A DisCQSsion of Conservative lyQmbering and tl)e 



Water-3appl>5. 



By Frederick H. Newell. Hydrographer, U. S. Geological Survey. 



THE protection of the forests of the mountain region of which Town- 

 ship 40 forms a part is important not only for their present and pros- 

 pective value as sources of timber-supply, but also for their effect 

 in supplying and regulating stream ff ow. Upon the proper exercise of their 

 function as a storage reservoir depend large interests. Several important 

 rivers rise in the Adirondack region, and it is of the utmost importance to 

 the manufactories situated on their banks that a constant and even flow be 

 assured. That the streams may be constantly and evenly fed it is essential 

 that the upper watersheds be protected by forest cover. The forest breaks 

 the force of the falling rain and prevents erosion, while the bed of humus, 

 or forest floor, absorbs the rain and makes a natural reservoir. The 

 absorbent forest floor, by checking the rapid run-off, stores the water which 

 might otherwise swell the streams in freshets and keeps the brooks fihed 

 during times of drought. 



Wisely lumbered, these Adirondack forests will continue to supply 

 water in undiminished quantity to feed the streams which rise among 

 them, if fire is kept out. Fire is the greatest enemy of the forest. 

 It destroys not only the standing timber and the young growth, 

 but also the leaf litter and humus which make the forest floor. In a virgin 

 forest like that on Township 40 this layer of decaying vegetable matter is 

 usually of considerable depth, frequently several feet, and has consequently 

 great capacity for retaining water. In the working plan for Township 40 

 it has been recommended that cuttings be excluded entirely from the sum- 

 mits and the upper slopes of the mountains, where there is the most likeli- 

 hood of damage from erosion. With these reservations, and under the 

 conservative lumbering advised, the supply of water from Township 40 will 

 be neither reduced nor disturbed. Cutting to the diameter limits advised 

 for Spruce, Pine, and Balsam will not invite erosion, since it will but slightly 

 reduce the present density of the forest. The effect of lumbering on the 



water-supply, even where the forest cover is much broken, is in itself com- 



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