Arizona republican., 1901-09-28
THE WATER QUESTION
Report of a Member of the Ely dro.
 graphic Survey.

The following article on the work os
 the hydrographic surveys was written
 by George E. Hollistsr. resident hydro
 grapher U. s. geological survey, Ruth erford, S J.:
 Prof. Israel C. Russell of the L. $.
 geological survey is at present examin-
 ing the great lava covered plain of southern Idaho, through which Snake
 Run has cut it's deep canyon. Many
 creeks and rivers rising in the noun
 tains on both sides lose their waters as
 they enter upon the previous surface. Tsles-, parcoiate under ground to fin
 ally reappear in great springs far. down the canyon walls Some of the streams from thess springs are literally large enough to float a steamboat. l. it the object Of the geological survey to locate the course of these underground
 waters beneath the drouth stricken re- zion and to indicate where. by desp
 wells. water may be had for the cattle or sheep which for lack of water are
 unable to graze over the broad area. There are many tracts of fertile land embIa cling thousands of acres which
 by use of the waters now flowing to waste might be made into productive farms and orchards. This investiga- tion is part of the general study of the
 water resources of the country. and the
 maps prepared will add to the seri:s exhibiting the probable depth and char acter of the waters beneath the sur face.
 The United States geological survey is conducting a series of investigations in the vicinity of Greeley. Colorado. the results of which are expected to be of importance The work. which is in the hands of MT. Geo. I. Adams. will consist in an examination Of the geo logical formations of this section with sp cial reference to the location ot underground waters which may be made available by well borings. Gree ley is situate in the arid eastern part of Colorado and was founded through the efforts of Horacs Greeley. who was one of the early enthusiasts of the possibilities of irrigation. In Colorado. as in ali the arid states where most Of season, reliable supply of well water is of great importance. often beIng equiva ent to the difference be- tween profit and loss in the management of the farm This is es- pecialiy true of the smaller farms where wells are used to assist in irr:- gation- An attempt will be made t. , locate the underground waters of the Greeley district and to zecure all the information possible regarding .their depth, volume and reliability.
 The serious character of the recent /. July drouths which so jeopardizsd the western crops gives an unusual interest to the investigations of the United States geological survey which are be | ing conducted in the Big Horn noun ! tains Of northern Wyoming. It is In this section that the porous, water bearing rock formations come to the surface which are known to under,ie the whole of the great plains region to the eastward and from which are derived the very considz rable artesian water supply which means SO much to the industrial and agricultural devel- opment of the section. Along the slopes of the Big Horn mountains, the Black Hills and other localities num- erous mountain streams flow across the upturned faces of theEe rock layers and | furnish water which slowly works ics way along them under the plains 10 the eastward. In these mountain re- sfons it is possible to measure their study the character of the i rock lying beneath them, and obtain other information of value in throwing added light on the important question of the water resources of the great plains The work is being conducted by MT N. H. Darton, who has spent several seaScns in similar investiga- tions.
 As the part of the general plan of the United States geological survey for q comprehe ensivs investigation of the un- derground water resources of the great plains region. Prof. Charles M. Hall of the agricultural college at Fargo. North Dakota. will spend portion of the summer in the study of the artesiar waters of the upper Red river valley and of the southeastern part of North Dakota The wells of this region. which is ar important agricultural center. have proved to be Q growing factor in increasing the possibilities If it's further development The results of Professor Halls investigations will be published in the series of interest ing water supply papers issued by the