All other major population areas in the Muskingum River watershed have been provided with flood protection with the exception of the Newark-Licking County community, leaving it as the largest unprotected area, in spite of which has been one of the fastest-growing communities in central Ohio. PROTECTION NEEDED The foregoing underlines the serious and justified need for a complete survey the Licking watershed flood problem by the Army Engineers, for which Cugressman Levering has requested an appropriation of $15,000 at this time. The undersigned, in behalf of the residents and industries of the area, respectfully urge your committee's favorable action on this request. The $10 million loss suffered by the area in 1959, in addition to other millions of damages in the frequent floods of prior years, constitutes a severe hardship en this community. Your approval of the funds for the projected flood survey will be sincerely appreciated by 93,000 people in the Licking watershed. Respectfully submitted. FRANK W. SPENCER, Chairman. Mr. LEVERING. And now, Mr. Chairman, I would like to introduce. Mr. N. R. Danielian, president, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Association. STATEMENT OF MR. N. R. DANIELIAN Mr. DANIELIAN. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I m here at the invitation of Congressman Levering. I take pleasure supporting this request of these fine gentlemen from Newark, Ohio. I have discussed this project with the Chief of Engineers. The Engineers realize the seriousness of the problem. Usually when these dy authorizations get in the pipeline it takes 2 or 3 years before bey turn up in one of these appropriation requests. Unfortunately, be seriousness of the situation in this particular watershed is such at a delay in the initiation of the survey by that number of years, to Ach must be added perhaps 2 years for the survey and another 5 ears or more for the engineering and appropriations, adding to 10 ars of more-unfortunately, this is a situation where the frequency floods has been so regular that we cannot take the risk of the delay. he purpose of the request is to shorten the period of the study by 2 3 years by including $15,000 in the present appropriation. Thank you. Mr. LEVERING. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members the committee. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1960. PEKISKA LOCK AND DAM, MONONGAHELA RIVER, CHEAT RIVER, AND TRIBUTARIES (ROWLESBURG DAM) DECKERS CREEK, MONONGALIA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT, MAXWELL LOCKS AND DAM, MONONGAHELA RIVER WITNESS HON. HARLEY 0. STAGGERS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA Mr. CANNON. We are very glad to have with us the gentleman. om West Virginia, Mr. Staggers. We will hear from you at this. I understand you want to speak on the Opekiska lock and me. Mr. STAGGERS. Yes, sir, and other projects nearby on the Monor hela River. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I should like first to file a staten by Mr. E. R. Dunkerly, who is the vice president-general mani of the Monessen Southwestern Railway Co., Monessen, Pa., in: port of this. Mr. CANNON. It will be made a part of the record. (The statement follows:) Hon. CLARENCE CANNON, MONESSEN SOUTHWESTERN RAILWAY CO., Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, CONGRESSMAN CANNON: I am asking David Mathews, Jr., to file a state for me with your honorable body, expressing my views on the Rowelsburg control dam. I respectfully ask your indulgence and serious consideration of this mission. My apologies for being unable to present this in person, but pre commitments do not permit me to do so. Respectfully yours, E. R. DUNKERLY, Vice President-General Manag STATEMENT OF EARL R. DUNKERELY, PITTSBURGH STEEL Co., MONESSEN, ON THE MIDDLE MONONGAHELA RIVER APRIL 6, 19 As consultant to Pittsburgh Steel Co. and chief executive officer of one c subsidiary companies, I have long been concerned about the water supply industrial, commercial, and municipal use in the Monongahela River Valley, The proposed Maxwell navigation dam on the Monongahela River in the vic of Brownsville, Pa., and the raising of the crest of dam No. 4 at Charleroi, will relieve the worst bottleneck on the western rivers. Every major s producing company in the Pittsburgh area and the powerplants on the u Ohio River receive coal which passes through the project area. At pre lock 5, which will be replaced, is perhaps the busiest lock in the world, ave ing 52 lockings per day, and the locks are in operation an average 221⁄2 h per day. The locks are smaller than those below it on the Monongahela R and are worn out, as well as incapable of handling modern tows. They almost constantly in need of repairs, and a major breakdown would resul drastic cutbacks in steel production and severe loss of employment. When the new project is completed, there will be an even greater demand water in the area. The wider locks and deeper pools will require much n water than existing facilities. Were it not for Tygart Reservoir at the h waters, it is doubtful that navigation would have been possible during the summer months of the past few years. The flow from Tygart Dam will no enough to assure year-around water supplies. Already we are locking t through many times on the Monongahela River when no water is flowing the dams. The water supply must be augmented as quickly as possible. I therefore urge that the Rowlesburg flood-control and conservation dam the Cheat River in West Virginia be built as quickly as is possible. This will serve a twofold purpose. Many times the locks on the middle Monongal River are flooded out by uncontrolled runoff from the Cheat River when all other locks are in operation. All traffic must stop until the water subsi This would be eliminated by Rowlesburg Dam. Conversely the waters pounded by the dam could be stored and released at times of drought. Not o would this eliminate the navigation problem, but also it would assure adequ water for municipal and industrial uses. Moreover, it would alleviate a v serious health problem caused by the stagnant pools of water during dry summ months. We urge that the dam be constructed as a flood-control and conservation dam only. We are not interested in any power aspects of the project, believing that only peaking power of dubious value could be generated. Respectfully submitted. Mr. STAGGERS. And I should like also to file a statement of Mr. W. J. Kelly, who is the river transportation manager of the Consolidation Coal Co., of Elizabeth, Pa. Mr. CANNON. It will be made a part of the record. (The statement follows:) CONSOLIDATION COAL CO., RIVER DIVISION, Elizabeth, Pa., April 6, 1960. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, DEAE SIE: It is imperative that funds required for the modernization of lock and dam structures above lock No. 4 located at Charleroi, Pa., on the Mononpahela River, be appropriated in order to meet the continually growing needs of industry in the Monongahela Valley and the port of Pittsburgh. An extremely important part of this project is the replacement of the present lock and dam No. 5 at Brownsville, Pa., with double chamber locks at Maxwell, 6 miles above the present lock No. 5, or approximately mile 62 above Pittsburgh, Pa., on the Monongahela River. Installation of a lock and dam at Maxwell will also eliminate lock No. at Rices Landing, Pa., thus reducing travel time of river transportation between Pittsburgh, Pa., and Fairmont, W. Va., and the high cost of maintenance and repair of another outmoded structure. The proposed new lock and dam installation at Maxwell will also eliminate the bottleneck caused by the inadequate structures and facilities for locking under normal conditions at lock No. 5, Brownsville, Pa., and minimize the loss of time due to high water when floods occur. Lock No. 5, because of its structural design and present location, goes out of commission earlier than any other lock on the Monongahela River, and is last to get back in operation during a high water period. It thus completely stops river traffic at this single point, cutting off delivery of materials between source and market numerous times each year; and on many occasions after the river has fallen and all locks between Fairmont, W. Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa., have returned to operation, lock No. 5 again goes out due to dumping of water from the power control dam on the Cheat River and the flood control dam on the Tygart River. In order to secure this much needed modernization of lock and dam structures above lock No. 4, located at Charleroi, Pa., it will be necessary to put a -foot crest on the existing structure at lock No. 4, Monongahela River. This crest is necessary to maintain the present 9-foot channel between lock No. 4 at Charleroi, Pa., and Maxwell Dam at mile 62 above Pittsburgh., and it is necessary that it be completed by the time that Maxwell is ready for operation. The House of Representatives is respectfully urged to provide the necessary funds for this project that further delay of this vital improvement will not THE PITTSBURGH COAL EXCHANGE, Hon. CLARENCE CANNON, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, DEAR CONGRESSMAN: Attached hereto is a statement on behalf of the shipping interests in the Pittsburgh area favoring projects before your committee in the middle Monongahela River Valley. Sincerely, DAVID MATHEWS, Jr., Executive Vice President. STATEMENT BY DAVID MATHEWS, JR., EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, THE PITTSBURGH COAL EXCHANGE ON MIDDLE MONONGAHELA RIVER PROJECTS: (A) MAXWELL DAM, Pa., and (B) ROWLESBURG Dam, W. Va. Maxwell Dam on the Monongahela River in the vicinity of Brownsville, Pa., which will replace existing locks and dams Nos. 5 and 6, is the most vital project on the western rivers to the coal and steel producing industries in the Pittsburgh district. By constructing Maxwell Dam and raising the crest of present dam No. 4 at Charleroi, Pa., a 9-foot project depth will be obtained extending from the Ohio River upstream above Morgantown, W. Va. Lock 5 is perhaps the busiest lock in the world, averaging 52 lockings per day and the locks are in actual operation an average of 221⁄2 hours each day. It is the worst bottleneck on the rivers and is much smaller than the locks downstream from it. Every steel-producing company and the powerplants on the Monongahela and upper Ohio Rivers receive coal which passes through this lock. The lock is antiquated, constantly in need of repairs, and physically incapable of handling modern river tows. As tonnages increase, the lock will become more inadequate and any major breakdown will cause a severe cutback in steel production and serious unemployment. Serious delays to traffic at lock 5 result not only from congestion but also because the lock is flooded out many times from runoff from the uncontrolled Cheat River when all the other locks on the river are in operation. Many days are lost by boats waiting above and below the lock for the water to subside. We are seriously concerned with the ever-increasing use of water in the Monongahela Valley for industrial and municipal purposes as well as naviga tion. In the dry summer months tows are locked through many times when there is no water flowing over the dams. When the Maxwell project is completed, we are fearful that the greater requirements for water will become an acute problem. If it were not for flowage from the Tygart Reservoir at the headwaters of the river, we probably could not have navigated during part of the dry summers in the past few years. The water supply needs to be increased as quickly as possible. We urge that the survey of the Cheat River currently underway be com pleted as quickly as possible and a flood control and water conservation dam be constructed on this stream at Rowlesburg, W. Va. Such a dam would stop the flooding of the locks on the Monongahela River from the runoff from 1,000 miles of uncontrolled damaging drainage. Conversely, water stored behind this dam could be released in dry weather for commercial, industrial, and municipal use, thus alleviating both the economic and the public health problems. The stagnant pools of water in the valley are a serious health hazard. We recommend that the dam be a flood control and conservation project only. We do not believe that the development of hydroelectric power in the area has any great merit. Only peaking power of dubious value could be generated and we are not at all interested in this phase of the survey. Respectfully submitted, April 6, 1960. THE PITTSBURGH COAL EXCHANGE, Subject: Maxwell Dam, Monongahela River, and Rowlesburg Dam, Cheat River in the Pittsburgh district, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. Hon. CLARENCE CANNON, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: Since there is $1,400,000 in the current budget to begin construction of Maxwell Dam and $130.000 advanced engineering money for raising the crest of dam No. 4, both in the Monongahela River, it is urged that these vital projects be approved. Any interruption in the continuance of either project will seriously handicap the vast industrial area of western Pennsylvania served by this river. Maxwell lock and dam will replace the antiquated small twin locks Nos. 5 and 6 with a large lock such as existing locks Nos. 2, 3, and 4. The present lock No. 5 is deteriorated to the extent that complete failure is possible anytime. This lock, according to the U.S. Army Engineers, handles a greater annual tonnage than the Panama Canal, the bulk of which is coal for the Pittsburgh district steel industry and Ohio Valley electrical powerplants. Lock No. 5, aside from its delapidated condition is the first lock to cease operation in the Monongahela River due to high water. Its location and low lock walls are the cause of frequent interruptions in transportation. This sa serious problem and quite often cuts off the steady supply of coal required the vast steel industry in the valley. We urge that the monies now in the budget for these two projects be approved in order that construction can begin without any further delay. ROWLESBURG CONSERVATION AND FLOOD-CONTROL DAM There is $30,000 continued planning money in the present budget for this project. It is urged that this amount be approved so the planning now underway may be continued. This project is a necessary link in the life of the Monongahela Talley, both from an industrial and health view point. Rowlesburg Dam would control a 1,000-mile runoff area and prevent many rious interruptions to river transportation so vital to the Monongahela Valley. This uncontrolled runoff in wet seasons frequently floods the locks in the Mononhela River, thus cutting off the supply of coal to the steel and other industries western Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the summer months, transportation is also seriously handicapped due the lack of water. This dam would serve as a reservoir during this season the year. The flow of water during the summer has decreased to the extent that on many occasions, water ceased to flow over the dams in the Monongahela River when the lock chambers are being filled. Water that could be held back in Rowlesburg Dam would contribute greatly to the relief of this problem during the summer. Due to the fact that there is little or no flow during the dry season, cooling Water for industrial use is becoming a serious problem. The lack of inflow of fresh water allows the water in the various pools to rise in temperature to the Stent that it is useless for industrial cooling purposes. The drinking water supply for the populace is taken from the Monongahela River and during the summer months, a serious health problem is developing le to the lack of fresh water. It is not the intent that Rowlesburg Dam in the Cheat River be used in any Banner for the manufacture of electrical current. For all practical purposes, should be a conservation and flood-control reservoir. Your support of this project is respectfully solicited to the end that the money included in the current budget for the same will be approved and this tery important project will soon be a reality. Very truly yours, A. C. GUMBERT, Director, Pittsburgh Coal Exchange. Mr. STAGGERS. I am here to talk briefly for flood control projects on the Monongehela River, one of which is the Opekiska lock and dam, which was approved in 1957. Since that time money has not been approved in the budget for starting work on this which, if completed, would complete the work on the Monongehela River so barges could go up and down and it would provide an important link to the vast coalfields and steel mills of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It is rather important that this work do go on. I am sure it stands A-1 with the Army Engineers. On the Cheat River and tributaries there is the Rowlesburg Dam Thich would hold back waters which flood Pittsburgh and make lock No. 5, which I understand is the largest in the world, inoperative. Monday it was inoperative for 11 hours because of the flood. If this dam had been in, the water which flooded Pittsburgh would have teen below the flood stages. I think it is important that the balance of $170,000 required for the survey of this project be appropriated in the present budget. |