps with water in them during August,
and the heavy winter rains would at once
cause them to overflow, and the river food
would Immediately follow. 1t may be ques-
toned whether rain, falling under usual cir
sooner now than it did when artificial drainage
was not employed. But whether this be so
or not, allowing all proper margin for the
Influences which science alleges,
the exceptional foods of the
last two years may be attributed to
exceptional causes. One who has kept a diary
reports that almost exactly similar conditions
of the weather have occurred in these twosea-
sons. The foods reached the climax OH the
same day in the year. In 1888 a tremendous
rain fell upon frozen ground, 50 that the water
could not percolate the soil and pass through
the bitches, but it flowed over the surface,
breaking and running roads, washing away
fences and submerging fodder heaps on high
ground, 50 that the Ohio river, which drains
an immense scope of territory for its length,
could not convey the flush. This year an UNI
paralleled snow had fallen on a slightly frozen
ground in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and
Indiana. and when the February thaw
anne with rain, the river again
was gorged with the overlooking waters. /