RURAL ENGINEERING. 487 



ETJRAL ENGINEERING. 



Eeport on the St. Francis Valley drainage project in northeastern Ar- 

 kansas, A. E. Morgan and O. G. Baxter {U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. 8tas. 

 Bill. 230, pts. 1, pp. 100, pis. 2, figs. 9, dgms. 2, maps 5; 2, pp. 58).— This is a 

 detailed report on the project previously noted (E. S. R., 22, p. 190). Part 1 

 contains the general report of the survey and part 2 a list of the bench marks 

 set during its progress. 



Following a description of the valley as to its location, history, ownership, 

 development of the levee system, topography, climate, soil, native vegetation, 

 crops, land values, and drainage conditions, the run-off and factors affecting it 

 are discussed, together with a detailed presentation of construction methods and 

 cost, excavating machinery, the basis of estimates, hydraulic problems and 

 coefficients, the survey and plan of work, the results to be expected, the advan- 

 tages of a large district, the proper administration, future problems, and unit 

 prices of estimates. A report of a board of consulting engineers endorsing the 

 feasibility of the project is appended. 



The estimated cost of the project is .$7,595,703. or $9.04 per acre, with an 

 annual expense for maintenance of from 2 to 4 per cent of the entire first cost. 

 The benefits expected are in the improvement of the health conditions, fisheries, 

 rice irrigation, roads, lumbering, railroads, power development, and water 

 transportation. 



A report upon the reclamation of the overflowed lands in the Marais des 

 Cygnes Valley, Kansas, S. H. McCrory, D. L. Yarnell, and W. J. McEathron 

 (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Bill. 23^, pp. 53, figs. 2, dgm. 1, maps 3).— 

 This report embodies the results of special field investigations and surveys 

 made by engineers of this Office in 1909, and inchules a discussion of the injury 

 to agricultural lands by the overflow of the river, together with recommenda- 

 tions for relief and estimates of the probable cost of drainage works. 



" By means of the improvements discussed in this report it is proposed to 

 protect from overflow and make available for continuous cultivation 33,365 

 acres of fertile land in the Marais des Cygnes Valley at a cost of $665,500, or 

 an average cost of $19.95 per acre of protected laud. It is proiwsed, further, 

 to increase the carrying capacity of the river channel throughout its length in 

 Kansas and in Bates County, Mo., and thus reduce the height and duration of 

 floods in the valley. This end is to be accomplished by clearing the channel at a 

 cost of $139,720, or $1.76 per acre of benefited land. It is also planned to 

 widen the river channel at Main Street, Ottawa, and thus relieve the con- 

 gestion that occurs at this point, under present conditions, in time of flood. 

 The cost of this channel is estimated at from $25,000 to $40,000." 



Appendixes give data as to precipitation and stream flow measurements in 

 the locality and a list of the permanent bench marks set. 



A preliminary report on the drainage of the Fifth Louisiana Levee Dis- 

 trict, A. E. Morgan, S. H, McCrory, and L. 1j. Hidinger ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Office 

 Expt. Stas. Circ. 104, PP- 35, figs. 2). — This report presents the drainage prob- 

 lems as they exist in the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, points out certain 

 general methods of inaugurating and proceeding with its drainage, and sub- 

 mits a crude estimate of the probable cost of main and lateral drainage under 

 the conditions which are described. It discusses the necessity of adequate pre- 

 liminary surveys and careful stream investigations, submits an estimate of their 

 cost, and also suggests the order in which drainage works may most profitably 

 be developed. 



The estimated cost of the proposed improvements is $10,687,000, or about $7 

 per acre. " Before any considerable amount of money is spent in drainage 

 85408°— No. 5—11 7 



