Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-30
TO SAVE WATER.
Federal Government Seeking Economy
Investigation Proceedings.

Bangor. Me-. April 29.-AlthOugh its
headquarters for New England are in
Bangor few people here are familiar
with nature and Importance of the
work and investigation which is being
done by the photographic division CT
the United States Geological survey. AS
the name implies it's special field is
the. water areas, the rivers, streams
and lakes and the results of the inveS-
LEGATIONS by recognized experts are
throwing new light onto such perpieX-
ing subjects as whether or not the re-
moval of the forests is altering the
tiOwage of the rivers and the supply in
the lakes.
Within recent years, since forestry
Eas assumed the Importance of dis
tinct science. widespread Investigations
have been made to show, not only the
immediate result of the deforestation.
but the indirect consequence such as
the effect on the water supply.
While the work is being carried on in
various sections of New England, as.
for instance in the White mountains
where experts and observers have been
engaged for some time, it is with Maine
that Commercial readers are naturally
most Interested.
The principal work at present is the
measuring of the water flOwage in the
main rivers and streams of the state.
This includes the branches of the st.
John, tch PenObscOt and its tributaries.
the Kenebec and its intlowing streams.
the Androscoggin and SacO rivers and
numerous smaller courses which are OF
importance because of their value in
numbering operations.
There is no opposition nowadays to
the theory that the destruction of the
forests has had an effect on the water
nOwage and just how great this is the
government experts seek to determine.
For instance. II is n mater of common
knowledge that where the forests have
been denuded the snow and ice meltS
more quickly than i'm heavily wooded
territory. The result of this Is that in
stead of an even melting. the snow and
ice disappear speedily thereby causing
n freshet pitch in the rivers and
streams. whereas, in the wooded sec
tions. the melting process is gradual
and the supply to the rivers is normal
so that there is no sudden swelling
early in teh spring and there is fair
and only slightly verifying pitch for n
protracted period. Furthermore. with
wooded territory. and the even supply
for the headwaters. there is no eX-
treme drouth in the summer.
The government experts regard tn"
economy of water supply n problem of
equal Importance with that of the pres
ervation of the forests. and has. there
fore. instituted the extensive investiga-
lions now being carried on.
At present, as said in the foregoing, wa
ter measurements are being carried on at
various points on all the principal rivers
and streams. This is done by local OBJ
servers who take their measurements at
stated periods. They report just what
the fOwage is at certain depthsNhd then
the government experts make periodical
visits and take measurements with their
meters and the averages are approximate
ed. These figures are all charted and
placed on file.
These figures as will he seen, will he of
great value not only to the government
i'm its effort to bring about economy both
I'm the lines of forestry and water supply.
but to lumber men. mill owners and 9th
ers interests in kindred enterprises.