Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-01

ured. the quantity thus obtained furnishing
valuable data as to the rate OF deposit of
rivers of various volume and velocity OF
flow. Prof. Engels also studies the effect
of flow not only in rivers having sandy
channels, but he also uses gravel and stone,
constructing islands and gravel ribs. and
watching the effect Of each on the river.
The Elbe In Miniature.
Many Of the rivers Of Germany have been
plotted with great accuracy not only as to
their shore lines. but with regard to the
contour Of their channel beds. With these
maps and contours In hand Prof. Engels Is
now engaged In laying out to exact
scale various sections Of the more important
German rivers. He duplicates exactly every
curve builds in every crib and breakwater.
and then turns on the water at the ordinary
rate of flow the river under Investigation
When 1 visited the laboratory a stretch of
the Elbe had just been completed and a
Deauti1uiiy neat piece OF work 1t was. the
cribs all accurately placed and the banks
held in place with bags of shot. The water
was turned on. and Prof Engels indicated
with great enthusiasm where the bars were
being built up, where the channel was deep
ening, where hollows were being filled In
and SO on. Then he proceeded to indicate
where new crib might serve to prevent a
deep channel and at the same time cause
the river to deposit its sand in shadows
where the river might well be filled up and
add to the usefulness of the shore proper
ties In each case where change seemed
desirable Prof. Engels experiments with
piers and cribs to see which will be most
effective. In this way he will be able from
actual experiments. to make practical sug-
sestions for river improvements.
The trouble has always been that enut-
neers said that crib here or a break
water there would accomplish certain re-
suits, but when the crib was built at large
expense 1t frequently happened that the IT.
responsible river did something quite I'M
expected, thereby discountinr The ehective-
ness Of mans handiwork. But by testing
these engineering schemes beforehand in
his miniature river Professor EngeIs hopes
20 do away with uncertainty and ioss-and
he government has so much confidence IN
ais scheme that 1t is supporting It.
Pounds a New Profession.
The keynote Of the whole work Is. al
Professor Engels expresses it. to make the
river regulate itself. to put down cribs and
other river-building devices in such a way
bat the river will keep its own channel
clear and deep enough for navigation pur-
poses, thereby saving dredging and at the
same time fill such spaces as the engineer
wishes filled. He believes that a more thor
1ugh knowledge Of rivers and a careful
series Of experiments with actual river
courses will enable man to do almost what
he wills with rivers, and do 1t much more
cheaply than ever before. The work as
ne says Is only just beginning. but he and
)ther distinguished engineers and scientists
who are interested in the work q talked
especially with Professor Walter Hempl of
Dresden) believe that there Is a great future
for the work. They see the time when all
rivers will be regulated by the advice OF
river-building experts. who have laborato-
RES, such the Flussbau laboratorium. in
which tests and experiments can be made.
Verify new profession Is born-river build
ng. RAY STANNARD BAKER.