52 REPORT OF SPECIAL FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



extending back to the drainage lines. In the forest, 

 however, the disappearance of the snow was uniform 

 and, with the exception of small cut-over or exposed 

 areas, the depth remained quite uniform. In a 

 report of the examination, it is stated that it "es- 

 tablishes the general conclusion that a direct rela- 

 tion exists between forest cover and stream regula- 

 tion. The results. . . are held to show that through- 

 out the White mountains the removal of forest 

 growth must . be expected to decrease the natural 

 steadiness of dependent streams during the spring 

 months at least . . . Deforestation followed by fires 

 . . . results in conditions unfavorable to natural 

 spring - storage because conducive to rapid snow 

 melting and stream run-off." 



The securing of conditions favorable to uniform 

 stream flow is of the highest importance in Wis- 

 consin because this state has so many rivers and so 

 much water power. The state has no coal, and 

 its water powers are the great source of energy for 

 manufacturing, heating, lighting and transporting. 

 The highest usefulness of the water powers is de- 

 pendent on regularity of stream flow. Floods in 

 the spring and low w^ater in the summer and fall 

 are injurious. Reforestation on the headwaters of 

 the rivers and the storage of excess water in natural 

 and artificial reservoirs will result in great benefits 

 to the public. 



It has been claimed by the opponents of forestry 

 that, because the forest reserve in Wisconsin was in 

 a comparatively -level country, the effects of de- 

 forestation would not be as serious as in a mountain- 

 ous country. This is unquestionably true as far as 

 erosion is concerned, but the rapidity with which 

 snow will melt on cut-over lands is the same, and 

 this is the chief point to be considered in protecting 

 the headwaters of our rivers in Wisconsin. 



This is but another reason for the retention of the 

 present State forest lands. They are located at the 

 headwaters of our most important rivers. Wiscon- 

 sin, in addition to the recognized reasons for main- 



