Much of the land in Morris County, as in neighboring Chase and upper Lyon County, is unbroken prairie, the finest natural pasture in the Nation. Thousands of head of cattle are shipped in and pastured there each summer, and then shipped to market. A much smaller proportion of the cattle are later put on full feed. The large part of corn fed on the larger ranches has always been shipped. Damage to the rich bottoms by floods is cutting the quantity of corn locally produced and necessitating the shipping in of larger quantities year by year. The construction of the Council Grove Reservoir on the Neosho might take part of the best bottom land of a few unusually well improved large farms or ranches of the wealthier ranchers, but a number of smaller reservoirs, such as some owners of the larger ranches now request, would take a much larger acreage and affect numerous smaller farms on which general farming is practiced--and still would not help materially in controlling a major flood. The dam would protect many more acres in the county than the reservoir would cover at full stage. In addition to fully protecting Council Grove with its nearly 3,000 inhabitants from frequent floods, the dam would also help the little town of Dunlap with its 200 people and most of the rich bottom land on the Neosho in Morris and Lyon Counties to the junction with the Cottonwood River. The following letter from F. W. Thomas, Jr., farmer and stockman near Dunlap: "I am the third generation to operate this farm of 1,200 acres and it is heartrending to see it torn, gutted, and washed away by the destructive floods of the Neosho River. The floods have not only removed our top soil, but washed large channels of from 5 to 8 feet deep through our fields, making it impossible to even get from one part of our fields to the other. Seeding of alfalfa, brome grass, and .soil-retaining crops is impossible, as the floods come too often and with so much velocity. "At one time this was one of the best stock farms in Morris County, providing enough feed for 300 to 400 head of cattle, which of course made it a well balanced farm program. Now, due to the floods, it is hard to raise enough feed to winter 100 head of cattle. Unless some immediate relief is taken on flood control I am whipped on a stock farm program as are hundreds of others down this Neosho Valley." The highways into the fine city of Emporia, population 15,000; home of the late William Allen White and capital of the famous "Blue stem region," frequently is entirely cut off from the world by floods. Even a minor flood on the Neosho cuts off Emporia from the east and north. From 1900 through 1944, 50 floods have occurred on the Cottonwood at Soden's mill at the south edge of Emporia, of which about 17 blocked State highway 99 (4 feet or more above bankfull). The Marion and Cedar Creek Reservoirs would have eliminated nine of them and greatly reduced the magnitude and duration of the other eight. On U. S. 50 and K-57, 4 miles east of Emporia, the river has flooded about 50 times since 1904, frequently covering the paved highway for more than a mile and entirely blocking traffic. The proposed dam at Council Grove would have eliminated all but 10 of those interruptions of traffic, and would have reduced the depth and duration of the others. The Katy Railroad through Emporia, which is Emporia's only north and south railroad, is blocked for many weeks during the year and even the main line Santa Fee is often delayed and sometimes blocked by the flooding streams. A large portion of the rich bottom farm land in Lyon County is being badly depleted by erosion and flood damage and fine crops lost year after year. W. L. YOUNG. Mr. JOHN REDMOND, Burlington, Kans. COUNCIL GROVE, KANS., April 1, 1949. DEAR MR. REDMOND: The following facts and figures by Joe P. Neill, county agent, above and below Council Grove, Morris County, on the Neosho River only. Estimate total acres damaged 5,765 to corn, wheat, oats, and alfalfa. Acres total loss of crop : 350 acres alfalfa (cutting 1 ton per acre and damage to stand). Estimate soil damage, buildings, fences, etc.. Estimate damage to Missouri Pacific and M. K. & T. roads__ $8,750,00 115, 987. 50 70, 125. 00 26, 325.00 221, 187.50 225,000.00 39, 465.00 485, 652.50 To Whom It May Concern: COUNCIL GROVE, KANS., May 29, 1949. As mayor of the City of Council Grove, myself and four city commissioners present here today, represent approximately 3,000 people who are very definitely interested in adequate flood control for our community. Council Grove is located near the headwaters of the Noesho River, and has an assessed valuation of about $1,750,000, based on the old values. One hundred percent of our business district and 75 percent of our homes are located in the flood zone. It has been customary for our people to suffer a loss of $100,000 to $150,000 in every major flood. Council Grove, on the original Old Santa Fe Trail, is one of the oldest and most historical points in the Midwest. It was here in 1849, the first school for white children in Kansas was erected. This beautiful old landmark stands today on the banks of the Neosho, and is occupied as a home by a son of the founder and first teacher, Mr. Carl Huffaker. We are proud of "The Madonna of the Trail" marker and park that surrounds it. The Custer Elm, Post Office Oak and Charter Oak, three old trees that played an important part in the early history of Kansas. These trees are at least 300 years old. All of the above mentioned are in the flood zone. I have witnessed every major flood here since 1903, including our last disasterous flood of 1941. I have personal knowledge of the loss of life. Of the loss of thousands upon thousands of dollars to the merchants and residents of this city and untold thousands of dollars loss to farms, crops, and livestock in the vailey, irreparable damage to paved streets, bridges, sewers, etc., and have seen several of our best residential streets vacated, fine homes moved or abandoned, leaving paved streets, utilities and otherwise desirable home sites standing idle and unkept and grown up to weeds, making breeding places for mosquitoes to endanger the health of the community and losing this property from the tax rolls. Every citizen in our community is definitely interested in flood control. We as a city, have spent in excess of $300,000 on flood-control measures, with nothing adequate resulting. It seems impossible to construct dikes that will carry the water that is dumped on us from the old worn-out river channel which must carry all water from a 27- to 30-mile area above us. Our people live in constant fear of floods, and are anxious that measures be taken to prevent them—and with all speed. Yours very truly, E. T. JACOBS, Mayor, Council Grove, Kans. Mr. REDMOND. The next witness is Gordon Barker, of Chanute, who will discuss the low-water feature of our position. STATEMENT OF GORDON BARKER Mr. BARKER. I am Gordon Barker, living 212 miles north of Chanute, Kans. It is right here [indicating on map]. The CHAIRMAN. What is the matter that you want to bring to our attention? Mr. BARKER. I want to bring to the attention of the committee in particular the double problem we have. The other problem is no water, the no-flow part of it. The CHAIRMAN. What are you, a farmer? Mr. BARKER. I am a farmer and also have an interest in the city of Chanute; I am representing the city of Chanute and the city of İola. The CHAIRMAN. You heard the representatives of the enginers testify about flood problems and they want to provide a water-flood project. That is what you favor? Mr. BARKER. I wish to emphasize that we are in favor of this project, and I wish you would look at our pictures. I want to enter them into the record. It also shows the picture of the Iola City municipal water and light plant, which was down for over 2 days. The CHAIRMAN. What is your point there, you have had too much water and then you haven't had enough? Mr. BARKER. We have had too much at one time and none at all at other times. The Neosho River runs through my farm, which I can observe every day if I want to, and there have been three occasions in my time that there was no flow, absolutely no flow. It is a farmer-owned stream in that particular section, and the city has to ask permission to dig from one hole to the other upstream, so the intake can get water for the people in our towns. The CHAIRMAN. What do you understand this project will do for you, give you a steady flow in dry weather? Mr. BARKER. That is right, and I contend it cannot be done with the smaller dams, the series of smaller dams, because it is physically impossible to maintain personnel at these dams to let it down in the summertime like we want it-too much evaporation, and so forth. They wouldn't hold enough water. The CHAIRMAN. Now do you know of any flood-control project that has been solved by those small dams that have been suggested anywhere in the United States? Mr. BARKER. I haven't heard of any, and I have been told by the engineers, who I think are fairly competent, that in an area of this kind, they would have to be within 5 miles of the channel to do any good for what we want them for. The CHAIRMAN. Have you any other points that you want to emphasize in connection with your statement? Mr. BARKER. I just want to say I have my children who are the fourth generation in my family and Mr. Redmond has been 30 years on this project, and I am starting them in. I hope it isn't more. I want to enter this evidence, my story here and from the city of Iola. The citw engineer of Chanute, Kans., covers both the low flow and The CHAIRMAN (interposing). Have you got a statement yourself? Mr. BARKER. Yes. I will file it. The CHAIRMAN. You have a statement yourself and you want to file these two statements in connection with your statement. Mr. BARKER. The city of Chanute, the city of Iola, and the city of Neosho Falls, together with my statement. The CHAIRMAN. And you want to emphasize that there is a flood problem there and that you need it in the dry season for a water supply as well as to prevent the floods. Mr. BARKER. That is true. We think half the problem is no supply. The CHAIRMAN. These photographs will be returned to you, unless you want to leave them. Mr. BARKER. I would rather leave them and have you look at them. (Statements submitted by Mr. Barker follow :) My name is Gordon Barker, a resident of Chanute. I own a good 600-acre farm where I was born on the Neosho River just north of Chanute and where my father and grandfather lived and am familiar with the river's tricks. I am vitally interested in flood control on the Neosho as well as in securing river flow in times of sustained drought. My farm experience is like others on the bottoms, where the floods come oftener and higher year by year. Most of the rich topsoil, the finest in Kansas, has been carried away, along the corps, livestock, poultry, etc., and damage to buildings, fences, etc. As others will tell of farm losses I want to discuss the conditions in Chanute, Iola, Burlington, and other cities and towns caused by the high waters in times of flood and the lack of water in time of drought. The July 1948 flood paralyzed the city of Iola when the Neosho River flooded the municipal light and power plant. The water plant was back in service after 9 hours shut-down, due to the fact that the polluted waters did not get into the city mains. Had untreated water from the river gone through the mains, it would have been necessary to drain the entire city water distributing system and clean out and sterilize the mains. This would have required several days and cost considerable money. It was a narrow escape and a condition the city hopes never to see again. The Iola power plant was shut down and electricity for Iola, LaHarpe, and Gas City, and the REA lines was cut off. As cheap electricity has resulted in an unusual use of electrical equipment in domestic, commercial, and industrial places in and around Iola, the lack of electricity was severely felt. Fortunately, hard work by the city employees and volunteers save the big electrical machines from destruction or material damage. Power finally was resumed on a temporary basis after about 18 hours. This served until permanent service could be resumed. While the plant was shut down industrial plants, factories, gasoline service stations, meat markets, beauty shops, elevators, and everything depending on electricity for power and light, was closed. It is surprising how many things now depend upon electricity for power as well as for light. The experience of Iola came near being duplicated in Burlington, Chanute, Oswego, and other towns where similar conditions prevailed. Only tremendous efforts and good luck saved them. The proposed reservoirs would remove this danger from every town along the river. Not only was business suspended in Iola, but traffic through the city by train, but, or automobile was stopped. Traffice by water would have been possible, had boats and skilled boatmen been available, but all boats to be found were used in removing people from flooded homes. The little town of Neosho Talls in Woodson County probably is the hardest hit by the flooding Neosho. Neosho Falls had the distinction of being host to the President of the United States on the first visit of a President west of the Mississippi River. Rutherford B. Hayes, accompanied by Gen. William T. Sherman and a host of brass hats, attended the fair. The town was the county seat and about the best town in southeastern Kansas. It was the first city or town in Kansas to have all of its streets surfaced and for many years was the only one. Then continuing floods of increasing frequency and depth, causing greater losses each time, caused many residents to leave. Its professional men moved away. Its newspaper quit. A survey made last month shows that 70 houses in the town have been torn down or moved away-and very few were moved. There are 102 city blocks. Only five of them escaped the July 1948 flood, and most of them were entirely under water. Only 32 of the 136 homes escaped flooding and most of these had flood water in the yard. Basements as well as houses, stores, wells, cisterns, etc., were flooded with polluted muddy water. As the town has no public water system each flood creates a big health hazard. The river entirely surrounded the five blocks which were not flooded. The town was entirely cut off from the rest of the world, and its only railroad, the Katy, was out of business for many days. The business section, once the pride of the Neosho Valley, was all under water. Every place of business in town was flooded, the water ranging from 57 inches deep down to 19 inches in the few which were on unusually high foundations. The memorial hall, jail, firehouse, churches, hydroelectric plant, telephone office, school buildings, post office, railroad station, playground, city park-in fact everything in town was hit. The accompanying pictures show something of the flood, and the figures show the losses in farm and in homes. Neosho Falls had a population of 452 in 1940, and still has a population of 357 in spite of the frequent floods as the valley around it produces fine crops when floods permit. With the construction of the dams recommended by the engineers, Neosho Falls will be protected from overflow and have a chance to regain its place in the world. Neosho Falls alone can do nothing but linger and die. The guarantee of a minimum flow of water in the Neosho in times of drouth is important in a multitude of ways. The farmers and stockmen rely on it for domestic use and for stock water. The cities and towns need it for home and business use. It is of utmost importance to many industrial plants which must depend upon the river for their needed water or upon wells fed by the river, if they are to operate. The Ash Grove Lime & Portland Cement Co. of Chanute is an example. Superintendent K. W. Wright, of the Chanute plant, says: "In times of low water it is impossible for us to properly treat the feed water for our high-pressure boilers. This is due to the fact that, as the water becomes more or less stagnant, tannin is dissolved from the leaves and owing to excessive salt concentration it is practically impossible to chemically remove these substances, which are permitted to accumulate due to lack of flow. This condition makes the operation of this type of equipment hazardous and uneconomical." This is only one of numerous industries along the Neosho which need a steady supply of water in order to operate. Lack of such a supply has prevented a number of industries from locating in southeastern Kansas. This may not mean much to the Nation as a whole, the shutting down of cement plants, but their product is necessary for the building of roads, bridges, buildings, airplane runways, etc., and whose product is an absolute necessity in time of war emergency, is of national interest and import. Many other industries are also affected by shortage of water or by polluted water. Burlington City has suffered severely from flash floods on Rock Creek and spent $100,000 in an effort to eliminate them. Then in July 1948 the Neosho for the first time, flooded the entire southeastern part of the town including several blocks of the main business district. The water was kept out of the waterworks pumping pit and clear-water basin only by strenuous efforts and liberal use of sandbags. The main Federal highway was blocked for some hours. In Iola the municipal water and light plants were put out of business for several hours after sandbags failed to hold the muddy waters back. Only by almost superhuman effort was the muddy, polluted water kept out of the city mains. The Chanute city engineer has furnished statements as to the damage and cost to the city in floods which are offered herewith. These statements show the tangible losses. They stress the increased danger from floods of equal or greater height, and from shortage of water such as has occurred in many previous years, as shown by the chart herewith. Reference is made elsewhere to the fact that in dry seasons the little water trickling down the Neosho is used over and over by the cities and towns which must depend on the river for domestic and industrial water. The population of the cities depending on the Neosho for water is approximately 70,000. Kansas has a small but efficient health staff, which is alert in time of threatened danger and which acts promptly to see that the danger from flooded wells, cisterns, cellers, houses, etc., is minimized by proper precautionary |