The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-03-08
WATER POWERS OF THE CASCADES
Report Issued By the U. S. Geological
Survey With the State of Washington.

Well to the west of the great rock
barrier which in the early days OF the
republic was assumed to be the natural
western boundary of the United States
lies another great belt of elevated land
surmounted by a very chaos OF rugged
peaks and pyramids-the Cascade range
of Washington and Oregon. In these
mountains exists an inexhaustible store
of potential wealth, much of it belong
ing to the nation-not precious or use
full metals, for mines however rich must
eventually become exhausted, but a
wealth of running water, an endless
chain revolving with the season. In
the opinion of the photographic engineers
OF the United States geological survey
few areas in the United States present
more favorable opportunities for the de-
yeopment Of water power than that ira
versed by the Cascade range. The gen
eral altitude of the crest of the range
is 5000 to 5000 feet above sea level,
and the higher peaks extend into the
region of the everlasting snow. From
Mount Rainier in Washington to Mount
Shasta just south Of the Oregon-Cali-
fornia line. both more than $4,000 feet
in elevation. many snow-covered peaks
are the perpetual fountains that sup
ply the flow Of strong rivers running
westward to the coast. The precipita
ton of the area is heavy the Cascade
range receiving about 100 inches OF rain
fall a year.
The streams OF the Cascades possess
in high degree the requisite character
istics for the successful development OF
water power. namely, steep gradient,
abundant water. and comparatively uni
form flow. Add to these the enormous
resources of timber, metal, and other
minerals, and lands as yet developed
only in small part put promising an
extensive future market for water pow
err, and it becomes apparent that the
large areas of country surrounding the
Cascade plateau have in the undeveloped
power of their streams very potential
wealth.
Federal and State Cooperation.
The United States geological survey,
in cooperation with the Washington
state board OF geological survey, Henry
Landes. state geologist, is making COM
prehensiye survey of the water resources
OF this area in that state. WaterSupply
Paper 3l3, Just issued by the federal
survey, entitled 'Water Powers of the
Cascade Range, Part H." is the second
OF series of reports resulting from this
work, the first having been issued in
1912, as Waters Supply Paper 1858. This
second report deals with the drainage
basins of the Cowltz Except the Tou-
tlel, Nisqually, Puyallup, White, Green,
and Cedar rivers. 1t includes all month
" estimates of river discharge derived
from data collected by the waterre-
sources branch of the geological survey
in cooperation with the state board OF
survey and by private persons.
River plans and profiles made by the
branch of the geological sur
vey are also included. The POSSIBLE
tiles of developing power on the streams
are described in as much detail as IS
warranted in work of this kind. Com
plete surveys and plans for develop
ment of unused power privileges have
not been attempted, such work being !
more properly left to those who are con-
actual development. The
of the report are rather to
show the power resources of the basins |
described and to Indicate in general
way the relative value of the individual
power privileges.
Important River Surveys.
The river surveys, which constitute !
one of the essential factors in the anal /
ysis of power, were made during the |
field season of 1910 by Bayard Knock /
and w. B. Lewis, of the topographic /
branch of the United States geological /
survey, under the direction of T. G. |
geographer. A supplementary /
survey of the upper portion of Cispus !
river was made during August and |
1911. by Charles Leidl and |
W. O. Harmon. under the direction of 4
Fred F. Henshaw. district engineer.
Field reconnaissance were made in
most Of the basins to gather informa-
ton relative to water supply. topograph- /
ie features, and other general condi- /
tions which should be considered in the 4
of stream-iow records and 4
riverproiile representations. These re-
were made BY g.. i. Par
ker. assistant engineer Of the United
states geological survey.
The summaries of the available power
ia each In SIN ara s..r,-.sTfaH frufu the