THE ISTHMIAN CANAL COMMISSION 161 



climatic change. The fluctuations in level of Lake Nicaragua due to 

 seasonal changes have been fully discussed by Chief Engineer Wheeler 

 and Hydrographer Davis in the report of the Canal Commission. 

 This fluctuation possibly reaches an extreme range of 14 feet, although 

 the ordinary range is undoubted!}^ less than 10 feet. With the rise in 

 its surface due to extraordinary precipitation, the section of the outlet 

 increases so rapidly that the balance is soon reached between inflow 

 and outflow, and it is therefore impossible for the level of the lake to 

 reach the elevation given by Lieutenant Baily merely by reason of 

 heavy precipitation. It appears, therefore, in view of the consistent 

 ph3^siographic evidence, that notwithstanding these earlier determi- 

 nations the level of Lake Nicaragua has remained constant except for 

 slight seasonal fluctuations, at least for a period whose length has to 

 be measured in centuries; and, furthermore, it appears that the geo- 

 logic conditions in this portion of the isthmus are such that they afford 

 a promise of future stability, and that the region is therefore favorable 

 for the construction and maintenance of a work such as the proposed 

 Nicaragua Canal. 



THE ISTHMIAN CANAL COMMISSION 



Three liuudred surveyors and engineers are at present in the field in Panama 

 and Nicaragua working for the Isthmian Canal Commission. They are examin- 

 ing with the greatest care the Nicaragua route, tlie Panama route, and all other 

 routes .suggested by any of the former surveys. There are also in the field a 

 number of exploring parties in the hope of discovering sites that have been 

 hitherto overlooked. To quote a member of the commission : " Our object is 

 to do the work with such thoroughness that our results cannot be questioned at 

 any future time. We have the reports of all previous surveys, but we shall 

 cover every mile of ground through which we think it possible for the canal to 

 be run. The country is varied and the work of the surveyors is difficult and 

 progresses slowly, especially in the section about Darien. For this reason it is 

 impossible to set even an aj)proximate date for presenting our formal report to 

 the State Department. Unless Congress especially requires one, we shall sul)mit 

 no preliminai'y rej^ort. Until our work is done, therefore, it is improper for 

 any member of the commission to speak in regard to the merit of the several 

 routes propcsed." 



"The present Panama Company," states Mr Edward No))le, <jf the American 

 Commission, "has been spending the money it has mainly in making a narrow, 

 deep cut througli the great divide that they have to get through to reach the 

 otlier coast. The work is being well done. In regard to the Ciiagrcss River, we 

 liave found that tlie Panama people have a feaHil)le way to manag*; that, although 

 ever^'boily laughed at them vvlien they said they could dam it. We have a 

 surveying party at this point now making the necessary survey on their plans." 



