SCOTT IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN RIVERS. 43, 



On the Improvement of the Western Rivers. 

 By Chas. M. Scott. 



I shall offer no apology for giving my views on the subject of 

 River Improvements, feeling that I am not an egotist in doing so, 

 as an experience of over fifty years on the different rivers of the 

 West has given me opportunities of forming opinions on the sub- 

 ject. Believing that each one should add all he can to the com- 

 mon stock of knowledge, I have ventured to add my mite. 



The subject of River Improvements is one that should interest 

 every man in this broad land, as it embraces in its scope the 

 whole future of this country, not only in its commercial, but its 

 agricultural aspect, and also its sanitary condition. 



A majority of those that discuss this subject, look at it from 

 only one point of view — commercial, agricultural, or sanitary; 

 yet they are all intimately connected, and that which will accom- 

 plish the one in the highest degiee will also accomplish all the 

 others : that is to say, the best system to protect the lands from 

 overflow will also produce deep permanent channels, and the 

 draining of the swamps and rendering them fit for cultivation 

 must destroy the malaria. The work, if done by the present sys- 

 tem, must be done at an expense that will be more than the value 

 of the country, unless labor is reduced to the level of China. 



The time has come when we must choose between the differ- 

 ent systems that are offered, and we should bear in mind that the 

 future of this country rests more on the adoption of a wise system 

 of improvements than on any other thing. 



Before taking up the different systems I shall state the different 

 factors in the problem, and shall challenge every system that does 

 not take them into consideration as worse than useless, when 

 applied to the lower Mississippi and lower Arkansas. 



These factors are, first, fall ; second, volume ; third, curves ; 

 fourth, tenacity of bottom and sides. 



The fall of the river is diminished as the river is lengthened by 

 the cutting of banks, which diminishes velocity. 



Volume and velocity determine the sediment-carrying, or scour- 

 ing, capacity. 



