238 
J. SAUNDERS-SHRINKAGE OF THE LEA. 
within that county for the 24 years 
of the Lea 
follows:— 
ins. 
1877 29-21 
1878 29-76 
1879 28-73 
1880 29-04 
1881 26-72 
1882 27-94 
Mean 28-57 
ins. 
1883 23-56 
1884 19-03 
1885 27*26 
1886 25-36 
1887 18-36 
1888 24-22 
Mean 22-96 
ins. 
1889 27-50 
1890 21-59 
1891 27-38 
1892 23-02 
1893 20-56 
1894 24-99 
Mean 24-17 
1877-1900 was as 
ins. 
1895 21-38 
... 1896 27-17 
1897 22-89 
... 1898 19-06 
1899 23-03 
1900 22-88 
Mean 22-74 
The average for the whole period is 24-61 ins., and for the 18 years 
1883-1900, 23*29 ins. It should, however, he borne in mind that 
the first period here given (1877-82) was an abnormally wet one, 
having a rainfall about four inches above the average of a long 
period, such as 50 years. 
Another factor is subsoil drainage, by which storm-water is 
carried off much more rapidly than it was before this system 
became prevalent. 
The constantly increasing number of deep wells for municipal 
and manufacturing purposes must also tend to a general lowering 
of the plane of saturation over the area in which they exist. 
Additional Notes. 
Since the above was written evidences have been rapidly 
accumulating which illustrate the continuous lowering of the 
water-level in the higher parts of the Lea valley. By the 
beginning of December, 1902, nearly all the wells at Leagrave had 
become dry, and sinking operations were general. 
At Limbury, about a mile farther down the valley, a well about 
thirty yards from the river-bed had to be sunk to the depth of 
twenty-eight feet before water was reached. This deepening was 
continued to thirty-five feet in order to obtain a copious supply. 
Fifteen years ago the water-level in this well was only eighteen 
inches below the surface, so that in the interval the line of 
saturation has lowered twenty-six and a half feet. 
The well at Messrs. Lye’s works," just north of Luton, has 
recently been deepened an extra six feet, a similar operation having 
been performed two years ago. 
The Luton Water Company are discussing the advisability of 
sinking one of the three borings now existing at their station so as 
to reach the Lower Greensand. There are strong indications that 
the demands of the near future will exceed the present supply. 
It would probably require several successive years of what is 
considered the normal rainfall of the district to reverse, or even to 
arrest, the further serious lowering of the water-level. 
