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Topographic surveys to determine the storage capacities and adaptability as reservoirs were made of Ottertail, Red Lake, and Mille Lacs, and of Birch and Garden lakes on Kawishiwi River. A number of smaller sites were surveyed in connection with the river

surveys.

Estimates of available undeveloped power were made on all streams for which river profiles have been made. Instead of considering the total fall of the river in estimating power, only those portions of the rivers were selected which have possible dam sites of 15 feet head or greater. By this means a much nearer approach to the economically possible water power development was made. The total power possibilities as just outlined, for continuous flow during low water was 120,000 horsepower. A census of the existing power developments shows the total installed power to be approximately 188,000 horsepower.

To show the sources of pollution of the streams and the extent to which unfiltered river water is used as municipal water supplies, data have been compiled showing the method of sewage disposal and source of municipal water supply, from each town of 500 inhabitants or over, located on the rivers or tributaries. Additional data have been compiled showing the rural population per square mile in different parts of each principal drainage area. This information shows that a large number of towns and cities discharge their untreated sewage into the rivers, but that comparatively few towns are using unfiltered river water for municipal purposes.

Value of Work.

It has been the aim of those intrusted with making these investigations to secure, as far as practicable, complete data of the water resources of the State, and to prepare a report of the work in the most convenient form for the use of the people of the State, and others who may be interested in the use, regulation and control of public waters.

In this report will be found maps of all important streams, showing the true course of the stream, with contour lines showing the extent of the valley and the elevation of the river banks.

Profiles of each stream showing the fall in feet for each mile and the total fall from the source to the outlet.

Runoff tables which show the discharge in second-feet for each day in the year at given points along the stream.

Precipitation records.

Evaporation records.

Maps and data relative to the most feasible sites for storage reservoirs.

Developed and undeveloped water power data.

Municipal water supply and stream pollution data, and much other information pertaining to the waters of the state.

It is doubtful if there ever has been a report issued in this State under State authority, for which there has been such a wide spread demand as for the commission's report for 1909 and 1910.

Requests have been received from the Minister of Public Works, Brazil; from public officials and others in England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Russia, Canada, and Mexico; also from nearly every state in the Union. From the publishers of Engineering Journals, Engineers and others interested in this subject.

This report includes the 1909 and 1910 report together with much additional information. It is intended to be a final report of this nature, dealing with the water resources of the State.

Discharge measurements should be continued for several years in order to get records of the runoff of the streams of the State that will be of much value.

The records of stream flow in the future will be published in water supply papers, and reports issued by the United States Geological Survey. Arrangements can undoubtedly be made with this department for a supply of these papers.

Acknowledgments.

I fully appreciate the very generous assistance rendered myself as Engineer of the State Drainage Commission, also the Engineers of the U. S. Geological Survey working in cooperation with us, by the U. S. War Department, the U. S. Weather Bureau, the State. Board of Health, by various water power companies, railway companies, and others, all of which is gratefully acknowledged.

Respectfully submitted,

GEO. A. RALPH,

Chief Engineer,

State Drainage Commission.

WATER RESOURCES OF

MINNESOTA

RESULTS OF SURFACE WATER INVESTIGATIONS

BY THE

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

IN COOPERATION WITH THE

STATE DRAINAGE COMMISSION

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
M. O. LEIGHTON, CHIEF HYDROGRAPHER

BY

ROBERT FOLLANSBEE

DISTRICT ENGINEER

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I transmit herewith my report on the Water Resources of Minnesota, covering the results of work done under the cooperative agreement between the United States Geological Survey and the State Drainage Commission.

The field work was started in May, 1909, by Mr. J. C. Hoyt, Assistant Chief Hydrographer of the Geological Survey. I was placed in charge in June, 1909, and directed the work until November, 1911, since which date the field work has been supervised by Mr. W. G. Hoyt, the present district engineer for the Minnesota district.

During the period covered by the investigations the stream flow data have been collected by Prof. E. F. Chandler and C. R. Adams, assistant engineers; G. A. Gray and S. B. Soule, junior engineers, and C. J. Emerson, field assistant. The river surveys were made by C. R. Adams, C. J. Emerson, L. W. King, W. W. Hawley and G. L. Rosing, as chiefs of the party; and C. L. Smith, W. M. Murphy, G. L. Rosing and R. W. Hosfield, instrument men. The maps of the river surveys were prepared by L. W. King, M. J. Orbeck and B. J. Peterson, draftsmen. Acknowledgments are due all these assistants for their unflagging energy and their fidelity to the work at all times.

I wish to make special acknowledgment to Mr. W. G. Hoyt for assistance rendered in the preparation of this report. Your own continuous interest in the work has been greatly appreciated. Very truly yours,

ROBERT FOLLANSBEE,
District Engineer.

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