BRN 9-2 (uncompressed) - Flipbook - Page 50
Survey techniques during the early part of the 1900s are
highlighted in the USGS Þlm of the 1923 survey of the
Grand Canyon. (Click link icon to watch.) This is more of an
adventure Þlm than one about surveying techniques - there
is a lot of Òbrown waterÓ footage. However, it is chock full
of natural history. This is before the dams, and the river rises
and falls quickly, sometimes as much as 20 feet. For
whitewater aÞcionados, note that the boats are being rowed
(but no rowing frames, just oar locks) not paddled, and that
modern white water rowing techniques are being used:
rowers face downriver and row for maneuverability.
Film and photography had reached its stride by this time,
allowing us to see footage of the survey participants and
occasionally some survey equipment. The mapping was
performed mostly by the cartographer R. W. Burchard (at
arrow in photograph below).
The survey was comprehensive and included the assessment
of streamßow of the various tributaries, for instance. These,
of course, were just data points and did not represent the
increases and decreases of streamßow which occur for
various reasons.
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