PHYSICAL AND CLIMATIC SETTING 33 



marked by villages and cities, such as Rome and Buf- 

 falo. 



The course of the streams, small and large, is ir- 

 regular in direction and grade. The glacial influence 

 superimposed on the general rock topography has 

 made them a succession of sluggish winding chan- 

 nels and plunging rapids or cataracts. Waterfalls 

 are common and are extensively employed. There is 

 a large development of these falls at Rochester, Little 

 Falls, Glens Falls and Watertown, and, of course, at 

 Niagara Falls. Numerous small falls are used and 

 in addition there is a large horse power in waterfalls 

 not yet utilized. Among these may be mentioned 

 that on the larger streams flowing out from the Adi- 

 rondack Mountains and that of the Upper Falls of 

 the Genesee at Portage, where there is the oppor- 

 tunity to construct a large storage dam to equalize 

 the flow of water, and at the same time relieve the 

 lower channel of the water that frequently causes 

 disastrous floods. It has been proposed to develop 

 electric power from these falls and distribute it under 

 State superisvion to fanns as well as to city enter- 

 prises. 



Further, the State abounds in springs and one of 

 the features of its hospitality is the wayside water- 

 ing-trough on almost every highway, perpetually 

 supplied from these sources. Incidently, it may be 

 mentioned that a certain amount of tax is remitted 

 to each land owner who maintains such a conven- 

 ience on a highway. 



