Let us consider the effect of a sedimentation-basin, or reservoir holding a 24-hours’ supply of water, into which water is constantly pumped at one end, and from which an equal quantity is constantly withdrawn from the other, upon the water of a stream of such size that the time of passage of water from the feeders to the intake is less than 24 hours. During the period between storms the water is comparatively clear and passes through the sedimentation basin without change. When a storm comes the water in the stream promptly becomes muddy, and muddy water is supplied to the reservoir; but owing to the time required for water to pass through it, the outflowing water remains clear for some hours. There is a gradual mixing, however, and long before the expiration of 24 hours somewhat muddy water appears at the outlet. The turbid-water period rarely lasts in streams of this size more than 24 hours, and at the expiration of that time the water in the sedimentation-basin is as muddy or muddier than the water flowing in the stream. After the height of the flood the stream clears itself by the flowing away of the turbid water much more rapidly than the water clears itself by sedimentation in the reservoir. That is to say, if at the time of maximum turbidity we take a certain quantity of water from the stream and put it aside to settle, at no time will the improvement by settling equal the improvement which has taken place in the stream from natural causes. Generally the improvement in the stream is several times as rapid as in the sedimentation-basin, and the water from it will at times have only a fraction of the turbidity of the water in the basin. Let us now consider what the sedimentation has done to improve the water. During the period of clear water, that is for most of the time, it has done nothing. For the first day of each flood period very much clearer water has been obtained from it than was flowing in the stream. For the first days following floods the water in the sedimentation-basin has been more muddy than the water in the stream. The only time when the sedimentation-basin has been of use is during the first part of floods, that is, when the turbidity of the water in the stream is increasing. During this period it has been of service principally because of its storage capacity, yielding up water received from the stream previously, when it was less muddy. Such sedimentation as has been secured is merely incidental and generally not important in amount.