SCOTT IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN RIVERS. 5 1 



Capt. Cowden advocates the opening of outlets, first into the 

 Gulf, and next into the swamps ; and also to divert Red river 

 into the Calcasieu. 



Capt. Cowden does not appear to know that the sediment- 

 carrying capacity depends upon the velocit}', and that the velocity 

 depends upon the fall and volume modified -by the curves, and 

 that if the volume is reduced without increasing the fall, or re- 

 ducing the curves, the velocity will be reduced, causing a more 

 rapid deposit and destroying the navigation and increasing the 

 malarious character of the country ; in short, reducing it to the 

 same character as the lower Danube, or the sluggish lagoons of 

 the south. This plan can only be of the most temporary charac- 

 ter, as the constant deposits consequent on the lessened volume, 

 aided by the lengthening, will soon destroy the navigation, and 

 with the destruction of navigation will also destroy the country 

 by increasing the malarious area. 



Capt. Cowden has issued several pamphlets illustrative of his 

 views of river improvements, and, if his knowledge of what is 

 required on the subject is to be judged by the premises he has 

 laid down in his paper, it will show clearly that he does not 

 comprehend the problem. He claims that the crevasse at Bonnet 

 Quarre has lessened the rise of the river at Natchez over six feet, 

 and on this assertion he bases his scattering theory. His claim, 

 unless shown to be false, will certainly draw converts to his the- 

 ory, and it is the duty of those that know the fallacy of his prem- 

 ises to show their real merit. 



Capt. Cowden does not appear to know the effect of curves any 

 better than he does the effect of volume. The change in the 

 shape of the river at Ellis Cliffs, 20 miles below Natchez, has 

 produced the effect that he imputes to the crevasse 235 miles 

 below. A few years ago the river struck the bluff' at an acute 

 angle, and banked up in the same manner (but worse) that it 

 now does at Columbus, backing the current for miles above Nat- 

 chez. The point below has gradually been cut away until now 

 the current comes in below the bluff', and has cut a wide regular 

 bend, and allows the water a free passage, lessening the resistance 

 to the ffow of water during floods. If Capt. Cowden had known 

 the effect of curves, he would not have been led into this error. 



In the last forty years there have been four heavy crevasses 



