| OCR Text |
Show ages, have reconnaissance soil survey maps which may be useful in early stages of project planning. Land capability studies have not been carried out in connection with soil survey maps prepared to date. There is, however, an urgent need for better and more complete basic information, including complete coverage of the basin by aerial photog- raphy under a coordinated program; acceleration of topographic cover and soil mapping; the round- ing out of available data on stream flow and sedi- mentation and the factors that affect them; land capability classifications; and use of irrigation water. Aerial photographic coverage is available for about 60 percent of the land area in the basin. With the exception of Lee, Curry, and Roosevelt Counties in New Mexico and Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron Counties in southern Texas, the pho- tography is old and obsolete for most program re- quirements. Economic data on population, agriculture, in- dustry, and similar matters are sometimes available from various sources but usually must be supple- mented at the time of planning. The most uni- versally available data are those of the Bureau of the Census, but there is a need for data or estimates for years between censuses. Major lacks are in- come data on a county basis and data on industrial use of water. Some of the States publish annual or biennial reports on economic data and other related matters. Generally, however, such data are not complete or comparable. As a result, nec- essary socio-economic data must be compiled by Federal action agencies in the field by question- naires, interviews, and other means. Conclusions Generally, basic data are inadequate to meet all needs of the various Federal, State, and local agencies; they are definitely insufficient for plan- ning a comprehensive basin program. In addition to information compiled by the Geological Survey, Bureau of Census, and other agencies, basic data are generally collected and assembled to meet cur- rent pressing needs of each individual agency. Limited funds have not permitted comprehensive investigations designed to secure basic data ade- quate to meet the needs and requirements. Basic data collected by the several agencies and other groups are sources of indispensable information in planning the development of water and related resources. To provide adequate data for further river basin programs within present budgetary limitations and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, a coordinated, well planned program of collection of basic data is needed. Such a program should be centralized or integrated in order that require- ments of all agencies be met in an orderly and timely manner, and that interchange and publica- tion of data be provided. The river basin com- mission as proposed will be charged with responsi- bilities for setting forth the needs of basic informa- tion and for integrating activities of the several data collecting agencies. The cooperative phases of this work already developed by several agencies have proved efficient and effective and provide a nucleus for such a program. Appropriations to various agencies for comprehensive information should provide for col- lection of all essential data by the several agencies in an integrated manner. Rehabilitation of deteriorated lands in the upper Rio Grande and Pecos sub-basins presents complex problems. Collection of basic data is not enough. Testing of possible solutions is required to save time and money and to discover the most effective meth- ods within practical limits on a pilot scale. Rela- tions between varying factors are best and most eco- nomically established by isolation and measurement of their values and functions. Thereupon it is further necessary to discover by comparatively large-scale experimentation the combined effects of a number of factors as they function in disposi- tion and yield of waters and in production and behavior of sediments. More than these, testing of measures to attain indicated possibilities in water and soil conservation is necessary in the interests of effectiveness and economy of funds. Such an undertaking is best done on selected ex- perimental project areas in complete drainage basins where all or significant factors are present. The approach used in the Coweeta Experimental Forest in North Carolina is suggested. At least two experimental projects should be undertaken in the near future, one in the Middle Rio Grande sub- basin and one in the upper Pecos. Possibly one is needed in the Rio Puerco watershed. The experi- mental areas should include about 50,000 acres. Here such questions as effects of natural vegetation in various stages of depletion and erosion on the total and beneficial yield of water and on runoff behavior and erosion, and the costs and damages from accelerated erosion and sedimentation should be answered on a tactical demonstration basis. 335 |
