272 
Nearly a century ago an attempt was made to control the 
stream but the results were unsatisfactory, and it was not until 
1870 that a further effort was made. About that date a wide and 
definite control of the volume of water, and about 20 years ago the 
various hillsides draining into this stream, which had previously 
private grazings, were purchased by the town of Brienz and placed 
in the hands of the forest officers. As much as possible of the 
higher land was covered with grass as a check to erosion and a dam 
was constructed to regulate the flow of water as it passed into the 
artificial course. So well has the water been regulated that it now 
passes to the lake in a regular stream, very little difference in the 
ow being noticeable in moderately dry and wet weather. The 
next work was to fix the steep slopes of the mountain sides. To 
effect this, numerous wide strong walls were built which serve as 
retaining walls, assist in checking snow slides, and form terraces on 
which to plant trees. Much of the surface consists of crumbling 
rock and the first vegetation established in such places was grass. 
This was cut in turves, carried in baskets for a considerable distance 
avalanches, but walls are found to be generally more satisfactory. 
The more fertile parts of these mountain sides originally gave 
upon the land, : 
One disadvantage has been observed in the checking of avalanches 
The snow melts on the higher ground and the water sinks into and 
