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T. 28 N., R. 9 E.; T. 29 N., R. 8 E.; and T. 27 N., R. fig. 20 and Pl. XIII.)

The field work on which this report is based was done and winter of 1916, about five months being spent in th reconnaissance was first made over much of the territory, subsequently in part mapped in detail. Detailed mappin ceded by primary triangulation, in which many tempor marks were used. The elevations of these marks were by reference to permanent United States Geological Sur

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FIGURE 20.-Index map of Oklahoma showing the area covered by this

marks, of which there are 11 in the area examined. The ele of the temporary bench marks were within 2 feet and in m stances within 1 foot of the correct elevation. This triangu was necessary, as during a great part of the field season the v was unassisted, and location and elevation had to be determine this means. Work was done from Hewins, Elgin, Foraker, Grainola, and from ranch and farm houses throughout the area.

The writer is glad to acknowledge the generous assistance giv him by Carl D. Smith, who as a former geologist of the Unite States Geological Survey, had examined the Pawhuska quadrangl and who supplied field notes, maps, and well records; R. V. L

Stratton, of the Survey, who assisted the writer throughout the month of October; J. George Wright, commissioner for the Osage Indians, for data on the oil industry; and W. W. Barr, superintendent for the American Pipe Line Co. in northern Osage County, for well records and general information. Courtesies too numerout to mention specifically were extended by many of the residents of the area.

GEOGRAPHY.

RELIEF.

The surface of the area consists in large part of long, flat-topped ridges with irregular outlines, separated by steep-sided, manybranched valleys. These ridges radiate eastward and southeastward from the Foraker escarpment, which rims the western edge of the area and through which the valley-forming streams have thus far been unable to push their courses. The tips and sides of the ridges

FIGURE 21.-Hypothetical section illustrating the terracing in the northwestern part of the Pawhuska quadrangle, Okla.

descend to the valley bottoms in a series of terraces whose position and extent are determined largely by the resistant qualities of the limestones and sandstones and the relatively easy breaking down and removal of the intervening beds of shale. This terracing occurs on a much broader scale on the tops of the ridges, the general result being as shown in figure 21.

Except in their lower courses the valleys have narrow bottoms with very thin coatings of soil, through which the underlying rocks project. The channels of the streams are in large part cut through rock, and almost everywhere they are rock bottomed. This is true even near the valley mouths, where the valleys are wide and floored with 10 to 40 feet of alluvial soil. The streams meander across the valley bottoms except in times of flood, when they may overflow their banks and occupy almost the entire width of the valley floor. The character of the topography has determined the location of the roads which follow the flat upland surfaces as far as possible, avoiding the valley bottoms with their meandering stream beds. Good roads ascending the steep valley sides and ridge tips are rare, and any attempt to confine travel to the section lines, as is done in some parts of the country, would be impracticable.

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DRAINAGE AND WATER SUPPLY.

The area is drained by Buck Creek, Pond Creek, Sand Creek, North Bird Creek, and their tributaries. Although these four streams originate in a comparatively small area, their courses diverge like the sticks of a fan, and they empty into Caney River at widely separated points. The streams are intermittent. During years of heavy or moderate rainfall there is running water from source to mouth, but a single season of dry weather is sufficient to lower the water level, and the water stands in pools that have no surface connection, although in many places there must be subsurface flow. These pools are small near the headwaters, but as Caney River is approached larger and larger pools are encountered, some of them being over half a mile long with a maximum depth of about 15 feet. Water for domestic use is obtained from wells and a few springs. It is rarely necessary to drill deeper than 50 feet to obtain an ample supply. Records of wells drilled for oil, even in places that appear most unpromising with respect to probabilities of finding water, show that fresh water may be expected above a depth of 500 feet, and that one or more water sands which carry potable water are almost invariably encountered before that depth is reached.

Water for use in drilling is usually obtained by pumping from a pool in the bed of a creek, or, if excessive lift or distance prevent, by tank wagons or better still by drilling a water well before the oil well is begun. All the water in the district is hard, containing much lime that leaves scale in boilers and thereby shortens their lives. The lime also makes the water less suitable for many domestic uses, hence cistern water is often utilized instead.

CULTURE.

The Midland Valley Railroad crosses the southwestern part of the area under discussion, and all trains stop at Blackland station. A branch line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway passes through Elgin, Kans., an unincorporated town of about 350 inhabitants, at the northeast corner of the area. The nearest and most accessible town to the extreme northwestern corner of the area is Cedarvale, Kans., a station on the Santa Fe and the Missouri Pacific railways.

Most of the land is given over to stock raising. Cultivation is largely confined to the valley bottoms, where, by combining farming and stock raising, a comfortable living may be made.

Wagon or motor travel is limited to the principal roads, which are very poor, considering the abundance of road metal available. Even the trunk roads, connecting towns, are in places studded with boulders and coursed by gullies. Culverts or bridges are absent except within a mile or two of a town, and much grading is needed.

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