748 



REPORT 1889. 



4. Records of River Volumes and Flood Levels. 

 Bij C. E. De Range, Assoc.Inst.C.E., F.G.S., F.R.G.S. 



The basis of any legislation for the amelioration of floods should he an accurate 

 kno-wledge of the levels reached by the dry--weather flo-w, the average flo-w, and 

 the flood condition of our streams, extending over a long period ; at present such 

 information is rarely obtainable, and, except in -waterworks drainage areas, but few 

 observations exist as to the actual volume of water run oft' daily by the rivers of 

 this country. 



There can be little doubt that a permanent record of the height of floods, and 

 the volume of the daily flow of our streams, is a matter of national necessity, and 

 that such records could easily be obtained by the County Coimcils throughout the 

 kingdom. 



Were gauges painted on the county bridges by the county surveyors, a record 

 could be made at least once a day by the county police on their ordinary rounds. 



