Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1906-11-28
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
OF NEW JERSEY
Excerpts from Annual Report Of
the State Geologist for


ologist for 1905 has recently been pub
lished. In addition to the Administra-
tive Report, which recounts briefly the
operations of the Survey, and which
was issued early in the year for the
use of the Legislature, it contains q
number of papers Of more than or
binary interest.
"Changes along the New Jersey
Coastn is the title of an article by Prof.
Lewis M. Haupt, an eminent hydraulic
engineer, in which the successive
changes of coast line, particularly near
the inlets between Sandy Hook and
Cape May, are traced in detail. The
work of the waves and currents in
shifting the sands is analyzed, and
some suggestions are made as to pro-
festive measures necessary to prevent
the encroachment of the sea. A num-
ber of maps showing the position Of the
inlets at different periods. and half
tone illustrations of the features along
the shore, aid much in making the re-
port of interest.
In Part II, Mr.. Edward w. Berry
gives brief sketch of fossil plants,
tracing the development of plant life
during different geological periods, and
pointing out the significant features OF
their f1oras. He also discusses in detail
the fora found in the clays near Cliff
wood, in Monmouth county, and de-
scribes number of new species, which
are also pictured in the accompanying
plates. This paper, although some
what technical in character, possesses
some features ofinterest to all interested
in botany.
A report upon 1.-THE Chemical Com
position of the White Crystalline Lime
stones,n making up Part III of the Re-
port, is published at opportune time.
The great demand for limestone high
in carbonate of lime and comparatively
free from silica and magnesia has di-
rected attention to our extensive de-
posits of white limestone, particularly
those near Franklin Furnace in Sussex
county. The Geological Survey has
made large number of analyses of
these limestones, both from the quarries
which are already opened and also
from other localities which seem
worthy of development. Through the
courtesy of companies already estab-
lished in the district other analyses
have been obtained. This report is
accompanied by a map showing tha
location of the white limestn nsse
the p6fllllglfoRn which samples were
taken, and will be of great value to al
persons interested in the occurrence o.
high-grade limestones.
The question of potable waters is 6
vital one to the State, particularly tC
that portion of the State whose natural
source of supply is to be found in the
Upper Passaic Valley. For this reason
the possibility of establishing huge
storage reservoir in this valley by the
erection of dam at Little Falls has
been carefully investigated by the Sur
vey, and Mr.. g. G. Vermeule in his re-
port discusses the questions involved
He shows that by dam at Little Falls
having length of 5000 feet it will be
possible to create lake in the low
land along the river having an area al
normal level of over $1,000 acres, and q
maximum depth of 2S feet. Such 8
lake would have storage capacity to
furnish 306, 100000 gallons daily, even
during the driest season. or this 100
600, 900 gallons should be allowed tc
run off through the stream channel,
being used to furnish power at Little
Falls, Paterson and Passaic, and to
flush the lower stream in order that it
may be maintained in wholesome
condition. There would be left zoe, 900,
600 gallons daily available as water
supply, an amount sufficient to supply
the growing demands of the metropoli-
tan district of the State for the next 35
years. Uutil so needed the surplus
water would be available for sale as
power. The storage afforded by the
proposed lake would be ample to pro-
vide for even the greatest floods which
have ever occurred upon the river.
Mr.. Vermeul's report contains care
fully worked-out statement as to the
cost of such an improvement, and
points out that If undertaken at all, it
should be carried out as public trust
under control of the state. A large
map showing in detail the position of
the lake accompanies the report.
The peat deposits of the State are
treated in carefully prepared paper
by G. w. Parmelee and w. E. Nc
Court. All the swamps in the northern
portion of the State were examined,
oo1IaotoI ord n Ioon co,;oo of