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Although the Virgin River Basin su:rvey is in inactive status; one of the problems that held up ou:r work has been settled - whether a multiple-purpose structu:re for flood control and water conservation at the White Narrows site could be justified. The Bureau of Reclamation has completed studies of a reservoir for water conservation and sediment. To prevent overlapping, we made only prelilJ1inary analyses of flood-control features. We have reviewed the Bureau's report, which indicates that a reservoir for water conservation and sedilJ1ent is infeasible at this time. Because flood-control benefits would have onlym1nor effect, we agree that a multiple-purpose structure at the White Narrows site is not justified. It is possible that the only justified flood-control project in the Virgin Riyer Basin is the presently authorized construction of Mathews and Pine Canyon Dams. However, the Bureau's studies of water conservation in the upper Virgin Riyer Basin may indicate the need for further flood-control inves- tigationsin connection with multiple-purpose structures. The Los Angeles District had its share of emergency- work last spring; when melting snows brought disaster or threats to many communities in the upper Colorado River Basin. In response to urgent appeals we rushed flood-fighting teams to Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Their efforts were successf'Ul. No lives were lost;; and major damage was prevented. Entergency work, which included strengthening, raising, and extending existing levees; building new levees; channel-rectification; clean-out; and demolition; was done at Baggs, Wyoming; Dolores and Rico, Colorado; and Duchesne, Utah. We made a field reconnaissance of areas in eastern :utah that were seriOUSly affected by floods, and prepared informal reports that should be of value in solving fUture flood-control problems. Ollly when the international situation clears will we be able to. report substantial progress in the Colorado River Basin. However, we have made some progress and still have a large baCklog of authori~ed flood-control investigations. If' and when the international situation pennits the Congress to concentrate on the peaoetime needs of the country, we will again be able to bend all otlr energies toward the successful oompletion of a farsighted program to insure the maximum use and control of water. *********** RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN WATER INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES >OF U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN COLORADO RIVER BASIN Carl G. Paulsen, Chief Hydraulic Engineer The water-resources investigations of the Geological Survey have increased steadily,partioularly since World War II. Between 1945 and 1952 the number of gaging stations in the Colorado River Basin increased from about 345 to 430, and the number in the seven Basin States, excluding the Colorado River Basin itself, increased :from about 780 to 1;020. -5-