26 



THE UTILITY OF FORESTS. 



usual damage from high waters might be avoided. Extremely 

 low water might be prevented likewise by gradually draining 

 the stored water into the streams in dry weather. The flow of 

 rivers provided with large reservoirs can be regulated as 

 rivers are which flow from and to lakes. 



''It should be borne in mind, however, that dams and 

 reservoirs without forests would not be worth much. The soil 

 on the steep slopes must be kept covered with vegetation or it 

 will wash into the reservoirs and fill them. Again, the import- 

 ance of speedy action to protect the forest is seen. Almost 

 every proposed development goes back to and depends upon 

 the forest, and unless the woods are cared for, nearly every 

 other resource becomes unavailable." 



"West Virginia's River Commerce." 



"The ability of the streams of West Virginia to carry 

 commerce is one of the state's most valuable resources. The 

 road to market is the path to prosperity; and the easier and 

 better the road the greater the prosperity. Wealth locked up 

 is no better than poverty. Free exchange of commodities is 

 the life and blood of business growth and national develop- 

 ment. 



"The United States Government has improved the West 

 Virginia rivers and made them navigable, but the water and 

 the commerce come from this state. It is for that reason to 

 West Virginia's interest to provide water to fill the channels 

 and freight to laden the barges. 



"The total extent of navigable water in West Virginia is 

 748^ miles, according to the figures compiled by the National 

 Bureau of Commerce and Labor. A table showing the mileage 



of each stream follows: 



Monongahela 33 miles. 



Ohio 285 



Great Kanawha 90 



Little Kanawha 120 " 



Guyandotte 50 



Big Sandy and tributaries 170^ " 



Total 748/2 miles 



