The headwaters of many of the important streams are already included within forest reserves, and some of the important reservoir sites are thus guarded from injury. In other localities the forest-reserve boundaries should be extended to include the country from which comes the principal part of the run-off. This land usually has no value for cultivation, is rugged, and suitable only for the production of trees. Grazing to a limited extent is practicable and will not interfere with the best use of the waters, but if unrestricted the number of cattle and sheep may be increased to such an extent that the grazing is destroyed and the bare soil is washed by storms. The accompanying maps (Pls. I-IV) show the principal river courses, forest reserves, existing and proposed, and the areas segregated under the terms of the reclamation law. Pl. I, of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, shows the sources of many of the important streams of the arid region. Pl. II shows the country south of this, including Colorado, Utah, and the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico; the principal streams shown are the Rio Grande and the tributaries of Colorado River. Pl. III includes the States of California and Nevada and shows the principal part of the Great Basin, from which no streams escape to the sea. After Colorado River, the streams of greatest importance are those which issue from the Sierra Nevada, flowing on the west side toward the interior valley of California, and from the east side into the deserts of Nevada. Pl. IV completes the series and shows Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; the principal streams being the Columbia and its great tributary, Snake River. ORGANIZATION OF RECLAMATION SERVICE. The plans of operation under the reclamation law approved by the Secretary of the Interior on July 8, 1902, authorized the creation of what is known as the Reclamation Service, a corps of engineers and professional men constituted to carry out the purposes of the law. For convenience of administration the Reclamation Service was made a division in the hydrographic branch of the Geological Survey, continuing under the rules and regulations which have proved effective in this organization. The new division was at first composed of men who had been connected with the division of hydrography of the United States Geological Survey, and who, under various laws, had been studying the water supply and the extent to which the arid region might be reclaimed. From time to time new men have been added and the Reclamation Service has been expanded as rapidly as possible to cover field work in each of the 13 States and 3 Territories. The new men were obtained by means of competitive examinations held by the Civil Service Commission, especial attention being given to experience in irrigation work and in the distribution of water under the laws and customs of the various parts of the West. In particular, several men connected with various State engineer offices were obtained, and as far as practicable preference was given to persons of known ability in the building and operation of canals and ditches. With the experienced men have also been included a considerable number of young, well-educated assistants obtained from colleges and technical schools. These men have good engineering training and are capable of rapid advancement after a few seasons' work in the arid West. Advancement in all cases rests upon ability shown in the performance of duties and intelligence displayed in meeting contingencies. The principal officer of the Reclamation Service is the chief engineer, who reports to the Director of the Geological Survey, and through him to the Secretary of the Interior. Assisting the chief engineer is an advisory or consulting corps made up of experienced civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, and also several engineers who have had legal training and practice. Various boards or committees of these engineers consider and report upon details of organization or of technical importance. The attempt is made to secure rapid execution through a single responsible head and at the same time to obtain the advice and careful consideration of numerous experienced and qualified men. Work in the field is under the immediate direction of district engineers, each in charge of examinations and construction in a State or large drainage basin. The district engineers report directly to the chief engineer, and their reports are passed upon by supervising or consulting engineers organized into a board or committee to consider the particular matter. The district engineers suggest or recommend projects and execute the work approved by the chief engineer. They are responsible for all details and are custodians of property acquired in each district. They are assisted by various engineers, assistant engineers, and engineering aids, classified in accordance with experience and known capability. These men, organized in suitable field parties, are engaged in reconnaissance, or in engineering examinations, or in supervising construction where projects have been determined upon. STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. To assist in carrying out the reclamation law, various agencies have been created under State or private auspices. The principal ones of these are described in the following paragraphs: ARIZONA. In this Territory the water users of the Salt River Valley have been organized into an association, as described on page 76. The articles of incorporation there given have been carefully considered and are believed to embody most of the essential features necessary for good administration of the reclamation law. From time to time other items or modifications may be found necessary and can be made. CALIFORNIA. Cooperation was brought about by legislative action in 1903 appropriating certain funds for cooperation in topographic and hydrographic surveys. The board of control, consisting of the governor, the attorney-general, and State treasurer, is empowered to enter into agreements to carry out certain investigations which will lead to a better knowledge of the opportunities of reclamation. The State appropriation provides for cooperation along the following lines: For topographic mapping of important drainage basins by the topographic branch of the Geological Survey, $20,000. For gaging of streams and the surveying of reservoir sites by the hydrographic branch of the Geological Survey, $15,000. For the study of the forest cover of the mountain drainage basins, $15,000. This work to be done by the Bureau of Forestry of the Agricultural Department. For the determination of the duty of water, by the Department of Agriculture, $10,000. This entire appropriation was made with the view of calling attention to the latent opportunities in the State for irrigation development, as well as of recommending definite policies to be pursued by the State to accomplish this result. The Geological Survey has undertaken the mapping of the irrigable lands of the Sacramento Valley. There will be surveyed during the winter of 1903-4 at least four 15-minute quadrangles, on a scale of 1:62500, with a contour interval of 5 feet. Other topographic work is being done in the drainage basin of King River. The Geological Survey has extended its work of stream gaging in California and is now maintaining gaging stations on 35 streams. In addition to this a general reconnaissance is being carried on in the drainage basin of Sacramento River for the purpose of discovering existing reservoir sites and the survey thereof. An examination of this whole drainage basin is planned with the view of deciding upon a comprehensive scheme for the irrigation of the Sacramento Valley. Unusual opportunities are offered here because of the fertility of the soil, the mild character of the climate, which permits the growth of semitropic fruits, and the abundant water supply. The mountainous portions of this drainage basin are heavily covered with timber, which is being rapidly exhausted by lumbering operations. Because of this denudation the Bureau of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture was called upon to particularly investigate these timbered areas. The forest reserves which have been tentatively withdrawn will be thoroughly investigated and recommendations made |