Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-10-07
AMOUNT OF WATER
IN OUR RIVERS
INTERESTING INQUIRY STARTED
BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
RAILWAYS TO ESTABLISH CAGES
ON BRIDGES AND cuL-
VERTS.

| Washington. October, director
George Otis Smith of the United
States geological survey has invited
officers of the leading railroads of the
country to a conference ON coopera.
tive plan by which it is expected the
railroads will be able to save thou
sands OF dollars a year The plan
also contemplates most effective as
sistance of the government on the
part of railroads. The time and place
iof the proposed conference is TO be
agreed on later
Inc scheme which has been APP
proved by a mum Der of the engineers
OF the big lines, is one for the gather
ing of facts as to the amount of wa.
ter flowing in the rivers of the coun-
try under certain conditions and in
different periods of the year. Natur-
ally, the railroads have been chief suf-
ferers from floods in the basins where
their tracks lie. They have suffered
not only from damage to their own
property but they have been sued bv
other corporations and private citi-
zens on the ground that their bridges
and culverts We're the causes of food
damage. The railroad authorities
have felt that many judgments against
the roads might not have been rem
dered il they had been able to produce
authentic figures on floods. But they
have not been able to do this. The
national conservation commission has
been advised of the proposed plan and
whatever results come from it win be
considered by the commission at it's
Joint meeting with the governors Of
the states or their representatives
here next December
The survey suggests that the rail
road companies establish cages on
their bridges and cuIverts and appoint
some of their employees to take daily
readings. The survey agrees to have
its experts make frequent visits to
these stations and take actual current
meter measurements so that rating
table Of each channel viii be available.
For many years The survey has been
studying the difference in the flow OF
rivers in various basins in the coun-
try. At present It is engaged in put
ting the Information gained by its
study into shape for the use of the
national conservation commission, to.
gether with other information which
It is gathering especially for the in
yentory If the country's natural re-
Z
4 pairing
The survey has been unable to ex-
tend It's observations to many regions
2 where the information would be Of
!, importance because it lacks funds
\ The cooperation Of the railroads would
permit the survey to cover many other
regions,
The expense to the railroads under
J, this arrangement would be trifiing,
/ the survey authorities say, because
n the roads could designate men already
on their pay-rolls, such as draw ten
ders tank men, or water station en-
gineers to take the daily readings
d On the other hand, II the survey could
3 be relieved of the cost OF daily super
= vision OF the cages. 1t would he able
to carry on the more technical parts
OF the undertaking
The informal on which the railroads
$ will obtain Il hiss plan is put into OPP
Z GRAFTON is Of immense value to them
The surveys figures on floods have
y always been accepted by the courts
{ as prima facie evidence. II the belief
: Of the railroad authorities is well
!, founded. their cooperation with the
survey enabling it to extend its oper
Il ations to their fields will result IN big
. savings to them
The idea o. cooperation as to foods
originated with the engineering de-
. partments of the railroads themselves.
= Representatives OF these departments
II a number of roads held a conference
: with representatives of the survey. in
. Chicago last June, and at that time
= the survey agreed to interview the
proper railroad authorities concerning
a basis Of coopeation
The survey has further suggested to
+ the railroads that they supply it With
" gali Information they may have on
hand concerning the character Of the
various drainage areas above their
= bridges, Some Of the roads have col.
= lected at great expense, large
amount of valuable Information, which
could be made Of high value to all the
y railroads II it were gathered together
and compiled This material 'ould
, also contribute largely to the general
study Of the water resources of the
. country which the Survey has been
carrying out for a number OF years
and upon which It is particularly busy
just now in the compilation Of all avail
able information along these lines for
the use Of the conservation commits
sion.