The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-09-10
LUUKS AFTER SUR
FACE WATER SUPPLY
Especial to Silver State.)
Water Supply investigations.

carrying On through inc geoIoSicdi
survey, is the investigation of the sur
face water supply of the country. The
department reports that records of
stream flow have been obtained at
about 1400 different points in the
United States, and in addition the sur
face water supply Of small areas in
Seward Peninsula and the Yukon
Tanana region, Alaska, has been. fnves-
tigated. During 1907 and 1908 regular
gauging stations were maintained by
the geological survey and cooperating
organizations at about TAO points in the
United States. and in addition numer-
Gus miscellaneous measurements were
made. Data was also obtained in re-
gard to precipitation, evaporation, stor-
age reservoirs, river profiles and water
power in many sections of the country.
The survey indicates the Importance of
this work by giving some information
as to its purpose, as follows:
Navigation--The federal government
has expended more than $250,000, 900
for the improvement of inland naviga-
tion, and prospective expenditures will
approximate several times this amount.
IT is obvious that the determination of
stream flow il necessary to the intel
hgent solution of the many problems
{ involved.
Irrigation-The United States is now
expending $42,000,QD0 on federal irri-
cation systems, and thiA amount is far
exceeded by the private expenditures
of this nature in the arid west. The in
tegrity Of any irrigation system is
based absolutely on the amount of
water available.
Domestic Water Supply-The highest
use Of water is that of domestic supply
and. while the federal interest in this
aspect of the matter is less direct thar
in the aspects already named, this use
Of water nevertheless has so broad o
significance with respect to the general
welfare that the federal government is
ultimately and intimately concerned.
Water Power--Tbe time 10 rapidly
approaching when the development OF
the water power of the country will r.
an economic necessity. Industry will
. cease its growth if cheap power is not
available, and in that event the Unitee
States as nation will cease to pro
grsss. Water power is the only avenue
now open When the electric transmits
sion Of power was accomplished, the
relation Of our water powers to nation.
al economy changed entirely. Inas.
much as the amount of water power
that may be made available is depend
ept on the fow of rivers, the investiga-
tion of flow becomes prerequisite in
the jndicious MANAGEMENT of this
source Of energy.
Drainage of Swamp and Overlooked
Lands--More than 70,000.00o acres Of
the richest land In the country are now
practically worthless, or of precarious
value, by reason of overflow and swamp
conditions. When this land is drained
it becomes exceedingly productive and
it's value increases many fold. Such
reclamation would add to the national
4 .assetn at least $780, 900 000. The study
of run n-off is the first consideration il
connection. with drainage projects.
Flood Prevention-The damage from
floods in the United States exceeds
$l00,0o0.000 annually, and in the year
1908 the aggregate damage, based OF
reliable data, approxlmated $250,O0o
900. Such an annual tax on the prop
ertv of great regions should be reduc
ed in the orderly progress of govern
ment. II goes without saying that any
consideration Of flood prevention must
be based on thorough knowledge OF
stream flow, both in the contributing
areas which furnish the water and
along the great lowland rivers.
For the purpose of uniformity in the
presentation Of reports general plar
has been agreed ON by the reclamation
service. the forest service, the weather
bureau and the geological surve'
whereby the whole country has been
divided into twelve parts.
Society Filling the Hospitals.
The demands Of society seem to be
growing more exacting year by year
1t is nothing new that women who de
vote themselves to social gayeties
break down before the end of the sea
son and are compelled to take the res
cure, or something more drastic, to get
into shape for another season of friv
lity. Several leaders of Washington
society are now in Europe, at the spas
or in some quiet retreats, recovering
from the mad rush of the last winter
season. One of Washington . leading
physicians was recently interviewed OF
sthe causes for the breakdown Of fash
ionable women, aud he said: "I place
all the blame on bridge and lack o.
fresh air. These women who have been
going a gay pace of social festivities
all winter and need rest when the''
season in town is over, flock to fash
ionable resorts. And do thew restf No
indeed. The resorts might well he OF
great benefit to them il they would live
sensibly while there. But what dc
they dos Play bridge into the small
hours of the morning. or, which Il
worse, through the heat of the day
They lose their sleep and their nerves
ara given no rest. Instead of taking
loHg walks and breathing in clean air
they roll along in their carriages o.
exceed the speed limit in their automo
biles, thus putting another tax on thei'
nerves. Plenty of good, simple eom
Portable clothes, air and exercise woulf
send them back to the cities ready fo'
the strenuous life of the winter.
The principal of fashionable sehoc
4 for girls accused women Of vanity an
Yrivolity hComing from one of the'
ovtttse II may be permissible to qu t
what she said: tsThey are vain an,
spend too much time thinking Of the;
sppearancS. They spend their time Is
1ahaa9 soahssa4s soilsts, h reading