THE HYDROLOGY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



THE SOURCE OF THE GREATNESS OF NEW YORK 



Introductory statements. It is proposed to give in this report 

 some general statements in regard to the water resources of 

 the State of New York, to be followed by a discussion in detail 

 of the chief contributing causes which have made New York State 

 great. As we proceed, we shall see not only in what manner the 

 resources of the State have been developed, but also how restric- 

 tive legislation has prevented any such full development as has 

 occurred in neighboring states where such restrictive legislation 

 has never been enacted. A comprehensive commercial 'policy will 

 be outlined, which, if followed, will lead to a relatively far greater 

 development than has occurred in the past. 



The preeminent position of New l r ork is due almost entirely to 

 her great natural water resources. Reaching from the ocean on 

 the east to the Great Lakes on the west, she has gathered to her- 

 self the treasures of the foreign world as well as those of half the 

 western continent. Her inland rivers, with their great water 

 powers, have been in the past and will continue to be in the 

 future a perpetual source of wealth. Taking into account the 

 commercial supremacy guaranteed by the Erie canal, it may be 

 said that the history of the State's progress during the nineteenth 

 century was largely a history of the development of her water 

 resources. It is the purpose of the writer in this report to relate 

 briefly not only in what manner these resources have been em- 

 ployed, but to indicate the recent lines of development and the 

 probable future of the State if her water is utilized to the fullest 

 degree. It is proposed to describe in a general way the river 

 systems, giving brief descriptions of several of the more important 

 utilizations of water in New York, together with a discussion of 

 some of the economic problems confronting the people of the State. 



