WEATHER BUREAU RIVER AND FLOOD SYSTEM 307 
points throughout the Ohio valley, and the resources of the 
Bureau were taxed to the utmost in the interests of the flooded 
districts. The dainage caused in the Ohio valley this flood 
could hardly be calculated. In the region about Cincinnati 
alone the loss of property was variously estimated at from 
810,000,000 to 825,000,000. 
From June, 1889, to July, 1893, the care and supervision of 
the flood service of the Bureau were entrusted to a single indi- 
vidual, and a considerable extension of the system was made in 
the way of establishing rainfall stations near the headwaters of 
the more important tributaries of the great rivers. In the early 
part of June, 1889, forecasts Avere made twelve to tAvent}^-four 
hours in advance of the flood Avhich reached the city of Wash- 
ington, and the value of property saved in this city alone Avas 
many times greater than the annual appropriation for the entire 
flood service of the country. In the spring of 1890 the loAver 
Mississippi valley Avas flooded for a distance of forty miles back 
from the river in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, 
and Louisiana. Special flood warnings, w-hich Avere amply con- 
firmed by the subsequent stages of water, Avere issued from 
Washington in advance of the flood, and in several instances 
far in advance of the flood-crest. Numerous illustrations might 
be adduced to shoAV the vast utility, from a commercial stand- 
point, of a thoroughly equipped Government flood-Avarning sys- 
tem, notAvithstanding the fact that the forecasts are based upon 
empirical reasoning, and are, therefore, subject to more or less 
error. The allotment from the annual appropriation for the 
support of the river and flood system of the Weather Bureau is 
not greater than the A’alue of property that may be saA'ed in the 
cellar of an ordinary commercial house. 
In considering the relation of the Weather Bureau to the 
liydrography of tlie country it sliould not be forgotten that there 
are noAV about 2,000 standard rain-gauges uniformly distributed 
throughout the region east of the Rocky mountains from Avlncli 
daily measurements of precipitation are received at the central 
oflice. In tlie Rocky mountain region there are about 1,000 
gauges, but, on account of the paucity of poj)ulation, tliere are 
many imj)ortant regions from Avhich pro])cr data are not being re- 
ceived. Measurements of snoAvfall on the higli mountain ranges 
Avould be of great value in connection Avith irrigation, but the 
))resent (listril)Ution of observation stations is inadetpiate to the 
proper uiulertaking of this imj)ortant work. 
