The irrigation farmers also desire a regular flow, evenly distributed, throughout the growing season.
One of the chief reasons for the establishment of the National Forest was to preserve the natural conditions favorable to stream flow.

In a treeless country, the rise of the streams is a very accurate measure of the rainfall.

In the region where forests are frequent, an ordinary rain is scarcely noticed in its effect on the stream.

In a denuded district no natural obstacles impede the raindrops as they patter to the ground.

The surface of the soil is usually hard.