Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1912-11-21
MAY ST0P FLOODS
Regulation Of Streams by Forests
Is Solved.
Overflow Prevention Said to Have
Been Worked out by United
States Geological Survey
Means Purchase Of Land
Under Weeks Act.

Washington.--Th the forest COW
er OF mountains and hills has an ap-
preciable and measurable effect on
navigation streams and that the re-
moval of the forest growth from the
lands tends to produce floods IL the
conclusion reached by the United
States Geological Survey announced
as the result of a series Of scientific
experiments In the White mountains
Of New England. The report carries
with it the statement Of the survey
that the removal of the forests tends
to produce floods. The investigations
are believed to solve a problem long
source Of strenuous contention
among scientists. While the investi-
cations have direct reference to the
White mountain area only, they estab-
lish q principle of far wider applica-
ton and indicate that there may be
scientific method of preventing foods
generally
In conducting its experiments, the
Geological Survey selected two small, |
almost exactly similar drainage basins
of about five square miles each on the
east branch of Pemigewassett river, |
one largely clothed with virgin timber
and the other deforested and burned |
Careful measurements of precipita-
ton over the areas and of the run-off |
OF the respective streams show that /
not only was the snow held better in i
the forested area, but that during a
period of IL days in April, including
three extended storms, the run-off of |
the stream in the deforested area was
comparative flood, practically dou-
BILE that of the stream flowing through
the forested area
On both streams photographic sta
tons we're established and the stream
how determined with a high degree
Of accuracy. The survey report shows
That the maximum food flow from the
torested basin was only 81 per cent.
If that from the deforested basin
The Survey says: l.
The stream of the forested basin
s observed to be the steadier of the
wo and In proportion to its drainage
area it tends-at least during the
'pring months-to promote a steady
low OF water in the master stream of
which it is tributary
Such an actual demonstration and
Iuantitative measure of the perform
nee of different areas, some forestedI
md others deforested, has never been
attempted in trying to determine the
Eject of forest cover on stream flow.
Efforts to arrive at definite conclu-
Ions have always been based on a
tudy of longtime records of precipi-
alton and stream discharge; but ow-
ng to the many qualifying factors
UGH efforts have simply resulted in
ivergent opinions and inconclusive
ontroveries.
The results of the present actual
in these mimic drain
ge basins, so accurate and refined in
lethod as to approach laboratory ex-
er1ments, where exact results may be
expected, leave no doubt as to the con- 4
fusion. Forest cover and the re-
ulting forest mat in the White noun |
ain granite area does to a consid- /!
rable and measurable degree steady .
nd regulate stream now, and there
ore must be stated as an. important
actor In maintaining the navigabilityI
streams whose headwaters lie in II
UGH areas" IN