FORESTS AND FLOODS Forests are necessary at the headwaters of streams.

The trees break the force of the rain drops, and the forest floor, acting as a large sponge, absorbs rainfall and prevents run-off and floods.

Unless there are forests at the sources of streams and rivers, floods occur.

The spring uprisings of the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri Rivers are due largely to the lack of forests at their headwaters.

In the regions drained by these streams the run-off water is not absorbed as it should be.