APPENDIX A LV 



at another with greatly reduced volume. This leads not only to great 

 destruction by floods in the lower reaches of the stream at certain 

 seasons of the year, but it greatly decreases the value of the water 

 powers along the course of the river, since the number of horsepower 

 which can be utilized in the case of any power development is that 

 which can be supplied continuously throughout the year, that is to 

 say, speaking generally, the amount of power supplied by the stream 

 at low water. Our water powers in Canada are so numerous and so 

 valuable that anything which tends to destroy them must be regarded 

 as a national peril. 



To protect some of our more important streams the Dominion (or 

 Provincial) governments have set aside certain large areas about 

 their head waters as permanent forest reserves or national parks. 

 These areas in recent years have been greatly increased upon the recom- 

 mendation of the Commission of Conservation. * The total area of 

 the Dominion forest reserves at the present time is 35,804 square 

 miles and the total area of national parks in Canada is 4114-5 square 

 miles. In the forest reserves no land can be taken up for settlement, 

 and the forest cover will be permanently preserved, while in the nation- 

 al parks the game is also preserved, so that they become sanctuaries 

 for the wild animals of the country. One of the most important of 

 these forest reserves is that on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains in Alberta, which will not only protect the catchment areas of 

 the rivers flowing through the great plains but will also supply timber 

 to the future population of this great district. This action of the 

 Government is worthy of all commendation. Other reserves should 

 be added to those which have been already set aside, as, for instance, 

 the tract about the head waters of the Winnipeg River recently 

 recommended by the Commission of Conservation, the area being 

 one which is unfit for settlement but of great importance in connection 

 with the equalization of the flow of this river on which such enormous 

 water powers are now being developed and which have such an 

 important bearing on the welfare and future of the province of 

 Manitoba. 



It is, however, of the utmost importance that the Government 

 should be supported by a strong public opinion in providing for a really 

 effective administration of these great reserves, so that the laws 

 enacted for their maintenance shall be properly enforced. 



Again, areas from which the forest cover have been removed, 

 leaving the soil exposed — especially if they be on hill or mountain 

 sides- — are often reduced to perpetual barrenness by the washing 

 away of the soil, leaving the bare rock exposed, on which there is no 

 foothold for vegetation. Whole districts on the western slopes of 



Proc. 1914, 5. 



