HYDROGRAPHY. 75 
The division of hydrography, first definitely recognized in 1894, 
has been superseded by the hydrographic branch, which now includes 
the divisions of hydrography, hydrology, hydro-economics, and the 
reclamation service. The field and office details of these divisions are 
directed by men who have had special technical training along their 
respective lines. 
DIVISION OF HYDROGRAPHY. 
The work of the division of hydrography consists chiefly in the 
determination of the flow or discharge of rivers. In this connection 
other information useful in hydrographic studies, such as river pro- 
files, duration of floods and extent of damage caused b} r them, water- 
power data, etc., is collected. This investigation has been so closely 
related to the investigations which led to the establishment of the 
reclamation service that the early history of both divisions is a review 
of practically the same facts. 
The organization of the hydrographic branch of the United States 
Geological Survey was made possible by the passage of the act of 
October 2, 1888. The portion of that act relating to the hydrographic 
work was the result of the efforts of the late Maj. J. W. Powell, then 
Director of the Survey, who had devoted a large portion of his life to 
the study of problems connected with the utilization of the arid lands 
of the West by irrigation. It provided: 
For the purpose of investigating the extent to which the arid region of the United 
States can be redeemed by irrigation and the segregation of the irrigable lands in 
such arid region, and for the selection of sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic 
works necessary for the storage and utilization of water for irrigation and the pre- 
vention of floods and overflows, and to make the necessary maps, including the pay 
of employees in field and in office, the cost of all instruments, apparatus, and 
materials, and all other necessary expenses connected therewith, the work to be 
performed by the Geological Survey, under the direction of the Secretary of the 
Interior, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be 
necessary. * * * And all the lands which may hereafter be designated or selected 
by such United States surveys for sites for reservoirs, ditches, or canals for irrigation 
purposes, and all the lands made susceptible of irrigation by such reservoirs, ditches, 
or canals are from this time henceforth hereby reserved from sale as the property of 
the United States, and shall not be subject after the passage of this act to entry, 
settlement, or occupation until further provided by law: Provided, That the President 
may at any time in his discretion by proclamation open any portion or all of 
the lands reserved by this provision to settlement under the homestead laws. 
Initiatory to the act were two Senate resolutions, passed on January 
13, 1888, and March 27, 1888, calling upon the Director of the Geolog- 
ical Survey, through the Secretary of the Interior, for information 
as to the desirability of the Government undertaking irrigation 
investigations, and the sum necessary for such purpose. In his reply 
the Director summed up the conditions existing at that time and 
pointed out the methods which should be pursued in carrying on the 
