Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-11
FLOODS AND FORESTS.

Nearly every summer floods occur In
various parts of Utah, although with
less regularity and destructiveness
than In some other parts of the coun-
try. The question whether human pow
er can to some extent regulate. or
prevent. floods is one upon which opln-
ions are divided, but 1t seems to be
pretty well settled that forests, al
though not preventing foundations
altogether render them less frequent
than In devastated river basins.
In 1892. by royal decree. COM
mission was ordered in Prussia to
make a study Of the conditions OF the
rivers and watersheds specially ex-
posed to floods. The preliminary re-
port was made in 1896 and the COM
missloners devote one chapter to
"meausures against flood dangers"
The Forester for May quotes the fol-
lowing paragraphs:
considering these natural phenom-
ena, which have occurred for centuries.
but lately more repeatedly and special
ly disastrously, the question presses
Itself upon us whether human power
can to some extent alleviate the dam
ukc VI HpOuN, AllHtNkn II II btyuNh our
power to prevent them.
The mcteorulpgiChl phenomena
which cause the extraordinary Increase
in the run-oif cannot be avoided. 1t
can, however, he well questioned
whether there are not measures by
which the too rapid confluence of the
surface waters may he moderated. the
dangers which the discharge of the
water-masses In brooks and rivers
brings diminished. and the detrimental
course of Hoods In rivers. streams and
their valleys abatcd
First consideration deserves above
all the much discussed question of for
est influence on waterflow. That with
extraordinary rains the capacity OF
the forest to restrain the surface wa
ters finds soon limit has been con-
frmed by the Investigations Of the
flood in Silesia OF August. 1855, and in
the Beskides Of June, 1894. which
originated in regions of dense forest
in excellent condition, on the other
hand. experience had al these same
localities and others Of the North
German river systems, show that the
change OF mountain forest into past
ure and field faVurs In "A high degree
the rapid confluence VI surface waters
and causes largely or entirely the
washing of the soil from sleeper slopes.
THE favorable influence of mountain
-lrests on the retardatiOn of the melt
inH OF SHOWS Is 10 be sure, II the
spring temperature rise suddenly.
somewhat diminished contributes
however, undoubtedly and essentially
to the effect-that. for instance, the
Silesian mountain streams are gener-
ally free from excessive snow water
floods.
In the plain. ON the other hand. the
effect of the forest Is seemingly con-
hned to a decrease of evaporation and
conservation of moisture in the soil
during the warm season. Although the
condition Of our forests. even those OF
private owners, may be in the main
considered satisfactory; Il may never
theless be that In some places refure-
station uf the upper slopes OF muun-
tain valleys, perhaps with slmultane-
Gus use of drain bitches, is To- be rec
commended and the threatening de-
forestatlon to be prevented. and meas
ures to be taken against neglect and
devastation of existing forest growths.
THE construction of reservoirs in
the mountains for the purpose Of stow
ing hoodwaters and Of utilizing the
sam auvantageOusly will unduuhted-
!y not be possible TO such an extent
that thereby a noticeable influence ON
the course OF floods in main rivers is
exercised"