The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-16
THE WATER PROBLEM.

Journal, has some interesting and eff
fective comment to make on the mat
ter that appeared in these columns re-
Gently relative to a possible solution
of the drouth problem by the estab-
lishment of waterworks systems in
rural districts. This was a suggestion
that was originally made by the Kan
sas City Star and endorsed by a force
full letter to that paper from an Eng
lishman residing in this country. Mr..
Cow1es is of the opinion that the plan
is impracticable. and he insists that
the solution of the problem is to dam
the draws" But let him speak for
himself. He writes as follows:
1.-The Englishman's suggestion Of
country waterworks as a cure for
drouth, referred to in your edi-
torial of Wednesday last, is
sample of city mems advice on
country affairs. Both the cost
and the absence of water are pro-
hibitive. City people, whose situa-
ton gives them water service at
small fraction of the inevitable cost OF
such service in the country, won't pay
Tor enough to keep garden or a
square rod of lawn alive in such a sea-
son as this. No considerable portion
of the state has any inexhaustfble un-
derflow: and it would be folly to use
our underground water for irrigation,
and leave us without water for stock
and for domestic purposes.
ITO reach the root of the difficulty
we need to increase the rainfall, di-
minish the run-off. and equalize the
flow of streams. The one solution that
is effective in all these directions, and
is at once practicable and speedy is to
dam the draws.
"a pond area of even one acre to
a quarter section would give US pos
sibIy, more water surface than any
other state in the union. A parched
surface, of course. rapidly diminishes
the humidity of the air passing over
it, With the rapid evaporation of
summer, it does not take much water
surface to increase the humidity OF
the air passing over it. Frequently
very slight change in the humidity of
the air makes a difference between
having a rain, and not having one.
Wisconsin has lakes enough not 10
have drouths Even if one may not
say Dramatically that building ponds
would increase the rainfall, he can say
that it would increase the humidity
of the air: and that would help vegeta-
ton.
obviously. damming the draws if
general enough. would end the flood
problem instanter. This would end
the expenditures for facilitating the
run-off of the water. together with the
best portions of our soil. Even IA
nonds to a township would hold a great
deal of water that would never run Off
1t would have to disappear by seepage
and evaporation. The top half of the
ponds. so to speak, would have to be
allowed to run. But it needs not go
i'm an hour A rather free outlet '3
needed high up to protect the dam.
But only freshets would reach that.
A small outlet two or three feet lower
would dispose of most of the surplus,
and have the pond ready to hold more
water by the time it rained again.
This would keep the run-off reach
ing the main streams all the time, in
stead of on the day it rains and the
day after. Aside from eliminating the
flood damage, it would increase both
the amount and the certainty of the
water supply. And this would warrant
the utilization of many water-power
in the state that is now too unde-
pendable.
"Such ponds pay the owners album
dainty by providing water for stock.
water for irrigation, ice. fish pond,
opportunities for swimming and skat-
ing, and by adding to the picturesque
ness of the place. They do not cost
much. The expense is very widely dis
tributed. and the scheme would oper-
ate itself if it once got started. Farm
er self-interest ought to make it work.
The climatologfca! and engineering adj
vantages to the public in general are
SO much additional inducement.
There is so much merit in the idea
that it is odd that it has not struck
in better. in the ten years it has been
discussed here. If this abnormal sea-
son serves to focus attention on it,
there will be some compensation. The
lending of township road tools for the
construction of such dams would be a
bit of legislative encouragement we'll
worth WHILE