38 Third Annual Report of the 



Decided Benefits 



The enlarged improved channels of Canaseraga creek and the 

 other channels have, so far as completed (October 1, 1913), re- 

 sulted in decided benefits to the inhabitants of the improvement 

 district, and greatly reduced the degree of damages which have 

 heretofore occurred from flood conditions. It is apparent that in 

 lessening the menace to public health and safety, or possibly 

 wholly eliminating the same, and in incidental ways, the work 

 will be of great benefit to the improvement district. 



The proceeds of the sale of $200,000 of bonds for this improve- 

 ment district work, plus premium, accrued interest and interest 

 earned on bank balances, amounted on October 1, 1913, to $223,- 

 ■±50.70, from which $134,859.07 has been expended, leaving a 

 cash balance October 1, 1913, of $88,591.63. Previous to the 

 sale of the bonds there had been expended for the purposes of 

 improvement from the proceeds of a number of appropriations 

 made by the State, and in addition to the sums set forth above, 

 $9,518.85, all or a large part of which under the provisions of 

 statute law is to be refunded by the improvement district to the 

 State treasury. 



Supervision Over Dams 



Under the provisions of section 22 of the Conservation Law 

 jurisdiction over dams, including structures for impounding 

 water, is vested in the Conservation Commission. 



Plans and specifications for fifty-four dams have been approved 

 by the Commission during the fiscal year. Of these, eighteen 

 were new or original construction, and thirty-six to replace dams 

 which were so far decayed, disintegrated, etc., as to be unsafe. 

 Among such new dams are a number of large and important struc- 

 tures in the Hudson, Oswegatchie, Saranac, Salmon, Eaquette, 

 Black and other rivers. 



Before the construction of any new dam is started, the site and 

 foundation thereof are carefully examined, and other inspections 

 are made from time to time during construction. Sixty-eight 

 dams inspected have been ordered strengthened or improved. 

 Seventeen dams have failed or gone out during the year, none of 

 which were large or important structures, and nearly all of which 



