The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-07
MEASURING THE WATER
f. I'll. Newell, of the e. s. Geo.
logical Survey,
Talks EncOuragingIy of the IT.
rigatiOn Outlook in Kansas.
Believes That Small Beginnings
Bring the Most Satisfactory
Results.

F. H. Newell, in charge of the de-
partment of photography of the United
| States geological survey, is in the city.
! Mr.. Newell came from Lawrence, where
Prof. Murphy is conducting experiments
and measuring the water of the kaW
river. These measurements are being
made" said Mr.. Newell today, Ito as
certain the amount of water which
comes from the surface, the amount
the river contains and to secure other
information pertaining to it which
would be valuable in engineering"
| The experiments which the depart
ment is conducting will result in pro-
curing information which will be valu-
able to engineers in the construction of
bridges. The reports and statistics
which the department will collect
would be valuable to Mr.. HinckIey in
figure whether or not the surface
waters which flow into the river would
be more than would safely pass under
the new bridge.
Speaking of irrigation in Kansas, Mr..
Newell said: I'VE believe that the out
! look is very encouraging. Irrigation
has suffered more from its friends than
from its enemies. Many of its friends
have overdone it, discouraging them
selves and furnishing to those who are
opposed to it material with which to
continue captiouS objections.
THE people of this state, who, on a
moderate scale, have been engaging in
irrigation, not hoping to get rich all at
once but to make a living and earn
small margin of profit have been sue
cessful. Their experiences cause others
to initiate a good example and we feel
that the work here will continue to
progress
During the past year the work of the
photography division has continued to
expand and the field work has been car
ried on in a similar manner to that of
preceding years, but more streams have
been measured and a broader area COW
cred by the investigation of under
ground waters and arteSian wells. The
work of the division is in its admins
tratiVe features divided into three parts,
the measurement of surface streams,
the study of underground waters and
the preparation of reports upon the best
methods of utilizing the waterresources
of the country.
In Kansas, Prof. Erasmus Haworth,
of the Kansas university geological sur
vey, has reported upon the water cOndf-
lions of the area south of the Arkansas
river, in the vicinity of Dodge City and
Garden City Willard D. Johnson, by
drographer of this survey, has spent
the greater part of the year in western
Kansas, working with various investi-
gators and bringing together informa-
ton regarding the behavior of water
underground.
Prof. E. c. Murphy of Lawrence, has
conducted a series of experiments on
the efficiency of windmills in raising
water for irrigation, taking the mills in
actual operation in the vicinity of Car
den city. A similar line of 1nVeSt1ga-
ton has been carried on by Prof. O. P.
Hood at Manhattan, upon the efficiency
of various pumps such as are commonly
employed in raising water for irriga-
ton.
The stream measurements of the
western part of the state have been I'M
der the charge of w. G. Russell, while
those in the eastern end, in the vicinity
of Lawrence, have been carried on by
Prof. E. c. Murphy.
Measurements of Kansas streams
have been conducted as follows: Re-
publican river al Junction City; Solo
mon river at Beloit and Niles; Saline
river a Beverly and Sa1ina; Smoky Hill
river at Ellsworth; Blue river at Man
haitian; Kansas river at Lawrence; Ar
kansas river at Hutchinson; Verdigris
river at Liberty: Neosho river at lola