YELLOWSTONE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES

(H. Doc. 216, 81st Cong.)

The CHAIRMAN. The next project that we have under consideration is the Yellowstone River and tributaries, and where is that report? Colonel GEE. The report on the Yellowstone River is now with the Bureau of the Budget.

This report was authorized by a Flood Control Committee resolution of August 18, 1937, as well as in the Flood Control Acts of 1936, 1937, and 1941.

The drainage area of the Yellowstone River includes 70,000 square miles, of which 34,000 are in Wyoming and 36,000 are in Montana. The population of the basin in 1940 was 212,000. Its principal re-sources are oil, gas, coal, and other metallic and nonmetallic minerals, and the principal agricultural activities are grazing and dry-land. farming.

The CHAIRMAN. That river takes its source in the Yellowstone Na-tional Park, doesn't it?

Colonel GEE. Its source is in Lake Yellowstone, Yellowstone Na-tional Park, and it flows generally northeastward from that point to join the Missouri.

The CHAIRMAN. And the type of project is what?

Colonel GEE. The type of project again is local protection projects. There are a total of eight recommended in this report, of which seven afford protection to communities, and the eighth affords protection to an important highway crossing of the Yellowstone River.

The CHAIRMAN. And the local interests are required to provide the rights-of-way?

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. And the estimated ratio benefit is what?

Colonel GEE. The ratio benefit is 1.48 to 1.

The total estimated cost of the eight improvements is $6,974,000, of which local interests pay $450,000 for necessary rights-of-way.

SPECIAL BILLS AND SURVEY AUTHORIZATIONS

The CHAIRMAN. Now, Colonel, I want to ask you with respect to some matters here.

There is a bill, H. R. 1841, to limit the elevation of Garrison Reservoir Basin. Do you favor or oppose that bill?

Colonel GEE. We oppose the enactment of that bill, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. That reservoir is to cost about how much-$125,000,000?

Colonel GEE. More than that, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. How much?

Colonel GEE. $188,000,000.

The CHAIRMAN. In other words, if the Government is to spend $188,000,000, we ought to have it to the height you say.

You say it would provide benefits that would accrue after it is constructed?

Colonel GEE. It will provide maximum development of that site. The CHAIRMAN. And you oppose that bill?

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Now, then, there is a bill here, H. R. 2288, authorizing construction of certain public works and that is covered by the report under consideration.

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Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. And the same thing applies to 2289?
Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. We have pending a bill here for the establishment of a Select House Committee (H. Res. 86), and I believe that there is no occasion for us to discuss that.

You have no recommendation to make in favor of that, have you? Colonel GEE. No, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. And we also have a bill here, H. R. 2519, relating to the use and occupation of certain land, and you see no occasion for passing that because you believe existing law is satisfactory?

Colonel GEE. That is right, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. You may extend your remarks on these items. Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. We have a bill here, 2787, to provide for preliminary examination at an estimated cost of $85,000 covering the rivers named, including the Snake.

Colonel GEE. $8,500, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. I mean $8,500. Do you recommend that? Colonel GEE. We do; yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Is it the understanding that the survey will not be made unless it is justified?

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Then we have an authorization for the completion of certain works in the Red River of the North, and that is covered by your presentation already.

Colonel GEE. That is correct, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. That is 2726.

Then we have H. R. 3522, to establish the Missouri Valley Authority to provide for modified and-that isn't a new project at all. Generally, the Corps of Engineers sees no justification for that authorization. Colonel GEE. We believe the present arrangemnets are entirely satisfactory, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. And then we have a bill authorizing the Corps of Engineers to negotiate separate contracts, H. R. 3582. My understanding of existing law is to treat everybody alike in the negotiation of contracts for requiring rights-of-way.

Colonel GEE. That is correct, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Finally, we have House Joint Resolution 201, which is to provide for the designation of Heart Butte Dam, and that is under the Bureau of Reclamation. You have no statement to make about that, have you?

Colonel GEE. No comment, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Then H. R. 3707. That is the same as 1841. That has to do with limiting the Pool Reservoir, which you think is not in order.

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Then we have H. R. 4010, authorizing preliminary examination and survey of the Iowa River, Nebr., line, and you favor that. What is the estimated cost?

Colonel GEE. 6,500.

The CHAIRMAN. And the third authorization for preliminary survey is H. R. 4085, along the Mud River and other streams, and you favor that. What is the estimated cost?

Colonel GEE. $7,400.

The CHAIRMAN. We thus conclude all presentations that are set for today except the one presentation of the South Platte.

Colonel GEE. That is correct, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Colonel, we will be glad to have you give us the report on the South Platte and tributaries, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska, House Document 669, Eightieth Congress, second session. Describe the project generally for the record, make the justification and tell us the recommendation.

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES, COLORADO, WYOMING, AND NEBRASKA

(H. Doc. 669, 80th Cong.)

Colonel GEE. Mr. Chairman, this report was authorized in the Flood Control Act of August 11, 1939, and it involves a study of the drainage area of the South Platte River for flood control and other purposes.

The drainage area involved includes 24,000 square miles, principally in southwestern Colorado. The South Platte River rises on the Continental Divide in south-central Colorado and flows generally northeast to its confluence with the North Platte at North Platte, Nebr.

The principal resources of the area are minerals. There are 40 different metallic and nonmetallic minerals produced commercially in the area. The agricultural activity is limited to the production of hay and forage, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, barley, beans, corn, oats, and other products.

The average rainfall in the basin varies from 10 to 30 inches, and in the upper portion of the South Platte Basin extreme slopes are quite precipitous in Platte Canyon, 68 feet to the mile, varying from that to 15 feet per mile in the vicinity of Denver, and 8 feet per mile in the plains region in the lower South Platte.

There are existing projects within the area, a dam on Cherry Creek to provide flood control for Denver and for the conservation of water. The CHAIRMAN. What did you say about a dam on Cherry Creek? Colonel GEE. An authorized project.

The CHAIRMAN. That is the one that has already been substantially completed?

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Now you indicate that on the map for the benefit of the committee members. That project is substantially completed. Now where is the city of Denver? Go right on down there and trace the improvements from there on.

Colonel GEE. The improvements recommended in this plan involve, first, the Chatfield Reservoir, a flood-control reservoir on the main stem of the South Platte.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the estimated cost of it?

Colonel GEE. For the Chatfield Reservoir, I will have to get a separate figure. It is about $28,000,000, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. All right, next.

Colonel GEE. And levees on both banks of the South Platte in that region between the reservoir and the city limits of Denver.

The CHAIRMAN. That is primarily to protect the city of Denver. Colonel GEE. It is to protect the agricultural activities in that area. between the reservoir and Denver itself.

The capacity of the Chatfield Reservoir is not adequate to control completely the floods of the South Platte. Consequently, both the levees and the storage are needed to provide protection.

The CHAIRMAN. Does that river flow through the city of Denver? Colonel GEE. Yes, sir. It flows northward through the city of Denver.

The CHAIRMAN. What do you do in the city of Denver?

Colonel GEE. The channel improvement in the city of Denver has been well advanced by local interests. No works there are contemplated in this plan.

The CHAIRMAN. Proceed on down the river.

Colonel GEE. Further, the levee system is extended along both banks of the Platte River to the mouth of St. Vrain Creek and that is a highly developed agricultural area, dependent upon irrigation works for its water supply. Much of the cost to local interests in this development are involved in the repair necessary and modifications of the diversion works which take water from the river and place it on these lands. In addition, there is a local protection project for Boulder Creek, Colorado, involving the construction of levees and channelimprovement work for the protection of that city.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the estimated cost along the main river as you proceed down the river from Denver?

Colonel GEE. About $24,000,000 in that region.

The CHAIRMAN. And that work consists of what?

Colonel GEE. All levee work.

The CHAIRMAN. And what else?

Colonel GEE. Local protection for the town of Erie on Colorado Creek, a small levee and channel-improvement projects.

The CHAIRMAN. How far does that improvement along the main river from Denver on down the river extend?

Colonel GEE. To the mouth of the St. Vrain Creek, at the point indicated, just north of the town of Plattville, Colo.

The CHAIRMAN. All right, and that is the end of the project.

Colonel GEE. Continuing downstream there are portions of the main channel of the South Platte which need clearing and snagging, which is a recommended portion of this project also.

The CHAIRMAN. Down to what place?

Colonel GEE. Down to the location of the Narrows Reservoir, an authorized project now being placed under construction by the Bureau of Reclamation.

The CHAIRMAN. What are those other indications out there? Are they reservoirs off to the side of the river?

Colonel GEE. Two dam sites proposed for the Narrows Reservoir. The CHAIRMAN. And that is the extent of this project down the river?

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. And the total estimate is what?

Colonel GEE. It is $52,304,000, of which local interests bear $2,872,000.

The CHAIRMAN. And the estimated ratio between cost and benefit? Colonel GEE. For the total improvement, 1.32 to 1.

MODIFICATION OF THE FLOOD-CONTROL PROJECT ON THE HEART RIVER AT MANDAN, N. DAK.

The Mandan flood-control project, authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1946, provides for raising and relocating existing levees together with the construction of necessary drainage and utility modifications. Under present law with respect to local participation projects such as this one, local interests are required to bear the expense of lands, easements, and rights-of-way. The term rights-of-way has been interpreted to include certain types of utility modifications. The division of costs of utility modifications between the Federal Govrenment and local interests has generally been that the Federal Government bear the cost of drainage structures and appurtenances through the levees that are an integral part thereof and that local interests construct ditches leading thereto for interior drainage and make alterations to existing sewers. For the Mandan project the Corps of Engineers recommended that the cost of necessary drainage and other utility alterations be included in the local participation. The project was authorized by Congress on that basis.

Because of the lay-out of the existing facilities at Mandan as related to the location of the new levees, these drainage alterations are more extensive than is usually the case for other similar projects. This constitutes an unusually heavy burden on local interests, which, in the past, have made substantial efforts to provide themselves with flood protection. They have spent a total of $116,000 for constructing and repairing the existing levees which did not prove adequate and which will now be reconstructed under the existing Federal project.

The Corps of Engineers reports that flood damages at Mandan have occurred each year since 1943 and have averaged more than $175,000 annually for the past 5 years. Large damages are occurring again this

Because of these extremely high flood damages, the community of Mandan, which has a population of only 7,000 people, is in a poor financial status and cannot meet the cost of sewer and drainage alterations. Construction of the project is urgently needed and Federal funds in the amount of $374,000 have been appropriated for that purpose. Actual construction has been held up pending the furnishing of assurances by local interests that they can provide the required local cooperation including the drainage alterations.

It is recommended that four items of drainage alterations, estimated to cost $76,090, be undertaken at Federal expense rather than local expense. These four items consist of (a) construction of a new pumping station utilizing existing pumps, (b) modifying one section of a sewer line for operation under pressure, (c) installing one additional drain with flap gate and drain connections, and (d) construction of a sewer relief structure connecting the new pumping station with the old river channel. The division of costs for this project under this recommendation would be: Federal $490,100; local $93,000; as compared with the division of costs under existing authorization of Federal $414,000 and local $169,100.

STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN LEMKE

Mr. LEMKE. Mr. Chairman and members of committee, I wholeheartedly favor the enactment of S. 1324. This bill provides for the