The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-03-23
TRUE TIDE m
EVERGLADES
Story Of Lake IamOnia Great Ensi-
nsering Problems AriSe-BaSed
on Speculation.

BrOward's scheme of draining the Ever
glades and the imposition of the special
tax imposed therefor, none is clearer
nor of greater interest than that of Mr..
j. Hobard Egbert, of Washington, d.
c., an official of the United States
Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Mr.. Egbert is an entirely disinterest-
ed party. In no way willie be effected
by the drainage or non-drainage Of this
vast tract He spoke with the author
ity of an expert, an expert whose whole
life has been devoted TO the study and
solution of such problems AS is this.
Yet he states that the Everglades, be.
cause of "insurmountable obstacles"
cannot be successfully drained. He
maintains that the water, even if once
removed, would return rgain, and bases
this opinion upon an actual incident that
occurred in Florida.
This affidavit, because of its clear
ness and its unusual interest, is given
full in the Times Union this morning.
1t reads as follows:
REFUSES TO BE DRAINED.
THE affiant has made several visits
to the southern part of Florida included
der the ct of 1905, and has made an ex-
animation of that territory
"From his own observations in the
region in question, and from an exhaus-
tive study of the observations and per-
sonal Investigations of other experts,
he is of the opinion that this territory
is already provided with efficient aven-
lues of conveying surface waters to low
err levels, and that said territory, es-
pecially in the Everglades positively re-
fuse to be drained.
Leading out from the Everglades
with more or less directness to the sea,
are large natural waterways, capable
of draining the Everglades basin. The
direct current of the Stark river through
outlets of the Everglades can be fol-
lowed through almost the entire Ever
glades basin and all these rivers and
streams provide natural drainage in
to the ocean
is A TIDE THERE.
"He further declares that a belief
long entertained by certain observers
of repute, that subterranean channels !
convey water to the Everglades from !
distant points, has received additional |
confirmation by demonstration that |
there exists in the waters of the Ever
glades definite and perceptible rise
and fall, in fact, true tide.
Granting, for the mere purpose of |
viewing the problems impartially, that |
this territory could be successfully |
drained, it is extremely doubtful wheth- !
er subsequent inundation by heavy rain
fall could be prevented.
LAKE AMMONIA INCIDENT.
"In illustration of the existence and |
effect of subterranean water sources,
let US take the case of Lake Iamonia,
in West Florida, not far from Tallahas-
see. 1t had long been considered that |
If the marshes which constitute the |
principal part of this lake could be
drained, some of the finest rice and su-
gar lands in the country could be Sc
cured for cultivation. This lake is on
comparatively high ground, and there
was no apparent obstacle to prevent the
complete reclamation of the coveted
lands.
"Some years ago the waters Of this
lake receded, and naturally gave TO ag-
ricvlture a wonderfully fertile land that
had been for centuries a waste of
marshes, and the habitat of fish and
allig ators.
1.-THE State was not slow to profit by
the fortunate turn of tide. A reason
able length Of time was allowed to pass
in order to see if the recession of the
water was not mere local disturbance
an ephemeral metamorphosis in the
landscape then the reclaimed land
was staked out and sold TO prospective
in due and legal form.
WATERS RETURNED AGAIN.
This all happened within recent
years, yet today Lake lamonia is as it
was in the days Of the settlement of
the State of Florida, and has reverted
70 it's original condition.
1.-THE miracle of the emptying of the
lake is yet unsolved; neither has the
condition which determined the return
of the water received adequate explain
alton; yet the fact remains that scarcely
had the plans for the improvement of
tbs reclaimed land been completed than
the waters Of this lake returned TO their
former level. and the fishes and alliga-
tors inhabit the erstwhile rice and cane
fields /,
1.-THE same phenomenon is likely TO
appear in the event Of any attempt TO
drain the Everglades
PRESENTS VAST PROBLEMS.
'Tatsuccessful drainage of the large
lakes OF South Florida and the marshes
them presents features in
hydraulic engineering the most complex (
nd involved, and would tar the experi- [
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