168 CLASSIFICATION OV THE PUBLIC LANDS. 



the field of investigation again spreads beyond the actualities of the 

 present and an estimate of prospective events must be made. 



Finally, it must not be forgotten that human activities are not 

 confined to the utilization of water — that a community which pro- 

 duces must, if its products are of value, have suitable means of 

 transportation. Therefore it frequently occurs that consideration 

 must be given to the relative usefulness of a piece of land as a power 

 site or as a right of way for a railroad. In some places the bottom 

 of a canyon that is suitable for power development or a basin that 

 is suitable for a reservoir is also an advantageous railroad route. 

 Although it is usually possible to locate an alternate railroad route, 

 the cost of utilizing it may be so great as to outweigh the advantages 

 that may accrue from development of power along the stream. It 

 is thus necessary to appraise the relative values and comparative 

 costs and choose the course that is or is likely to become of the 

 highest human benefit. 



The classification of lands for water-power sites therefore requires 

 a broad perspective, and it comprehends the study of so many variable 

 conditions and prospective changes in public demand that mistakes 

 are easily made and mature consideration is always necessary. Field 

 examination naturally falls into two classes. The first is recon- 

 naissance, made in response to urgency. The second is final and de- 

 tailed and involves all the precision of instrumental work and the 

 careful deductions made possible thereby. 



BECOITITAISBANCE EXAIHSrATIOK. 



A suitable report on a water-power site classification should cover 

 as many of the subjects listed in the following syllabus as may be 

 relevant : 



I. Sources of data used in report : 



1. Personal examination — route followed and time consumed. 



2. Water-supply papers. 



3. Maps. 



4. Reports of engineers. 



5. Miscellaneous. 



IL General introductory description, including location as to State, rivers, 

 cities, township, and range. 



III. Description of the power developments and possibilities on the river, 



showing by sketch on best available maps location of dams, power 

 canals, and power houses already constructed and possible location of 

 these essential features for other power developments. Ownership 

 of plants already constructed and use made of the power. 



IV. Physical characteristics : 



1. Topography at dam site. 



2. Relation of tract to a possible power development described under 



III above. 



3. Head available, how secured, whether by dam or by dam and canal. 



4. Character of dam sites, holding ground for canals, and site for power 



house. 



