HYDROLOGY OF NEW YORK 



4S7 



probably approximated these figures. Probably the headwaters 

 of this stream will give flood-flows of 60 to 70 cubic feet per 

 second per square mile. 



Chenango river. The serious flood which occurred at Bingham- 

 ton on March 1-3, 1902, was mostly due to the overflow of Che- 

 nango river. A flood committee appointed by the Mayor of Bing- 

 hamton has reported the total damage resulting from this flood at 

 |16,720. 



The committee also submitted a detailed statement, with names 

 of individuals, showing a total decrease in valuation of property 

 of |44,800. 



The flood-flow of Chenango river is estimated at from 40,000 

 to 45,000 cubic feet per second (catchment, 1582 square miles), 

 or at the rate of possibly 30 cubic feet per second per square mile. 

 It is probable that the smaller tributaries towards the head- 

 Avaters have flood-flows of 50 to 60 cubic feet per second per 

 square mile. 



Floods in Chemung river. The Chemung river, as well as its 

 tributaries, the Cohocton and the Canisteo, is a gently flowing or 

 alluvial river. The third tributary, the Tioga, is torrential for 

 the greater portion of its length. 



The city of Corning is situated on the Chemung river, about 

 two miles below the junction of the Tioga and the Cohocton. A 

 large portion of the city is built directly in the valley below flood 

 level, from whence it results that Corning has suffered seriously 

 from floods, but the city has recently carried out a system of 

 improvements which thus far has prevented these inundations. 

 The river flows near the south side of the valley, with the greater 

 portion of Corning lying on the alluvial strip to the north — the 

 balance of the city extends up the abrupt hill, flanking the valley 

 on the south. The greater part of the floods occur on the north- 

 ern side of the river, though there have been some which were 

 more severe on the south side, owing to the denser population. In 

 1892 an act was passed by the legislature creating a Board of 

 River Commissioners with authority to carry out the needed im- 

 provements and to issue bonds to pay for them. This act was 

 amended in 1895, extending the authority to issue bonds to 

 |150,000. The improvement was begun in 1896 and completed in 

 1897. The general plan was to enlarge the river channel through 

 and below the city and to raise the banks by artificial dykes. 



