The frontiersman., 1955-09-08
G0L 0GICAL SURVEY
 WORK IN THE VALLEY
By M. !. SIauqhter

 located in Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Palmer. Tn gen. eral the Survey is an investiga- tional Agency to collect, assem- ble, and analize date on the na- tural resources of the country. When these data are compiled into reports, they are made avail able to the public for use in fu- ther studies and actual develop ment of the various natural re- sources.
 The ever-increasing standards of living in our modern civiliZa- ton, the metals and minerals for machines, the fuel for power and heat, and the water for power, ir- rigation, industry, and the home, must be found in ever-increasing amount. Even though the devel- opment of the natural resources may not be necessary now, a thorough knowledge and applica- ton of the principles of geology and engineering is required to meet the future demands upon the development of these resourc- es. These investigations and stud ies are the functions of the vari- our Divisions of the Survey:
 Gaolo0ic Division
 This division has continuous and ever-increasing program of geologic mapping and investiga- ton of the various minerals. The drain on our minerals and oil supplies during the war has nec- eSsitated a stepped up program of investigation for discovery of new fields of minerals and oil. This division also has made studies and investigations in re- gards to permafrost conditions as related to foundations for build ingS or other construction work, as well as to agriculture.
 1opograph1c Division
 Topographic maps provide in- formation which is needed in intelligent study and planning for the development of our na- tural resources, the expansion of industry, and many problems relative to the military security and economic welfare. Until re- cent years map coverage of Al aska was very poor, but now all Alaska has been mapped and maps to scale of l inch miles have been published. Other maps, to a scale of l inch mile, have been published of the more populated areas. These maps are available to the public at the various offices of the Sur vey.
 Conservation Division
 This division classifies the pub- lie land of the United States as to mineral and water resources and superviSes mineral recovery op- erationS under leases and per mits. Personnel of this division make field surveys, prepare maps and reports dealing with water power, fuels, minerals, and che micalS essential to the mineral resource economy of the United States. It also superViSeS the min ing and dulling methods essential to the economical and safe pro- duction of coal, oil, and other minerals So that they are devel- oped and produced in accordance with approved methods and in compliance with accepted con- Servation practices.
 Water Resources Division
 This Division is divided into three branches; Quality of Water, Ground Water, and Surface Wat CT; each of which have year round offices in Palmer or An chOrage.
 The Quality of Water Branch, with office and laboratory in Pal mer, makes studies, investiga- tions, and analyses of the chemi- cal and mineral contents of the various streams and wells. This amount and type of chemical or mineral contents in the water is an important factor in determin- ing the suitability of hte water for domestic or industrial use. This branch also has carried on an extensive Sedimentation pro- gram on a number of streams in Alaska.
 The primary function of the Ground Water Branch, with an office in Anchorage, is the study, investigation and mapping of the underground streams and reser- yoirs. A knowledge of the ground water supply is essential to the economical Y1IaDninsy f0r. +ho da-