Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-03-25
FLOODS AND THE KANSAS RIVERS.
The Kaw from Its Source to Mouth.
By Prof Erasmus Haworth.

1
hundreds of miles laterally. Excel
lent examples Of this which may be
observed at the present time in
streams reaching the Pacific coast
from the coast range mountains. II
is universally true that the streams
in the sleeper parts are still cut
ting their channels deeper, while on
the plains between the mountains
and the ocean they are building up
their channels with debris brought
from above, and are shifting from
place to place as above mentioned.
The question, therefore, Of whether
or not a stream will cut its channel
deeper or will fill up the channel and
elevate itself to positions actually
farther from the center of the earth
than those previously occupied is de-
pendent entirely upon the somewhat
intricate and delicate balancing of
VelOcltleS ana lOaus.
Flood-Plains.
The building-up process at the bot
tom Of the river channel and the
widening of the bluff lines soon pro-
duce an almost level valley area
known as the flood-plain. In times
of high voter a river covers the en-
tire flood-plain and variable amount
of sand and silt and mud are depos-
tied, thereby building up the general
level of the valley. Some streams
have built up their flood-plains for
more than 100 feet, as shown by the
depth OF the flood-plain material.
In general, the depth is greater near
the mouth of the stream, but irreg-
ularities of surface produce great IT.
Irregularities in the thickness of the
fiood-plain material throughout
fiood-plain area. The materials usu-
ally are laid down in broad, horizon
tai layers well stratified but some
times local irregularities occur where
washouts, sink holes, etc., are made
in the flood-plain material during
times Of high water.
1t should be noted that the very
presence of river flood-plain is evil
dence that the river has covered the
entire food-plain area. Earth move
ments often change such conditions,
allowing a stream to begin cutting its
channel anew after 1t has built up
former flood-plain. Such cases are
rare in the Mississippi valley, how
ever, and in eastern Kansas none
have been found, The highest ground
existing in any of the eastern Kan
sas river valley flood-plains was
created by flood waters from the
stream and remain today a silent
witness to the fact of great floods
having overlooked the entire flood
plain area, no matter what the
stream may be.
We may say, therefore, in discus
sing any particular part of stream
that in its early stages, in its youth
fulness, 1t is deepening its channel,
but when the period of maturity has
been reached 1t is no longer capable
Of cutting its channel deeper. Water
continues flowing through It, how
ever, and a process OF meandering
Is as absolutely necessary as 1t Is that
The stream exist. This meandering Of
he channel is a most important
point, particularly in connection with
III river improvements. AS cutting
continues under this new set Of con-
litions, the so-called ox-bow curves
ire formed, such as can be seen along
he course of any stream.
Let us suppose that we could
traighten the channel of stream
a distance of hundred
niles, building an entirely new chan
Iel. Would this new channel remain
traight for any considerable length
4 time? 1t certainly would not I'M
ess extra precautions were used. II
he water be encased in walls Of
Masonry, the channel would remain
traight as long as the masonry walls
emained intact. II less pretenti-
us protection we're given and the
'alls we're riprapped, using the term
! the ordinary way, meandering
recess would be hindered, but
,oner or later the tendency would
ecome so great that the riprapping
ould be worn away in places, after
hIch its existence elsewhere would 9
nly assist and intensity meandering 7
roeesses. This same fact may be
ated in another way. Any channel 6
| a river may be kept in It's present 4
,sltion by a SUFFICIENT interference 9
4 the part Of man so long as this =
reference is maintained. II the 81
,ople in a given community wish to 5
tain a river channel in its present 3
,sition for a thousand years, they
IuId do so by a sufficiently strenu-
. H.. a.. ,ha nav ~ nnevantinQl