Civil engineering—specialized 
HYDROLOGY AND WATERSHED PROTECTION. In many mountainous 
areas on National Forest lands, erosion is a most serious problem. This is 
especially true in the Western States. Such situations quickly become critical 
after the area has been burned over by a forest fire. Forest Service civil 
engineers are interested in controlling this erosion, not only to minimize the 
loss of surface material and the downstream damage it causes, but also to 
protect the watershed and the water it provides for more beneficial use. 
Frequently debris dams are constructed as the most suitable method of control. 
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION. About 110 million visits are made 
annually to the National Forests for recreation including hunting, fishing, 
camping, or just plain sightseeing. The number of these visits increases each 
year. Thus, the Forest Service has inescapable responsibilities with regard ] 
to public health. These include adequate supplies of safe drinking water and | 
suitable sanitary facilities. In large campground areas such requirements 
become quite extensive. The same services must be provided also for many 
ranger stations and other Forest Service field headquarters located at remote 
points not served by municipal installations. In these instances full responsi- 
bility for design, construction, and maintenance supervision falls on Forest 
Service engineers, who must be trained and have experience in this type of 
work. | 
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS. Topographic surveys and the related map- 
making (cartography) are important Forest Service activities for civil engineers 
who by interest and qualifications choose to specialize in this type of work. 
The most modern methods, including photogrammetry, are used in mapping 
the remote, mountainous Forest Service lands. The Division of Engineering 
in each of the 10 Regional offices has a separate Survey and Maps Branch 
made up of civil engineers and cartographers, assisted by trained technicians. 
In this activity Forest Service engineers coordinate fully with those employed 
by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, the Army Map Service, and the U.S. 
Geological Survey. In the Washington, D.C., office, Division of Engineering, 
a Photogrammetric Service Center, located in Alexandria, Va., is directed 
by the Chief of the Surveys and Maps Branch. This organization also is 
supervised and staffed by civil engineers who specialize in this field. 
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708-080 O - 63-4 
