The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-05
HYDROGRAPHERS'W WORK
NATIONS WATER SUPPLY AND
 POWER POssIBILITIEs.
Surveys Made in the south to Deter mine Possible Development of Streams of Thls Section
 Results to he Published.

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 Washir gton, Jan .> 4.--(Special. )--Al- though covering the whole of the United States, the work of the Division of Photography of the United States Geological Survey is probably less un- derstood by the general public than that of any other bureau of the Ma tional Government.
 Briefly stated. the purpose of the in- vestigations which this bureau has been conducting since its organization in 1888, is to obtain and publish com plete and accurate data relating to the water supply of the country, with a view to it's beneficial use for domestic, agricultural and mechanical purposes. Tho Photographic Investigations were initiated first in the arid regions where in the future development rested pri- mariiy upon the fullest utilization of the water resources. By furnishing dependable information as to the avail able water in the streams, the Govern ment has safeguarded the construction of many of the largest irrigation sys- tems in the West and promoted the set clement of arid areas formerly deso- late and Auninhablted.
 Since 1894 the demands upon the sur vey for information concerning the wa ter resources of the humid States have
 
 the extension of these investigations to that section. These requests by their scope indicate a popular appre- citation of the value of the work of the survey, and furnish proof of the need of its continuance and extension. They come not only from those interested in large enterprises looking to the utili- zation of water powers, but from the municipalities along the streams whose growth has made the question of water supply a paramount one.
 The greatest interest shown inB the work of the bureau in the humid States undoubtedly is in the investigation of power possibilities. In this particular feature of the work the practical re- suits have been manifested on innum- erable occasions. The publication of the results of the Photographic inves- legations in a dozen States has been followed quickly by the installation of power plants on streams. the discharge of which have been found by the sur vey to be ample. Many notable cases may be cited in this connection as H. frustrating the importance and economic value of the data obtained by the hy- drographers.
 Without this information it would have been impossible for these enter prises to have been initiated, at least not until investigations of a similar character had been made, which would have required years of time. The hy- drographic work. it can thus be seen, has been a prominent factor in foster ing and encouraging the promotion of important manufacturing and munich pal enterprises involving millions Of dollars and furnishing employment to thousands of men.
 One of the most important features of the Photographic work of the Geo. logical Survey is the making of river surveys. These surveys consist. first, in running a line of levels along the river. by which the elevation of suf1- cient points are determined to develop a profile which shows the slope be- tween various points; second. in mak- ing a map which gives the general di- rection of the river, the character of the banks. the location of the shoals. and other important features. From these surveys engineers and others can determine the points along the river where power can be developed. and. in connection with the data In regard to flow, estimates and plans can be made.
 These studies have an important bearing upon the development of the various portions of the country. as they call attention to undeveIoped possibil- ILleS WHICH iI HOuIu De InpOSSlOle TOT private parties to locate. During 1903. surveys were made of several of the important rivers in Tennessee. Georgia. Alabama. South Carolina and North Carolina, as shown by the following list. The results of these surveys will be published in the United States Geo. logical Survey Water Supply Paper No. 115. which will be ready for distribu- ton in a short time.
 It Is the intention of the Survey to continue these surveys from year to year. until data has been obtained upon all the streams of importance in the va rious States and Territories.
 Locality Surveyed.
 1. Buffalo River, Tennessee, 47 miles, near Flat Woods to near Buffalo.
 2. catawba River. North Carolina, 45 miles, near Marion to near Connolly Springs.
 3. Tanulah River. Georgia. %. 3 miles. from Junction with Chattooga River to Blaloek, Ga.
 4. TugalOo River. from junction with ChattoOga to junction with Sem eca.
 s. Savannah River. from junction with Senaca River to near Lisbon.
 6. Chattooga River. from junction with Tallulah River to Russell bridge
 '. Broad River from Junction of Savannah River to Harrison bridge