The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-05-31

hasSA Aasa.t I: 81 ISIS Isl So 81 l5.ss rs s5s s
Difference .......! e.s S77.0l0 2ls
We see by the first table that when
the river at Columbus was 3s feet
above low-water mark an additional
rise of only 81 feet was sufficient to
increase the mean current nearly
foot per second, and that the discharge
was one-sixth greater. The depth of
river at the time was about 96 feet.
Therefore this 16 per cent. increase of
discharge was attained with the addi-
tion of only one-fortieth part of its
depth.
The second table shows that de-
crease of 6.S feet in the height of the
river at this place resulted in loss of
more than l-2 feet per second in the
current and diminution OF 50S,000
cubic feet per second in the discharge.
If we suppose the banks of the river
to have been ninety feet above the
bottom Of the channel, this table proves
that, with levees only z feet high upon
them, they would retain sufficiently
increased volume to add go per cent.
to the discharge of the river, and over
As per cent. to the velocity of the cur
rent.
The third table shows that at Car
rollton, near New Orleans, an increase
of three feet in the height of the river
added nearly 80 per cent. to the amount
which was discharged almost doub-
ling the percentage of increase shown
with rise of 81 feet at Columbus)
while the current was accelerated at
the same time more than 20 per cent.
The fourth table shows that at 4 feet
greater height of the river 1t diseharg-
ed 40 per cent. more water and that
its current was increased 80 per cent.
The fifth table shows that with
difference Of only 6.S feet the discharge
of the river at Carrollton was more
than double. The river here at the
lowest stage was l15 feet deep. Hence
there was an increase of only onc-sev-
enteenth part of Its total depth requir-
ed to produce the astonishing differ
ence In the discharge of the river. The
velocity was at the same time increased
So per cent.
These tables are the result of actual
observation and careful measurements.
They represent stubborn facts without
any theorizing, and they show how
absurd are some of the statements
made as to the effect of outlets in low
cring the floods of tho river. For in.
stance, the fifth table shows that when
The river (March 10, 1851 was nearly
up to the highest water mark known
at Carrollton, it would have required
an outlet larger than the Mississippi
itself to lower 1t 6.8 feet. Such outlet
would have hau to discharge $4,000
cubic feet per second, while the whole
river could only discharge $4,000 feet
when Its surface was 6.8 feet lower.
This enormous quantity of water
| (577 900 cubic feet per second) would
cover square mile / foot deep in
about forIy-cight seconds. In twenty
four hours it would cover 1900 miles
to the same DEPTH and in less than a
fortnight IL would put an average
depth of three feet over an area as
large as the entire State of New Jersey.
To lower the river only 2 feet at Car
rollton when in food would require
all outlet as big as Red River. This is
because such loss of volume lowers
the slope and increases the frictional
resistance in the main stream below
the outlet, and this causes 1t to flow
more slowly, and thus prevents that
great reduction i'll its height which the
thoughtless would expect"
MIR. Catchings time having expired
it was on request of Mr.. Henderson
Chairman of the River and Harbor
Committee, unanimously extended
which considering that he was dealing
with hackneyed subject was compli-
ment deserved as rare. The following
Is the close of this speech which will
be printed aud circulated in pamphlet
form; and which the TIMES recon-
mends all receiving to preserve. 1t
should be widely circulated by the
Levee and Waterways Executive Com
mttee throughout tho Valley and
especially in the Western grain regions.
There has been no such educating
speech on the river question since that
of the late Col Percy at the Memphis
Waterways Conventions:
The Vicksburg convention and the
engineers attending it estimated that
Sl0.000,U00 from the Federal Treasury,
added to what the States and the leyoe
districts would contribute, would be
sufficient to build levees of such di-
mensions and strength as are needed to
forever control and restrain the floods.
What an insignificant sum conpar-
ed to the common benefits to be at
tanned
The Investment of that sum would
give al improved river, which for pur-
poses of commerce is without rival
on the face of the globe it would en-
able the farmers of the West to annu-
ally save such portion of their earn
ings as would in few years make
hard times cnaptcr ofancieni history:
it would relieve from disastrous inter
rnpiion lhe great overland interstate
commerce; 1t would give safety to the
postal service; it would reclaim an
empire richer than any for which tho
nations OF Europe have so freely pour
ed ont their blood and treasure and
last, but not least, IL would bring Joy
and peace and content and plenty to
millions of american citizens.
What other nation is there upon the
face of the earth that would not, with