f i«^*>V, 'hn ' '■ ' A '7 L^/tate College of afgrfculture at Cornell ©nibersitp Stbaca, B. $. Htfirarp Cornell University Library HC 107.I7A4 Report of the Iowa state ''f^inage, water 3 1924 013 757 103 Y\ Cornell University B Library The original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013757103 Iowa State Drainage Waterways and Conservation Commission Report of the Iowa State Drainage Waterways and Conservation Commission For the Biennial Period Ending January 1911 tj f^z^o THE TORCH PRESS CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL To His Excellenct, Beetl, F. Caeboll, Goveenoe op Iowa, Sm: The Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conservation Commission has the honor to present, herewith, its report, covering the biennium ending January First, Nineteen Hundred and Eleven. Very respectfully, A. C. Miller, Chairman Des Moines, December 31, 1910 STATE DRAINAGE WATERWAY AND CON- SERVATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS A. C. Miller, Chairman L. W. Anderson E. A. BUEGESS A. F. Frudden I. W. Keerl T. H. Macbbide W. H. Stevenson officers A. C. Miller, Chairman L. V. HiTES, Secretary and Engineer EXECUTIVE committee A. C. Miller T. H. Macbride W. H. Stevenson Des Moines Cedar Kapids Sioux City Dubuque Mason City Iowa City Ames Des Moines Des Moines Des Moines Iowa City Ames TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..... 11 Reoommbindations . . .20 drainage Letter of Teansmittal prom C. G. Elliott . 31 Drainage in Iowa ..... 33 Survey of the West Fork op the Des Moines River ...... 66 waterways Navigation . .... 91 Water Power 109 Boone Riveb SintvEY .... 132 Water Powers op Northeastern Iowa . 146 conservation Soils 161 Lakes and Streams .... 188 Woodlands ..... 199 appendices Appendix A : Financial Statement 209 Appendix B : List of Maps . 211 (Maps in back of book) INTRODUCTION The Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conser- vation Commission, organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 249 Acts of the 33rd Gen- eral Assembly, presents herewith its report. The Act in question is as follows : ACTS OF THE THIRTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHAPTER 249 IOWA STATE DRAINAGE, WATERWAYS AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION H. P. 349 AN ACT to create the Iowa state drainage, waterways and conservation commission, and defining the powers and duties of the same. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State OF Iowa : Section 1. Commission established. There is hereby established a commission which shall be known as the Iowa state drainage, waterways and conservation com- mission, the members of which shaU be chosen as herein- after provided, whose term of service, powers and duties shall be as hereinafter prescribed. Section 2. How appointed — duties. This commission shall be composed of seven men. They shaU be appoint- 12 Report of the Iowa State Drainage ed by the governor. It shall be the duty of this commis- sion to investigate the entire question of the relation of the state to its waters, its forests, its soils, and its min- erals. It is the intent and purpose of this bill that these investigations shall include the following: Aet 1. The present condition of public drainage in Iowa and the benefits which can be derived by securing the best of draina^ engineering practice, the most econ- omical administration of drainage projects, and a more economical method of financing at lower rates of interest, and show methods by which all of these benefits may be secured; Aet. 2. The present condition of all overflow of flood plain lands of Iowa, showing losses due by floods in the destruction of farm crops, the losses due by the destruc- tion of property, in the cities, towns, and built-up dis- tricts, the losses due by the withdrawal from crop-culti- vation of such flooded lands, and recommending the proper methods of prevention of such flood conditions; Abt. 3. The survey of at least one representative Iowa river to ascertain the available dam-sites and the potential water-power and report the best method of procedure to bring about development of the water- powers of the state, at the same time retaining the ulti- mate control of the water supply as a property of the state ; Aet. 4. To co-operate with the United States survey provided by act of congress and investigate the possi- bilities of navigation upon the rivers or upon adjoining lands by canal, and to secure the aid of government ex- perts when practicable in the several matters investigat- ed by this commission; Waterivays and Conservation Commission 13 Abt. 5. The question of forests and their preservation and their culture in the state, and especially with refer- ence to the influence of forests upon the flood conditions of the rivers and the erosion and waste of the soils ; Aet. 6. It is the clear intent and purpose of this biU that the close inter-relation of the several phases of river development shall be shown, and the necessity for a broad comprehensive treatment of our rivers shall be studied and reported upon; Akt. 7. The general question of the relation of the state to the preservation of the fertility of the Iowa soils ; Abt. 8. The general question of the wise and conser- vative development and use of the mineral resources of the state, especially with reference to the mining of coals; Abt. 9. And the general question of the nature and condition of such lakes in Iowa as now belong to the state, the relation of lakes and streams to the preservation of such -carieties of fish, birds and native animals as are desirable, and the preservation of the peat beds which now belong to the state. Section 3. Organization — secretary — report. It shall be the duty of this commission to meet and effect organization not later than July 1, 1909, and to hold thereafter sessions as often as the necessities of the in- vestigations herein contemplated shall require; to em- ploy a secretary to perform the usual duties of such an officer; who shall have charge of all records and their preparation for publication and such other duties as the commission may direct. The commission shall prepare a complete report of all the investigations and recom- mendations of the commission and present the report to 14 Report of the Iowa State Drainage the governor of Iowa before the convening of the next general assembly at which time their term of service shall cease. Section 4. Commission to serve without pay — com- pensation of secretary — assistants. The members of this commission shall serve without pay. By order of the commission the secretary of the commission shall receive a salary fixed by the commission not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per annum, to be paid in equal monthly installments. He may by consent of the commission employ assistants to be paid for labor and expense as ordered by the secretary who shaU for each such assistant submit to the auditor of the state a duly acknowledged itemized account of expenses incurred and salary allowed, in the same manner as directed for members of the commission. Such expense shall be paid out of the appropriation made in section 5 of this act, but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) may be so expended in any one year. Section 5. Appropriations. For the purposes of car- rying into effect the provision of this act, there is hereby appropriated from funds in the state treasury, not other- wise appropriated, the sum of twenty-five hundred dol- lars ($2,500.00) per annum. Section 6. In effect. This act being deemed of im- mediate importance sha^ take effect and be in force from and after the date of its publication in the Kegister and Leader, and the Des Moines Capital, newspapers pub- lished in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Approved April 9, A. D. 1909. I hereby certify that the foregoing act was published Waterways and Conservation Commission 15 in the Des Moines Capital April 10, A. D. 1909, and in the Register and Leader April 12, A. D. 1909. "W. C. Hayward, Secretary of State. Under the authority invested in him by the above and foregoing act, Governor Carroll about June 1, 1909, announced the names of the following gentle- men to compose the Commission: A. C. Miller, of Des Moines; L. W. Anderson, of Cedar Rapids; E. A. Burgess, of Sioux City; A. F. Frudden, of Du- buque; I. W. Keerl, of Mason City; T. H. Mac- bride, of Iowa City; W. H. Stevenson, of Ames. Pursuant to notice the appointed members of the Commission met in Des Moines and effected a per- manet organization, June 24, 1909. At this meeting the work to be undertaken by the Commission was gone over carefuUy, and general plans were outlined. It was felt by the Commission that the appro- priation was very meager when compared to the work outlined and the importance of the subjects to be covered. However, the work and responsibility were cheerfully assumed by the Commission with the con- fident belief that even a limited study of Iowa's econ- omic problems would be of service, and lead ulti- mately to greater things. DEAINAGB The question of drainage is of great importance to Iowa, especially to the northern part of the state, probably demanding more attention from our farm- 16 Report of the Iowa State Drainage ers than any other question coming under the head of conservation. At the request of the Commission, Mr. C. G. El- liott, Chief of Drainage Investigations, U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, agreed to make certain investi- gations of the drainage conditions in Iowa, and dur- ing the summer of 1910 several thousand dollars were expended under his direction. Mr. Elliott's report is embodied herewith, and we believe it will be of special importance and value to those interested in this question. The Commission is under obligations to Mr. Elliott for the extensive observations made by his Department, and takes this opportunity to express its appreciation. Mr. Elliott 's report covers fully Article 1 and Article 2, of the statute under which we act. WATER POWER We are instructed by Article 3, of Section 2, to survey at least one representative Iowa river. It was finally decided by the Commission to make a complete survey of the Boone river, not because we behoved that any great water-power might be shown possible, but because we believed it to be a typical Iowa stream, which once supported some six mill-dam sites, and because we believed that the results might show what could be done with an Iowa stream in the way of improvement for power purposes. The results of this survey are set forth and embodied in the main portion of this report. Waterways and Conservation Commission 17 IMPBOVEMENT OP IOWA BIVEBS FOB NAVIGATION Article 4, of Section 2, provides that we co-operate vidth the corps of United States army engineers at work surveying the Des Moines river for the purpose of investigating the possibilities of improving our rivers for navigation. The work of the army engin- eers on the Des Moines river has not been completed, and the results of their efforts have not been made public. However, a great deal of information has been furnished this Commission by the officers in charge of that work. We ask your careful consideration of this subject as presented in this report. CONSBBVATION OF LAKES, STBEAMS AND WOODLANDS We call your attention especially to the two chap- ters on these subjects. We believe they will be of interest to all who have at heart the future welfare of our people, and that the suggestions made not only ought to, but will, receive their approval. Each year our people are coming to appreciate more and more the value of our beautiful lakes, of which we have too few. The lakes themselves are so interesting in their history, so rich in every oppor- tunity for innocent amusement, and so important as a field for scientific research and for the stimulation of intellectual life among men that the legislature may no longer neglect its responsibility in regard to these waters. They are state property, and as such merit the most generous consideration. 18 Report of the Iowa State Drainage OONSEBVATION OF SOILS Conservation of soils is of the greatest importance to the state of Iowa and is a subject in which our farmers must become interested. They have so long believed that the soils of Iowa are inexhaustible that it is difficult to induce them to realize that this is not true, and that unless they conserve the soil their farms will in time become much less productive. We ask a careful consideration of the chapters in this report which relate to this subject. The soUs of Iowa are the most valuable asset of the common- wealth, and as such merit the thoughtful attention of the legislature and of every citizen. MINERAL EESOTTECES The mineral resources of the state are really not appreciated by our people, especially our resources in clays and shales. Inasmuch as the geological sur- vey has studied these matters extensively, we did not feel justified in any large expenditure in this field. Students of these subjects are respectfully referred to the publications of the State Geological Survey. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The grateful acknowledgements of the Commis- sion are due to many friends and correspondents in every part of the state and country, who have cheer- fully and willingly assisted us in our work. Especial acknowledgements are due to Hon. C. Gr. Elliott, Chief of Drainage Investigations of the Unit- Waterways and Conservation Commission 19 ed States Department of Agriculture ; to Hon. E. G. Wylie, Freight Commissioner of the Greater Des Moines Committee; to Mr. W. F. Bickel, Hydro- electric Engineer, Cedar Bapids, Iowa ; and to Prof. B. Shimek, of Iowa City, to whom we owe the pages on "The Conservation of Woodlands." RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO LEGISLATION DRAIITAOE ( 1 ) The Commission finds that considerable areas of over-flowed land could be reclaimed by clearing out and straightening the channels of bordering and inland streams, and by constructing levees to pre- vent over-flows, or by both these means. The Com- mission recommends such legislation as shall make such improvements possible. Such work is largely of a public nature, and should be regarded as in the nature of a public benefit. The cost involved, ordin- arily, would be so great as to be too burdensome for private parties, and should be borne, on the one hand, by the national and state governments jointly, or in other cases by the several counties concerned and by the property more immediately affected, as the case might be. (2) Very diverse opinions prevail as to the com- parative merits, usefulness, and durability of cement and clay tUe for agricultural drainage and the struc- ture and conditions under which the one or the other should be used to obtain the best results. Serious losses have already resulted, and will continue to result, from the use of inferior or perishable clay or cement tile, and the lack of information on the part of the public as to the conditions under which the Waterways and Conservation Commission 21 one or the other should be used. It is very import- ant to the drainage interests of Iowa that a standard test for each should be established which the users of drain tile would accept with assurance, and that general rules should be prescribed for laying tile. The Commission recommends that this entire matter be referred to the Engineering Experiment Station of the Iowa State College to make the necessary ob- servations and tests preliminary to a published re- port. (3) Drainage certificates and bonds, as now uni- formly issued, bear interest at the rate of six per cent per annum, payable annually, and contracts are frequently let on condition that the contractor shall accept all or a part of the contract price in certificates or bonds, or both. The fact that the contractor is required to accept such securities in whole or part payment, and that he must incur expense in the pay- ment of broker's commission for selling the bonds, and that he will be subject to inconvenience in financ- ing the project before he realizes on the securities, necessarily causes him to add materially to his bid on the improvement. The expense of drainage and the high rate of interest borne by drainage securi- ties has a tendency to discourage drainage to the great detriment of the state. To accelerate drainage by minimizing the burden of the expense, the Com- mission recommends: 1. That the expediency of investing part of the 22 Report of the Iowa State Drainage public school fund in drainage securities be con- sidered by those having such funds in charge. 2. That legislation be enacted that will put back of drainage securities the credit and borrowing pow- er of the counties concerned and of the state itself. Drainage securities, as a matter of fact, constitute an absolutely safe investment, because their payment is secured by the improved land, and the county and state cannot lose by guaranteeing the payment of the interest and principal of such securities, thereby making them, in effect, a mimicipal security of the highest rank. ^Vhile the improvement is going on, the work should be done on a cash basis on the credit of the county or counties interested, and as soon as the work is finished bonds should be promptly is- sued. Before the bonds are issued, the law should make it the duty of the Board of Supervisors to cer- tify, under oath, all the proceedings had with refer- ence thereto, and transmit the same, together with the proposed bonds, to the Auditor of State, who should, thereupon, be required to examine into the legality of the proceedings and bonds so submitted, and, if satisfied that the bonds have been issued ac- cording to law, and that they are in all respects in due form, he should be authorized by law to file such proceedings and register such bonds in his office, and to endorse upon any bonds so registered, a certificate to be signed by himself and the Secretary of State, certifying the nature and the purpose of issuing the bonds, and that said bonds have been duly registered Waterways and Conservation Commission 23 in the office of the Auditor of State, and that the same have been regularly and legally issued in pur- suance of the Statutes of Iowa in such cases made and provided, and that the state of Iowa guarantees the prompt and faithful payment of said bonds, to- gether with interest thereon as the same shall accrue. If the county is to guaranty the bonds, a similar in- vestigation and certification would be made by the proper county officers. Such a law would enable the drainage districts of the state to place drainage securities in the money markets of the country at practically the same rate of interest as long time bonds issued directly by the state or counties for their direct obligations. Such drainage securities should be made to run for a rea- sonably long term, so as to make them a desirable investment for saAdngs and trust funds. By the enactment of such a law, and by thus availing of the credit and borrowing power of the counties and state, the Commission believes that from two to two and one-half per cent interest could be saved on drainage securities, and that the time that such securities could be made to run could be extended, with the result that drainage and reclamation work would be greatly accelerated, and the state directly and ma- terially benefited thereby. (4) Section 1989-a4 of the Code provides that if claims for damages are not filed with the Board of Supervisors five days prior to the day set for hear- ing the petition, claimants shall be held to have 24 Report of the Iowa State Drainage waived their rights thereto. This section ought, equitably, to be so amended as to require the Board to assess damages solely upon a basis of merit, and without regard to the filing of claims. In a public matter of this nature, damages as well as assessments for benefits should be uniform and equitable, and it is grossly unjust to make the allowance of reasonable damages depend upon the watchfulness of landown- ers in filing claims for the same under published notice. (5) Section 1989-a8 of the Code, regarding the letting of work, should be so amended as to make it obligatory upon the Board to publish notice of letting work in at least one standard contracting or engineering journal of general circulation, in addi- tion to the publication in local newspapers. The magnitude of the expenditures involved, exceeding $100,000 in some instances, suggests the wisdom of giving this notice the widest publicity in order to secure the strongest competition possible among contractors, which should result in advantage to the district. (6) Under Section 1989-a26 of the Code, relating to improvement certificates, it is customary to issue such certificates in payment for work, as authorized by the law, and in many instances this practice in- creases the cost of the work from 5 to 10 per cent. The Commission recommends an amendment of the existing law to make it conform to the principles already set forth in Section 3. Waterways and Conservation Commission 25 WATEBWAYS (7) The problems included under this head are so large and of such far-reaching interest and import- ance that the Commission has deemed best to make at this place no specific recommendations, but would respectfully invite the attention of the legislature to the presentation of the whole matter as set forth in the pages of this report. CONSEEVATION (8) The conservation of the soils of Iowa and of their fertility is a matter of such importance that the Commission would urge for this subject prompt and constant attention, and recommends that the matter be referred to the Department of Agronomy of the Iowa State College to make investigations and studies preliminary to an early and thorough report. In the aid of such investigations the Commission recom- mends the establishment on the principal soil types of the state of Soil Experiment Stations. (9) The Commission recommends that the lakes of Iowa be at the earliest moment placed under spec- ial jurisdiction as such. It is believed that the in- terests of the state were best conserved if the care of each lake or group of lakes should be placed in the hands of a custodian who should be empowered to represent the state in any case, to assert the rights of the commonwealth and to enforce such regulations for the control of public waters as may from time to time be enacted. 26 Report of the Iowa State Drainage (10) The taxation laws of Iowa already encour- age tree planting. The Commission recommends the thorough investigation of the whole problem of our agriculture as affected by the cultivation of trees, and that to this end legislation be enacted which shall provide for forestry stations in different parts of the state to be under the control of the professors of bot- any and forestry in our State University and State College. (11) Legislation should be enacted, designed to prevent unnecessary waste in the mining of coal. Large quantities of coal have been permanently lost through the employment of wasteful methods of mining and handling. It is believed that a large percentage of the coal that is now left in the earth, can and should be saved, and that it is against the public interest to permit operators to abandon, be- yond any hope of recovery, large quantities of coal for no better reason than that, in the opinion of the operators, the vein is too thin, or the coal below a grade to admit of mining at as large a percentage of profit as the part of the vein that is saved. This does not mean that it is proposed to stop the mining of coal on a profitable basis, but that mining opera- tions should be subjected to reasonable inspection and regulation to prevent the unnecessary waste of an article in which the public is so vitally interested. The Commission recommends a complete investiga- tion of the conditions under which coal in Iowa is Waterways and Conservation Commission 27 being mined and handled with a view to the correction of abuses named. ( 12 ) The Commission recommends the creation of a permanent Drainage, Waterways and Conservation Commission of not less than three members, to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be an officer known as the Commissioner of Drainage and Waterways, whose duties and salary shall be pro- vided as hereinafter set forth. Reasonable compen- sation for their services shall be provided for the other members. In the appointment of members, the Governor shall have in view the special qualifi- cations of the men appointed for the service to be performed. To perform properly the work suggest- ed, the Commission believes that an appropriation of $30,000 for the ensuing biennial period, or $15,000 annually, will be required. Only so much of the ap- propriation would be expended in any event as would seem necessary and proper ; but the amount indicated should be available if needed. (13) The Commission recommends that the Gov- ernor appoint a Drainage and Waterways Commis- sioner whose salary shall be named in the Act, and whose necessary expenses shall be paid by the state, and who shall hold office for two years or until his successor is appointed and shall be an ex-officio mem- ber of the State Drainage, Waterways and Conser- vation Commission when such shall be appointed. His services shall be available to Boards of County Commissioners, free of charge upon application, who 28 Report of the Iowa State Drainage may desire his advice regarding drainage plans, sur- veys, and methods of procedure in matters relating to drainage and waterways ; and when requested to pass upon matters of this nature, his advice and deci- sions shall be adopted by the Board. All plans for the protection of lands along streams where levees are employed shall, before their execution, be ap- proved by him. He shall hold two conferences at the State Capitol each year, which all drainage engineers in the state shall be requested to attend, the purpose of which meeting shall be to promote uniform and thorough methods in prosecuting surveys, making assessments, and in the performance of other duties which are required of engineers under the state drainage law. Such a law does not make it obligatory upon the Coimty Commissioners to have the plans of drainage districts which are submitted to them approved by the State Commissioner before they are adopted, but since his services are free of charge to the districts, it is expected that the Boards of Commissioners will find it expedient to avail themselves of his service and to abide by his decisions. His supervision of plans and advice upon drainage matters in the state would assist practicing engineers to perfect their knowledge and practice in the handling of drainage projects. Drainage REPORT UPON DRAINAGE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, The Secretary of the Iowa State Drainage, Water- ways and Conservation Committee, Des Moines, la. Sir : — On November 3, 1909, you addressed a letter in behalf of the Commission to the Secretary of Agri- culture, asking for assistance in making an examina- tion and report upon drainage conditions and the administration of drainage operations in the state. It was represented that the Commission had been created by an act of the last legislature, and that among the duties with which it was charged was the securing of data concerning drainage in the state for the purpose of presenting to the next legislature, which will convene in January, 1911, such facts and recommendations as would serve as a basis for legis- lation should any be found needed for the betterment of drainage work in the state. The purpose of the Commission was heartily endorsed by the Secretary in his letter to you of December 7, 1909, and this office was directed to render such assistance as it might find convenient and possible to give. It was accordingly arranged that during the summer of 1910, engineers from this office would make personal examinations of lands and various drainage projects in portions of the state, with a view of ascertaining the status of agri- 32 Report of the Iowa State Drainage cultural drainage, and particularly such defects as might appear in the drainage law, and of suggesting possible improvements which might be made in gen- eral drainage practice and in the administration and conduct of business relating to the reclamation and betterment of land for agriculture. As a part of this investigation an engineering party was detailed to make a survey and plans for the drainage of lands which are subject to overflow in the valley of the west fork of the Des Moines river. Mr. S. H. Mc- Crory and Mr. H. A. Kipp were assigned to the first- named investigations, and Mr. O. Gr. Baxter was given charge of the survey. I am transmitting, herewith, a report of the status of agricultural drainage in the state, and also a re- port accompanied by maps and estimates for the specific improvement of the lands bordering the west fort of the Des Moines river, this stream being re- garded as representative of others to which the same general class of improvements may be applied. Throughout the report upon general conditions will be found suggestions as to the manner in which pres- ent drainage practice may be improved, and at its close certain recommendations regarding amend- ments to the drainage law which have been suggested by the examinations which have been conducted dur- ing the year. Respectfully submitted, C. G. Elliott, Chief of Drainage Investigations U, S. Department of Agriculture OflSce of Experiment Stations DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS REPORT UPON DRAINAGE IN IOWA BY S. H. McCboey, H. a. Kjpp, and 0. G. Baxter Drainage Engineers Under the Direction of C, G. EiiiioTT, Chief of Drainage Investigations INTEODUCTION The state of Iowa contains an area of 55,475 square miles, nearly all of which is agricultural land. It is larger by 10,000 square miles than the state of Pennsylvania, is four times larger than the Nether- lands, and nearly as large as England and Wales combined. It lies between the Mississippi and Mis- souri rivers, two of the largest streams of our coun- try, into which the drainage of the entire state is discharged. There are four natural watershed divi- sions: The Eastern or Mississippi river division, which is drained by the Skunk, Iowa, Cedar, Wapsi- 34 Report of the Iowa State Drainage pinicon, Maquoketa, Turkey, and Oneota rivers; the Central or Des Moines river division, which, is drained by the Des Moines river and its tributaries, a stream which receives the drainage of 14,000 square miles of territory; the western or Missouri river division, which is drained by the Big Sioux, Floyd, Soldier, Boyer, Little Sioux, and Nishna-botua riv- ers; the southern division, which is drained by the Nodaway, Chariton, and other smaller streams which have their rise south of the central division and flow across the state line to the Missouri river. With the exception of the Des Moines, the streams have their rise within the boundaries of the state, and form a network of channels, sloughs, depressions, swamps, and lakes, which are susceptible of improvement by careful drainage. A series of table-lands is found at the upper end of the streams, particularly in the northern part of the state, which require the construc- tion of artificial drains, while the alluvial valleys of the streams which are subject to overflow and which are excellent agricultural land need protection by levees or dikes in order to make them permanently productive. CLIMATE The general weather conditions of the state are clearly described by Dr. Geo. M. Chappel, Section Director of the U. S. "Weather Bureau at Des Moines, in the following extract from one of his reports : The average annual temperature for the state is 47.5 degrees. By seasons the averages are as follows, viz.: Waterways and Conservation Concussion 35 winter, 20.7 degrees; spring, 47.5 degrees; summer, 71.3 degrees ; autumn, 50.5 degrees. The highest temperature registered in Iowa by a standard thermometer is 113 degrees, occurring in July, 1901, and the lowest of 43 degrees below zero^ occurring in 1888. These extremes in temperature are rendered more endurable to man and beast by the prevalent dryness of the air at the time of their occurrence. The largest annual amount of rain falls in the southern portion of the state, where the average for the year is about 37 inches. It decreases gradually toward the northwest, where the average amount is about 27 inches. The average for the state is 32.43 inches. During the six crop months, April to September, inclusive, over 72 per cent of the annual precipitation occurs ; and, during the four months of principal crop growth, May to August, inclusive, fully 54 per cent of the annual amount occurs. From November to March the precipitation is light and only about 20 per cent of the annual amount. It comes, however, mostly in the form of snow, which is the best form possible for the protection of grasses and to prevent the washing and leaching of the soil on plowed fields. During the winter months the precipitation is consid- erably heavier over the eastern part of the state than it is in the western ; but in the summer months conditions are reversed, the western part receiving the larger amount. AMOUNT AND DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL One peculiarity of the average distribution of the rainfall is that the greatest precipitation occurs dur- ing the months of May, June, and July, when there is greatest demand for moisture to supply the needs 36 Report of the Iowa State Drainage of vegetation. Such a distribution simplifies the drainage of the lands to some extent because of the large amount of rain which is removed by growing plants and by evaporation from the surface during the season when high temperature prevails. If, how- ever, drains are inadequate more injury is done dur- ing the siunmer season than during the early spring season when no crops are growing. The distribution of rainfall through the year by months at various points in the state is strikingly rep- resented by the following diagrams prepared by the U. S. Weather Bureau Service (Fig. 1). They rep- resent the average rainfall for each month since rec- ords have been kept at the stations named, the time ranging from ten to thirty years. These diagrams do not represent the extremes either wet or dry which have occurred during that time. Such extremes are shown only in the records of daily and monthly pre- cipitation. Averages of precipitation or temperature never represent the conditions which must be met by the agriculturist. The maximum monthly rainfall during the summer months as shown by the diagram which has been made up from averages is between four and five inches, whereas the maximum sometimes reaches 11 inches and the minimum drops to 1% inch- es, for the same month. Rainfall as represented by averages presents a pleasing and deceptive appear- ance as compared with the erratic behavior of pre- cipitation when studied through the daily records. The variation of the actual rainfall of the month from DRAINAGE Plate r CHARLES CITY ROCKWELL CITY D£S MOINES OSKALOOSA MT PLEASAHT Oiagram showing the average rainfall since records have been kept at various points in Iowa. From record of U.S. Weather Bureau. Fig. 1 Feb V Mar Apr =£ M., Jun Jul. Sep s Oct Dec. Fig. 2 Waterways and Conservation Commission 37 the average of several years is shown on Fig. 2. It is such records rather than averages that should receive consideration in handling land-drainage prob- lems. Another peculiarity of rainfall distribution in the state is the shifting of the areas of maximum and minimum precipitation from one part of the state to another in different seasons ; that is, a section which receives a large rainfall during one season may re- ceive a small amount the next, and vice versa. This feature of the precipitation is illustrated by charts showing monthly distribution, prepared by the Weather Bureau. We have selected those for the month of July for the years 1902 and 1903 to show the shifting belts of heavy precipitation in two successive years (Figs. 3 and 4). A study of the records for a series of years shows that a similar lack of uniform- ity is characteristic of the state. It is scarcely necessary to call attention to the fact that in dealing with the drainage problems of the state ia their relation to agriculture, extremes in rain- fall and run-off are controlling factors. It comes within the province of drainage to equalize the dis- tribution of the water by providing as great storage capacity in the soil as possible during excessive pre- cipitation so that the surplus may be utilized during seasons of deficient rainfall. Whatever theories there may be to the contrary the practicable method of ac- complishing this object is by means of judicious drain- age and skilful management of the soil. 38 Report of the Iowa State Drainage Another feature of paramoimt importance in con- sidering the drainage of the state is the characteristic differences in soils as to the manner in which they are affected by water and also as to the manner in which they respond to various methods of draining. The study of lands with reference to their geological form- ation is helpful in anticipating general characteristics of soil, but good agriculture is dependent upon partic- ular rather than upon general topographical and soil features. CLASSIFICATION OF DBAINAGE WOEKS The foregoing general characteristics of the state have been mentioned as a necessary preliminary to a more particular study of the several questions relat- ing to the drainage of the state. Classifying these broadly we should consider First — Works which are required and the methods which should be employed to properly drain the lands of the state for agriculture, (a) — Drainage of level areas at the head waters of streams, (b) — ^Improving natural streams and protecting low lands from overflows by levees, (c) — Reclaiming lands which border large rivers, by means of levees and removing the water back of the levees by sluices and pumps, (d) — Drainage of farms and fields. Second — Laws and their administration relating to DRAINAGE ioSCEOLA IDICKINSON I ES^MET Plate II Fig 4 RAINFALL CHART FOR JULY, 1903 From Recorts of U.S. Weather Bureau Waterways and Conservation Commission 39, the execution of cooperative and public drainage or the joint execution of public and private drainage works. (a) — Organization and financing of drainage dis- tricts under the present law. (b) — Design and execution of works. ( e ) — Maintenance. (d) — ^Relation of the state and county to drainage works. GENERAL DRAINAGE CONDITIONS The people of the state have been actively engaged in draining their lands since the enactment of the drainage law in 1906. Drainage districts have been organized in large numbers, especially in the northern and western parts of the state, the estimated cost of work in each ranging from $1,000 to $400,000. Farm- ers who have set about underdraining their farms are so encouraged by the results, that all lines of drainage work are being carried forward with great vigor. The facilities for doing this work, such as excavating ma- chinery, drain tile factories, skilled labor, and en- gineers, have been taxed in many cases beyond their ability to render good service. A brief review of the status of agricultural drain- age is herewith submitted accompanied by comments and observations as to the defects which appear in practice, the results of certain methods, and the con- duct of drainage work generally. 40 Report of the Iowa State Drainage COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Some counties have as many as 60 drainage dis- tricts under consideration. The administration of business connected with these as required by law im- poses a large amount of work upon the County Com- missioners. It is noted that changes in drainage plans have been ordered by the board which have not always been placed on record, and in numerous in- stances the records pertaining to drainage districts are not complete as required by law. The County Auditor should keep a complete and separate record of all orders, proceedings, and plans relating to each district, so that they can be readily referred to in after years. Since such records are important be- cause they give the status of vested rights of land- owners in public drainage works, it is suggested that a separate record book should be kept for each dis- trict. It is found that County Commissioners frequently exercise their authority by ordering the engineers whom they have employed to change the plans and estimates which they have made for the district against their best judgment. The law permits the Board to recall the appointment of the engineer, should he be incompetent to perform the work re- quired, and to select another in his place, in order that the plans and report which are finally presented to the Board may fully meet the requirements of the district. Instances have been found where the effi- ciency of the drainage system has been materially Waterways and Conservation Commission 41 lessened by miscellaneous and ill considered changes in plans which have been ordered by Boards of Com- missioners. It may be admitted in this connection that not infrequently the engineering is faulty, but the remedy lies in securing more competent service instead of the Board assuming the responsibilities of the engineer, SIDE SLOPES OF DITCHES Side slopes of ditches in the northern part of the state do not maintain themselves unless made 1 to 1, and in some localities 1% to 1 is required. In any case, ditches which are excavated with dredges should be made of such width on the bottom that when the sides take their slope due to caving the ditch in its permanent form will be the size required. Consider- ations of economy in maintenance suggest that speci- fications for work be made with this in view and that the contractor be paid for such actual excavation as will be required to secure the specified size of ditch after changes by caving have taken place. Ditches are seriously injured by the deposit of silt and soil resulting from the inflow from branch drains, both open and covered. Good practice specifies that small ditches should be connected with large ones by means of pipes or sluices, and that tile drains should enter ditches and streams through a substantial retaining wall or bulkhead. The need of observing this pre- caution is noted in nearly all drainage districts. In the Missouri river valley, where the soil is heavy 42 Report of the Iowa State Drainage with firm clay underneath, and in the southern part of the state where close firm clays prevail, dredge ditches with slopes of % to 1 maintain themselves fairly well. DEPTH OF DITCHES AND BEEMS Shallow ditches three feet and four feet deep which were constructed under the old law are being replaced by ditches six feet to eight feet deep. Such depths have been found necessary as outlets to permit the effective operation of lateral farm drains which should be not less than three or four feet deep. The berms (space between edge of ditch and waste bank) of large ditches, especially those with steep side slopes, should be ten feet. This removes the weight of the waste bank from the edge of the ditch, and ob- viates to a large extent the caving of the banks which takes place in land which contains a liberal portion of sand. It has been found wise to observe this pre- caution in the construction of aU dredge ditches. Deep ditches are frequently made through ridges in order to secure a straight ditch instead of a crooked one that follows the valley or depression at greater length. While straight ditches are desirable, there is an economical limit to depth for the lands of northern Iowa. This is about twelve feet unless it is found by testing that the earth to be excavated is uniformly firm clay. If the earth contains a liberal amount of sand, deeper ditches are expensive to construct and difficult to maintain, and it is better economy to build Waterways and Conservation Commission 4;] longer ditches than to exceed this depth in the effort to make them straight. GRADIENTS OF DITCPIES Where ditches pass through level lands it is the practice to use the greatest uniform grade obtainable, but where they pass through sandy land which erodes easily a grade of more than four feet per mile will cause injurious erosion to take place. AVhere steep grades are necessary or where a steep grade merges into a light one, a concrete bulkhead with receiving- apron should be used to control the velocity. The de- sirability of a work of this kind is emphasized by the condition of ditches in several of the northern coun- ties. The use of silt basins in tile drains which are laid under similar conditions is required to intercept sand and silt which enter the drain through the joints or through surface inlets. Where on the other hand soils ai*e heavy and of close texture, the employment of the silt well or basin is not essential to the main- tenance of the drain. CAPACITY OF DITCHES AND DEAINS It is found that many engineers are attempting to so design the capacity of ditch as to remove a definite volume of water in 24 hours, while others specify such a ditch as may be ordered by the County Com- missioners, or which they think the people will con- struct. There is a growing tendency, however, to- wards the adoption of standards of run-ofiF for certain sections of the state, and it is probable that more 44 Report of the Iowa State Drainage uniform practice prevails among engineers in Iowa in that regard than in any other state. It is a most important factor in the design of ditches everywhere, and is particularly so in Iowa where the difference between minimima, mean, and maximimi rainfall is so great and the resultant run-off so variable in differ- ent years. As far as observations have been made and data gathered, drains which have a capacity for removing y4^-inch. depth of water in 24 hours meet the requirements of good drainage where large areas are considered. If the area comprising the watershed is rolling and the slopes are somewhat precipitous, as they are along the valleys of streams, this amount should be proportionately increased and will some- times reach i^ inch. Areas smaller than 3,000 acres usually will give a run-off through ditches of % ineh. In computing the size of a drain for a standard amount of run-off, the depth of computed flow should be eight tenths (0.8) of the depth of the ditch in its most shallow section. That is, the ditch should al- ways be in a condition to remove water from the sur- face which it can not do when it is flowing bank-full. This seems to be lost sight of in many instances in computing capacities, particularly where large ditches are required. A run-off of 14-inch depth in 24 hours seems to be the duty usually required for sections which are tile-drained. Here, however, small areas bordered by outlying undulating lands will fre- quently suggest the provision for a larger amount, usually not exceeding % inch. Waterways and Conservation Commission 45 In the use of any standard formula for computing the maximum capacity of tile drains a liberal allow- ance may be made for additional head, due to free water in a saturated soil and to pressure from lateral drains. In this entire problem there are many modi- fying agencies which must be considered in adjusting the size of the several drains in a district, as is evi- denced by the varying results which are noted in different parts of the state. Where drains in tile systems in the northern counties have proven too small, their capacity has usually been found less than 14 inch, sometimes as small as 1-6 inch or Vs inch in 24 hours, as near as could be computed from the data which could be obtained. It was found, however, that the care with which the several drains were con- structed was in all cases an important factor in their efficiency, and that carelessly laid tile drains in both districts and farms accoimted in many instances for their inefficiency. SUEVEYS AND PLANS With a view of reducing the cost which will become chargeable to the district, the preliminary surveys for drainage districts are usually too superficial and fur- nish too little data. The law governing surveys is sufficiently liberal to permit the engineer to make as complete a survey as may be required for the develop- ment of a plan and for the use of the Board of Com- missioners in adjusting differences in classification of lands and in making assessments which are re- 46 Report of the Iowa State Drainage quired later. The kind and character of the survey should be left to the judgment of the engineer who is employed by tlie Board, but he should outline in full his proposed plan of work to the Board and secure its endorsement before he enters upon his duties. We find that the drains in some cases have been badly lo- cated and have failed to meet the expectations of landowners because the survey which was made did not show all the conditions which must be met. The following suggestions are offered regarding the requisites of a drainage district survey, which are frequently omitted, but which in our judgment are important : The watershed of the district and character of the land should be ascertained so that the amount of water which must be provided for by main drains may be estimated with reasonable accuracy. The boundary of the district should be determined and should include lands which need drainage and which will in some measure be benefited by the pro- posed work. Levels referred to a coromon datum should be run at i/2-Diil6 intervals across the slope of the district and recorded on the official map. This will show the comparative elevation of all parts of the district and the relation with respect to elevation of each farm to any drain which may be located. Watercourses should be meandered and represent- ed on the map whether they are used as a part of the drainage system or not. Their relation to the drains Watenvays and Conservation Commission 47 of the district and to the land in general will be a factor in the classification of the land with reference to benefits and damages. When the drains are located soundings or borings should be made to ascertain the kind of earth that will be encountered in excavating the ditches, and the results of such work should be recorded in the engi- neer's report. The report of the engineer to the Board should be full regarding the manner in which the proposed work will affect the lands, and should contain a discussion of the benefits and damages to the lands of the dis- trict as a whole. Such information is specifically called for by the law, but we find that engineer's re- ports are usualJy far from being complete in this regard. COST OF ENGINEERING AND CONTINGENT EXPENSES Under this head are included engineering and in- spection, legal expenses, services of auditor, commis- sioners to assess benefits and damages, serving and publishing notices, and generally all costs except of construction and of damages which have been awarded. The records of a large number of districts indicate that this cost varies from 5 to 13 per cent of the entire amount. Ordinarily 5 per cent appears to have covered engineering and superintendence, and 5 per cent all other contingent expense. Superin- tendence is included in engineering, and is imporiant 48 Report of the Iowa State Drainage if the best work is secured. Complaint is made in many of the districts that this is neglected or is care- lessly done and explains in part the existence of badly constructed ditches and some unsatisfactory tile drains. We find that specifications which are filed by engineers are sufficiently rigid, but are not always enforced. Nothing but the most rigid inspection by a superintendent who is competent to pass upon drain- age construction will secure the best work. It is probable that engineering and superintendence would amount to 6 per cent, or 7 per cent, if capable and suf- ficient service were rendered throughout. CLASSIFICATION OF LANDS FOE ASSESS- MENT No uniform practice appears to be followed in the several counties in classifying lands for assessment purposes. Each Board devises a method which in the opinion of the members will give equitable results. While some particular method may be wrong in sev- eral respects, it places similar lands in the district upon the same basis which a hit or miss and guess method does not. The law requires that the lands be classified in 40-acre tracts, on a scale of 100, the lands marked 100 being those which will receive the greatest and equal benefit from the proposed work. When this is done and the cost distributed in pro- portion to the classification, the assessment per acre in some districts varies between 30 cents and $14.50. This degree of elasticity in method which the law Waterways and Conservation Commission 49 permits is necessary in most cases to meet the condi- tions of the lands with reference to the actual benefits they will receive as compared with natural drainage which they already have before any drains are con- structed by the district. The law provides for the assessment of all property which will be benefited. Eailroads and public high- ways are included because they receive benefits but they can not be assessed upon the same basis as agri- cultural lands. It is found that some railroads have been assessed $1,000 per mile where the lines extend through level areas similar to the bottom lands of the Missouri river, where the drainage furnished will keep the borrow pits on the railroad right of way free from water. Highways are assessed $200 per mile for similar benefits. In some cases, a certain length of railroad and of highway have been considered equivalent to 40 acres of land which is assessed at 100 per cent. The courts have decided that a lump sum may be assessed against such property, but assessments against lands should be distributed ac- cording to their classification. The results of our inquiries upon this subject indi- cate that the method of assessment should, above all, be practical, simple, and easily applied. The assess- ments should be equitable, as far as possible. It must be acknowledged, however, that personal precon- ceived opinions often bias the judgment of Commis- sioners with respect to benefits and damages, and that it is scarcely possible to classify lands in such a way 50 Report of the loiva State Drainage as to satisfy property owners or even all the require- ments of equity. On this account it is best to adopt a simple schedule and method for such work so that the reasons for each step may be recorded and be easily reviewed. For the purpose of systematizing methods of mak- ing assessments, the following suggestions are of- fered. The principal factors which have a bearing upon the classification of lands are the following : 1. Wetness of land and its need of drainage in connection with its value for agricultural purposes. 2. The direct benefit to each tract by reason of the construction of the proposed works. Such benefits would be actual drainage afforded to the land, con- venience of operation, accessibility to public highway or to shipping points, increased healthfulness, etc. 3. Its distance from a public ditch which may be used as an outlet. Public ditches are constructed for outlets in which every land owner within the district has a drainage right. A tract which requires draining if distant from the public ditch receives no direct benefit, but has a permanent outlet right which may be utilized at anj' time either by organizing a mutual district or a sub-district as provided for by law. Where these factors are considered separatelj^ and given their proportionate weight in making up the ])er cent, the resulting classification will be uniform throughout. We may separate the maximum per cent 100 into three parts and give to each a weight as follows : DRAINAGE Plate III CARRYING THE GRADE LINE Waterways and Conservation Commission 51 Eepresent the wettest land or that which is in greatest need of drainage by 20 Represent the highest benefit which any 40 acres receives by reason of the construction of the district drainage works by 50 Represent the nearness of land to a public drain or outlet by 30 (0 representing that farthest distant and 30 that nearest.) 100 As a short statement of the above we have the following : Degree of wetness and need of drainage. . . .0 to 20 Direct benefit from public drains to 50 Distance from outlet to 30 100 The sum of tlie three markings which are placed upon each tract will represent its classification for assessment. With reference to railroads and highwayw it would seem that the mile as a unit in assessing such property is right and logical, since such property should be considered in lineal units. The actual length of road which is benefited in either case can be definitely de- termined, but the amount of benefit to each section must be fixed by the Boards of Assessment and may be a lump sum per lineal unit. 52 Report of the Iowa State Drainage To determine the assessment which is to be levied on each 40-acre unit of land proceed as follows : From the total estimated cost deduct the amount assessed against railways and public roads and other property except lands, to obtain the amount which is to be distributed over the land. Find the smn of the per cents marked against each 40 acres. Divide the amoimt to be distributed over the land by this sum ; the quotient will be the amount of assess- ment at 1 per cent on 40 acres. Multiply the classification per cent for each 40 acres by the quotient obtained as above. The result will be the amounts assessed against the several 40- acre tracts, the sum of which will be the total amount to be distributed over the lands. It should be noted that this short method is only applicable to unit tracts which are of the same size. Lands which are reclaimed by works such as levees, sluiceways, and pumps are assessed at a more near- ly uniform or flat rate. Usually the lands can be arbi- trarily separated into two classes, and at the most only three, thus making the apportionment simple. The basis of classification of lands for this character of improvements is the comparative elevation of the lands which are enclosed, provided all lands are equally well drained. The lower lands are classified 100, and those which are somewhat higher, 80. This difference is made because the higher lands are not so frequently overflowed, and when overflowed become Waterways and Conservation Commission 53 dry sooner than the others when they are in their natural or unreclaimed conditions. UNDEE-DRAINAGE Particular attention is directed to the status of tile drainage in the southern counties of the state where so-called hardpan soils are found. There are but few drainage districts in those counties, since they have a broken surface and sufficient streams for drainage outlets. There is, however, considerable need for farm drainage, because of flat fields, portions or all of which are too wet during the season to produce good crops. There is no little skepticism among farmers as to the effect of underdrains in bettering the close and sticky soils which give them trouble. The so-called "hardpan" is described by a practical farmer in Appanoose county as a finely divided, flour- like soil which, when wet, is very sticky and imperv- ious to water. When wet it is quite easy to dig, but when dry and sxm-baked it becomes exceedingly hard. Attempts were made by farmers several years ago to underdrain lands of this character by laying lines of drain tile two or three hundred feet apart and four feet deep, as had been done elsewhere in open soils. But little beneficial effect was observed, and under- drains were discredited. During the last few years a different method has been practiced with more satis- factory results. In the closer soils drains have been placed 50 feet to 80 feet apart and 3 feet deep with very excellent results, some farmers finding lines 54 Report of tiw Iowa State Drainage 100 feet apart sufficiently frequent to give thorough drainage. Four-inch tiles are used for laterals and are found more effective than smaller ones. In one instance noted, lines of 3-inch tile which had not prov- en satisfactory were replaced by four-inch tiles. The effect of the larger tiles was marked, as they appar- ently greatly assisted in aerating and mellowing the compact soil. It is clear that the smaller tiles will remove the water as fast as it comes to the drain, but it has been noted generally that the larger tiles laid about three feet deep give the best results. The ef- fect of successful drainage of these soils by a few farmers is becoming laaown, and as a result under- drainage is being gradually extended in a few of the counties. However, there is a large field here for ex- periment and testing the methods of draining which are best adapted to the several localities. The failure to realize good results in some instances has been due to bad workmanship and faulty grades upon which the tiles have been laid. Farmers de- pend almost entirely upon the judgment and skill of the men who are employed to dig the ditches, and do not know whether the drains are properly construc- ted unless they fail to operate satisfactorily. It is believed that skilled farm drainage engineers should lay out such work, not, however, until they have be- come conversant with the conditions and are able to make such a survey and plan as will meet any pecul- iarities of soil that may exist. Incorrect work of this kind has in some instances discredited the value of Waterways and Conservation Commission 55 surveys for drains in the opinion of farmers, while on the other hand the refusal of farmers to employ en- gineers at a remunerative price has made this class of professional work unattractive to men who would render valuable service. Greater skill and accuracy on the part of drainage engineers would doubtless result in their more general employment aud at more remunerative prices than are now paid in many of the counties. The gtunbo lands on the river bottoms, and particu- larly along the Missouri river, though of different character require much the same kind of treatment. Drains laid 75 or 80 feet apart and 3 to 3% feet deep, with suitable outlets laid at a greater depth, furnish excellent drainage. These soils become very fine and friable when drained, but are always sticky when wet. The north and central parts of the state offer by far the most favorable conditions for the operation of tile drains. We find here the most activity because all of the soils respond so readily to tile drains. The tendency is toward more frequent drainage in level lands, but still retaining a depth of about four feet for black loam soils which have joint clay subsoil. A distance of 100 to 150 feet between lines gives excellent drainage in the opinion of some of the best farmers. No smaller tile than 4-inch are used for laterals, and some contend that 5-inch tile give better results. Most of the engineers who are em- ployed to lay out systems design the mains to remove one-fourth inch of water in depth in 24 hours. Others 56 Report of the Iowa State Drainage follow no rule whatever, frequently leaving the size of drain to be determined by the farmer. The results of our inspection of farm tile drains indicate that the use of the %-inch standard for de- termining the ca,pacity required for main drains, varying it to meet the requirements of rolling land, together with well adjusted grades and careful con- struction' give satisfactory drainage in northern Iowa. We find, however, that engineers are not al- ways employed, and further that their work is not always the best nor is the construction of the drain always first-class. As a remedy we can only suggest that more care be exercised in every detail, and par- ticularly that every drain be rigidly inspected before it is covered. CLAY AND CEMENT DRAIN TILES The use of both clay and cement drain tile in the state warrant an examination of the merits of each as far as they now appear. In late years there has been a growing tendency to substituteL large pipe drains for open ditches. This has been done princi- pally in drainage districts, the use of pipes from 15 to 36 inches not being uncommon. The depth at which these pipes are placed is not infrequently as great as eight and in some instances twelve feet, and the earth surroimding them is frequently unstable to such an extent as to bring upon the pipes the full weight of wet earth above them and also a heavy pres- sure from the sides of the trench. It is needless to Waterways and Conservation Commission 57 say that such conditions subject them to much greater pressure than they are called upon to support in ordinary drainage. Some cement tiles have failed by breaking while in the ground; others which have been examined after being in use seven years were found hard and intact in every respect. Clay tiles which have failed at ordinary depths clearly show that fail- ure was due to imperfect drying or burning, or both. They were obviously of poor quality. Such tile not infrequently are sent out from the factories and begin to disintegrate as soon as placed in the ground, and sometimes break under pressure. It is evident that in many instances cement tiles have been poorly made. Inferior cement, lack of the proper proportion of ce- ment and sand, or imperfect curing will destroy the quality of cement tile, and these are doubtless ac- countable for numerous deplorable failures. When, however, some cement tiles have failed and others have stood the test of several years without deterioration, it is fair to infer that the difference lies in the quality of the goods. It is noted that failure of cement tile most frequently occurs with those eight inches and more in diameter which have been placed at a con- siderable depth. A mixture of one part of cement to six or seven of sand, which was used when cement tile were first introduced, has proved too weak under all conditions. Tests which have been made of what are recognized as good cement tile show that they do not sustain as great pressure per square inch as burned clay tile, suggesting that those of large size when 58 Report of the Iowa State Drainage placed at depths of five to eight feet should be rein- forced. However, no amount of reinforcing will com- pensate for faulty material and manufacture. Our field examinations show that where some large cement tile have failed others under similar water and soil conditions have met every requirement of durability. The cause of failure is usually apparent upon exam- ination. Under the conditions now existing, it iss believed that the quality of cement tile should be standai'dized in order to make them an absolutely safe product for use in miscellaneous drainage. This can be done if the manufacturers of cement tile will insist ujDon meeting the requirements of a rigor- ous and uniform test. Excellence in paving brick, building material, structural steel, etc., have been obtained only after some standai'd testi lias been- agreed upon and required by those who purchase the material. Both clay and cement tile should meet test requirements which will insure the permanence of all the pipe which is used in drains. The import- ance of this industry to the state and the serious losses which will follow the use of perishable clay or cement drain tile, together with the conflicting opin- ions which now j)revail regarding their comparative durability and usefulness as a mateinal for agricul- tural drainage, constitute sufficient reasons for the establishment of a standard for each which can be accepted with assurance by users of di'ain tile. It is suggested that the State Drainage Association is the proper organization to undertake that duty. Waterways and Conservation Commission 59 DEAINAGE OF EIVER-BOTTOM LANDS The drainage so far undertaken by property own- ers in the state has been confined to lands which could be the most quickly benefited. The lands are situated at the heads of water-courses which could be easily enlarged and improved, and the surplus waters be discharged into a stream of pronounced character and capacity. The streams thus become common car- riers for a niunber of districts. The demand for more and better improved farms is causing owners to direct their attention to the reclamation of bottom lands which are periodically over-flowed. The ordi- nary methods of improving the channels of small streams by straightening or enlarging or by the two combined is not applicable to the larger ones because of the cost. When the water-shed of a drainage unit does not exceed 300 square miles, its drainage can be accomplished by such ditches as are now ordinarily constructed. If we pass much beyond this limit, it will be found more profitable to increase the capacity of the channel by levees built on each side of the channel in addition to such improvement of the chan- nel itself as the conditions may suggest as being practicable. As an example of such a case a survey and plan for the drainage of the low lands along the west fork of the Des Moines river in Palo Alto county is included in this report. The water from an area of 2,580 square miles must be provided for at the south line of the county. This would require a channel with 60 Report of the Iowa State Drainage a capacity to carry at least 15,000 second feet at flood flow and would be too large to be constructed wholly at tbe cost of the owners whose lands would be re- claimed. The next expedient is to protect the land from over-flow by levees and to provide ditches for the drainage of the lands behind them. The report of the project describes the conditions of this kind and the methods of reclamation which are applicable to the lands of that valley. Should a ditch 80 feet wide be constructed through the valley, it would fall so far short of carrying the amount of water which it would be called upon to do that the money which it would cost would in a large measure be wasted. CLASSIFICATION OF DRAINAGE METHODS As a general proposition, the reclamation of the over-flowed land along the lower reaches of the larger streams of the state should be accomplished by these means : namely, channel improvement, levees, sluices, and in some cases pumps. The general scheme of drainage throughout the state may then be classified as follows : 1. Farm drains of tiles constructed at the option and expense of the land-owners and having their discharge into district drains. 2. District drains constructed upon petition of land- owners, the cost being apportioned according to law. 3. Reclamation of over-flowed lands along the rivers or receiving streams, the channels of which should Waterways and Conservation Commission 61 be cleaned and improved and levees constructed to protect the adjoining lands from over-flow. The latter improvement partakes largely of the nature of a public work and hence may be regarded as a public benefit. The area of lands which will be pro- tected by such works is usually not very large so that the cost of their reclamation would be burdensome to the owners. The property of the county through which the streams pass will be benefited by the recla- mation of such low lands and by the betterment of the channel, and should be party to the improvement to the extent of bearing a part of the expense. Such cooperation would promote the improvement of the land along the larger streams and result in the con- struction of more substantial works than would otherwise be secured. SUGGESTIONS FOR LEGISLATION It is not possible in this brief report to review thor- oughly and comment upon all of the features of drain- age which have been examined. The state may be congratulated upon the advanced position she occu- pies in agriculture, and particularly upon the pro- gress her farmers have made in developing the natur- al fertility of their lands by drainage. As a conclu- sion to the brief review of existing drainage oper- ations in the state, and in addition to the suggestions so far ventured concerning the betterments in methods and practice which should be brought about, we take the liberty of recommending to the Commis- 62 Report of the Iowa State Drainage sion a few measures which we think properly may be urged upon the attention of the next State Legis- lature. With a few exceptions the general drainage law is satisfactory to officials who are charged with its administration, and to landowners who have occasion to use it in securing the drainage of their lands. The greater part of the difficulties which are experienced arise from a failure to execute faithfully the provis- ions of the law, from lack of good engineering in perfecting plans, and from careless inspection and superintendence of construction work. With a view of providing means for securing more efficient administration of the law and better drain- age throughout the state, we recommend the follow- ing amendments to the State drainage laws: Section 1989-a4 — Claims for damages. This Act provides that if claims for damages are not filed with the Board five days prior to the day set for the hearing of the petition, claimants shall be held to have waived their rights thereto. This should be so amended that the Board shall assess damages solely upon their merits and irrespective of the filing of claims. It is the opinion of several Boards of Super- visors that were consulted that damages as well as assessments for benefits should be tmif orm and equit- able, and that their award should not be dependent upon the watchfulness of property owners to file a claim for the same. Section 1989-aS — Letting of work. This should DRAINAGE Plate IV IjAying small tile Watenvat/s and Conservation Commission 63 be amended so that it would be obligatory upon the Board to publish the notice of the letting of work in at least one contracting or engineering journal of wide circulation, in addition to such publication in county newspapers. The magnitude of the expendi- tures involved, being as large as $125,000, or even more, suggests the wisdom of giving the notice of letting as wide a publicity as possible in order to se- cure healthful competition among contractors which, in many cases, would result to the advantage of the district. Section 1989~a26 — Improvement certificates. The issuance of improvement certificates in payment for work, as authorized by this law, has in many in- stances increased the cost of the work from 5 to 10 per cent. This has been due to the fact that cer- tificates are not readily convertible into cash, which the contractor requires in the conduct of his work. When it is known that payment for contract work will be made in certificates, he feels compelled to ask a higher price than he would if payment in cash were guaranteed. It is believed by many county commis- sioners that this part of the law should be repealed and that all money be raised either by the cash pay- ment of assessments or from the sale of bonds. Commissioner of Drainage and Waterways. The desirability of competent and responsible supervis- ion of drainage district work in the state, as well as the coordination of engineering methods, has been clearly shown by our investigations. Hundreds of 64 Report of the Iowa State Drainage thousands of dollars are expended annually on public drainage work, aad we believe that the state is war- ranted in exercising in a helpful way the supervision of such expenditures. With this end in view, we rec- ommend that the Governor appoint a Drainage and Waterways Commissioner whose salary, which shall be named in the Act, and whose necessary expenses shall be paid by the state, and who shall hold office for two years, or until his successor is appointed. His services shall be available to the Boards of County Commissioners, free of charge upon application, who may desire his advice regarding drainage plans, sur- veys and methods of procedure in matters relating to drainage and waterways ; and whem requested to pass upon matters of this nature, his advice and decisions shall be adopted by the Board. All plans for the pro- tection of lands along streams where levees are em- ployed shall, before their execution, be approved by him. He shall hold two conferences at the state Capital each year, which all drainage engineers in the state shall be requested to attend, the purpose of which meeting shall be to promote uniform and thorough methods in prosecuting surveys, making assessments, and in the performance of other duties which are required of engineers under the State Drainage law. Such a law does not make it obligatory upon the County Commissioners to have the plans of drainage districts which are submitted to them approved by the State Commissioner before they are adopted, but WaterwoAfs and Conservation Commission 65 since Ms services are free of chaxge to the districts, it is expected that the Boards of Commissioners will find it expedient to avail themselves of his service and to abide by his decisions. His supervision of plans and advice upon drainage matters in the state would assist practicing engineers to perfect their knowledge and practice in the handling of drainage projects. Counties to Pay Part of Cost of Levees. — A law should be enacted which will make the counties which are traversed by streams a party to the reclamation of over-flowed lands along streams where it is neces- sary to accomplish such reclamation by the use of levees. These counties should be required to bear one-fourth of the expense of all levees which are re- quired along streams to protect the adjoining lands from over-flow, where such levees are constructed imder the provisions of the general drainage law. Such streams are the out-lets for the drainage of all lands in the county, are common water carriers, and in a measure are used by all property owners who find drainage necessary. Their use as common out- lets for artificial drains makes the people respon- sible for the control of their waters. Such assistance by the county would encourage the owners of per- iodically over-flowed bottom lands to construct good and efficient works, and would also reduce the burden upon property owners, which is often heavy, of pro- tecting lands whose over-flowed condition is some- times aggravated by the drainage of higher lands. THE WEST FORK OF THE DES MOINES RIVER REPORT BY 0. G. BAXTER, DRAINAGE ENGINEER U. S. DE- PARTMENT OP AGKICTJLTTJRE INTRODUCTION This examination of the west fork of the Des Moines river, from the town of Humboldt to Emmet county, Iowa, was made to determine the feasibility, methods, and cost of reclaiming the adjoining over- flowed lands. The object of the investigation was twofold : (1) to comply with a request by the people of Palo Alto county, made through Congressman Frank P. Woods ; and (2) to investigate the overflow conditions on a tjrpical Iowa stream, the results to be incorporated in a report to the Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conservation Commission. The survey was assigned to 0. G. Baxter, Drainage Engineer, who began field work near Humboldt, Iowa, on May 16, and completed the survey September 1, 1910. This report, taken with its accompanying map and profiles, sets forth the results of the survey, rec- ommends measures for the prevention of over-flow of the river, and contains estimates of the probable cost of the same. Watenvays and Conservation Commission 67 THE DES MOINES RIVER VALLEY THE EIVER CHANNEL The west fork of the Des Moines river rises in south-western Minnesota, flows south and southeast through Emmet, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, and Hum- boldt counties, Iowa, and unites with the east fork near the town of Humboldt, Iowa. Its principal tributaries and their drainage areas are as follows : Jack creek, 146 square miles; Cylinder creek, 108 square miles ; WiUow creek, 50 square miles ; Prairie creek, 75 square miles ; Beaver creek, 60 square miles ; and Pilot creek, 85 square miles. The total drainage area is 2,720 square miles, 1,640 square miles of this being in Minnesota. The drainage area of the Des Moines river above the mouths of the several creeks is as follows : Jack creek, 2,040 square miles; Cylinder creek, 2,280 square miles; Willow creek, 2,140 square miles; Prairie creek, 2,400 square miles; and Pilot creek, 2,580 square miles. In Emmet county the channel is comparatively straight, the valley is narrow and there is very little over-flowed land. Through Palo Alto county the av- erage width of the river channel is about 100 feet, the average depth eight feet, and the fall per mile is from one to one and one-half feet. This fall does not rep- resent the natural slope in a direct line down the valley as the stream is very tortuous and the length of channel for a given distance is approximately 68 Report of the Iowa State Drainage twice the length of a direct line down the valley. The stream is nearly free from drift but a great many sand-bars are found. The banks are low and covered with scrubby timber and brush for a distance of about 300 feet from the river. In Pocahontas county the character of the stream is about the same as in Palo Alto county, except that in the lower part the width is about 125 feet, the average depth nine feet, and the fall per mile from one and one-half to two feet. The bed of the stream is of gravel with a few boulders. In Humboldt county the channel becomes fairly straight with only a few large bends ; the cross-sec- tion increases to a width of about 200 feet ; the banks are high ; the bed is of rock ; and many rock ledges are found. OVEE-FLOW CONDITIONS Previous to 1902 the over-flows did not cause seri- ous damage as they were infrequent and did not occur in the crop growing season. Practically all the bot- tom land was then in cultivation. For the past eight years the over-flows have been numerous in early s umm er, sometimes remaining over the bottoms for two weeks or more. As many as three overflows have occurred in a single season. These conditions make it impossible to grow crops with any certainty in the over-flowed area, and the farmers have ceased to at- tempt to cultivate this land, but now use the bottoms for hay and as pasture land ; even this is sometimes damaged by over-flows. At present, one can see no Waterways and Conservation Commission 69 indications that these low lands have been ia culti- vation. From the mouth of Jack creek, in Palo Alto county, to the north part of Pocahontas coimty, the over- flowed area is from one-half to three miles wide. In Pocahontas county the over-flowed area is about one-fourth of a mile wide and is nearly all taken up by the windings of the stream. The over-flow ceases in Humboldt county, with the exception of a few very small areas in the bends. SURFACE CONDITIONS ; SOIL AND CROPS The general slope of the valley through Palo Alto and Pocahontas counties is from two and one-half to three feet per mile. In Humboldt county this in- creases to eight and one-half feet per mile near the outlet of the river. The banks of the river are, in general, from one to two feet higher than the general elevation of the bottoms, the surface of the valley having a gradual slope, in most cases, from the river to the foot of the bluffs. At many points the hills rise abruptly from the low lands. The soil, as indicated by test borings, is dark prai- rie loam to a depth of from two to eight feet, this being underlaid with sand and gravel. If the valley were protected from over-flow, and drained, it would undoubtedly produce better crops than do the sur- rounding uplands, where the staple crops are corn and oats. The present value of the bottom lands is from $30 70 Report of the loiva State Drainage to $50 per acre; this is purely a speculative value as the only benefit derived from it at present is from the hay and pasture. The farmers in this community are of the opinion that were these lands reclaimed they would be worth from $60 to $75 per acre. THE SURVEY The preliminary survey, made for the purpose of accumulating necessary data as to existing condi- tions, was begun on May 16, 1910, at the junction of the east and west forks, near Humboldt, and was carried up the valley to the north line of Palo Alto county. The river was meandered and all sloughs and cut-offs located by compass and stadia ; likewise all streams entering the river were meandered and levels taken up them to high land. The survey line was tied to section lines and corners. A level line was carried up the valley along the bank of the river, from which level lines were run across the valley at intervals of one mile or less. The flood line was determined by transit and stadia, the level also being used to more accurately locate the boundaries of flooded areas. Measurements of the channel were made at intervals of two thousand feet. An assumed datum was used for the levels. The survey through Humboldt county consisted only of the traverse line, level line, and channel measurements. The survey was not carried through Emmet county, as a careful Watenvays and Conservation Commission 71 examination showed it to be unnecessary to include this county. Following the preliminary survey, and after con- sideration of the data obtained therefrom, a location survey was made in Palo Alto county for the pur- pose of selecting and permanently marking the best routes and locations for the proposed improvements. For this purpose the transit and chain were used. The levees were located on the highest available ground with due regard for the width of floodway required. For this reason many of the bends of the river were not followed in the location. Permanent stakes were set at 500-foot intervals and at points where the located lines changed direction. The levees are not continuous but are planned so as to divide the flooded land into closed levee districts, the ditch lines for draining these separate districts being also located. The areas of over-flowed land were found to be as follows : Humboldt county, 1,490 acres ; Pocahontas county, 2,105 acres; and Palo Alto county, 24,050 acres. Soil borings were made to a depth of 12 feet at intervals of one-half mile or less on section lines during the preliminary survey and to a depth of six feet at intervals of 1,000 feet on all located lines. The party consisted of one drainage engineer, three assistant drainage engineers, three rodmen, one axeman, one man for soil borings, one cook, and a teamster. The survey was carried on from camp. 95.9 miles of traverse line, 95.9 miles of levels, ap- 72 Report of the Iowa State Drainage o a n Eh CO ■< 01 S E-i OQ E-i < S CJ ts 15 ►-< IS t3 a 5 o 02 < 03 55 o o rfS rfl .a jn ^ +3 +J -U Cp +J t- 00 Tj< UT CD r-i iH iH T-1 1-1 05 ti d d a IS 00c iH .85" 3.41" V V V mom a> r-i 4.39" .21" t3 ^ ..a ti *3 ^ CO ^n C5 (M ^ -M 00 iH CO iH eg i-l a a a o> 00c i-H rj? ,-i CO ^^ * J2 ^ a a; _>. a ^ 5 1-5 f^ 3 ft Waterways and Conservation Commission 73 proximately 85 miles of cross-levels, and about 80 miles of flood line were run. Approximately 250 channel measurements were made and 34.5 miles of levee line and 16.4 miles of ditch line were located. RAIN-FALL AND RUN-OFF On comparatively small water-sheds, such as the west fork of the Des Moines river, the maximum precipitation for short periods, rather than monthly figures, must be taken as the basis of run-off. The figures on page 72 taken from the records of the U. S. Weather Bureau for West Bend, Iowa, indicate the most serious flood-producing storms that have oc- curred during the growing seasons for the past ten years. The determination of the rate of run-off at any point in a water-shed is necessary for the proper de- sign of improvements at that point. The rate of run-off, as here used, is the depth of water, in inches, over the entire water-shed above the given point that passes off in 24 hours as a result of maximum pre- cipitation. It is affected not only by the amount of precipitation, but also by the area and topography of the water-shed, atmospheric conditions, and the character of the soil and vegetation. For purposes of calculation, the rate of run-off is reduced to cubic feet per second. For ascertaining the rate of run-off in Humboldt coimty, the slope of the stream, as indicated by high water marks, was measured, and the average was 74 Report of the loiva State Drainage taken of a number of cross-sections of the channel where no over-flow occurs. Assuming a co-efficient of roughness of .030, the discharge of the river was found, by Kutter's formula, to be 11,055 cubic feet per second. This is equivalent to a run-off of 4.06 cubic feet per second per square mile of watershed. Using Elliott's formula for run-off from large areas in the Upper Mississippi Valley, a rate of run-off of 4.01 cubic feet per square mile was obtained. These two results compare well with each other and also with certain gagings made on the lower part of the river by the U. S. Geological Survey. The rate of run-off per unit of area increases as the water-shed area decreases; the levee improve- ments, therefore, being above Humboldt county have been based upon a run-off of 5 cubic feet per second per square mile of area, which is equal to about three- sixteenths of an inch in depth. For the interior drain- age, only small areas being involved, a run-off of one- half inch was assumed. POSSIBLE METHODS OF PROTECTION Over-flow may be prevented: (1) by improving the natural channel; (2) by providing additional flood-way outside natural channel; or (3) by com- bination of channel improvements and additional flood- way. The first method involves the widening or deepening of the existing channel, the cutting off of bends and the clearing of brush, drift, and other obstructions to flow from the channel. The second DRAINAGE Plate V BACK FILLING A TILE DITCH EXCAVATING A LARGE DITCH Waterwa/ys and Conservation Commission 75 method requires the construction of auxiliary chan- nels to carry the flood below the surface of the ground or of levees to confine the water and prevent their over-spreading the adjoining low lands. The present channel of the west fork of the Des Moines river, through Palo Alto and Pocahontas counties, is entirely inadequate to the demands made upon it, and the need of additional waterway is ap- parent. Even if it were possible to make cut-offs, thereby making the channel straight, the cross-section of the old channel would not be large enough to carry the water. The maximum fall through Palo Alto county is 3.0 feet per mile, and the average is 2.5 feet per mile. If it be assumed that a fall of three feet per mile could be obtained, then taking the drain- age area at the mouth of Jack creek as 2,040 square miles, and the rim-off as three-sixteenths of an inch in 24 hours, a channel of the following dimensions would be required: Bottom width of 150 feet; depth of flow, 10 feet; depth of channel, 11 feet; with side slopes of 2 to 1. If excavation be estimated at 8 cents per cubic yard, the cost of this plan would be $29,568 per mile. Taking legal, engineering, and other expenses at 10 per cent, the cost per mile would be $32,525. The average width of land that would be benefited is one mile and the cost per acre would therefore be $50.82 ; this does not make allowance for maintenance, which would be high in soil of this character, It is plain that the plan of carrying the flood water below the 76 Report of the Iowa State Drainage ground surface cannot be recommended, and the levee system has therefore been adopted. THE RECOMMENDED PLAN The plan recommended consists of levees to pro- tect the adjoining bottom lands from over-flow and ditches to remove the water falling upon the protect- ed land or reaching it from the adjoining hill land, as also to provide suitable out-lets for future tile drainage. Bight levee districts have been planned, as shown on the map. No improvements are recommended in the southern part of Palo Alto county or in Pocahontas county, as the valley is so narrow that the cost per acre would be prohibitive. LEVEES The levees are planned to be three feet above prob- able high water, to be six feet wide on top, and to have side slopes of 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. The base of the levee should be plowed, leaving a deep furrow along the center line of the levee; this will insure a good union of the new material with the ground surface. The surface between levees need not be cleared of the timber, except that the under- brush should be removed. With the exception of Districts No. 7 and a part of No. 8, the .dirt for the levees is to be taken from the river side, and should be free from vegetable matter of any kind. A berm of 10 feet should be left between the toe of the levee and the edge of the borrow pit. Waterways and Conservation Commission 77 Probable Results of Restricting Channel by Levees. — By constructing levees as shown on tlie map and thereby restricting the width of flow, the high water will be raised from one to one and one-half feet higher than the present flood line. This probable high water grade line was established by considering the leveed channel as a flood-way and computing the flow by Kutter's formula. A co-efficient of roughness of .035 was used. At best this computation is only an ap- proximation, on account of the many factors that are assumed. There can be no doubt but that the floods will pass more rapidly after the levees are construct- ed than under present conditions. At present, a reservoir is formed back from the river, with very little velocity, hence the wat«r passes off slowly. The high water grade line of tributary streams that were back-leveed was computed by the back-water curve formula. INTERIOR DRAINAGE The locations of the ditches for interior drainage are shown on the accompanying map, and their grades and size on the profile. In District No. 7 and in a part of District No. 8, the borrow pits for the levees will suffice for the interior drainage of these districts if properly made. The side slope of the ditch next to the levee should be at the rate of 3 to 1. Suitable out-lets through the levees have been planned for these ditches as shown on the map and in the detailed estimates. 78 Report of the Iowa State Drainage METHODS AND COST OF CONSTRUCTION All of the levees are ideal work for the drag line scraper excavator, and there should be fair profit to the contractor at eight cents per cubic yard. All of the ditches for interior drainage, with the exception of Districts Nos. 1, 5, and 6, can be made with the same machine as used for the levees, and all except No. 4 are estimated at 8 cents per cubic yard. The ditch for District No. 4 was estimated at 10 cents per cubic yard on account of the slopes being one and one-half to one, it being necessary to use this slope on account of the sandy condition of the soil. Ditches for Districts Nos. 1, 5, and 6 are small and should be team work. These are estimated at 15 cents per cubic yard. All right of way is estimated at $30 per acre ; this is considered a fair price for the bottom land. Legal, engineering, and contingent expenses are estimated at 10 per cent; this has been the average cost of several districts of like size in northern Iowa. CONCLUSION The total area of over-flowed land in Palo Alto county is 24,050 acres ; of this 14,770 acres can be reclaimed at an estimated cost of $132,520, or at a cost per acre ranging from $5.62 to $19.41. This land, after reclamation, should produce annually $20 per acre, where under present conditions it yields practically nothing. At $20 per acre, the total area Waterways and Conservation Commission 79 of 14,770 acres would yield $295,400 annually, or more than twice the cost of the improvements. These investigations have shown that the over- flowed lands along the west fork of the Des Moines river can be reclaimed without hardship to the o-vra- ers. The plan outlined in this report is the only feasible one for the protection of these lowlands at reasonable cost. While the survey was being carried on it was no- ticed that a few of the agents for the large land companies, which own part of the land in the valley, were trying to get a ditch with approximately a 60- foot bottom and an 8- or 10-foot depth through the valley. A ditch of this size would be of little perman- ent value, as it would not prevent the over-flows, and in a very few years it would be in the same condition as the present river. The interest shown by the farmers in this project is highly appreciated by this office. ESTIMATES OF COST All the contemplated improvements are included in the eight levee districts, the locations of which are shown on the accompanying map. A detailed de- scription of the improvements of each district and their estimated cost follows: Levee District No. 1 Diversion of Jach Creek. — At the intersection of Jack creek and the upper end of levee of District No. 1, the creek is diverted into the river. The diversion 80 Report of the Iowa State Drainage channel follows the upper side of the levee, and the material taken from it is used in the levee. From Sta. 35x00 of the levee line the diversion ditch is car- ried in a straight line to the river. This last 350 feet will be extra excavation. The average height of levee along the diversion channel is seven feet; this will make the ditch of about the following dimensions: Average depth, 7 feet; bottom width, 60 feet; side slopes, 2 to 1; grade as shown on the profile. The berm should be not less than 15 feet wide. Levee and Ditch Length of Levee 22,100 feet Average height 6.5 Average width of bottom 32 Length of ditch 8,573 Average depth 4.5 Bottom width 2 Slope of banks 2 to 1 Grade 3 ft. per mile Estimate of Cost Levee — Embankment, 109,819 eu. yds. at 8c $ 8,786 Right of way, 38 acres at $30 1,140 Ditch- Excavation, 17,218 cu. yds. at 15c 2,583 Right of way, 20 acres at $30 600 Sluiceways — 1 36" C. I. pipe, $471. 1 36" C. L pipe, $401 872 Diversion of Jack Creek — Waterways and Conservation Commission 81 Excavation, 6,715 cu. yds. at 8e 537 $14,518 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% 1,452 Total cost $15,970 Number of acres in district, 920. Average cost per acre, $17.36. Levee District No. 2 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee 16,400 feet Average height 5.6 Average width of bottom 28 Length of ditch 15,737 Average depth 6 Bottom width 16 Slope of banks 1 to 1 , Grade 3 ft. per mile Estimate of Cost Levee — Embankment, 58,165 en. yds. at 8c $ 4,653 Right of way, 28.5 acres at $30. 855 Ditch- Excavation, 86,257 cu. yds. at 8c 6,900 Right of way, 27.5 acres at $30 825 Sluiceway — 1 concrete sluiceway, 2 (5'x6') openings 1,500 $14,733 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% 1,473 Total cost $16,206 82 Report of the Iowa State Drainage Number of acres in district, 835. Average cost per acre, $19.41. Levee District No. 3 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee 28,870 feet Average height 5.3 Average width of bottom 27 Length of ditch 18,300 Average depth 4.5 Bottom width 3 Slope of banks 2 to 1 Grade 4 ft. per mile Estimate of Cost Levee — • Embankment, 113,750 cu. yds. at 8c $ 9,100 Right of way, 50 acres at $30 1,500 Ditch- Excavation, 36,630 cu. yds. at 8c 2,930 Right of way, 21 acres at $30 630 Sluiceway — 1-48" C. I. pipe 650 $14,810 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% .... 1,481 Total cost $16,291 Number of acres in district, 2,250. Average cost per acre, $7.24. Levee District No. 4 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee "A" 9,800 feet Waterways and Conservation Commission 83 Length of Levee "B" 19,300 Average height of Levees "A" and "B". . . 5.7 Average width of bottom 29 Length of ditch 31,785 Average depth 7 Bottom width 7 Slope of banks 1% to 1 Grade 2% ft. per mile Estimate of Cost Levee "A"— Embankment, 31,800 cu. yds. at 8c $ 2,544 Right of way, 17 acres at $30 510 Levee "B"— Embankment, 78,300 cu. yds. at 8c 6,264 Right of way, 33 acres at $30 990 Ditch- Excavation, 153,680 cu. yds. at 10c 15,368 Right of way, 55 acres at $30 1,650 Sluiceway — 1 concrete culvert, 3 openings (3'x4') 1,140 $28,466 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% .... 2,847 Total cost $31,313 Number of acres in district, 3,550. Average cost per acre, $8.82. Levee District No. 5 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee 49,800 feet Average height 5.6 " Average width of bottom 28 " 84 Report of the Iowa State Drcmage Length of ditch 13,135 Average depth 4 " Bottom width 2 " Slope of banks 2 to 1 Grade 3 ft per mile Estimate of Cost Levee — Embankment, 175,033 cu. yds. at 8c $14,002 Eight of way, 87 acres at $30 2,610 Ditch- Excavation, 23,114 cu. yds. at 15e 3,467 Bight of way, 23 acres at $30 690 Sluiceways — 1 concrete culvert, 3 openings (3'x4') 1,140 3-12" sluiceways at $20 60 $21,969 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% 2,197 Total cost $24,166 Number of acres in district, 4,300. Average cost per acre, $5.62. Levee District No. 6 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee 13,300 feet Average height 6.1 Average width of bottom 30 Length of ditch 5,000 Average depth 4 Bottom width 2 Slope of banks 2 to 1 Grade 2 ft. per mile Waterways and Conservation Commission 85 Estimate of Cost Levee — Embankment, 51,601 cu. yds. at 8c $ 4,128 Right of way, 23 acres at $30 690 Ditch- Excavation, 6,906 cu. yds. at 15c 1,036 Bight of way, 6 acres at $30 180 Sluiceway — 1-30" C. I. automatic gate 305 $ 6,339 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% .... 634 Total cost $ 6,973 Number of acres in district, 600. Average cost per acre, $11.62. Levee Disteict No. 7 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee 19,200 feet Average height 6 " Average width of bottom 30 " Ditch to be formed by levee borrow pit. Length of ditch 16,225 Average depth 5 " Average bottom width 12 " Slopes of banks 1 to 1 and 3 to 1 Grades as shown on profile. Estimate of Cost Levee — Embankment, 76,042 cu. yds. at 8c $ 6,083 Right of way (levee and ditch) , 36 acres at $30 . . . 1,080 86 Report of the loiva State Drainage Ditch- Made by borrow pit for levee. Sluiceways — 1-36" C. I. pipe 711 1-12" C. I. pipe 20 $ 7,894 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% .... 789 Total cost $ 8,683 Number of Eicres in district, 570. Average cost per acre, $15.23. Levee District No. 8 Levee and Ditch Length of Levee (located) 12,600 feet Length of Levee (not located) 14,600 " Average height of all levees 6 " Average width of bottom 30 " Ditch formed by levee borrow pit. Average depth 5 " Average bottom width 12 " Side slopes Itol and 3 to 1 Grades as shown on profile. Estimate of Cost Levee — ■ At S. line. Sec. 27, T 95 N, R 32 W. (on road). Embankment, 14,240 cu. yds. at 8c $ 1,139 No right of way to pay for. Embankment (located levee) , 55,941 cu. yds. at 8c . 4,475 Right of way, 23 acres at $30 690 Bmbankm't (unlocated levee) 42,882 cu. yds. at 8e. 3,430 Right of way, 25 acres at $30 750 Waterways and Conservation Commission 87 Ditches — Existing ditch and borrow pit. Sluiceways — 1-12" sluice, sta. 80 of located line 120 1 concrete culvert, 3 openings (3'x4') 1,140 $11,744 Engineering, legal, and other expenses at 10% .... 1,174 Total cost $12,918 Number of acres in district, 1,745 Average cost per acre, $7.40. SUMMARY OF COST Levees — 807,573 cubic yards embankment $ 64,604 Ditches — • 330,520 cubic yards excavation 32,821 Sluices 7,658 Right of way, 513 acres 15,390 Engineering and legal expenses at 10% 12,047 Grand total $132,520 Total mimber of acres benefited, 14,770. Average cost per acre for all districts, $8.97. MAPS AND PROFILES This report is accompanied by : (a) A map (in 2 sheets) of the west fork of the Des Moines river, showing proposed Plan of Improvements. (b) A profile of proposed levees and ditches. 88 Report of the Iowa State Drainage (c) A condensed profile of the west fork of the Des Moines river, showing present and prob- able high water line. Additional information, used in the preparation of this report, such as a list of bench-marks, and tabu- lations of earthwork and flooded areas, is on file at this oflSce and will be furnished to interested persons upon application. Waterways WATERWAYS Plate VI TiVKING SOUNDINGS UN THE DBS MOINES RIVER U. S. ARMY engineer's INVESTIGATION TRIP THE HORNET ■ JIA.T. MEIGS LAUNCH V^^HICH CARRIED A PARTY PROM DES MOINES TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENT OF IOWA RIVERS FOR NAVIGATION WITH ESPECIAL, BEFEKENCE TO THE DES MOINES BIVEE We believe it is possible to improve tbe Des Moines river for navigation, and that the cost will be reason- able in comparison with the results to accrue. The survey of this river now being made by United States army engineers has not at this date been completed. The Commission has worked in harmony with these men during the months they have been at work, and is under obligations for much information. This information leads us to the conclusion above stated. The importance of the improvement and use of the Des Moines river, as an avenue of commerce, needs no argument. Extending from the southeastern corner of the state in a diagonal direction northwest to Minnesota, it is easily accessible by our shippers for the moving of heavy freight. The state and fed- eral governments, both rich beyond measure, could well afford to assist in deepening, widening, and improving the channel of the Des Moines river. This work would be advantageous to the business inter- ests of Iowa, and when with its use as a means of transportation is connected the power that could be developed for commercial purposes, the results and benefits to be achieved are beyond estimate. 92 Report of the Iowa State Drainage There are eighteen counties in the Des Moines river valley which produce annually an immense ton- nage, all of which would be directly benefited. These counties produce annually more than 45,000,000 bushels of com, 14,000,000 to 20,000,000 bushels of oats, a large amount of wheat, barley, and rye. Ten of these counties usually produce about 6,000,000 tons of coal. There is located at Des Moines one of the largest cement plants in the country; another one has been proposed at Harvey, Iowa. No doubt these plants would be benefited by a cheap water-transpor- tation route. The Des Moines valley is filled with undeveloped coal measures and great beds of clay and shale. If we had the advantages of cheap water-transporta- tion, coupled with cheap power, for the development of these splendid resources, no one could predict their future value to the state. Their development would, in time, build up great industries in these lines, giving employment to both capital and labor. In Polk, Dal- las, Marion, and Wapello counties, all within easy access of the Des Moines river, there is shipped an- nually about 10,000 cars of clay pipe and tile pro- ducts. Des Moines alone pays annually a toll of more than $6,000,000 to the railroads for freight charges, Ottumwa some $2,000,000 or $3,000,000 and other cities in the Des Moines valley in proportion. Accepting as approximately correct the statement that the population of the United States is 90,000,000, and estimating that for each period of ten years the Waterways a/nd Conservation Commission 93 population will increase 20 per cent, we should have in 1960 almost 225,000,000 people in this country. We certainly have a right to expect that there are many people living today, who will be living in 1960. The improvement of our rivers should be made for three purposes : the development of water power, the protection and reclamation of over-flow lands, and the transporting of tonnage wherever it is found feas- ible. We believe that the data which will later be made available by the United States army engineers, now working on the Des Moines river, will show that it is feasible and practical to improve the river for navigation, and that the cost will be within reason when the results which we may expect to follow are valued at their true worth. The Des Moines river, within the memory of a number of people now living, was considered navigable, and carried steamers in past years. That stream is said to carry as large a volume of water as a number of the rivers of Europe that are devoted to transportation purposes. There is this fact to be borne in mind, however ; the Iowa of today is, in comparison with a number of regions in Europe, thinly populated. But it has been pointed out by the eminent capitalist, James J. Hill, in his addresses before waterways conventions, that the volume of freight to be moved in this country is in- creasing faster than the capacity of the railroads is being increased to handle it ; that the population of this country is increasing at a rate which will un- doubtedly, within the life-time of individuals now 94 Report of the Iowa State Drainage living, give us twice as many citizens as we now have. Therefore, it does not seem sufficient to look upon the interior waterways of Iowa from the view-point of the relatively sparse population of today; undenia^ bly the time is not far distant when Iowa will have large cities ; when Iowa will be a great deal more of a manufacturing state than it is at the present time ; when it will need to supplement its coal resources with its water power, and use its waterways as the complements to its railroad routes. Eegarding the effect of water competition on transportation rates, we quote freely from the Interstate Commerce Com- mission. The following quotations from this source show that the effect upon transportation rates of ex- isting water routes is by no means limited to the places located upon the navigable water. (See il- lustration facing page 98). In Indianapolis Freight Bureau vs. Cleveland, Cin- cinnati, Chicago S St. Louis Railway Company, et al, the Commission said under date of May 3, 1909 : The St. Louis-St. Paul rates apply from Illinois ter- ritory intermediate between East St. Louis and Alta- mont, on the Vandalia road, thence north via the Chicago & Eastern Illinois (hereinafter designated as the "G. & E. I.") to Sullivan, thence to Danville, and northwardly to and including Hoopeston; also from the territory lying east of Altamont, Sullivan, and Danville to the Indiana-Illinois state line ; from stations on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis railroad (hereinafter designated as the "Big Four" road). East St. Louis to Waterways and Conservation Commission 95 Windsor, inclusive, and from Vandalia stations. East St. Louis to Vandalia, inclusive. The C. & E. I. applies the St. Louis rates from Dan- ville to St. Paul and Minneapolis because Danville is intermediate via its rails between St. Louis and Chicago. The Big Four also has a line extending from Indianapolis to Peoria through Danville, and competes with the C. & E. I. from that place, so that it was necessary for the Big Pour to publish rates from Danville on the St. Louis basis. This condition affects rates from points on the St. Louis Division of the Big Four (extending from East St. Louis to Indianapolis) as far east as Windsor, which is the crossing of the Wabash, and also from points on the Peoria Division (extending from Peoria to Indianapolis) as far east as Danville; also the Chicago Division (ex- tending from Indianapolis to Chicago) as far east as Sheldon, 111. From territory on the western portion of the Peoria Division (extending from Peoria to Indian- apolis) Chicago rates are applied; also between Kanka- kee and Seneca at junction point where competitive rates are to be met. The St. Louis Division of the Big Four is north of the Vandalia at Windsor and the St. Louis-St. Paul rate applies on the Vandalia as far east as Effingham. The Wabash connects with the Vandalia at Altamont, 15 miles west of EfSngham. Thus the application of the St. Louis rate is brought about by reason of the fact that the Vandalia, in connection with the Illinois Central, has a route from St. Louis to Chicago via Effingham. From territory east of Windsor, on the Big Four iu Illinois, and on the Cairo Division of the Big Four (ex- tending from Danville to Cairo) a somewhat higher basis 96 Report of the Iowa State Drainage of rates to St. Paul and Minneapolis applies than from St. Louis rate points. The Illinois Central is the prin- cipal competing line in this territory. In order, there- fore, for the Big Four to participate in this traffic from southern and southeastern Illinois territory, it is neces- sary to publish relative rates with those established by the Illinois Central. Defendants contend that lower through rates from eastern Illinois than from western Indiana territory are likewise forced by competitiTe conditions. The C. B. & Q. operates a through line from St. Louis to St. Paul, and is therefore in a position to establish lower rates than its competitors which operate by indirect routes and which must divide the through rate with their connections. Thus, the Illinois Central, Chicago & Alton, Wabash, and Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis are forced to meet the rate established by the C, B. & Q. from St. Louis to St. Paul and must accord a relative basis to intermediate points. The boundary line made by the easternmost road engag- ing in this traffic prescribes the territory taking the St. Louis rates. Thus, the C. & E. I., operating between southwestern Missouri River territory and Chicago via St. Louis, has forced down the rates from intermediate stations in eastern Illinois. There are four roads lead- ing from St. Louis and Chicago and embracing the terri- tory between the Chicago & Alton on the west and the C. & E. I. on the east. All of this intermediate territory traversed by many branches connecting with their main lines between Chicago and St. Louis must necessarily be accorded rates relatively adjusted with those applying from St. Louis and Chicago. This condition does not prevail in the Indiana territory. Missing Page 98 Report of the Iowa State Drainage You will notice, strictly speaking, that where there is an agreement real competition is non-existent. But there remains what is called potential competi- tion. The rates between St. Louis and St. Paul are, on the basis of first class, 63c per 100 lbs. The short line service by rail between these cities is 575 miles. You will notice that this rate is only 3c per 100 lbs. higher than the 60 cent rate which is the local tariff charged between Hannibal, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., a haul of only a 199 miles. There is no direct line of boats plying between Hannibal and Kansas City. The 60 cent rate for the 199 miles between Hannibal and Kansas City is 6 cents per ton per mile. The 63 cent rate for the 575 miles between St. Louis and St. Paul is the equivalent of a trifle less than 22 mills per ton per mile. Years ago there was a more or less regular packet- service between St. Louis, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., and even so far north as Omaha, Nebraska. This service was discontinued, and today the class-rates applying between the Mississippi river cities on the one hand, and the Missouri river cities on the other are at the highest level they have reached in a period of more than twenty years. (Map p. opposite). The merchants of Kansas City are again turning their eyes to the Missouri river as a regulative instru- mentality, and are planning to put steamers again on the river in service below Kansas City. In this connection it is worthy of note that the In- terstate Commerce Commission mentioned with ref- WATERWAYS Plate VII Oi;\6R^n Or Ri\Tt ^jjiumcKT- WtsTtBH Trunk b«tTorifiT«r: This diagram is primarily intended to illustrate what may be called the "frame-work" of the rate adjustment, or competitive rate-corelationship ap- plying; between the principal basing points in the "Western Trunk Line Terri- tory. These rates are not the result of either the Iowa Commission Freight Rate Distance Schedule or of the corresponding Missouri schedule; notice; (a) The Western Trunk Line Committee river-to-river scale operati\'e December 20, 1887, was: Class — 12 3 4 5 A B C D B Rate— 55 4U 30 25 20 221/2 171/2 15 12% 11 (b) Said rates antedated the Iowa Commissioners schedule, which became operative in 1S89. (c) Thev antedated the Missouri Commissioners' schedule which became operative in 1904. Waterways and Conservation Commission 99 erence to the rates between St. Louis and St. Paul that between said cities the Diamond Joe line oper- ates through boats. The Commission further said : ''There has, however, been no keen competition in late years between the C, B. & Q. and the Diamond Joe line because of an agreement entered into be- tween them looking to participate in through traffic upon an agreed schedule of rates." But it is signifi- cant that even with this shackling of competition, this real absence of competition on this river, along the Mississippi river, where the boats remain in service, the rates are upon a basis which is a mere fraction of the exactions borne by the Missouri river cities, Kan- sas City being mentioned as typical. It is interesting, however, to notice that the first- class rate named by the Interstate Commerce Com- mission as the tariff of the Diamond Joe line between St. Louis and St. Paul is 40 cents per 100 pounds, which is exactly the rate that the Commission's records show was the first-class rate of the all -rail lines effective in the summer of 1886, practically a year back of the date on which the Interstate Com- merce Law became effective. In summing up, our conclusions are that the lessons to be learned from a study of this Western Trunk Line Committee rate- adjustment, which has been quite at length presented by the Interstate Commerce Commission so far as the Mississippi river is concerned, are : (1) The fact that there is open to all a transpor- tation right of way, is potentially important. It is 100 Report of the Iowa State Drainage shown that notwithstanding the joining of hands be- tween the Diamond Joe line and the all-rail routes ; (a) The all-rail rates are, in round figures, 50 per cent higher than is charged by the Diamond Joe line. (b) The rates of the Diamond Joe line, while un- doubtedly much higher than they were in the old days which preceded the understanding between the rail and water carriers, are no higher to-day than the railroads are shown to have been charging in the days of unrestricted competition prior to the Inter- state Commerce Law. (2) The wiping out of the packet lines on the Missouri river undoubtedly was one reason for the waning of interest in the maintenance of the naviga- bility of the Missouri river, and with navigation on the river becoming increasingly perilous, the poten- tiality of the Missouri river as a transportation right of way and a regulator of transportation charges became more and more shadowy, the logical sequence being that the all-rail rates now paid by the Missouri river cities are, on class-rated traffic, at the highest level they have ever reached, and are entirely dispro- portionate as compared with the rates between St. Louis and St. Paul, which we may say were policed by the more dependable transportation route right of way on the Mississippi river. The survey of the Des Moines river by United States army engineers is the result of requests by the commercial and other organizations of the state Waterways and Conservation Commission 101 of Iowa, asking for an appropriation for this pur- pose. Their action shows conclusively that our peo- ple are interested in the project, and will not be sat- isfied until this matter has been settled either on the assumption that the scheme of river improvement for transportation is impractical, or that the cost is prohibitive, or, on the other hand, that the improve- ment will be pushed to completion within a reason- able time. As a further evidence of the interest that is taken in the project of river-improvement for the Des Moines, we submit the following letter from ithie Iowa State Manufacturers Association. This asso- ciation took an active part in the effort which was made to procure help from Congress to make the survey of the Des Moines. A letter from the Luthe Hardware Company, and one from the Capitol Hill Granite & Marble Works, bearing on the question of the use of the river for the carrying of freight, is also submitted: Iowa State Manufacturers Association Des Moines, Iowa, November 7, 1910. Mr. A. C. Miller, Chairman Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conservation Commission Des Moines, Iowa Dear Sir : At the present day the waters that fall upon the state of Iowa and escape again to the sea which gave them, go when and where gravitation draws them, the same as they did when the wild red man skulked across the lone- 102 Report of the Iowa State Drainage some waste not then called Iowa. The coming of the white man here has changed the use of the soil but not so the waters of Iowa. The broad river-beds made by the rush of spring freshets spread out the scantier waters of summer so that all use is lost, useless as in the state of nature 1,000 years ago, as if enlightened man had never visited the land. The waters of Iowa are not less eager to be redeemed from waste than was the soil of Iowa. Four feet of water falls annually upon our surface; a gradual slope of 700 feet from northwest to southeast pours it gently into the Mississippi. As it runs away it wastes an enor- mous power to turn wheels and float cargoes of merchan- dise, a cheap power of which we stand greatly in need; for the power of coal we now use is costly. The cost of the power of falling water is simply the cost of the harness in which it works. We have been so rich and prosperous with the almost tropical response of our virgin soil to our desultory culti- vation that in all things we have accepted the cut-and- dried means and methods of our inheritance with an almost tropical indolence instead of seeking to develop on a basis of scientific economy the powers and resources around us. Our rivers that overflow with destructive violence iu spring and shrink to a narrow ribbon in sum- mer and fall, are a standing reproach to our intelligence as a people ; for keener-witted people in other lands have abundantly proved what such waters can do. From sheer indolence to stretch forth the hand, we stand by and see wasted the things we sorely need and have the means to save. WATERWAYS Plate VIII PORTIONS OF FORMER GOVERNMENT LOCKS AT BONAPARTE LOCK WALL AT BONAPARTE Waterways and Conservation Commission 103 The men of Germany, Austria, Prance, and England have proved two things about these waters : First, they can be held back and only allowed to flow WHEN man needs them. Second, they can be directed to go WHERE man needs them along their courses. The wheels of factories will turn where they can be turned most cheaply, and there is no power so cheap as that of falling water. The water that turns the factory wheels will float to the factory its material to work upon at the cheapest transportation cost of any method known to man. See then what we waste. We who need factories more than we need anything else in the material world, to build us into a great modern state with population, occupation and wealth, having at hand, by actual scientific demon- stration, the means to satisfy our greatest need, have been idling in a fool's paradise, seeing many of our most enterprising citizens seek the association of communities more awake and alert, and our accumulated wealth drawn away to buUd up and enrich other states. Manufacturing industries alone build cities and raise the plane of their enlightenment. Populous and enlightened cities furnish the market for the products of the farms. If the rivers of Iowa have in them the power to draw to their shores factories that grow into great industrial cities, dare we, as a state, let one more year go by with- out setting our faces loftily and sternly, like modem men, towards saving and using that power ? Very truly yours, (signed) G. A. Wbightman, Secretary. 104 Report of the loiva State Drainage Luthe Hardware Co. Wholesale Hardware Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 9, 1910. A. C. Miller, Chairman Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conservation Commission Des Moines, Iowa My dear Sir : We are very much gratified to observe the progress which the Commission is making in respect to the pro- ject of making a navigable stream of the Des Moines river. From an economical point of view, water transportation to our city by way of the Des Moines river will have very much to do with the development of all jobbing and man- ufacturing enterprises which are and will be located here. The cheapening of rates through competition between rail and water is but a single phase of the proposition when considered in its commercial aspect. Quite as important a consideration wiU be the relief which will be afforded the movement of freight during the months of the year which are characterized by great activity, when congestion results and serious delays in deliveries attend. Such de- lays are always expensive to both shipper and receiver. A water route will insure us against such congestion, and will in consequence promote rather than retard the average length of time which shipments require in transit ; that is the average time required on the total shipments which belong to a season. The great bulk of our tonnage originates along the Ohio and its tributary navigable stream, and our great inter- est in the development and completion of a waterway Waterways and Conservation Commission 105 system lies in the immediate and substantial use we could make of such a route when once completed. The steel and iron products which come into Des Moines annually can be counted by the thousand car-lots, and it is reasonable to calculate that a significant per- centage of these deliveries w^ould be made by our water route. Very truly yours, LuTHB Hardware Co. (Signed) F. H. Luthb, President. Capitol Hill Granite & Marble Works Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 18, 1910. A. C. Miller, Chairman Iowa State Drainage, Waterways & Conservation Commission Dear Sir: Being directly interested in the freight proposition, and feeling from a manufacturer's stand-point, that we are at considerable disadvantage in being located remote from the quarries, we sincerely hope you will meet with success in your efforts to bring relief to the greatest commercial need of the middle west, at this time. Granite in the finished state, after it is cut and polished, weighs 180 lbs. per cu. ft., whereas granite when quarried, weighs from 250 to 300 lbs. per cu. ft., thereby causing us to pay excessive freight rate on a dead weight of from 70 to 100 lbs. per cu. ft. This condition does not give the granite manufacturer, located as we are in the cen- tral states, an equal show with the manufacturer located at the quarries, when figuring on building material, which is one of the profitable liaes of our business. With the Des Moines river made navigable to this point. 106 Report of the Iowa State Drainage we would be able to ship the granite here from the quar- ries at a low water-rate, thus sustaining only a small per- centage of loss on the excessive weight on the unfinished over the finished stone, thereby placing all manufacturers in our line and other similar lines, upon a more equitable basis with the manufacturer more favorably located. It is universally known that the railroads have a ten- dency to overlook the shipments of granite and stone, giving prestige, in rapid transit, to perishable shipments. We often find our cars sidetracked or lost, so that we are compelled to figure on two weeks to one month for our shipments to reach here, coming from Vermont, Massa- chusetts, or N. Carolina. From the above, you will see that the element of time in transit is not an important item, and would not greatly affect our shipments by water; and in practically all cases, we know what the general trade demands in the var- ious dimensions of stone used in building and monumental work, so that we could easily arrange to have our ship- ments dated ahead from time to time to take care of the general run of business. Annually, we handle approximately 100 cars of granite, ranging in weight from 40,000 lbs. to 100,000 lbs. each, and you will readily see that in this one instance, it would be a great saving, which no doubt is the case with thous- ands of other manufacturers who are handicapped with the present freight conditions. Feeling that we are only one of a large number of man- ufacturers, retailers and consumers who would be directly interested in the accomplishment of your project, and wishing you every success, we are, Respectfully, Capitol Hill Gtranite & Marble Wks. (Signed) per P. B. Shebipp. Waterways and Conservation Commission 107 We feel confident that the final results of the in- vestigation by the federal government will show that it is possible to improve the Des Moines river and make of it a navigable stream, and this without re- sorting to the construction of storage reservoirs for the control and conservation of flood waters. The government, therefore, is not likely to look with favor on an expenditure for storage basins simply with a view to increasing the availability of the water-pow- er. The value of the water-power on the Des Moines river will depend largely on the amount of water that it is possible to store in basins or reservoirs situated along the upper portion of that stream. The cost of such improvements would justly have to be returned from the r-evenue derived from the sale of water- power. It would manifestly be a departure from estab- lished precedent for the United States to undertake a project which had for its purpose the development of water-power, and it seems clear that this would be a legitimate field for the state itself. But the state could not be expected to pay for the construction of storage reservoirs unless provision were made where- by a suitable return accrues to the state for the ex- penditure. Therefore, the state should own and con- trol all water-power that might be developed at the government dams between Des Moines and Keokuk, as well as that that might be developed in the river above Des Moines. With reference to the relation of the state and 108 Report of the Iowa State Drainage federal government to the improvement of the Des Moines, or other rivers, and the water-power sites situated thereon, this Commission holds that the state should contribute toward the cost of the land, ease- ments, and flowage rights, that are required for the full improvement of the stream on condition that the United States government make all necessary im- provements, build aU locks and dams, operate them, and keep the river in repair, and on the further con- dition that the state be vested with all rights pertain- ing to the water-power which may be developed as a result of the improvements referred to. The Commission is of the firm conviction that this is the logical, practical, and business-like way to handle this project. The state would then have un- der its control all water-power developed the entire length of the Des Moines river, as well as whatever water-power might come under its control in other sections of the state. The Commission recommends that our representa- tives in Congress urge an appropriation for the pur- pose of removing obstructions and for instituting through proper officers proceedings to determine the legal navigability of the river at as early a date as possible, in furtherance of the great project which means so much to the business interests of the whole state of Iowa. WATERWAYS Plate IX OLD MILL. AND LOCK WALL AT KEOSAUQUA OLD GOVERNMENT LOCK WALIj AT KEOSAUQUA WATER POWERS OF IOWA The subject of the conservation of our natural re- sources has received the attention of the thinking populace of the United States for a number of years and has, since the conference of Governors called to meet at the White House in Washington, in May, 1908, been so convincingly and forcefully presented to our people, that no one, disbeliever as he may have been, can in good faith stand up and dispute the rights of its advance. Many of our people have, no doubt, thought as they have discussed conservation that it signified the saving or preserving of our re- sources. Conservation does mean that, but it carries also a much broader meaning. If we take conservation in its true sense as pre- sented to the readers of this report in ' ' Conservation of Lakes and Streams" where it is stated that con- servation means the wise use of any utility, the essen- tial idea being use, combined, however, with intelli- gence, we conclude that in order to carry out its principles we must use these resources which we wish to conserve. The diminishing of our coal fields and the conse- quent increase in the cost of coal coupled with an enormous increase in the demand for it, brings home to every citizen of this country the fact that he must 110 Report of the Iowa State Drainage conserve this natural resource and forces him to rec- ognize that if there is power in the streams of this country it should be developed and utilized, at least sufficiently to replace a part of our coal. We feel safe in predicting that at no distant date the great undeveloped power which we know to be in our streams will be harnessed to do much of the work now done by steam. In fact, it is quite generally con- ceded by those who give time and thought to such matters that water-power will in the future be the most valuable natural asset that we have and that the state which has water-power sites and an abundance of water is most fortunate and should bend its every energy toward securing for its people the benefits which would naturally accrue were these sites devel- oped and utilized before they pass into the hands of individuals and corporations. The question of our water-powers is very closely linked with that of the improvement of rivers for the control of floods, their improvement for navigation where possible, and the reclamation of over-flowed lands. In truth, the study of any one of these im- provements demands the consideration of the other two. Doubtless the people of Iowa will be greatly surprised to learn that within the borders of our own state there are great possibilities in the way of water-power and that even now there is a great number of small power developments in operation. It would probably surprise our people also, to learn that at the present time there are several projects Waterways and Conservation Commission 111 under way which consider the development of from 1,000 to 30,000 horse-power. In order that the readers of this report may appre- ciate more fully the extent of water-power develop- ments of this state at the present time, this Commis- sion has taken an actual census of the water-power plants in operation during the year 1910. There are, we find, 101 water-power plants in operation at the present time, of which 87 have reported direct to the Commission. The data obtained from these reports is presented below in Table I. Note. — The column ' ' Percent Increase ' ' in this table is an esti- mate by the plant owners of the probable increase in power which eould be had if the fluctuations of the river in question were con- trolled. 112 Report of the Iowa State Drainage 1^ o 00 EH < CM O Pm 05 Eh S B 1 !/3 M Bi ^ ft « OS W o g :^ r/3 W Q -1-3 a: s § O 0? o c o o o o , ^1 OOIOO o <£> rH (M (M Tt* i-H Phhh 03 s l5 Si o o t- cq t- o -"Uto w i-H i-H tH 1-1 rH m U o t o o o o i« in o o in 00 o in irt ■* rjH CO CO CO W ft (M T-HTtH !M QD i~-^ CU 0) in N > Pi rt o Eh s Moinei tland imboldt kota Cit 3 City nora O o OJ p £ cS S c^ S'O Pi eS ■*3 8 P W K P !» fL, o; o) h^ d PI fl d .^ .rH .r^ CO O O O S Pi d lot a> s Moine Des M Des M Des M ccoon ccoon §isi p^^pq(|llf|^"a2!>2 WATERWAYS Plate X PORTION OF OLD GOVERNMENT LOCK AND DAM AT KEOSAUQUA Waterways and Conservation Commission 113 +3 -l CO Ci t- tH t- t- t- O CD Oi 00 i-l T-H iH iH Horse- power OOOOOOOIOOD OOOOOOOIOOOOIO oooot-oDosioeo ■<* o Waterways and Conservation Commission 115 if a) W ft A ^ Pi w 'Site * ^ o o PI ,M^ pi O PI rid pl pfCC *^ . V i ■IJ c. d tc S es o a> o , f^ ira ;-i « ."" Pi CMtin TJ rt ;^ (» CO rH n O CO IM ^ i-H H ft T— i 02 g d « $S O O Irt o © iffl o , u o o t- o O t-(N ■* tH (M T-l PLi^q a! ;^;:?J (1/ 00 O -^ C5 00 CO «i OS t~ i-l w i-l r-l rH a> £^ ii o o o 00 o in OOOO t- I-l OO 1-1 O t- ■* lo in o .y o W ft i-l(M (M 1-1 IS ■oj (M (M CO r-l CQ (M 1-liH (N >* h P^ 03 t» 1 J 1 Ph w W) SiD-2 M M SB'S, .s .g -f^ .a .a .a ^ &D &D W) 6C ^ ^.a^g.a 3 i3 s a 3 ;3 a BBBS SSwgggg gggg § ft a s o dorado . Atkins Brmont esco gin illviUe kader &H ^ Fayette ilga ;derville aucoma pha o r-l +J ^ ^H .— 1 a^— 1 i-^ >i^^ o i <3? 13 >»>!>» I>>>^>5>1>1 HO CD a) 13 33 03 O 03 O 03 OS 03 03 ^ p^rMr^r^r^F^r^r^ bD bD^ fl ^ h ;h ;h ^ ;h M 3 |i S 3 pi !3 h i-H 1— -4 **-* crt d o o.-ti g B H ^ Eh &H Eh ^ H t>>h3Q Waterways and Conservation Commission 117 o & O O o o to r-l O < 02 ■ffi K S3 M m > M b s 0. ^ 1 W oS t3 S'^flfl fl rt hH ■^ss§ % H a © ^-^s 3 el &^ Lewis Harlan Red Oi Stenne Carson White o ■a O a c6 otna otna otna otna otaa inabotna s ;h -5 ,j2 ^ ^ ^ -« -tJ 2 (53 03 ca 03 .s r/l a a a a a'z 2 05 O! !» 00 . :z;gggg^ +3 e d » 00 , t- ^ o rH iH -''^ CI CL,fl T3 1:8 a; 00 CO K i *H Hors powc 00 I— 1 s as f^ "aS tt (M (M xn A fe ^ 0^ & > Ch « >v o 13 02 'C 6C 5lJ5 Cl rt 1=1 o l-H ;^a M IS fl ^ <1> H gt a ^ :::; ^ s J ggggggg^S X K/t •'S a, ^ n ft -c > £ fi cS 4-» p CS S h-l a m Ph i-h 13 ea W ft ^ o o 60 60 •s.g I— I f-H I— ( t—^ 60 --H o . 12; pa 120 Report of the Iowa State Drainage Table II presents the same data in a more sum- marized form. TABLE II Drainage System No. of Plants No. W'hls H. P. Waste 'n tributaries, Mississippi Eiv. Northern tributaries, Missouri Riv. Big Sioux River 47 14 2 9 15 120 21 4 18 43 6846 1084 180 Des Moines River 1295 Wapsipinicon River 2472 Totals 87 1 206 11877 From Table II, we see that the total horse- power developed in Iowa, that is, at those plants re- ported upon, is 11,877 horse-power, giving an average of about 136 horse-power per plant. Table III contains the same data as Table II except that an estimate of the horse-power of the un-reported plants is added. Hence, Table III is in reality an estimate, but since the majority of the figures presented are from accurate reports, the table must approximate very closely the absolute figures. TABLE III Drainage System No. of Plants No. Whls H. P. Weste 'n tributaries, Mississippi Riv. Northern tributaries, Missouri Riv. Big Sioux River 56 17 2 10 16 125 25 4 20 47 7316 1309 180 Des Moines River 1375 Wapsipinicon River 2777 Totals 101 221 12957 Comparing the 12,957 horse-power of this table with the total horse-power given in Table IV Waterways and Conservation Commission 121 compiled by the govemment, from the census taken in the year 1908, we notice a decrease of 4,347 horse- power. TABLE IV Drainage System No. Whls H.P. Weste'n tributaries, Mississippi Riv. Northern tributaries, Missouri Riv. Biff Sioux River 310 62 8 27 54 11754 2274 261 Des Moines River 1360 Wapsipinieon River 1655 Totals 461 17304 The fact that there has been a decrease in the last few years, particularly, the last two years, has also been impressed upon this Commission by the reports which have come in answer to requests for informa- tion in regard to power-sites. A large number of our requests have brought forth the reply that the point in question furnished a good opportunity for water- power but that a former plant had been destroyed by floods. Seldom, if ever, have the plants been shut down on account of being unprofitable. These re- ports only emphasize the fact that flood protection and water-power development must go hand in hand. In the above tables we have given a simple state- ment of facts in order to show that there is water- power in Iowa rivers and that it is being utilized to a certain extent. Let us now consider the undeveloped powers of these same rivers. In the same govem- ment report from which Table III was taken we find an estimate of the undeveloped water-powers of 122 Report of the Iowa State Drainage the United States. This estimate, so Mr. M. 0. Leighton, its author, states, is based on data obtained from the reports of the Water Resources Branch of the United States Geological Survey and from other data gathered by various government offices. Prom his estimate, we have compiled Table V which appears below showing the undeveloped water-pow- ers of Iowa. The column ' ' Maximum Horse-power' ' gives the estimated horse-power which could be de- veloped if the total fall of all the rivers under con- sideration were to be utilized, assuming that their low-water periods be compensated by the aid of storage reservoirs in the high land basins. The in- formation in the "Minimum Horse-power" column is computed from the minimum flow of the rivers under consideration. This estimate, though approx- imate, would allow one to infer that hardly 1-7 part of the power of this state has been developed to date. TABLE V Drainage System Max. II. P. Min. H. P Weste'n tributaries, Mississippi Riv. Northern tributaries, IMissouri Eiv. Des Moines River Big Sioux River Wapsipinieon River 33000 7000 194000 2800 10700 14000 5100 52300 1500 4380 Totals. 247500 77280 Following this approximation, it would be well to submit some more accurate figures for consideration. Mr. A. O. Rowse, chief of the government engineers Waterways and Conservation Commission 123 at work on the survey of the T3es Moines river this past summer, has submitted to this Commission a brief report on the water-power possibilities of the Des Moines river from Des Moines south to the mouth of the river. The gist of his report is as follows: "Between the foot of the Des Moines Electric Com- pany's dam and the mouth of the Des Moines river, there is a difference of 301 feet in the elevation of the water surface at low stage, only about 286 of which is available for water-power purposes on account of back water from the Mississippi river during its floods. The slope between the points mentioned is practically unif onn. The discharge of the river dur- ing the low stage of 1910 as determined by the U. S. engineers was found to be 650 cubic feet per second at Des Moines below the mouth of the Raccoon river, 656 cubic feet at Ottumwa and 740 cubic feet at Keo- sauqua. These discharge measurements in all jirob- ability represent the minimum discharge of the river since all low-water records have been broken during this season for this and other rivers in the vicinity. "This minimum discharge of 650 second feet fall- ing 286 feet represents energy amounting to 507,000 theoretical horse-power hours per day or 21,125 theo- retical horse-power continuously. This would amount to 28,767 horse-power on an 18 hour basis of 50,700 theoretical horse-power for ten hours service. By the use of pondage at the dam-sites, a slight in- crease in horse-power could be made use of on an 18 or 10 hour basis. Mr. Eowse suggests that there are 124 Report of the Iowa State Drainage a number of lakes in the northern part of our state, tributary to the Des Moines river, that could be con- verted into storage reservoirs to be filled from the surplus of high water and drawn from in time of scarcity to increase the minimum discharge. The lakes in the following table were examined by him to ascertain their possibilities for this purpose and ap- proximate estimates made of the storage capacity that can be develop" jd and the cost. S:^ ^ S Sl^S' _g e- a .s Name County CM o ^t5 .§§1^ CE' .Th a> =H O ^ bn q =M °^-^ . " 03 (d ftS a£ "S a an" • 3) o 51 o 2 rt S)i^ o a.a «^ Storm Lake Buena Vista 6 ft. 20,000 $20,000 Swan Lake Emmett 7 ft. 21,000 22,000 Tuttle Lake Emmet & State of Minnesota 7 ft 45,000 25,000 Silver Lake Palo Alto 6 ft. 4,000 8,000 Medium Lake Palo Alto 5 ft. 5,000 15,000 Total 95,000 $90,000 "There are many small lakes which have not been examined, some of which could probably be used as storage reservoirs however, by means of the above five reservoirs, the minimum discharge of the Des Moines river could be increased from 650 second feet to 1,180 second feet for a period of 90 days. "The records of the United States weather bureau on the stage of the river which have been kept at Des Moines since 1892, show that the period of min- WATERWAYS Plate XI 1 A TYPICAL NAVIGATION SCENE ELK ROCK BELOW CORDOVIA ON THE DES MOINES RIVER Waterways and Conservation Commission 125 imum discharge of 650 second feet has never been as long as 90 days until the summer of 1910. "If 1,180 second feet be used in the calculations in- stead of 650 second feet, we find that 38,453 theoreti- cal horse-power could be developed continuously, 51,270 on an 18 hour basis or 92,286 theoretical horse- power on a basis of 10 hour service per day." The above data, furnished by the United States engineers, is only for that section of the Des Moines river south of Des Moines. If we consider the Des Moines river from Fort Dodge to Des Moines, a sec- tion which has a much steeper slope than the lower part of the river, we shall find that the Des Moines river has still greater water-power possibilities. Without the use of the storage reservoirs mentioned in Mr. Eowse's report, it is probable that about 4,500 horse-power could easily be developed by utilizing the minimum flow. However, if we contemplate the im- provement of the river by increasing its low water flow through these reservoirs, we could more than double this horse-power making from 9,000 to 10,000 horse-power from Des Moines north to Fort Dodge. From Fort Dodge north the slope of the river is still steeper. Since the discharge of most of these reser- voirs comes into the river near the northern part of the state, the increased flow due to them could be utilized throughout the total length of the river, and would more than double the minimum flow above Des Moines. No estimate has been made as to the value of the 126 Report of the loiua State Drainage power that can be developed by the proper use and application of the supply held by these storage basins. In addition to the storage reservoirs mentioned in Mr. Eowse's report, the survey of the Des Moines river shows that there is available at Webster City a storage of 6,250 acre feet which could probably be developed at a cost of about six dollars per acre foot. No doubt other such storage basins would be dis- covered if the investigations were carried further. In fact, this Commission has investigated several such sites on the Des Moines river between Des Moines and Fort Dodge. The complete development of this river for water- power purposes would, by creating small reserv'^oirs throughout its length, have a noticeable effect upon the floods or sudden rises in the river. Leaving the discussion of the Des Moines river for the present, we find that many other rivers of the state offer good opportunity for power developments. A number of these are mentioned in Mr. Bickel's re- port on "Water- Power in North-Eastern Iowa" and there are suggestions as to power-sites in the report on the Boone Eiver Survey. There are several proposed power projects under way on the Cedar river at the present time which will, if developed, utilize a very large per cent of the power of that river. The "Moscow-Muscatine" pro- ject contemplates the development of about 30,000 horse-power. This company proposes to divert the water of the river into a tunnel near Moscow and Waterways and Conservation Commission 127 carry it to their power-house on the Mississippi near Muscatine, in this way taking the entire minimum flow from its natural course. The Iowa Traction Company at Cedar Rapids also proposes to utilize the power of this river to a large extent. This company on account of litigation over some dam-sites refuses to give for publication, any data in regard to their project except the information that they have found it practical to build a dam 14 feet in height near Vinton, Iowa, and a dam 22 feet high near Cedar Valley, Iowa; the one site being about 35 miles above Cedar Eapids and the other about 20 or 30 miles below. Using the data given in the Water Supply Papers issued by the United States Geological Survey for 1904 in regard to the discharge of the Cedar river at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we find that by using the minimmn flow of the river 763 actual horse-power could be delivered from the Vinton dam and that 1,200 actual horse-power could be delivered from the Cedar Valley dam. Since these figures are for only the minimum flow, there is no doubt but that they could be materially increased by the construction of storage reservoirs on the stream above. It is probable that the Vinton dam could be made to de- velop anywhere between 700 and 1,000 actual horse- power by utilizing such storage facilities and in all probability, 1,500 horse-power could be developed at the Cedar Valley dam, with the aid of such storage. These estimates are made on the basis of continuous operation of the plants. 128 Report of the Iowa State Drainage The citizens of Cedar Bapids also contemplate improving the river in the vicinity of their city, both for the purpose of water-power and water-supply, as well as for beautifying the river. We have no data as to the amount of power which they propose to develop, but it is safe to say that if all of these pro- jects were carried out, the Cedar river would be the most completely developed river in Iowa. A development of considerable import is contem- plated by the people of Iowa Falls with the idea in view of a municipal lighting and power plant. Many other rivers not mentioned in this report are worthy of development and will eventually be a source of great power to the people in their vicinity. We be- lieve that it is perfectly safe to conclude, after duly investigating these various projects, that Iowa can and will some time, develop her water-power re- sources until they furnish power surpassing even the estimate of Mr. Leighton. In the preceding paragraphs of this article it has been shown that the streams of Iowa have power worthy of development and that it is the duty of the people of the state to develop and utilize this power. Hydro-electric projects have not, as a general prop- osition, been great revenue producers. They are sub- ject to the same risks as any other industry and any legislation made in regard to such developments should be carefully freed of all clauses which would in any way restrict their growth. They should, on the other hand, be encouraged. Deeply interested as WATERWAYS Plate XIII A DES MOINES RIVER BRIDGE THE DES MOINES RIVEE VALLEY Waterways a/nd Conservation Commission 129 this Commission is in the advancement of these in- dustries, it does not fail to see a certain menace in the situation. Water-power is by reason of the very laws of stream flow favorable to natural monopoly. Such small developments as we have had in the past preclude the idea of a monopoly, but in this day with perfect methods of electric transmission, the aspect has changed. Consolidation is necessary but monop- oly should be prevented. In order to utilize the total power of a river the proposition must be studied and developed as a unit, and to insure economy must sooner or later be carried on in conjunction with the development of other streams. This calls for consolidation and consolida- tion is inevitable. There would be no virtue in pre- venting consolidation at the loss of economy in oper- ation and maintenance, particularly if the consumer were to be allowed the benefits of the economy. The logical conclusion is, therefore, that legislation could be enacted which would so control the development of water-powers that the consumer should pay a fair and reasonable price for power and the investor re- ceive a fair and reasonable return on his capital. The report of government engineers on the water- powers of the Des Moines river show that the power of a stream can be doubled or perhaps trebled by the use of storage reservoirs. The lakes mentioned in this report as probable reservoir sites are state lakes and in all probability any other lakes found suitable for this purpose would be state property. The appli- 130 Report of the Iowa State Drainage cation of these storage basins would affect the river as a whole and materially increase the value of each plant along the river to an amount which would war- rant their construction if all these plants were con- sidered. The cost of these storage basins would, how- ever, be prohibitive if only one or two plants were taken into consideration. Here we have a case where consolidation or state control is absolutely necessary for the complete de- velopment of the river. Even a consolidation could not in this case accomplish the results without the consent of the state for the use of its lakes. The improvement of these lakes as reservoir.s should go hand in hand with their conservation as pleasure resorts. The increasing of the dry season flow of the rivers will improve their sanitary con- dition during the summer months. The building of dams and the consequent creation of reservoirs of considerable size will have a quieting effect upou floods. A comprehensive treatment of our rivers with respect to water-power developments and other improvements can be secured only on condition that the state study these problems. We believe that Iowa can develop her water resources and furnish her people with a cheap and perpetual power and at the same time receive reasonable returns on the invest- ment. This is not a theoretical scheme, for this very plan is being carried out by several states at the pres ent time. Waterways and Conservation Commission 131 Briefly summarizing the substance of the above, we conclude that : 1 Iowa streams are capable of producing valuable power. 2 The present power developments of Iowa are but a nucleus of future developments. 3 It is the duty of the state to either so regulate the development of these powers as to encourage the growth of the industry, at the same time retaining sufficient control ovet it to insure justice for the people of the state, or to tate upon itself the problem of the improvement of our water-powers. 4 The proposition of state water-power develop- ment and the control of such industry warrants fur- ther investigation. 5 The improvement of the streams of the state for power purposes woiild accomplish the following results : (a) The beautifying of our streams. (b) The improvement of the sanitary conditions of our streams. (c) A great reduction in the number and height of destructive floods. (d) A marked increase in the industrial enter- prises of the state. (e) The creation of extensive lakes which if im- proved and made attractive would afford pleasurt; resorts for those seeking health and recreation. (f ) The conservation of our coal supply. THE BOONE RIVER; WATER POWER SURVEY INTEODUCTION In accordance with Article 3 of the Law creating the Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conserva- tion Commission, which reads as follows: "The survey of at least one representative Iowa river to ascertain the available dam-sites and the potential water-power and report the best method of proced- ure and to bring about the development of the water- powers of the state, at the same time retaining the ultimate control of the water supply of the state," the Commission at a regular meeting held on Feb- ruary 9, 1910, instructed George D. Dobson, at that time secretary and engineer for the Commission, "to make such surveys and collect such data for the Boone river as he deemed advisable to show the available water-power, expense to be kept within a reasonable limit." The object of the Commission in selecting the Boone river as "a representative Iowa stream" to be studied was : First : The Boone river is a small stream and is typical of the streams of the north-central part of the state, which facts made its investigation feasible Waterways and Conservation Commission 133 from a financial standpoint, as well as for the pur- pose of a comparison with other Iowa streams. Second : The Boone river has a remarkably good fall which is favorable for the development of water- power. Third : The fact that the Boone river once turned the wheels of six or seven (now abandoned) mills warranted the choosing of this river as an object of investigation. SURVEYS Following the instructions of the Commission, George D. Dobson begajQ the survey of the Boone river in the early spring by running a line of bench- levels along the river from a point about seven miles above Webster City in Hamilton county, to its junc- tion with the Des Moines river, a point about three miles above Stratford, in Webster county. During the latter part of May, T. L. Blank, under the orders of Mr. Dobson, investigated the upper part of the Boone river valley for reservoir sites and made a survey of one site located just above the town of Webster City. After the completion of this reservoir survey there was no work done by this Commission on the Boone river until the latter part of August, 1910, when the present secretary and engineer of the Commission began a complete topographical survey of the river from its junction with the Des Moines river to the point where the survey of the Webster City reservoir 134 Report of the Iowa State Drainage began, a distance of about 28 miles, river measure- ment. On account of the meager appropriations allowed the Commission for its work, there was very little money available for these surveys and investigations, hence, they were necessarily limited. However, as a result of the investigations made, I respectfully sub- mit the following for the consideration of the Com- mission : THE BOONE EIVEE DESCRIPTION The Boone river rises in the north-western part of Hancock county and flows in a south-easterly direc- tion to the vicinity of Webster City in Hamilton county, where its general course changes to the south and south-west to its junction with the Des Moines river at a point about three miles from Stratford but in Webster county. The total length of the river is about 98 miles by river measurement, and 65 miles by air line. It has a drainage basin above Webster City of about 820 square miles. Below Webster City, the area drained by the river is about 100 square miles, making a total of 920 square miles. This latter area was not considered in the calculations of stream flow used in this study. CHAEACTEB OF VALLEY The valley of the river throughout the territory covered by the surveys is comparatively narrow and deep, rarely exceeding one-half a mile in width, and WATERWAYS Plate XIV THE OLD TUNNEIj MILL DAM ON THE BOONE RIVEE Watenvays and Conservation Commission 135 often as narrow as 500 feet at a height of 80 or 90 feet above the river bed. The banlis of the river are in genera] about 12 to 20 feet high, backed by a second bank 4 to 10 feet high and 10 to 200 feet back from the river. The slopes of the sides of the valley are comparatively steep, varying from vertical bluffs, where native rock out- crops, to slopes of about a li/j to 1 pitch which rise to a height of from 50 to 150 feet above the river bed. The bed of the stream and the nature of the soil through which it runs are variable. The lower five or six miles of the river valley, from the junction to the vicinity of Bell Mill, is characterized by a wide flood plain and the channel is tortuous and frequently interspersed with sand and gravel bars. The soil is a rich river silt. Near the Bell Mill bridge, the character of the val- ley changes. Coal outcrops in the bluffs, and the river bed is a sort of black or blue clay. The surface of the native lime-stone is at this point about 10 feet below the bed of the river. From the Bell Mill bridge to the Tunnel Mill bridge, the river bed is clay or shale covered with sand, the depth of bed rock in this section varying from 5 to 10 feet. Coal outcrops are frequent, and though the veins are quite thin, they contain exceedingly good coal. Sandstone and limestone outcrop about one-quarter of a mile above the old Tunnel Mill dam and form the bed of the river. These outcrops are characterized 136 Report of the Iowa State Drainage in a nmnber of places by vertical bluffs in which 20 to 50 feet of Ume and sand-stone is exposed. No out- crops of native rock appear from Bone's Mill bridge to the AUbright bridge, but rock foundation is only a few feet below the bed of the river. There are low bluffs of native rock from a point a half mile below the Milliard bridge to a short distance above the Chi- cago and North-Western Eailroad bridge. From this point to the end of the survey no more outcrops ap- pear and no probings were made for foundation on account of the large number of boulders in the soil. DISCHABGE The discharge of the Boone river at various sea- sons of the year is a factor very difficult to determine and, in fact, could not be accurately computed, with- out a series of gagings and discharge measurements covering a number of years. However, during the month of August, 1910, the survey party took an ac- curate wier measurement of the discharge one-fourth of a mile below the Haskell bridge. This measure- ment shows a discharge of 12.6 second feet which, according to the testimony of people acquainted with the river and according to the most accurate data ob- tainable in regard to the run-off for the watershed of the river, is about one-third or one-half of the usual minimum discharge. Since this past season has been one in which all previous low-water records have been broken, 20 second feet could be taken as the minimum discharge upon which to base power esti- mates. Waterways and Conservation Commission 137 The maximum discharge of the river could only be obtained in a very rough way. High water cross sections were taken at several points in the river above the Milliard bridge, and the slope of the river determined. With these factors, the maximum flow was estimated by means of Kutter's formula and was found to be about 7,000 second feet. This figure is for the year 1903, during which this section of the country experienced the heaviest rainfall in many years. FLOODS The floods of the Boone river are usually veiy sudden and of short duration. This is a favorable factor for the development of water-power, since the quick passing of floods shortens the time of low head due to high water. FALL The total fall of the Boone river from the upper end of the Webster City reservoir, about eight miles above Webster City, to its junction with the Des Moines river, a point about twenty-eight miles be- low Webster City, is 133.5 feet, giving an average of 3.73 feet per mile. In some places, however, the gradient is as much as eight feet per mile, while in other sections it reduces to less than three feet per mile. The maximum fall attained at certain points is found where there is a succession of rapids as, for example, just below the AUbright bridge and about one-half mile below the Milliard bridge. 138 Report of the Iowa State Drainage The average fall of the river at various sections is shown by the following table: Fall Location Distance per Mile Mouth of River to Haskell Bridge 3.31 3.66 Haskell Bridge to Bell Mill Bridge. . . . 2.81 3.20 Bell Mill Bridge to Tunnel MiU Bridge. 4.88 3.38 T. M. Bridge to Tunnel Mill Dam 1.75 4.85 T. M. Dam to Bone's Mill Bridge 3.38 5.07 Bone's Mill Bridge to AUbright Bridge. 2.25 4.31 AUbright Bridge to MiUiard Bridge. . . 3.44 4.31 Milliard Bridge to Chase Mill Dam 4.06 2.88 Chase Mill D. to Webster Cy. Dam-site. 2.00 2.90 W 'bst 'r Cy. D.-site to N. end of Reserv'r 7.90 3.29 Total 35.78 Av. 3.73 THE WEBSTER CITY RESERVOIR Before going into the calculations, as to the power to be developed and the location of power-sites, it would be well to call attention to the results of the survey of the Webster City reservoir site. This in- vestigation has shown that an earth dam 26 feet high to the flow-line and 1,200 feet long on top, could be built just above the Chicago and North-Westem Rail- road bridge, north of Webster City, which would im- pound about 8,500 acre feet of water. The reservoir would extend about seven miles up stream and would have a superficial area of 647.5 acres when full. The cost of such a reservoir, including the expense incur- red in building the dam, installing controlling devices, WATERWAYS Plate XV A LIME STONE OUTCROP ON BOONE RIVEE TYPICAL BOONE EIVER SCENE— SURVEY PARTY IN FOREGROUND Waterivays and Conservation Commission 139 and buying lands necessary for the reservoir, would be approximately $35,000. The flow-line of this reservoir was taken at the assumed elevation of 210. If the elevation of 197.5 be taken as the lowest elevation to which the water should be drawn, the reservoir would have an avail- able capacity of 6,250 acre feet with a minimum head of 13.5 feet to be used in developing water-power. The superficial area at the 197.5 foot contour is about 375 acres, and the length of the reservoir at this elevation is approximately four miles. From 70- to 90-horse-power could be developed continu- ously at this dam. This power could be measurably increased by the use of a steam auxiliary to carry the plant through the dry season. If this reservoir were to be used for power only instead of being used to regulate the flow of the river, the horse-power de- veloped could be practically doubled. If the 6,250 acre feet of storage be applied toward increasing the dry season flow of the Boone river, it would amount to 35 second feet for 90 days on a 24 hour basis. Ninety days were assumed as the time through which the flow of the reservoir was to be dis tributed, since that number of days would easily cover the low-water period. Adding this 35 second feet to the minimum flow of the river gives a total dry-season flow of 55 second feet, which is safely the minimum flow that could be expected with the aid of this reservoir, since it would seldom be called upon to supply water to the river more than 75 days. 140 Report of the Iowa State Drainage POWER POSSIBILITIES SIZE OP PLANTS A few statements in regard to the water-power plants in operation in this state at the present time will make clear the reasons for the conclusions drawn from these studies. There are 101 power- plants in operation in the state, of which 87 have re- ported to this Commission. Of this number 60 de- velop 100 horse-power or less, with an average head of 9.6 feet, and of these, 27 develop 50 horse-power or less, under an average head of 9.5 feet. This average head would reduce to about eight feet if three plants which utilize the extraordinary heads of 20, 30, and 50 feet were left out of the calculations. We find also that the majority of the plants develop- ing over 100 horse-power are on rivers which have a minimum flow several times that of the Boone river. Hence, it seems reasonable to conclude, that in sug- gesting power projects for this river, plants of the above mentioned capacities would be the most prac- ticable, and, in fact, the only kind feasible. BASIS OF ESTIMATE In the following considerations of power projects, no attention has been paid to the question of the use to which the power would be applied, but since there always has been a use for such power, it is safe to say that it would be saleable in some form or other. In the estimates which follow, all calculations of Waterways and Conservation Commission 141 horse-power are for a theoretical horse-power, minus a 20 per cent loss, which would give approximately the power that could be delivered at the plant. On account of the large flood discharge of the river, most of the dams suggested would necessarily have long spillways, or be submerged dams. Con- crete dams would be practicable in several places on account of the presence of materials for their con- struction. Timber dams would probably have to be used in several locations where the small amount of power available would not permit of such expenditure as a concrete dam would demand.^ BELL MILL SITE The lower five miles of the river present no very good locations for dams of any size worth mention- ing, and the lack of good foundation makes dam con- struction unfavorable for this section. There is, however, a good dam-site about two miles above the old Bell Mill dam. A dam here, if made from ten to twelve feet high, would be about 150 feet long and would easily give 50 horse-power continuously, which would amount, if transformed into electrical energy, to about 900 kilowatt-hours per day. The flowage from such a dam as suggested would cause but little damage, as it would remain almost entirely within the banks of the river. The stage of the river would be affected for about three miles above the proposed dam to a point near the Tunnel Mill bridge. 1 The suggested sites for dams are shown on maps in Appendix. 142 Report of the Iowa State Drainage TUNNEL MILIi SITE The next feasible site is at the location of the old Tunnel Mill project. At this point the river makes a loop of about one and three-fourths miles to within less than 1,000 feet of its own channel. The old Tun- nel Mill project consisted of a low timber and brash dam which diverted the river into a tunnel about 450 feet long, which carried the water through the inter- vening bluff and delivered it to a mill, whence it was returned to the river at the other end of the loop by a short mill-race. Our surveys show that there is a faU of 8.6 feet ia the river around this loop, and that a 13-foot dam less than 300 feet long could easily be constructed at the point where the old timber dam was located. This dam would cause but very little overflow, and would effect the river for only about three nules up stream. There is an abundance of gravel and sand, as well as outcrops of native rock, to be found within the im- mediate vicinity of this place which could be used in the construction. Bed rock at the dam site is about four or five feet below the bed of the river. The tun- nel would not need to be over 450 feet long, and would be straight earth excavation with, perhaps, a few boulders. By the construction of this proposed dam and tun- nel, it would be possible to create a head of from 20 to 21 feet which, with the water available, would easily develop 100 horse-power on a 24-hour basis. Waterways and Conservation Commission 143 equal in electrical energy to 1,800 kilowatt-hours per day. bone's mill site The next point where a good head could be created, is immediately below the site of the old Bone's Mill dam. It would be possible here to construct a dam 20 to 22 feet high, which would not exceed 200 feet in length. There would be some little flowage damages, due to the effect of the dam during the floods unless large flood gates were installed. The back-water would reach about four and one-half miles up stream. Eock foundation is about four feet below the river bed at this point. There is an abundant supply of sand, gravel, and native rock in the near vicinity. Assuming that a head of 22 feet could be obtained, the plant would develop about 120 horse-power con- tinuously, which, when transformed into electrical energy, would be equal to 2,148 kilowatt-hours. MILLIAED BBIDGE SITE Between the limits of the reservoir created by the Bone's Mill dam and the Webster City reservoir site, there is but one point favorable for the construction of a dam. About one-half mile below the Milliard bridge, a dam could be constructed fourteen feet high and 150 feet long very reasonably. There is a good foundation here, and rock outcrops in the banks. Sand and gravel are also easily obtainable. There would be some flowage damages in high 144 Report of the Iowa State Drainage water, due to this dam, but the most of this could be remedied if the dam were supplied with sluice-gates of a large size. This dam should develop 70 horse- power on a 24-hour basis, equal to 1,250 kilowatt- hours in electrical energy. CONCLUSION The investigations on the Boone river lead to the following conclusions : 1. The minimum flow of the Boone river is too small to warrant the development of the water- power except by the use of large storage-reservoirs. 2. The proposed Webster City reservoir, if con- structed either for a power-site and a pleasure-resort for Webster City, or for the treble purpose of a pow- er-site, a pleasure-resort, and for regulating the dry season flow of this stream for the improvement of other power-plants below, would be practicable. 3. It is probable that a further investigation of the river would result in bringing to light more such reservoir sites. Wall lake and Owl lake, east and west respectively, suggest themselves as promising fields for further investigation and are likely to af- ford sites for satisfactory storage. 4. The Boone river valley abounds in good sites for small power projects which could be profitably constructed by the aid of the Webster City reservoir. 5. The addition of other storage-reservoirs, or the use of steam auxiliaries would materially in- crease the horse-power and the value of these plants. 6. With the exception of the Webster City reser- WATERWAYS Plate XVI PIEST DAM OF THE UPPER IOWA PO'WTDR COMPANY SHOWING COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OP POWER HOUSE AND DAM NEW DAM OP UPPER IOWA POWER COMPANY LOOKING EAST Waterways and Conservation Commission 145 voir, the power sites of the Boone river are impracti- cable without the study and development of the river as a whole. 7. Bottom lands along the Boone river in the part referred to above are not extensive, yet there are some. These are now subject to constant destructive erosion. Of course, much of this waste would cease with the control proposed for this lawless stream. Eespectfully, L. V. HiTES, Secretary WATER POWERS OF NORTHEASTERN IOWA UPPER IOWA OR ONEOTA RIVER Territory: The Upper Iowa or Oneota river flows in an easterly direction through the non-glacial region of Winneshiek and Allamakee Connties. Minimum flow: The minimum flow during the past summer was about 100 cubic feet per second. Slope of stream : The average slope of the bed of the stream, in portions worthy of development, is from five to eight feet per mile. Power available: The power available continu- ously at the switchboard, in case of complete develop- ment, would be about 765 kilowatts during months of very low water. The average power available con- tinuously would be near 1,000 kilowatts. Peak loads of 3,000 kilowatts could be taken with ease. Floods: The floods, while terrific, are of very short duration, the peak often passing in less than five hours. On June 20th, 1908, there occurred a rise of 17 feet in less than an hour. The most disastrous floods are due to local storms. Dam^sites : A number of sites for low-head devel- opments can be had above Decorah, but possibly no sites of commercial importance can be found above that of the first power dam of the Upper Iowa Power Company, eight miles east of that city. The head at Waterways and Conservation Commission 147 this dam was 25 feet. The power-plant which was constructed at this point during 1906 and 1907, failed in March, 1907, before electric service had begun. Failure was due to undermining. Total loss esti- mated at $70,000. The new power-dam of the Upper Iowa Power Com- pany is located about 12 miles east of Decorah. It has solid rock foundation and banks. The present head is 25 feet. The owners contemplate increasing this to 27 feet the coming year by the addition of flashboards. The principal dimensions are : power- house 44x48 feet long, spillway 52 feet long, Tainter- gate section 65 feet long (five gates 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep), retaining wall 75 feet long and by-pass 85 feet long. The present hydro-electric equipment consists of one pair of 33-inch S. Morgan Smith horizontal tur- bines, with central discharge case, set in open pen- stock, and direct-connected to a 300 kilowatt Stanley alternator (three phase, 60 cycle, 6,600 volts), making 225 revolutions per minute. At this time, two 40-inch Leffel single turbines, mounted on one shaft, with quarter-turn discharge and direct connected to a 600 Idlowatt General Elec- tric Company alternator are being installed. Space for this unit was arranged during the construction of the dam. At this time, the operating voltage is 6,600, taken direct from the generator. Provision is being made to step up to 13,200 volts on the "Waukon and Post- 148 Report of the Iowa State Drainage ville lines. All transmission lines are built for a working voltage of 15,000. Transmission lines run from the dam to Decorah, twelve mUes, to Waukon, twelve miles, and to Post- ville, twenty miles, serving a territory of 10,000 pop- ulation. Power and light are furnished to most of the industries as well as a number of the farms along the lines. The construction of the dam was begun in May, 1908, and it was completed in March, 1909. Service was begun in April, 1909, and until November 1, 1910, not a single pound of coal was burned under the boilers in the auxiliary plants at Waukon and Decor- ah. Notwithstanding the fact that the machinery had been through the wreck of the first dam, there were no interruptions of service longer than two hours, and these were due to lightning. The storage pond of over 200 acres conserved the flow sufficiently to tide over several months of very dry weather. The steam auxiliaries are now being operated from mid- night till noon, allowing the pond to gradually fill to a more efficient head. The plans and specifications for the hydro-electric plant were prepared by the Arnold Company of Chi- cago (Mr. W. H. Eosecrans being chief engineer of the hydro-electric department at that time). The contract for the construction of the dam was let to Eich and Carlson of Chicago. Mr. W. H. Burtis, president of the Upper Iowa Power Company, in- stalled the machinery and built the transmission WATERWAYS Plate XVII UP STREAM VIEW OP POWER HOUSE TJPPEK IOWA POWER COMPANY S DAM DOWN STREAM VIEW OF TAINTER GATES UPPER IOWA POWER COMPANY S DAM Waterways and Conservation Commission 149 lines. Mr. W. F. Bickel was engineer in charge of construction. The Upper Iowa Power Company is capitalized as follows : Preferred stock $ 75,000.00 Common stock 150,000.00 First Mortgage Bonds 125,000.00 The entire loss due to the failure of the first dam is carried in the present stock issue. Earnings for the year 1909, which was the first year of operation, were as follows : Gross earnings $ 34,484.71 Operating expenses, including taxes, maintenance and doubtful accounts charged off 13,127.93 Net earnings $ 21,356.78 Interest on First Mortgage Bond issue. . . 7,500.00 Balance $ 13,856.78 This hydro-electric development of the Upper Iowa Power Company is without doubt the most com- plete in the state. Great credit is due to the officers of the company : Mr. "W. H. Burtis, Pres., Mr. Ralph M. Burtis, Vice Pres., and Mr. M. S. Howard, Sec. and Treas., for reorganizing and completing a pro- ject which had such an unfortunate beginning. It might be well to mention at this point that the construction of this dam has had much to do with the recent rise of real-estate in the vicinity, and with the 150 Report of the Iowa State Drainage development of several local industries which were in need of cheap power. Other Sites: Without doubt, there are several sites below those above described which are worthy of development. However, there is little chance of securing a rock foundation. Conclusion: The Upper Iowa or Oneota river, while a small stream, is of considerable commercial importance. The development above described proves that a high head and large storage pond go a long way in making up for the lack of water. The Upper Iowa Power Company will without doubt use every possible means to develop the power in a sys- tematic manner. THE TURKEY EIVEE Territory: The Turkey Eiver flows in a south- easterly direction, through Howard, Chickasaw, Win- neshiek, Fayette and Clayton counties. The portion worthy of development lies wholly within Clayton county between Elgin and Elkport. Slope of stream : The average slope of the bed of the river, between Elgin and Elkport is from three to five feet per mile being less at the lower end. Power available: The power available continu- ously at the switchboard in case of complete develop- ment, would be about 1,000 kilowatts during months of very low water. The average power available con- tinuously would be near 1,500 kilowatts. Peak loads of 5,000 kilowatts could be taken with ease. Waterways and Conservation Commission 151 Floods : The floods, fierce while they last, are not as bad as those on the Upper Iowa or Oneota river. The highest known was about twelve feet high and had a velocity of about eight miles per hour. Banks : In general, the banks of the Turkey river are steep and high, the river often running several miles along perpendicular rock cliffs. The bottom lands are comparatively narrow and formed of black silt. Sites for Dams: Above the town of Clermont, there are a number of sites that are desirable for mills. Heads as high as twelve feet might be found, but as the volume of the stream is small, this part of the river is hardly worth considering. At Clermont, a new dam has recently been built by C. Miller & Sons. This development furnishes power to Elgin, Castalia, Ossian, Calmar, and Clermont. Another site near Elgin is owned by the same parties. If, in the future, this site is developed, power will possibly be furnished to West Union. From several miles above Elkader, to Elkport, there are a number of desirable dam sites having rock foundations and banks. It would be possible, in case of complete development, to have four dams in a line, having heads from 18 to 35 feet. The Elkader Mill, owned by Schmidt Bros. & Co., is the only develop- ment in operating condition. The dam at this point is made of timber and is about ten feet high. It fur- nishes power for operating a grist mill as well as for lighting the city of Elkader. 152 Report of the loiva State Drainage Six miles east of Elkader, is the site of the old Motor Mill. The ten foot dam is entirely de- stroyed but the building remains and is in excellent condition. A dam over eighteen feet high at this point would probably endanger the Chicago, Min- neapolis & St. Paul Eailroad in case of floods. A better site below is available, and in connection with that at Motor would furnish a head of about 35 feet. Market : A population of over 25,000 inhabitants within a radius of less than thirty miles of Elkader can be reached and supplied from the development of this river. The surrounding country is by far the richest and most prosperous in the state. The writer has made careful examination of the possible indus- tries in the vicinity and there is a chance of making a number of fine investments. Conclusion : The Turkey river affords better op- portunities for systematic development than any other stream in the state. Land is comparatively cheap so that large storage ponds can be secured. Good foundations and banks make it practical to build high dams. Sand and rock are available. Bridges and railroads are above danger points. Few roads would have to be reconstructed. The market is ample, the country is wealthy, and the complete development of this stream is worthy of consider- ation. MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENTS Maquoketa River: This river does not offer op- portunities for systematic development owing to the Waterways and Conservation Commission 153 fact that there are very few sites for large reservoirs and high dams. Rock foundations and banks are not to be found. There is a possibility of one high dam near Delhi and another below Monticello. The plants at Manchester, Monticello, and Maquoketa do not have high heads and consequently do not have large storage ponds. The new plant at Monticello is inter- esting because of the use of a producer gas engine as an auxiliary. The head at this point is about nine feet. There are rumors to the effect that a new dam will be built at Maquoketa during the coming year. Wapsipinicon River : This river, like the Maquo- keta, does not oflFer the combination of high heads and good foundations. The minimum flow of the stream this season was very small. Land is very val- uable and the bottoms are quite wide. The recent developments on this stream have been made at Inde- pendence, Anamosa, and Oxford Mills. The first has a head of 11% feet and the other two, eight feet. The Anamosa and Oxford Mills plants are both owned by the same corporation and it is developing the sur- rounding country in a systematic manner, by con- necting the two plants through two sets of transmis- sion lines over two routes. The corporation owning the power at Independence also owns the site at Littleton which has a head of about 12 feet. If all the sites between Littleton and Anamosa were carefully developed, the minimum flow of the stream would be at least doubled. 154 Report of the Iowa State Drainage THE CEDAR RIVER The Cedar river offers good opportunities for sys- tematic development. It has its source in the lake region of southern Minnesota and at its upper end are a number of branches which cover a verj^ wide basin. Each one of these branches has a nxunber of sites for small developments. The existing mills and power plants have dams with low heads but it would be possible to raise most of these dams so that the storage capacity of the ponds would be increased al- most three times. In case of complete developments of the powers on this river, the minimmn flow at Cedar Rapids should be nearly double what it is at this time. There have been no important improvements made on the Cedar river in recent years. As a matter of fact the developments are exceedingly crude. The plant at Waverly is perhaps the best. The drainage area of the Cedar river at Cedar Rapids is about 6,300 square miles. During the years 1903, 1904 and 1905, the government maintained a station at this point for recording the discharge of the stream. The lowest discharge recorded was in October, 1904. At that time the discharge was 600 cubic feet per second. No records have ever been made covering the months of December, January and February owing to the fact that the ice inter- fered. During ordinary years, the minimum flow is pos- sibly a little less than 1,000 cubic feet per second. WATEEWAYS Plate XVIII ■B^l^^^^ta^tfS ^^' ™ 1^ ^^jUp^ ■ '^ 'S^K HP^ " ■?-^&^"^ ■ *^*^ THE BLKADER MILL THE MOTOR MILL Waterways and Conservation Commission 155 The average flow per month has been near 1,500 cubic feet per second. If a nine foot dam were built at Cedar Eapids, it would probably be possible to obtain at the switch- board, during low water months, about 12,000 kilo- watt-hours per day, provided the load could be taken without fluctuations. This condition would be al- most ideal, and is possible in connection with some of the large users of power in the near vicinity. If two dams of equal height could be built, that combination would be worth almost three times that of a one dam development. With two dams it would be possible to market near 20,000 kilowatt-hours per day, and nearly double that amount if the stream is improved. If this current were sold at the extreme low price of one cent per kilowatt-hour, the revenue would be between $200 and $400 per day. If proper arrange- ment could be made to take the load, there is no doubt but that a water-power development at this point would be successful from a financial standpoint. Leaving out the consideration of the sale of power, two dams, as contemplated by the River Front Com- mission of Cedar Rapids, would pay from the stand- point of advertisement to the city. MINOR STREAMS It is generally recognized that the eastern part of the state is the dairy section. The farmers are be- ginning to appreciate the fact that the milk-cow is as great a producer of wealth as the hog. There is 156 Report of the Iowa State Drainage scarcely a large farm in the eastern tier of counties, tliat does not have a stream, whicli is properly de- veloped, would do most of the work about a dairy farm. A number of small installations have been made which are very crude. By the use of proper methods, wonders could be accomplished. MILLING INDUSTEY There seems to be a general feeling among the men interested in the grain business that there wUl be considerable wheat grown in eastern Iowa during the years to come. For some time back, wheat has not been a successful crop, but during the past few years the farmers have had remarkable results. Eeports from Clayton county, show a yield of, 30 to 45 bushels per acre. The quality is said to be excellent. If wheat raising becomes in any way general, there will xmdoubtedly be a stimulation in the values of milling properties. CAUSES OF UNSUCCESSFUL DEVELOP- MENTS During the past two years, the writer has made an inspection of almost every water-power development in the eastern part of the state, as weU as in other localities. That work, in general, has been poorly done is very evident. The faults lie under the follow- ing heads, and it seems as though the state should be able to supply a remedy by proper legislation : 1. Developments and repairs made by owners and millwrights who do not understand the business. Waterways and Conservation Commission 157 2. Preliminary investigation not carefully made, often not made at all. 3. Engineers not competent. 4. Engineers often misrepresenting conditions in order to get a job, thereby causing financial em- barrassment to the parties interested. 5. In three out of every five developments, the firms supplying the machinery have offered to do the engineering free of charge. These firms in general, do not look towards efficiency of the plant as a unit, and complete development and the results are a dis- grace to the state. 6. Selfish reasons and ignorance on the part of the men making the development. CONCLUSION The writer has done over two years' work on the streams in this state and is convinced that the water- powers if properly developed, are worthy of public and private interest. The Cedar river would be greatly benefited by competent supervision over its entire length. The other rivers in the eastern part of the state, with the exception of possibly the Turkey river, are being developed by private capital. The whole industry would be benefited provided the state had some hand in the advisement and supervision over even the smallest improvements. Specific information concerning most of the sites in the territory above treated is in the hands of the 158 Report of the Iowa State Drainage writer. Some of this would be available to your Com- mission in case it is desired. Eespectfully submitted, W. F. BiCKEL, Hydro-electric Engineer Conservation THE CONSERVATION OF OUR SOILS "If he who makes two blades of grass grow where hut one grew before is a public benefactor, then he who reduces the fertility of the soil so that but one, ear of corn grows where two have been grown before is a public curse.' ^ — Da. Hopkins The building up of the fertility of our soils and the establishing of permanent systems of agriculture in our commonwealth are the most important phases of our conservation problem. Almost without excep- tion the soils of Iowa in their virgin state were rich and productive. Careless and neglectful methods of farming, however, are rapidly reducing the product- ive capacity of these soils. Our people have been prodigal in the utilization of the soil ; and even now, less than a century after the first settlers broke the prairie sod, our farmers must pay the penalty of this prodigality. State-wide effort must be made at the present time to restore and build up the fertility of Iowa soils and to farm intelligently and correctly if our lands are to continue to be the basis of a prosper- ous agriculture. We must cease abusing the soil or no power can keep it from becoming poorer and poorer, until finally its fertility, like that of many of the soils in our older communities, will be reduced be- low the point of profitable production. 162 Report of the Iowa State Drainage Here in Iowa we have no right to assume that we are a favored people, possessing a soil which is not subject to the same natural laws which govern else- where. It is true that our soils possess great native fertility. For centuries nature has been storing in them great quantities of nitrogen and organic matter, and in the majority of cases their rock constituents teem with mineral elements of plant food. But not- withstanding the great native fertility of Iowa soils, wasteful methods and improper systems of soil man- agement will further reduce their productive capacity within a comparatively short time. There is no soil so rich that its producing power cannot be rapidly decreased by improper use and cultivation. This fact is amply proven by the conditions which exist in all of the agricultural sections east of the Mississippi river. In all of the states in the region referred to, commercial fertilizers are now extensively used for the production of farm crops. Vast sums of money are annually expended for these fertilizers, and the fact remains that their use does not result in the per- manent improvement of the soils to which they are applied, but rather to the rapid exhaustion of the soils. Dr. Hopkins of the University of Illinois has writ- ten as follows concerning the decrease in the produc- tive power of the average farm land in the older agri- cultural sections of our country and the ruinously expensive methods which are employed to keep up the fertility of some of these soils : Waterways and Conservation Commission 163 There are thousands of acres of level or gently rolling lands within a hundred miles of the city of Washington that were once worth $50 to $75 an acre that are now aban- doned for agricultural purposes, that sell for less than $10 an acre, or, in some cases are absolutely disowned. I have never found a large audience of Illinois land- owners in which there were not a dozen or more who could testify from their own knowledge that the average farm lands of New England, New York, Virginia, and other Eastern States have markedly decreased in productive power and in value, in many cases to such an extent that the farms can now be bought for less than the buildings cost; and yet there are people in Illinois who seem to think that this condition can never come upon Illinois lands. Because the few acres of land that are still kept in cultivation in New England produce larger crops per acre than some of the great areas of the Central West, some teU us that if we work our Illinois lands hard enough we can always produce as large or larger crops without returning any plant food to the soil. The facts are that from $2 to $20 an acre are frequently expended for plant food on the soils of the Eastern States where crops are stiU grown. Immense quantities of stable- manure, made in large part from the grain and hay shipped from the West, are used to build up and maintain the small proportion of farm lands still under cultiva- tion in the densely populated sections of the Bast. These facts should make it clear that the fertility of the soils of Iowa must inevitably wane, and that large use must eventually be made of commercial fertilizers in this state unless our farmers awake to 164 Report of the Iowa State Drainage the necessity of adopting those methods of crop rota- tion and manuring which maintain the fertility of the soil. The conservation of our soils is important for many reasons. In the first place, agriculture is the basic support of industry and prosperity in Iowa; and it is worthy of note in this connection that a prosperous agriculture cannot be found on soils whose productive capacity is not maintained. Unfortunately for the welfare and future progress of Iowa, her farmers do not generally practice such methods of soil manage- ment as will indefinitely keep up the fertility of the land. Failure in this fundamental part of our agri- culture, has a most significant bearing on the problem of cheap and abundant food-stuflfs. The cost of liv- ing must inevitably increase by leaps and bounds if the present tendencies along the line of soil manage- ment continue. This is true because the Iowa farmer, in common with practically all American farmers, is too ready to work the land for all there is in it. He plants good seed, drains his land, uses new and improved machinery, and plows and cultivates with considerable care ; as a result he removes a great deal of fertility from the soil without (in most cases) making much of an effort to return an adequate amount of plant food. The direct result of this type of farming is the rapid depletion of the soil and the production of crops of low yields. Low crop-yields, in turn, increase the cost of food supplies. Cheap and abundant food is necessary for normal industrial de- Waterways and Conservation Commission 165 velopment. During the past century the people of the United States were favored with an almost un- limited food supply ; and to this fact may be attrib- uted in large measure the unparalleled prosperity of our country throughout that entire period. But it must be remembered that during the last sixty or sev- enty years we have brought into cultivation in this country a vast area of exceedingly productive land which has yielded abundant crops although farmed with little regard to the maintenance of the fertility of the soil. For two reasons this type of production cannot longer be depended upon to furnish large sup- plies of cheap food-stuffs. In the first place, great areas of virgin land are not now available, and furthermore this exploitative type of farming has reduced crop-yields to a point much below those which were secured when the soils were new and as yet little injured by continuous grain-growing. Low yields and expensive methods of securing high yields are factors which add greatly to the cost of production. If we are to have cheap and abundant food-supplies in the future, our farmers must develop more practical methods of production than those which exist at the present time. Our Iowa farmers, with their soils which have not yet been cursed by the indiscriminate use of lime and commercial fer- tilizers, have now the opportunity to adopt up-to- date methods of soil management and splendidly do their share, and even more, in solving the problem of an abundant food-supply. And if this is done by our 166 Report of the Iowa State Drainage farmers within the current decade they will have achieved a notable victory. This is true, because through all the ages the men who have cultivated the soil have not attacked the fertility problem in time. They have continued to sin against the land imtil finally, driven by necessity, they have slowly and la- boriously adopted improved methods of soil man- agement. A change of this kind usually comes only after a long period of depression and is not easily brought about because it compels a backward class of farmers to adjust their agriculture to entirely new conditions. This re-adjustment requires much time, energy, and money. It would be imnecessary if the fertility of the soil had been maintained from year to year, an undertaking which is not at all impossible but is really easily accomplished if simple methods of soil management are adopted and followed per- sistently. It is exceedingly important that our Iowa farmers should take up the work of soil improve- ment while they are yet prosperous and intelligent. Success along this line can now be achieved with comparative ease ; this will not be true a few years hence, as was shown above in the case of the soil robber who is finally forced to adjust himself to a new agriculture. The future prosperity of our commonwealth is in the balance. There is no escape from this fact. Which shall it be? WiU our farmers become con- firmed soil-robbers or will they establish permanent systems of agriculture and thus have a large part in Waterways and Conservation Commission 167 supplying the people of Iowa and of the nation with a cheap and abundant supply of food, and in placing the commercial interests of the State upon a basis as enduring as the hills? The answer to this question depends very largely upon the character and the efficiency of the teaching and work which shall be done by the State with a view to promoting the wide- spread adoption of sensible and profitable methods of soU management. The State cannot afford to neg- lect a single opportunity to teach our farmers the fundamental principles which underlie a profitable and a permanent system of farming. The invest- ment will pay a thousand fold in money, and will prove to be of priceless worth from the standpoint of the peace and prosperity of the people. Again, the immediate adoption of improved meth- ods of soil management is urged on the ground that the time has come when exploitative farming, which always reduces the productive capacity of the soil, must cease, for the reason that little or no land is now to be had from a generous government. In spite of a lack of available homesteads, many of our people migrate in search of virgin lands. The De- partment of Agriculture reports in Bulletin No. 406 that "during the past six years an average of 54,000 American citizens have annually crossed over into Canada in the hope of finding new land that would bring rich returns from exploitative farming." It is also true that during the past few years there has been a steady flow of farmers from the middle west 168 Report of the Iowa State Drainage into Ohio and many of the states to the east. One of the results of this general tendency on the part of many of our citizens to search far and near for farms has been to increase the price of land all over the country. Higher land values have increased the num- ber of tenant farmers in many sections of the country. Many tenants are good farmers but owing largely to the prevailing form of farm lease, namely a lease for one year only, a renter has little or no incentive to maintain the fertility of the soil. He should not be criticised too harshly. A man cannot enter very en- thusiastically upon the work of growing clover for green manure or of fertilizing the land if he has no assurance that he will receive the benefit of the fer- tility which he has put on the soil. Under our com- mon systems of leasing land, the tenant very natur- ally robs the soil year after year, after the manner of the farmer on virgin land. This tendency on the part of thousands of farmers to migrate, is signifi- cant also in that it shows clearly a strong inclination on the part of many farmers, landowners and ten- ants alike, to shirk the work of maintaining the fer- tility of the soU. This wide-spread desire to secure and wear out fresh lands in preference to maintain- ing the fertility of our older soils, the increased value of farm-lands and an ever extending system of ten- ant farming with its vicious types of leases, have been important factors in increasing the values of farm products in the past few years to a point which has brought great hardship to millions of consumers. Waterways and Conservation Commission 169 This market condition has affected practically all of the commercial interests of our country. Without doubt land-values will continue to advance for legiti- mate reasons. It is very important, however, from the standpoint of cost of food-stuffs, that our agri- culture be placed on a more stable and rational basis. The perfecting of our systems of leasing lands and the substitution of sensible methods of maintaining the productive capacity of our older soils in place of the present wild scramble for virgin soils, will do much toward the accomplishment of this end. All of the factors referred to above, which tend to limit crop production and increase the value of farm products, are responsible, in large measure, for our rapidly decreasing exports of breadstuffs. W. J. Spillman, of the Department of Agriculture, has written as follows on this point : Comparing the five year period ending in 1903 with, that ending in 1908, the exports of com and its products decreased from 135 million bushels to 82 million bushels, a decrease of 39 per cent. During the same time the exports of wheat decreased from 212 million to 114 mil- lion bushels, a decrease of 46 per cent. If America is to retain the favorable balance of trade which has char- acterized the past quarter of a century, it must be done not by increase in acreage, as in the past, but by increase in yields per acre. We no longer have unlimited areas of virgin soil to exploit. The question whether we shall be able to meet the increased demands for food and cloth- ing by increasing the yields is a pertinent one. In this connection the following statistics are of interest : 170 Report of the Iowa State Drainage CONDITIONS IN OLDER COUNTRIES Average yields, 1901 to 1905, inclusive, in bushels per acre Great United Crop Germany France Britain Belgium States Wheat 28.2 20.2 31.7 34. 13.8 Kye 24.9 16.8 .... 34. 14.8 Barley 34.3 24.0 34.3 46.5 27.0 Oats 41.1 32.0 44.7 64.7 30.9 Com 24.9 These figures show that in the older countries of Eu- rope, where farming has been followed for many cen- turies, the problem of satisfactory yields of farm crops has been solved. The agriculture of Germany is more nearly similar to that of the United States than tliat of any other of the countries mentioned in the above table. It wiU be noted that the yield per acre of wheat in Ger- many is more than twice that in the United States ; the yield of rye nearly twice as large; the yield of barley nearly a third larger; and the yield of oats more than one-third larger. The farmers of Germany, France, Great Britain, and Belgium have solved the problem of maintaining the fertility of the soil and of securing large yields of grain and other crops. This fact is full of promise for the Iowa farmer. He can accomplish all that his fellow farmers across the seas have accomplished; but his task is a more difficult one. This is true, be- cause the Iowa farmer cannot import from far dis- tant virgin lands great quantities of feed stuffs rich CONSERVATION Plate XIX PIG. 1. SLOPES CLEARED OP TIMBER FIG. 2. ERODED SLOPES — AFTER CLEARING Watenvays and Conservation Commission 171 in fertilizer ingredients, as liave the farmers in the small countries of western Europe. The farmers of Iowa are now face to face with the problem of increasing and permanently maintaining the fertility of their soils. How shall this problem be solved? In the first place, our farmers must, without ex- ception, adopt and persistently follow definite sys- tems of crop-rotation. This is one of the absolutely essential factors in maintaining the fertility of the soil. Without a rotation, the productive power of the soil cannot be maintained economically on either a grain or a live-stock farm. From a fertility stand- point what is the function of a rotation? Simply this : a rotation in which legumes are grown makes it possible to add to the soil, at a comparatively low cost, nitrogen and organic matter. In the case of most of the soils of this state, which have been under cultivation for a decade or a longer period of time, these constituents are now limiting factors in crop production. That statement is not a guess or an estimate ; it is a fact which must be dealt with intelli- gently or greatly impoverished soils will be the rule and not the exception in this state. How much or- ganic matter must be added to the soil? A quantity suiEcient to supply nitrogen for the largest crops which can be grown under our climatic conditions. We should not be content with yields which are cut short because of a lack of any element of plant-food. A fifty-bushel crop of com requires as much nitro- 172 Report of the Iowa State Drainage gen as is contained in two tons of clover hay or in eight tons of average farm manure. The most com- mon, and undoubtedly the most satisfactory legvune grown in rotations in Iowa is clover. Now the roots and stubble of clover contain no more nitrogen than the clover plant takes from the average soil. There- fore when clover is grown for the purpose of increas- ing the nitrogen content of the soil, it is evident that failure must result if we return to the soil only the roots and stubble. In other words, a farmer cannot harvest a full crop of clover hay, both the first and second cuttings, sell this product from the farm and have a large supply of nitrogen in the soil which will later be available for crops of corn and small grains. The clover which is grown on the land must be plowed under as a green manure or the hay must be fed to live stock and the manure returned to the soil. One ton of clover hay contains forty pounds of nitrogen. One bushel of oats (grain and straw) requires one pound of nitrogen; one bushel of com (grain and stalks) requires one and one-half pounds of nitrogen ; one bushel of wheat (grain and straw) requires two pounds of nitrogen ; one ton of timothy hay requires twenty-four pounds of nitrogen, and other crops re- quire nitrogen in about the same proportions. Or- ganic matter contains all of the nitrogen which is present in the soil : therefore the figures given above make it easy for any farmer to estimate the approx- imate amount of clover which he must plow under if Waterways and Conservation Commission 173 he depends upon this source of organic material for tlie maintenance of his supply of nitrogen. One ton of average manure contains ten pounds of nitrogen. In live-stock farming the total animal excrements contain, as an average, three-fourths of the nitrogen from the food consumed. We have here then a basis for determining to just what extent the nitrogen content of the soil may be increased by the application of manure. In this connection, however, it must be remembered that the liquid excrement con- tains more nitrogen than the solid, and it is often difiS- cult to save the former. Again, manure rapidly loses its valuable fertilizing constituents from leaching and from fermentation, and if left exposed to the sun and rain for a period of six months, half its value may be lost. It is of interest to note in this connec- tion that one ton of clover plowed under adds to the soil as much organic matter and as much nitrogen as four tons of average farm manure. It is a fact, then, that the organic matter of the soil (and hence the nitrogen) must be maintained by plow- ing under a great deal of clover and all other products except the grain, in the case of grain farming, or by making use of all produce, as feed or bedding, in live- stock farming, and returning the manure to the land with as little loss as possible. It is not our purpose in this connection to discuss at length the relative merits of grain and live-stock farming. It is a fact, however, that in this state the 174 Report of the Iowa State Drainage fertility of the soil may be most economically main- tained by the live-stock farmer if he has the ability to handle animals successfully. The chief reason for this lies in the fact that every type of rotation which is well adapted to Iowa yields great quantities of coarse feeds such as straw, clover, and hay which cannot be marketed satisfactorily, except through live-stock. And again, the live-stock farmer is a manufacturer. He converts the raw materials of his farm into finished products and this is usually done at a profit. So far as we have knowledge at the pres- ent time, the chief by-product of this manufacturing process, namely manure, is the best of all fertilizers. Of course the supply of farm manure is limited, and it is a fact that this material contains approximately only two-thirds of the nitrogen and one-third of the organic matter of the food consumed. But the live- stock farmer can easily, at any time, supplement his store of farm manure with the needed amount of green manure. To do this he has only to plow under some green crop, preferably clover. What rotation is recommended for the farmers of this State ? There is no rotation which can or should be used to the exclusion of all others. Conditions as to soJl, market, climate, and labor vary widely from time to time and in different sections of the State. A good four-year rotation which is especially adapted to the two or three tiers of counties in the southern part of Iowa is wheat, com, oats, and clover. In this rotation clover should be seeded on the wheat Waterways and Conservation Commission 175 early in the spring and plowed under the next spring with the stubble, for com. In case there is no live stock on the farm to which the clover and other rough- ness may be fed, the fourth season the entire crop, except the clover seed, should be plowed under. The same use should be made of all other produce except the grain. This system will maintain the organic matter and nitrogen content of the soil. Here again, however, the fact must be emphasized that greater re- turns from this rotation would be secured by the com- petent live-stock farmer who sold only the wheat and fed all of the other products. In this connection it is worthy of note that the section of the state for which this rotation is recommended is splendidly adapted to dairy farming. If this industry was largely in- troduced into southern Iowa it would prove to be an exceptionally potent factor in the solution of the fer- tility problem in that region. Another rotation which can be used advantageous- ly in central and northern Iowa consists of two crops of com followed by oats with clover seeding and a clover crop the fourth year. This rotation is a good one in live-stock farming. It permits the raising of a large acreage of com which is our most valuable money crop, and if all of the produce is used for feed and bedding and if the manure is carefully saved and returned to the land, the supply of organic matter and nitrogen should be approximately maintained. Such a rotation on a live-stock farm on which addi- tional pasturage or hay is wanted, may be extended to 176 Report of the Iowa State Drainage cover five or even six years if timothy is seeded with the clover. A rotation of crops on all of the farms of Iowa which produce our more common crops is at the pres- ent time the one indispensible factor if our soils are to be kept from rapidly losing in productive capacity. Unfortunately this system of soil management is not the basis of crop-production on even a creditable num- ber of Iowa farms. The rotations recommended above provide that one-fourth of the land under cul- tivation shall be in clover. On this basis we should have each year one acre of clover for every two acres of com. But the most reliable available statistics show that in Iowa we have approximately only one acre of clover to forty acres of com. Certainly the facts which have been given in the preceding para- graphs show conclusively that our Iowa farmers can- not maintain the organic matter content of the soil- with the systems of soil management which are now generally in vogue. Thus far only two essential factors in soil improve- ment, namely rotations and manure, have been con- sidered. We have purposely refrained from nam- ing and discussing other factors, because at the pres- ent time, almost without exception, the soils of Iowa are deficient only in organic matter, and therefore of course, as has been shown, in nitrogen. Definite recommendations have been given above for securing these important soil constituents in a practical and an economical manner. Some farmers, however, be- Waterways and Conservation Commission 177 lieve that a systematic rotation, such as has been recommended, is not so very important after all. These men say, ' ' Cannot we buy commercial fertiliz- ers when later on we must add plant food, especially nitrogen, to our soils?" It is true that nitrogen can be purchased in fertilizers ; but every pound of com- mercial nitrogen is worth at least fifteen cents. This element of plant food cannot be bought for less than this amount in any market. Moreover, the increase produced by commercial nitrogen in general farm crops on Iowa soils does not pay the cost of the nitro- gen applied. Only a person who is wholly ignorant of agricultural facts would think of buying nitrogen. This is true because the fact is now generally known that the air over each acre of land contains sufficient nitrogen to meet the demands of maximiim crops for many hundreds of thousands of years. How shall this nitrogen in the air be stored in the soil? By growing legumes and plowing them under, or the manure made from them. Which one of all of the legumes is best for Iowa? Undoubtedly clover. If this crop is made the basis of a good rotation and is handled in the proper manner there will never be a market in Iowa for commercial nitrogen for the grow- ing of farm crops. The fact must be noted, however, that crop rotation alone will not maintain the fertility of the soil. In other words a rotation cannot be made the sole basis of a permanent agriculture. Some of the oldest and most valuable soil experiments which have been eon- 178 Report of the Iowa State Drainage ducted during the last half century, prove this fact. The experience of farmers during the past two thous- and years in all parts of the world proves the same fact. Comparatively new agricultural soils such as we have in Iowa can be kept highly productive with careful cultivation and the use of rotations, for a good many years ; in some cases for one or even two gener- ations. But in the fuUness of time in the case of up- land prairie soils which, of course, are not fertilized by sediment deposited by overflow, these agencies fail to be adequate. This is because other factors than ni- trogen, organic matter and the physical condition of the soil finally tend to limit crop production. For in- stance, a mineral element such as phosphorus or po- tassium may become deficient or the soil may grow acid because the lime content has become exhausted. Of course the only practical thing to do under these conditions is to apply to the soil the material which will restore the plant food equilibrium or make the soil sweet and a fit place for plants where they may grow normally. Fortimately for Iowa farmers the great majority of the soils of this state have not yet reached the stage where factors other than nitrogen, organic matter, and thorough tillage influence to an appre- ciable extent crop-yields. This is a significant fact. But it should not be made an excuse for neglecting to give the problem of establishing in Iowa a per- manent system of agriculture immediate and thought- ful attention. We must remember that, according to CONSERVATION Plate XX FIG. 1. FORMER TIMBER LAND FIG. 2. BADLY ERODED HILL SIDE Waterways and Conservation Commission 179 Dr. Hopkins, ' ' the essentials required in a system of farming that will increase and permanently maintain the fertility and productiveness of the common land of Illinois are phosphorus, organic matter, and lime- stone. ' ' Let me emphasize the fact that this state- ment was made concerning the soils of Illinois, a state with splendid virgin soils comparable in depth and richness with those of our own state, and a state that has long been a leader in the production of those crops which are most commonly raised in Iowa. We certainly must believe that eventually phos- phorus will be deficient in Iowa soils as it is now deficient in the majority of the soils of Illinois. In due time some of our soils will also probably require lime to neutralize an accumulation of acid. These phases of the fertility problem should now be studied carefully in order that our farmers may, when the necessity arises, intelligently purchase and apply that material which will exactly meet the requirements of the soil, and none other. Knowledge of this character will prove of inestimable value to the agricultural and commercial interests of the state, and will do more than any other factor to eventually prevent the iadiscriminate use of commercial fertilizers in Iowa. These materials, as they are commonly used in our eastern and southern states, are a positive menace to agriculture. This is true for several reasons. For instance, fertilizers are expensive and are therefore applied to the soil in quantities too small to supply the crop with all of the plant food which it takes from 180 Report of the Iowa State Drainage the soil. The added plant food stinmlates the early growth of the plants and thus enables them to draw more heavily upon the soil. The result of this action is finally to reduce the productive capacity of the soil to a point at which the cultivation of the land is no longer profitable. Again, commercial fertilizers contain very little organic matter and as a rule users of fertilizers make no effort to maintain the organic matter content of their soils. The inevitable result of this system of management is the abandonment of the soil. It is worthy of note also that commercial fertilizers are sold at retail at about twenty-five dollars per ton. As a general average of the most common commer- cial fertilizers used in the United States, one ton con- tains about thirty-three pounds of nitrogen, eighty pounds of phosphorus, and thirty-three pounds of potassium. A fifty-bushel crop of com (grain only) requires as much nitrogen as is contained in approx- imately one and one-half tons of this twenty-five dol- lar fertilizer. These figures prove defiuitely that commercial fertilizers cannot be used to maintain the nitrogen content of the soil. No farmer can afford to pay nearly forty dollars for a supply of fertilizer which furnishes only sufficient nitrogen for one crop of com of fifty bushels. The entire crop would not be worth as much as the cost of the fertilizer. More- over, in Iowa, the potassium which commercial fer- tilizers contain has practically no monetary value, because the soils in this state have an almost ineshaus- Waterways and Conservation Commission 181 tible supply of this element of plant food. The Iowa farmer does not and will not need potassium for many years for the growing of farm crops if he maintains the organic matter content of his soils and keeps them in good physical condition. It is al- ways a waste of money to buy a commodity which cannot be utilized advantageously. The statement was made in a precediag paragraph that phosphorus is not now a limiting factor in crop production in Iowa. At the present time then, that which was said above about the value of potassium applies also to phosphorus, but with this difference : the phosphorus content of the soils of this state is limited, and within the life-time of some of our younger farmers it will be necessary to use this element as a fertilizer on certain Iowa soUs. When that time comes, however, it will not be profitable to purchase phosphorus in a commer- cial fertilizer. Other sources of supply, such as rock phosphate, are much cheaper. It is a fact that com- mercial fertilizers cannot be depended upon for the solution of the fertility problem in Iowa. These ma- terials have been a curse in many ways to hundreds of thousands of farmers in our eastern and southern states. An earnest effort should be made to prevent the fertilizer blight from settling down upon the farmers and the soils of this state. But much effec- tive work must be done very soon if this is accom- plished. During the past few years thousands of Iowa farmers have written to their Agricultural Ex- periment Station for information concerning the pur- 182 Report of the Iowa State Drainage chase, application, and use of commercial fertilizers. This fact can be interpreted to mean just two things : namely, that already many of our farmers believe that their soils need fertilizers of some kind, and that there is a widespread lack of knowledge concerning sys- tems of soil management which are adapted to the lands of Iowa. It is the duty of the state to teach every farmer in the commonwealth the whole truth about the relation of commercial fertilizers to the maintenance of the fertility of the soil to the end that a profitable agriculture may be one of Iowa's most valued and permanent assets. There is another phase of the soil conservation problem which is of the greatest importance. In this state unnumbered tons of our richest soils are an- nually washed from hillside and valley into creeks and rivers and are lost forever to the farms of Iowa. It is utterly impossible to estimate the loss which is thus brought about. The surface soils which are lost in this way are rich and productive and hence are of relatively great value. They contain vastly more or- ganic matter and readily available mineral plant food than the underlying soil which is left exposed and be- comes the seed bed for future crops if perchance the eroded area is not left so sterUe, ridged, and seamed that it is practically unfitted for agricultural purposes other than pasture of uncertain but usually low pro- ductive capacity. It is no uncommon sight in south- em and western Iowa to see fields which are cut and seared by one or more gullies from six inches to ten Waterways and Conservation Commission 183 or even sixty feet deep. These gullies are due main- ly to the washing away of the surface soil, and in some cases of a deep stratum of subsoil. On thous- ands of Iowa farms there are now fields, some of them containing many acres of land, which have been rendered wholly unfit for cultivation by reason of the action of unchecked erosion. The agencies which cause erosion often work slowly, and their results con- sequently go unnoticed for a considerable time. This fact probably influences many farmers to neglect to handle their lands which are subject to erosion in such a way as to prevent washing, to the extent to which this is possible, by the exercise of judicious care and the use of up-to-date methods of soil treat- ment. A practical scheme for preventing all soil ero- sion has not yet been worked out. The farmer can accomplish splendid results in this line, however, by (1) deep and thorough plowing and cultivation in order that the soil may catch and hold large quan- tities of water which otherwise would rush over the surface and cause more or less erosion, (2) growing and plowing under green manure crops for the pur- pose of increasing the organic matter content of the soil, (3) the use of farm manures for the same pur- pose, (4) thorough underdrainage and the construc- tion of adequate ditches for the removal of storm water, (5) properly installing drains in or adjacent to open ditches and then filling the ditches with soil, (6) constructing retaining walls where these are needed, (7) keeping in grass certain fields in which 184 Report of the Iowa State Drainage it is practically impossible to prevent erosion when the land is under cultivation, and (8) the forestation of some areas which in the aggregate do not consti- tute a very large acreage in this state. The jise of one or more of these methods for the control of ero- sion will almost invariably prove effective under Iowa conditions. Erosion now causes incalculable losses in some sections of this state, chiefly for the reason that land owners do not give the matter their earnest attention and do not set themselves to the task of protecting their soils. What is the solution of this soil erosion problem ? A campaign of education and demonstration carried on in those regions in which washing is wasting much of Iowa's richest soil, and is carving out innumerable gullies to the great detri- ment of all farming operations. In many cases the washing out of gullies gives promise of resulting in the ultimate ruin of the land. The conservation and reclamation of our soils from the standpoint of drainage by means of ditches, tile drains, and pumping plants has been ably handled in that portion of the Commission's report which deals with the general drainage problems )of the state. Therefore, this phase of the conservation problem wiU not be discussed in this connection. In conclusion, let us consider a few fundamental facts which show the relation of the problem of the conservation of our soils to the future peace and prosperity of our state: Waterways and Conservation Commission 185 The soils of Iowa are the most valuable asset of the commonwealth. If as much plant food is regularly returned to our soils as is removed from them in the crops which are grown and by blowing and leaching, it is possible to maintain their productive capacity indefinitely. This method of soil management is not generally practiced at the present time in Iowa. The inevita- ble result, unless a change is effected, will be lower crop yields and increased cost of living. Science has proven that the soils of Iowa can be built up and kept highly productive. To accomplish this task successfully and economically crop rotations must be adopted and farm manures must be produced and saved with painstaking care. A permanent agriculture cannot be based wholly on rotations and the use of manure. At some future time phosphorus and possibly some other minerals will be required to keep our plant-food supplies ample in amount and in equilibrium, and the soil sweet. Commercial fertilizers cannot be depended upon to maintain the fertility of the soils of Iowa. They cost too much. They contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ; and no Iowa soil is deficient in all of these elements. Therefore, it is a waste of money to buy fertilizers which contain the three elements of plant-food named above. Every Iowa farmer can secure, by the proper use of legumes, all of the nitrogen required for maximmn crops from the inexhaustible supply in the air. 186 Report of the loiva State Drainage When phosphorus must be added to Iowa soils, the supply should be secured from some cheap source such as rock phosphate. The widespread and continued neglect of the soil erosion problem is the cause of untold injury to the soils and agricultural interests of the state. Practical and economical methods for the enrich- ment and preservation of our lands have been worked out and are available. It is the duty of the state to encourage, foster, and support every worthy enterprise that will help to improve our soils and pi'ovide a permanent prosper- ous agriculture in Iowa. The Agricultural Experiment Station, experiment and demonstration fields on the principal soil-types of the state, and extension lectures and short courses are among the most potent factors for the discovery and dissemination of those facts concerning the soils of Iowa, which must be the possession of every farm- er if the problem of soU-conservation is to be solved, not for a generation only but for all of the centuries to come. The time is ripe for well directed and earnest work in Iowa to the end that the soUs of the state may be made more productive and that a permanent system of agriculture may be established. The State Conservation Commission recommends that the legislature recognize the importance of the CONSERVATION Plate XXI FIG. 1. SANDY AND CLAY SUBSOIL AND HARDEE DRIFT CLAY ARE ERODED WHEN FOREST IS REMOVED PIG. 2 EROSION IS CHECKED BY ROOTS OF TREES Waterways and Conservation Commission 187 soil-conservation problem, and that it make liberal appropriations for the study of this problem by those agencies which are best equipped to carry on the work successfully. THE CONSERVATION OF OUR LAKES AND STREAMS Conservation means the wise use of any utility. The essential idea is use, but use combined with in- telligence. It differs accordingly from preservation, which does not imply use at all. If we preserve any- thing we keep it indefinitely: if we conserve it we keep it and use it. Every bit of practical conservation accordingly implies use. When we advocate the conservation of a lake, therefore, we do not mean simply that we would have a body of water occupying so much area on the ground, but we urge that wherever such body of water of convenient size and depth occurs it shall be kept, and kept in order, and used. It shall be open to all the people for their use and benefit, for their enjoyment. The same thing is true when we speak of conser- vation as applied to streams. Our streams are for use. Conservation bids us use them and use them wisely: likewise our forests, these shall not simply stand as in the ages primeval, they must stand and be productive, be used. Now, strange as it may appear, lakes, forests, and streams, especially the latter two, are in that which concerns their conservation all intimately related to Waterways and Conservation Commission 189 one another. Each has an important bearing on the existence of the other and its utility or service. The preceding chapters of this report discuss the streams of Iowa in the practical aspects of drainage and water-power. Professor Shimek's paper in subse- quent pages discusses the conservation of our limited woodlands ; let us here briefly consider the right use of our lakes and streams as affecting the welfare of our people in matters of recreation, enjoyment, and good health; matters quite as important, it will be conceded, as any that lend force to the argument for drainage or water-power. The lakes of Iowa are un- fortunately few. Save in the northwest quarter of the state there are practically none. Many originally meandered by the surveyor have disappeared, prob- ably deservedly, and of those remaining not a few are in large measure unserviceable, because uncared for and neglected. The following lakes are still in use and deserve the careful consideration of our leg- islature : 1. The Spirit lake-Okoboji group, in Dickinson county. 2. Clear lake, in Cerro Gordo county. 3. Storm lake, in Buena Vista county. 4. Wall lake, in Sac county. 5. Medium lake. Swan lake, and Turtle lake, in Emmet county. 6. Elm lake, in Wright county. 7. Lost Island lake, in Palo Alto county. 8. Twin lakes, in Calhoun county. 190 Report of the Iowa State Drainage 9. Manawa lake, in Pottawattamie county. 10. Sol. Smith lake, in Harrison county. 11. Blue lake, in Monona county. All these are used more or less extensively as re- sorts by the people of the state, and especially, where the lake is smaller and less widely advertised, by the people of the county. Spirit lake, Okoboji, and Clear lake are visited every year by increasing thousands, people coming not from every part of Iowa only, but from all the contiguous states from Wisconsin to Oklahoma. In many cases the visitors own property along the shores ; a census of such and their families, taken in August last, revealed three thousand and five hundred visiting Okoboji and Spirit lakes. This of course does not include the number, probably even larger, who are by the waters for a day or two, who may be reckoned transients, but are nevertheless not to be forgotten when the mere sanitary service of these lakes is to be estimated and reckoned up. But even this is not all. Every one of these lakes affords a picnic station for the near-by farmers. How often, in the several counties named, on Saturday afternoon in summer you may see the farmer's wagons string- ing along the highways, headed for the lake for a day's outing, camping, and fishing. Extremely for- tunate are such people, and who shall say that Iowa were not fortunate could she count among her re- sources, wealthy as these are, a lake or two in every county, large enough and fair enough to attract and invite her children of toil. So many lakes we have Waterways and Conservation Commission 191 not; but those we have are generally easy of ap- proach, accessible without too great hardship to probably one-third of the people of the state. The lakes listed are all meandered, i. e., the lines of original survey stopped at their margins and each was given a boundary of its own. They were there- fore not subject to homestead-entry, or purchase of any kind, but remained originally the property of the United States until given over by the general govern- ment, by Act of Congress, to the state of Iowa, in which the title vests today. The state then owns Okoboji, or Wall lake, or any of the rest, while private citizens own the adjacent lands, the shores. The boundary between the parties is the line of original meander, if that can be ascertained. The case of our larger rivers, the Iowa and the Des Moines, is some- what different, but need not here concern us. The state, then, as the owner of these properties is, in the judgment of your Commission, under evident obligation to care for them, to keep them as a trust for the people, and to see that they are not only not abused and rightly used, but to see to it that they are used with such wisdom, in all the resources they af- ford, as to be constantly more and more serviceable and valuable in every way. That such is public pol- icy is evident in the use which is made of other public property. The state spends millions for a public building and thousands in the care of the capitol and the grounds about it, all as commensurate with the dignity of the commonwealth and our pride in our 192 Report of the Iowa State Drainage institutions ; shall the state not likewise have respect to these minor properties and see that they, too, are maintained in condition in all respects worthy of a great and proud people 1 Every private owner about these lakes values his holding. On every side private citizens are expend- ing hundreds and thousands of dollars to make beauti- ful, commodious, and in every way useful, the prop- erty adjoining that held by the state. Shall the state as a good neighbor do nothing to meet the enterprise of private citizens ? The state has indeed recognized the obligation. In the oflSce of the fish and game warden the common- wealth attempts to respond to the sentiment of all our people, voiced in the General Assembly, that val- uable native animals shall be protected and if pos- sible increased ; in other words, conserved. Now the lakes are the natural home and abiding place of our most valuable and beautiful game-fish and birds, and our game-warden has exerted his utmost effort in an endeavor to save and increase the valuable fauna of our waters, and your Commission deems that his ef- fort so far has been well put forth. He has in his work recognized the principle here enunciated, that the state for the sake of its citizens must care for its own. He has attempted again and again to improve the fishing in all our attractive waters by setting free therein from time to time thousands and thousands of young fish, thus collaborating with the United CONSERVATION Plate XXII FIG 1. EFFECT OF BREAKING OR EXCESSIVE PASTURING FIG. 2. ERODED SLOPE NORTH OF MILLER 'S BAY, WEST LAKE OKOBOJI Waterways and Conservation Commission 193 States Govenunent in perpetuating this important source of food supply for our people. Besides tMs, the laws of the state prescribe the manner and especially the seasons of the year when fish may be lawfully taken from onr lakes and streams, so that in these particulars, at least, the state recognizes and attempts to meet its obligations in view of its ownership of our public waters. But even here, the effort of the state is insufficient. "What can a single game-warden do for a State as large as Iowa? Even though he have a deputy or two in every county, he cannot supervise a matter of so great importance and do it with the efficiency de- sired. The deputies are not always men skilled in the matters they are set to guard ; not always do they en- force the law as against their own neighbors, who either fail to understand or totally ignore the law's beneficent iutent. For instance, the law prohibits taking from the lakes certain fish, as bass, until May 15th, the object being not to allow these creatures to be disturbed in their spawning, which should have ended by the date named. But in the year 1910 for some reason spawning was delayed and the bass, from their very nests, which instinct led the poor fish to protect, were lifted in large numbers by unscrupu- lous fishermen who yet proclaim themselves as ob- servant of the law; and the deputy game-warden could do nothing in the case, even had he chosen to discover the situation. 194 Report of the Iowa State Drainage But the fishes constitute only one of the natural resources of Iowa's waters: there are several others. Wild water-fowl constitute for the sports- man a most important part of the population of the lakes. Ducks and teal are wont to breed about all the waters of northern Iowa. But the unfortunate crea- tures are shot and destroyed in season and out of season; for the "in season" in this intelligent com- monwealth includes the mating season. Was ever policy so short-sighted, self-destructive, not to say criminal as this, that men, supposedly sportsmen and interested in the creatures upon which all sport de- pends, should tolerate a policy which means exter- mination only, and that of the swiftest? It is as if the farmers should send to the block all their animals known to be with young ! The closed season should begin January 1 for all game-birds. There should be no spring shooting in any Mississippi valley state. Already several of our neighboring commonwealths have stopped the wretched practice, and Iowa now should lead in an effort to make the reform imanimous. But fish and game constitute only one factor in the natural wealth of our waters. Thousands of people who never hunt or fish at all yet seek the lakes. As before stated, men with their families spend a certain part of every year about the lakes of Iowa. These people seek only the waters, their beauty, their cool- ness, their sweetness, the opportunity afforded for sailing and rowing and swimming. Such people are Waterways and Conservation Commission 195 in the highest sense at such time the guests of the state, and it is certainly the part of wisdom as well as honor that we see to it that our guests are in every way unhampered in their lawful and wholesome quest. Now the lakes of Iowa need attention ; they are in- deed beautiful and serviceable, but they might be very much better. They are not only not in any sense improved, but they are in fact abused in many ways, so that they deteriorate. They need careful study that steps be taken to bring them in every way to highest and perpetual service; the boundary be- tween the public and the private owner should be as- certained and delivered from trespass. Fences should not invade the water, perhaps public piers should be erected at certain points, and all piers invading the public waters should be under supervision. This is only the beginning. The shores of the lakes should be cared for. To the waters every citizen of Iowa should have access. Private ownership may not control all the beaches, nor shall private control prevent approach to the lake at every point. In many instances erosion from nearby fields is spoiling what would otherwise offer a beautiful shore- line, and creating weed-infested shallows where should be clean and wholesome water. In many places a dredge should deepen the waters, put into connection bodies of water not open at all, or at cer- tain seasons only, or disjointed by slight ice-built 196 Report of the Iowa State Drainage ridges, which, removed, would add miles to the pos- sible stretch of boating and sailing. Furthermore, your Commission believes that it is the duty of the state to secure to the highest degree possible the purity of aU waters under state control. That our rivers are used as sewers is perhaps a tem- porary necessity; but that these creeping water- courses should yield at once sewage outlet and muni- cipal water-supply is a thing abhorrent to mention. The waters of our lakes can never be the safe abode of our most valuable and palatable varieties of fish, nor the best place for man's enjoyment, unless they are kept clean, pure. Nature has a way of keeping the waters of the world translucent, free from de- filement. The pioneer recalls the streams of Iowa clear as the outpouring of a spring, and Okoboji, by reason of the volume of its waters, stUl retains the memory of the purity of all our lakes. Now to pure water, pike and croppies, bass and pickerel, have been bred for thousands of generations; they are clean fish, to cleanly surroundings long inured. Make the waters foul, and these best of our water-game disap- pear, even though by a misguided government car- loads of spawn be poured into the polluted waters every month. Perhaps turtles, mud-cats, and carp may survive ; but from the character and amount of filth now swept daily into our Iowa waters, it would seem that even these would presently take to dry land! Cultivation on shore should be so conducted that the mischief induced by erosion be reduced to a Waterways and Conservation Commission 197 mmimuin : this for the conservation of both soil and water. Then it should be a criminal offense against the public, in case of our state-owned lakes, against both the public and the commonwealth to allow any species of filth, from the hog-lots, barnyards, privies, dead animals, or anything of the sort to drain into or find exit in the waters of any lake or stream. This is the sanitary side of the true conservation of the wat- ers of Iowa. We cannot realize it in a year or a sea- son, but we can make it the goal of earliest practicaJ attainment. It has been urged that the state may not administer successfully interests so manifold as these here sketched. There are those who urge that all the waters of the country should be under the manage- ment of the general government, and that in such matters state boundaries should disappear. Cali- fornia has given back even the Yosemite to the United States simply to secure efficient administration. But your Commission believes that Iowa can prove her- self efficient here as elsewhere, once attention is, called to the real situation. As has been seen, the only supervision which the state now bestows upon its waters is through the of- fice of fish and game warden, and has reference to the welfare of fish and game alone. The larger inter- ests involved concerning the use of the lakes, particu- larly by thousands of people, these at present are entirely ignored. For this reason your Commission recommends that 198 Report of the Iowa State Drainage the lakes of Iowa be at the earliest moment placed under special jurisdiction as such. It is believed that the interests of the state were best conserved if the care of each lake or group of lakes should be placed in the hands of a custodian who should be empowered to represent in any case the state, to assert the rights of the commonwealth, and to enforce such regulations for the control of public waters as may from time to time be enacted. A very modest appro- priation in the hands of such an officer would enable him to inaugurate and carry forward from year to year a series of improvements which would in a few years increase the usefulness of the lakes of Iowa many fold, make them cleaner, more accessible, more beautiful, more serviceable, more delightful, to a larger number of people than ever before in all the years of our history. CONSERVATION Plate XXIII ^ •^ -^ f-'^k^.'^%^ ? j ! \ ,\ i k ■T-J jB|g >4|Byf^ 7 i m p< i ^^W^i-JrS §■ Si;^^^ H ^ 'VKg^^flJ ^1 ^k ^■pj. ~^w B ^!^E|^^. f ^ '- '* tfiXvUC^^'i k^ ■<- ^^^ ^n^ *^^^^^^^^^* .. -i* FIGURE 1 FI6UEE 2 THE CONSERVATION OF OUR WOODLANDS Forest conservation is one of the broadest ques- tions within the whole field of conservation, for it is concerned directly or indirectly with all phases of the great problem which now stirs the people of this country. It matters not whether we are interested in the conservation of our waters, our soils, or our min- eral and other material resources, we cannot disre- gard the function and the influence of the forest for it is related to every phase of the great problem. Ordinarily the conservation of the forest with a view to the perpetuation of its yield of material pro- ducts is considered paramount. In our own State this phase of the question has usually been neglected, and the whole subject of forest-conservation has been considered foreign to our interests, because it was thought that Iowa land was too valuable to use for growing timber, and the great increase in land-val- ues has only strengthened this belief. We are getting light on this subject, however, and we are beginning to realize that the advance in the value of forest-pro- ducts has more than kept pace with that of land, and when our people will have learned to understand the full use and the care of the forest as they do the care 200 Report of the Iowa State Drainage of the field they will find the products of the former quite as profitable as those of the latter. But while the products of the forest, even those of our small Iowa groves, are of great value, the wood- land, when properly employed, renders service far beyond that which can be definitely measured by com- mercial standards. We have learned to appreciate the usefulness, the indispensible service of the arti- ficial grove, the shelter-belt of the prairie sections, which shields the home and the stock from the storms of winter, and the field and the orchard from the dry winds of summer. We are also gradually realizing the value of woodlands for purposes of healthful recreation, and having destroyed many of the natural parks of our state which formerly bordered our lakes and streams and which were freely used for recrea- tion by the earlier settlers of the state, we are now attempting to preserve the remnants or restore bits of woodland for this purpose. Cities are establish- ing or extending their parks at great expense, and county and state parks are being freely advocated. But it is not the purpose of this paper to discuss these features of the forest problem, but rather to call attention to the service which the woodland may be made to render in the conservation of soil and water, and the manner in which this service may be secured. The influence of the forest on the conservation of water is well known and cannot be successfully ques- tioned. The forest develops a loose bed of leaf -mould Waterways and Conservation Commission 201 which readily absorbs water from rain and melting snow, thus producing a less rapid run-off, and which is readily washed away when the forest is cleared ; it retards the melting of snow and thus conserves the water from this source ; and it prevents rapid evap- oration from the surface, thus permitting the water to percolate through the soil. The result is that more water is absorbed by the soil, and that springs are more abundant in forested regions. This fact is familiar to all who have closely watched the effect of the clearing of our woodland slopes, for all the forested sections of the state have furnished abun- dant evidence. The clearing of the forest has been followed in innumerable cases by the disappearance of springs which formerly fed our streams even in dry weather. This has materially affected both the large and the small streams, and the Iowa farmer has frequently suffered especially from the failure of the latter in pastures. This influence of the forest upon the conservation of water is especially noticeable in the rougher areas along our streams in which most of the small tribu- taries have their source, and if these rough areas, which are usually of little value for other purposes, were properly protected much would be accomplished toward the protection and preservation of our streams. Streams also suffer from the denudation of their bordering slopes by being choked up with the silts washed down from these slopes. It is a well known 202 Report of the Iowa State Drainage fact that trees prevent erosion. We set them out along stream-courses and sometimes on steep hill- sides for this purpose. Conversely, we know that if they are removed from steep slopes the latter are soon deeply scarred, for not only are the looser soils re- moved, but the subsoils are often deeply cut. Illustrations of this kind may be found in all the formerly wooded sections of our own neighboring states, and some of these are seen in the plates. Where rough surfaces are cleared, as shown in Plate XIX, Fig. 1, the result shown in Fig. 2 of the same plate soon follows. A very striking illustration is shown in Plate XX, Fig. 1. This area is located in Whitewater township, Dubuque county, and was for- merly well wooded. The clearing of the forest result- ed, first in the removal of the surface soil, and then in the deep cutting of the underlying sands, with the re- sult that a part of the surface is now covered with shifting sand and a part is so deeply eroded that the whole tract is practically worthless. But even when the underlying subsoil is much hard er similar results follow as is illustrated in Plate XX. Fig. 2, where the removal of the forest was followed not only by the erosion of the loose yellow loess clay subsoil, but also by the cutting of the much harder underlying joint clay. A similar illustration is shown in Plate XXI, Fig. 1, where both the sandy and clay subsoil and the harder drift clay were eroded when the forest was cut away. That erosion of this kind is checked by trees is well Waterivays and Conservation Commission 203 illustrated in Plate XXI, Fig. 2, which shows the head of a deep gully, the further progress of which has been arrested by the roots of a green ash. The breaking or excessive pasturing of the prairie on rough surfaces produces similar results, as is illustrated in Plate XXII, Fig. 1. This figure shows an eroded slope north of Miller's Bay, West Lake Okoboji. This slope remained intact until the tramp- ing of cattle in the boggy places and the close crop- ping of the prairie plants on the drier surfaces made erosion possible. Large areas are thus made worthless by the re- moval of their plant covering, whether forest or prairie, but this is not the only unfortunate conse- quence of this practice. The material thus washed away fills up the streams and lakes with silt. Mud- bars are formed in the streams by every freshet, and being made up largely of surface soil the mud of these bars contains much organic material. The bars are then ground away by the current even at low water and the waters of the streams become muddy and are befouled with organic material. Our formerly clear streams and their borders thus not only became more unsightly but decidedly unsanitary — a result of especially far-reaching consequence when we con- sider the effect upon the water supply of many of our cities and towns. Moreover this pollution of our streams has resulted in the practical extermination of our finer game fish, as has been noted in the pre- ceding paper. 204 Report of the Iowa State Drainage Lakes are similarly affected and the beauty and the usefulness of their shores are greatly diminished by the silting up of their borders. This effect is illus- trated in Plate XXII, Fig. 2, which represents the point or bar formed by the streamlet shown in Fig. 1 on the same plate. Here the bar has been carried out beyond the old boulder-bordered shore-line and the water in its vicinity has become shallow. The surfaces from which this silt is derived suffer the loss of their best soil, and are often unfit for use. To check this waste of the most fertile soil it is not necessary that the entire surface of the drainage areas of the streams be covered with forest or un- broken sod. The greatest amount of erosion takes place on the steepest slopes, and from these it works back to areas which would otherwise be but little af- fected. The remedy lies chiefly in preserving and protecting the forest on the steep slopes, and culti- vating only the flatter areas above and below. The steep slopes may thus become a source of profit and cease to be a menace to the remainder of the land. This feature of the case might suggest that the question is one of private interest, but the fact that the effect of the pollution and clogging of our streams and lakes, to which reference has been made, extends far beyond the limits of each eroded tract gives to it a broader significance and makes it a fit subject for state control. The state should control the rough lands along the streams of our state for the purpose of preventing the Waterways and Conservation Commission 205 evil consequences of our present practice. It should secure this control by assuming police power, or by lease or purchase of the land. The assumption of police powers would not be a radical innovation, for we now restrain those who commit nuisances, and similarly where the evil consequences of a pernicious practice extend beyond the limits of the tract of land the owner thereof should be restrained by the state. It would be much more satisfactory in the end how- ever if the state leased or purchased such groimds and assumed direct control for the purpose of pro- tecting our streams and incidentally producing tim- ber which would ultimately form a valuable asset. It has been suggested that the hunter's license fund might be applied in part to the purchase or leasing of such lands which might then be used as game pre- serves under proper restrictions. This would give some returns to those who furnish the fund and would remedy many of the evils which result from our pres- ent wasteful methods. Thousands of citizens of Iowa have contributed to the fund, but many more thousands who do not care to hunt would be added 'if it was understood that the fund was to be used for the purposes suggested. Land would be purchased from year to year as the fund accumulated and in the course of a few years Iowa would have a splendid ser- ies of woodlands serving as a protection to our streams, for conserving soil-water, for preserving the soil, as parks for both cities and country, as game preserves, and ultimately as a valuable asset which 206 Report of the Iowa State Drainage under proper management would yield abundant pro- fit without complete destruction. The securing of this land should begin now, for every delay will make the step more difficult. Appendices APPENDIX A FINANCIAL REPOET At tlie regular meeting of the Iowa State Drainage, Waterways and Conservation Commission held Au- gust 10, 1910, the secretary was instructed to make a brief report of the financial transactions of the Com- mission and incorporate the same in the report of the Commission to the Governor. In compliance with the above instructions, I re- spectfully submit the following: I. S. D. W. & C. Commission Dr. To amt. placed to credit of Commission by statute $5000.00 Cr. By expenses of Commissioners attend- ing meetings $ 229 . 64 By expenses of Commissioners attend- ing conventions 396 . 46 By Secretary's salary— Geo. D. Dobson 869.13 By Secretary's salary— Lisle V. Hites 825.00 By amt. paid Secretary's assistants.. 358.07 By amt. paid office supplies, postage and express 362.77 By amt. paid telephone and telegraph 44.12 By amt. paid cost of Boone river survey 573 . 76 By amt. paid investigation trips 76 . 15 By amt. paid engraving for the report 219 . 00 By amt. paid printing and binding the report 1044.90 By balance ^-00 Totals $5000.00 $5000.00 210 Report of the Iowa State Drainage The expenditures of this Commission have all been approved by the Commission itself and by the Exe- cutive Council of the State, and an itemized account, thereof, has been incorporated in the records of the Commission. Very respectfully, LisiiE V. HiTEs, Secretary APPENDIX B MAPS Aocompanyiag Eeport Upon Drainage: Map of the west fork of the Des Moines river. (2 sheets). Sheet of profiles of levees and ditches. Condensed profile of the east fork of the Des Moines river. Accompanying the Boone Eiver Power Survey: Contour map of Boone river. (2 sheets). Sheet No I U S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. OrnCE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS Sheet No I U S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS MAP OF WEST FORK OF DES MOINES RIVER PALO ALTO AND POCAHONTAS COUNTIES IOWA Showing proposed plan for reolaifning overflowed lands adjoining the river. Prepared from surveys by O.G.BAXTER, Drainage Engineer under the direction of CGEUUOTT, CHIEF Of DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS TO ACCOMPANY A REPORT TO THE IOWA STATE DRAINAGE,CONSERVATION AND WATER WAYS COMMISSION 1910 Z «QL 6eALC IN reer •000 ioao Tooo aooo «ooo cooo 10000 GrP.del. f/i7 two Sheets) LEGEND Proposed Lcuees (locafeJJi... „ ,,, . . (nof located) ,....^\\'iMih (located}.. —— »~~" ► „. .. (not located) m~m ■— -.i - Elevations of Bottoms •§ # # v? v? 15 It 27 34