Conservation Commission 37 



A study of the foregoing tabulation will show the great benefits 

 of stream regulation in connection with the development of power. 



Public Health, Safety, and Welfare 



The increase of power is by no means the only benefit which 

 will flow from stream regulation. The construction of reservoirs 

 will impound spring flood waters which so frequently result in 

 great injury to public and private property along our inland 

 streams. The Sacandaga reservoir will remove at least three (3) 

 feet from the crest of the floods at Troy, Albany, and elsewhere 

 along the Hudson. The Portage reservoir on the Genesee will 

 prevent the overflow of thousands of acres of valuable land in 

 the Genesee valley and also eliminate injury to other public and 

 private property along the stream which in the past has so often 

 been endangered or destroyed. This menace to property is pres- 

 ent every recurring season, No figures are available to estimate 

 the enormous loss of property injured or destroyed by Spring 

 freshets in this State. By proper stream regulation this destruc- 

 tion and waste would be greatly minimized if not wholly pre- 

 vented. Like safety to property will result on the other inland 

 rivers if properly regulated. Moreover, stream regulation will 

 produce a more steady and continuous run of water. It will in- 

 crease the flow during the dry season of the year, and convert 

 many stagnant pools into streams of living, flowing water. Public 

 health, safety and welfare will be greatly benefited and improved 

 thereby. 



In determining a policy for the State to adopt with respect to 

 stream regulation, consideration should be given to the relative 

 importance of these advantages to the beneficiaries thereof. It 

 may be difficult, if not impossible, to estimate the full value of the 

 benefits to the health, safety and welfare of the public. Yet in 

 formulating an equitable plan for stream regulation all benefits 

 accruing therefrom should be considered: first, to the mill owner 

 from increased power ; second, to the citizenry generally from the 

 improvement to public health, the advancement of public welfare, 

 and the safety to public and private property. 



