Distributive Relationships of the Agricultural Pattern 130 
accumulating waters, (d) the maintenance of a low level of water in 
Horseshoe and Pittsburg lakes in order that flood waters can be accom- 
modated, (e) the construction of a river levee designed to protect the 
levee and Sanitary district from the highest probable flood of the 
Mississippi River, and (f) the confinement of channels by levees where 
deemed advisable. 
The practical effects of the work of the Levee and Sanitary Board 
are visualized more readily in the rural than in the urban areas. Damage 
to crops because of unsatisfactory drainage has been lessened on hun- 
dreds of acres and a substantial acreage, formerly considered unculti- 
vable, has been placed under cultivation. However, drainage improve- 
ments probably should not be given sole credit for the improved con- 
ditions. The practical importance of the river levee is reflected in the 
fact that a similar grade of farm can be sold with less difficulty and at 
a higher Price per acre if it is located inside rather than outside the East 
Side Levee (Fig. 31). 
; The Wood River Drainage and Levee District was organized (1910) 
Primarily to provide protection from upland waters for the grounds and 
buildings of two large industrial plants.1 Incidentally, the boundaries 
of the district were drawn so as to include over one thousand acres of 
farm land. The channel of Wood River extending across the flood 
Plain has been straightened (Figs. 18, 26, and 32), and the gradient 
of the channel at the foot of the bluffs has been increased by lowering 
the limestone floor of the channel so as to increase the down-river slope. 
se improvements have been effected to accelerate the rate of move- 
ment of bluff waters across the flood plain. A levee extending from 
the bluffs to a natural levee adjoining the Mississippi River has been 
Placed on each side of the improved channel. The owners of protected 
“rms are impressed with the effectiveness of the work done. 
The foregoing discussion has presented the general relations which 
the rural Population of the American Bottoms sustains toward the 
Natural and cultural environments. The natural environment includes 
4) @ nearly flat or slightly undulating surface, (b) productive soils, 
C) large areas of relatively well-drained land but an imperfectly de- 
veloped drainage pattern as evidenced by the widespread distribution 
Of lakes and swamps, (d) a low elevation relative to adjoining uplands 
and the Mississippi River which exposes the plain to flood hazards, 
sgh 9) os ic td ng oo eas ere ee 
1 . 
Pickels and Leonard, op. cit., p. 46, 
