FLOATING AND RAFTING 347 



not only a serious drain on the finances of a lumber company 

 but the value of the logs that have been cut for such long periods 

 is greatly depreciated. 



(6) The legal complications with riparian owners. The rights 

 of loggers on "floatable" and "navigable" streams are defined 

 by state laws which vary in different states. The driver of 

 logs is liable for damages to property of riparian owners caused 

 by the creation of artificial freshets that overflow the lands, 

 damage the banks, or deposit logs or debris on the property. 

 Navigable streams must be kept open and the rights of all other 

 lawful users of the stream respected. Loggers, in some states, 

 find themselves frequently forced into costly litigation and this 

 has a deterrent effect on the utilization of streams for the trans- 

 portation of logs. 



REQUIREMENTS TOR A DRIVEABLE STREAM 



(i) The size of the stream. The stream channel should be 

 wide enough and deep enough to float the largest and longest 

 logs without the formation of jams. High banks are desirable 

 since they confine the water and prevent it from losing its force. 

 When not so confined sufficient water may not be available to 

 float logs for more than a short distance, in which case numerous 

 splash dams have to be built. 



The most economical use can be made of a small stream 

 when it is only a little wider than the longest logs and of a 

 sufficient depth to float them clear of all obstructions. If there 

 are obstructions the channel must be capable of improvement 

 at a moderate cost. On large streams logs may be guided 

 around obstructions by the use of booms and other improve- 

 ments, but in narrow channels this usually is impossible and 

 the stream bed must be improved either by the removal of 

 obstructions, changing the course of the stream or putting in 

 sluices for transporting logs around places where floating by 

 ordinary means is not possible. 



(2) The channel must be reasonably straight so that logs will 

 not become jammed at the bends of the stream. This is most 

 important on small streams because of the narrow channel. 



