The improved system of draining now adopted for agricultural land, and the greater extent of land under drainage as compared with 60 years ago, leads me to believe that floods are likely to be more frequent and severe than formerly, although they are not likely to be of such long duration.
The quote comes from:
Creer, 1892, Report of the City Engineer of York. In: Symon's monthly meteorological magazine, 151-153.
Hang on a mo.