The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-10-19
PROF. L work.


49,. 44lA41Al . w AIF HEt-ELF
The Director Discusses the Artesian
Il Basin Survey.
Prof. C., NJ. Hall, Of the North Dakota
Agricultural college, and director OF
the Cooperative Survey Of North Da~
kota, in an interview In the Fargo Bc-
rum says:
s'Having just returned from Wash
ngton, whereaI have been In the inter
ss. OF the cooperative survey Of North
Dekota, which was organized last win.
Ter, I feel greatly pleased. both over the
results Of the years work and h
prospect for the future.
"Any Undertaking Of the nature of
.ong-continued Investigations, such as
come under the head OF this survey. re-
aufres some time to become thoroughly
organized. Considering this fact, the
results OF the first seasons work. Sc,
cured with but limited assistance, are
most gratifying.
During the present year, under the
photographic division Of the work,
gage stations have been established at
Fargo, Grand Forks and Pembina on
1.-The Red River, and at Crookston, Min
nesota, on the Red Lake River, for the
Ipurpose.o Keeping a record of the dis
charge Of the streams and the daily
rise and fall of the rivers at these
points. There has also been deter
mined, where possible, the exact height
reached by the water during the diff
%|ferent destructive floods of the Red
river, provision being made for accur-
ate records in the future. It is the pur-
pose to. show, by these observations,
and the records of the rainfall, the per-
centage OF u rainfall which is car
ried off by drainage during different
seasons and under different conditions;
the rapidity with which the streams
act in draining the lands after heavy
rains; the ability Of the different por-
lions of the stream to carry off surplus
water; where the greatest danger lies
In time Of flood; where artificial means
can best be employed for increasing
the capacity of the stream; also, when
it is most practical to hold water back
by means Of dams and reservoirs
when its influx with the Red river
would cause dangerous floods. In con-
nection with this work. systematic
studies have been begun on Devils lake
in the way Of observing the tluctuation
in height, and data are also being COL
lected for the purpose of obtaining its
past history, Is near as possible. from
the earliest settlers and from h ira
ditions of the Indians. A gage will be
kept in the lake hereafter, which will
accurately record it's rise and fall. "
"Under the geographical division of
the survey. the study of the strait
graphy Of the water-bearing rocks or
formations underlying North Dakota
has been begun along the eastern part
|of the state, where they come nearest
the surface. A careful mapping of the
eastern limit Of this Dakota artesian
basin is being undertaken, and with
very satisfactory results. This basin
has been clearly shown to underlie the
greater part Of Cass and Richland
counties, where the Investigation has
[been pursued, and promises to be found
a valuable source of water to many
districts to the northwest and south Of
this district.
"Under the soil division, the work
begun has consisted of a collection of a
great variety Of soils, representing the
typical areas under which the. soils
nave a similar geographical origin.
This feature of the survey win be en-.
E1arged during another year.
'"The results of the preliminary work
of this yea have been most gratifying.
It has brought to the attention of the
federal surveys the great Importance
Of North Dakota as an agricultural or
food-producfng state and of the re-
sources Of the Red river valley, the
most fertile valley for. it's area in the
Western hemisphere; also, of the ne
cessity for Investigations along the
Red river, properly to direct the efforts
made judicfously to use n control
this stream. Again, the great artesian
basin, which carries vast quantities Q:
water from the Rocky mountains Well
into the Red river valley, is attracting
much attention. The possibilities for
profitable irrigation ale being brought
out, to an extent surprising. even to
the people of North Dakota Too much
value can hardly be placed on the eff
feet that such advertising has on q
new state. Already letters Of inquiry
are being received concerning u re-
sources, due directly to the knowledge
throughout the East of these investi-
cations, conducted largely by he sup
port Of the federal surveys.
f"The help which this survey has re-
| ceived in inaugurating this work in
North Dakota is most highly apprecf-
ated. The federal departments at the
national capital have responded freely,
making allotments for this work far
exceeding the small appropriation
made by the state, and the manage
ment Of the Great Northern, Northern
Pacific and 500 railroads have, through
their assistance made. 1t possible to
extend the work. further than It would
otherwise have been possible. The
work for the coming year Will be
broadened and much extended. It will
be conducted under four divisions. I'm
der the photographic division. the gags
stations along the Red river and on
Devils lake will continue and be made
permanent.
1.-THE geological division will continue
Investigations for the geology and stra-
tigraphy OF the Dakota artesian basin,
and publish a preliminary report Of the
area already mapped In the %southeast-
ern portion OF the state.
1.-THE roll division Of the department
OF agriculture will probably have g
party In the state for a time, making
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and mapping 81
soils. a
'The topographic survey, under the
United States geological survey prom
Uses. to assist by. having g party ~
North Dakota to continue the topo-
graphic mapping already begun, which
will furnish the accurate section base
maps 90 necessary for the other sur