82 THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



facts that examinations are being made so that intelligent action can 

 be taken by the people. 



CO-OPERATION. 



In pushing forward these reservoir surveys cooperation is sought 

 wherever practicable, as in the case of the topographic mapping. In 

 several of the States there is an arrangement by which topographic 

 work is increased within a State and mapping is pushed forward more 

 rapidly than otherwise would be possible. This results from the State 

 making an annual appropriation to help defray field expenses. An 

 equal or greater amount is spent in field work by the Geological Survey, 

 and the resulting map is prepared and published by the latter, proper 

 credit being given to the State authorities. Such an arrangement was 

 under consideration in the case of reservoir surveys in California dur- 

 ing ihe recent session of the State legislature. Should cooperation in 

 reservoir surveys be offered by States, and appropriation therefore 

 made, it is anticipated that equal sums will be expended by the Geo- 

 logical Survey to hasten the completion of the work within those 

 States. 



SUMMARY. 



The relation of the Geological Survey to reservoir surveys may be 

 summed up as follows: 



The Survey was created primarily for the purpose of examining 

 and classify ing the public domain, including the mineral resources and 

 the waters. 



It is specifically authorized to survey reservoir sites and to ascer- 

 tain the extent to which the arid region can be redeemed by irrigation. 



It is making general explorations for the reservoir sites and sur- 

 veying a few of these in detail each year. 



It will extend its operations as fast as funds will permit, the work 

 being more rapidly advanced where State cooperation can be had. 



Its officers have no concern with the question whether these res- 

 ervoirs are to be built by private capital or public funds, their work 

 being to ascertain the facts, such as capacity and cost of reservoirs. 



Washington, D. C. November 11, 1899. 



