The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1916-12-14

st their source, would, II adopted on
all the tributaries of the Ohio river,
put an end to foods and at the same
time assist in providing a navigable
stage during the entire year after
the system of locks and dams on
that stream has been completed, and
the same methods could be applied
to other rivers in Pennsylvania.
AS many other local communities
have done, Pittsburgh started it's
flood Investigations with the thought
Of relieving that city alone. 1t was
found that for a comparatively small
amount of money Pittsburgh could
be protected from ordinary floods,
but it was decided that the question
was a broader one than mere pro-
lection of one locality and that the
essential part of any effort toward
improvement was flood prevention.
The construction of storage reser-
voirs was suggested and it was
found after the most careful of sur
veys that reservoir sites existed in
the headwaters of the Allegheny
and MonoDgahela rivers, the two first
tributaries to the Ohio, which had
a combined capacity sufficient to
greatly reduce the highest flood
Pittsburgh has ever experienced,
that these reservoirs would greatly
relieve low water conditions in the
three rivers, through releasing the
stored waters during periods Of
drought and that this would provide
the river with a better flow at all
times for sanitary and manufactur-
ing purposes.
Want Flood Prevention.
After making these discoveries the
Pittsburgh investigators abandoned
their idea of mere flood protection
and have since been bending their
efforts toward flood prevention. One
plan that has been proposed is the
creation of flood prevention districts
to assess properties benefited by the
prevention of floods and make
charges for water furnished manu-
featuring interests from the stored
supply Government supervision of
the work and participation in it's ex
pense is advocated. Likewise the
states and communities directly ben
Gifted are expected to furnish their
just proportion.
This idea is by no means new
one as such schemes are now in sue
cesful operation in Germany, where
many flood prevention works have
been constructed under government
paternalism and the expense borne
In the same way, but it is new as
applied to users in Pennsylvania.
There is a striking example of the
Ohio, which, following its great flood
of 1918, had the necessary legisla-
ton enacted whereby flood proven
ton reservoirs are being constructed
at this moment which, it is claimed
will forever make recurrence of
such a flood impossible.
1t is believed that various COM
munities in Pennsylvania desiring
river regulation should foster the
formation of flood prevention dis
tricts, such districts to be similar In
their formation to the Mississippi
leyee districts. 1t must not be I'M
derstood that local protection meas
30 4
not the case, but it is felt that the
failure to stop floods at their source
when it is possible to do SO is vast
ing valuable supply of water that
could be put to some beneficial use
during times of low water. Local
protection measures serve good
purpose, but 1t is believed that the
whole problem should be treated in
its broader aspect.
Process is Slow.
The process is naturally going to
take time and much education. The
authorities at Washington are being
induced to take the initiative and
help finance the work. And If pub
lie sentiment does not crystalize on
this subject sooner, it more than
likely will after the Ohio is COM
pletely canalized, because then it
will be found that In certain seasons
of the year the locks and dams can
not be operated for lack of water
and that storage reservoirs are
necessary auxiliary for maintaining
a nine foot stage the year round.
Many advocates of river canaliza-
ton claim that with locks and dams
the fullest use of the streams of this
country can be obtained. Yet it is
positively known that the Mononga-
hela river, which is the only stream
In the United States having a com
plete system of locks and dams, is
forced to suspend operations in some
of the summer months because of
lack of water. Those favoring stor-
age reservoirs claim with reference
to the Monongahela river that such
works are absolutely necessary for
the maintenance of year-round navi-
cation.