The flood control controversy: Big dams, little dams, and land management

Abstract

The purpose of this book is to investigate the facts regarding flood control, a subject that has given rise to extreme controversy in the United States in recent years. The question of flood control is obviously a vital one not only to the United States but to many other countries. It is hoped that this book may lead to a far clearer understanding of the facts involved and so may prove a truly important influence in reconciling existing differences of opinion. Most of the material presented here has not previously been available to the general reader nor has it been easily accessible to professional people. Much of it, in fact, has been gathered by the authors from unpublished reports of government agencies and from discussions with technicians in the field. Part of the material, on the other hand, such as the sections on flood plain formation and the hydrologic effect of small dams, stems from original research by the authors.