consider the Mountain View project, however, we find that
as a measure for the prevention of flood damages it fulfills all
the requirements and provides in addition all the possibilities and
advantages demanded inevitably in the near future. The Mountain
View site is an ideal one for the reservoir, and its initial
development for flood catchment does not involve the expenditure of
a dollar that would be lost in the development of the basin to
greater capacities for water supply. From its lowest level, at 202
feet above tide, to its maximum capacity, at a level of 220, there
would be no depreciation. Every dollar spent in the initial
construction would be effective in the maximum development.

The probable cost of Mountain View reservoir, estimated at
$3,340,000, exceeds that of Great Piece by $700,000. It is realized
that to many persons this margin may seem very wide. Let us
consider briefly just what it really represents.

Suppose, for example, that the Great Piece project is constructed
at a cost of $2,600,000. After the elapse of a few years it will be
necessary to provide additional storage in the Passaic highlands
for water supply or the maintenance of water power. The Mountain
View reservoir, or its equivalent in capacity and cost, will then
be necessary. The situation will then be as follows: By
constructing the Great Piece reservoir in preference to the
Mountain View for flood catchment, $700,000 would be saved. We can
consider that this amount might be expended to pay a part of the
cost of additional conservation above referred to. If, on the other
hand, Mountain View had been constructed, there would have been
paid on the final cost of conservance the sum of $3,340,000, which,
as stated in previous pages, would also have effected flood relief.
There would then be the difference between $2,600,000 and $700,000,
or $1,900,000, which represents the actual loss which would accrue
by reason of the construction of Great Piece reservoir.

The engineering committee, after presenting the merits of both
Great Piece Meadow and Mountain View projects, therefore recommends
the adoption of the latter in spite of its greater cost, because it
is believed that in the end the construction of the Great Piece
project would involve an expenditure not warran