BYBEE-MALOTT : THE FLOOD OF 1913 



181 



side of the river, are incipient, and the damage done by them in 

 the flood was slight. They deserve attention only for what they 

 are capable of becoming. These little things neglected are the 

 things that sometimes become alarming because of what they 

 develop into. 



In making the bend in the northern part of Section 2, the river 

 has cut away as much as five acres in the past year. This land 

 belongs to Mr. Benj. Gray. Mr. Gray, however, has gained as 

 much land as he lost, by the river turning in the other direction 

 below. The amount gained is a great bar as yet, and not equivalent 

 in value to that lost. A cut-off was almost consummated) reaching 

 from the bank cutting on Mr. Gray's land to the next meander 

 which turns to the northwest and leads into Section 3. If this 

 cut-off should take place, it would at least eliminate one meander, 

 which would be all the better, although Mr. Gray would be a heavy 

 loser. The meander which leads into Section 3, cut about three 

 acres from the bank during the flood, but about twenty acres have 

 been lost within the last ten years. A great sand and gravel bar 

 lies on the inside of each of these meanders, each consisting of 

 several acres, testifying to the waste land that a meandering stream 

 can make. Without considering the two bank cuts below (just 

 east of Romona) in which about three acres were lost, and the ten 

 acres which were literally devastated by the over-running current 

 nearby, the conditions call loudly for attention. The river could 

 be straightened here, even in this bend of the valley, in such a 

 manner as to eliminate the meanders. Although the valley is 

 narrow, in the long run it would be much better for all concerned 

 if something was done toward the end mentioned. Mr. Gray 

 expressed his willingness to have this done if proper adjustments 

 could be made. It appeals to reason that when sixteen acres 

 are lost within one year, and within the past the conditions have 

 been such that over one hundred fifty acres have been turned into 

 a mere waste, some constructive measures should be taken. 



In Owen County there are two or three places that might be 

 given attention, for instance just below Spencer and just east 

 of Freedom; but as a whole the valley is narrow and it would be 

 more or less expensive to straighten the channel, even in tlie^e 

 places. There is no doubt, however, but that conditions could be 

 bettered, and with little expense damage done by bank cutting and 

 denudation could be greatly mitigated. 



A glance at Chart No. 4 shows that bank cutting in Greene 

 County was very severe. It can be distinctly noticed that the 



