costs and higher State taxes in Connecticut, the homeowners in the city of New Haven pay 22 cents less per 100 kilowatts than do the homeowners of the city of Roanoke. The New Haven rate is $3.60 per 100 kilowatts, while the Roanoke rate is $3.82. The rate in Bristol, Va., a municipal plant using TVA sources, is $2.50. LOCAL PROTECTION AT BEATRICE, NEBR., AND AT HUBBELL, NEBR. STATEMENT OF HON. CARL T. CURTIS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEBRASKA Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Chairman, gentlemen of the committee, I appear here in reference to local flood control works at Beatrice, Nebr., and at Hubbell, Nebr. I will first speak of the project at Beatrice. The Big Blue River flows through the city of Beatrice, county seat of Gage County, Nebr. At that point Indian Creek enters the Big Blue. This community has experienced a great number of damaging floods. The local citizens have been interested in improvement to prevent these flood losses for some time. The Army engineers have studied the situation and formulated a plan and the benefits exceed the costs. It is only a few weeks ago that press and radio of the entire Nation carried the news of the floods at Beatrice. A great many of the people living near these streams had to abandon their homes and there was considerable loss of property. The property loss has been more severe in some of the other recent years than this year. This loss has been cut down because of the efforts of the local citizens. This flood control project at Beatrice, Nebr., was recommended by the district engineer at Kansas City in his report on the Kansas River Basin dated March 15, 1947. The estimated cost to the Federal Government is $440,000. It calls for substantial local cash contribution. At the present time this Kansas River Basin report is in the hands of the President's Bureau of the Budget and has been there since April 4, 1949. For more than a year prior thereto the report was held up in the Office of the Chief of Engineers because of the controversies over other projects in the Kansas River Basin totally unrelated to the Beatrice project or the Hubbell project which I shall mention later. Mr. CHAIRMAN. I wish to at this time include a somewhat detailed statement on this problem and the proposed project which was prepared by me last year. BEATRICE, NEBR. Extent and character of flooded area.-Beatrice is located near the center of Gage County on Indian Creek and the Big Blue River, at their junction, approximately 130 miles above the mouth of the Big Blue River. The population of Beatrice increased 5.7 percent from 1930 to 1940. This municipality has been damaged on a number of occasions by floods either from Indian Creek or the Big Blue River or by floodwaters from both streams. The three most serious floods were those of May 1903, June 1911, and September 1941. The flood of September 1941, the highest of record, reached a stage of 26.3 feet, 10.3 feet above flood stage. Along Indian Creek approximately 20 blocks were flooded amounting to about 180 acres. Along the Big Blue River from Riverside Park in the northwest section of the town to the city limits in the southeast section of the town in the vicinity of Chautauqua Park, an area of approximately 360 acres was flooded. Within the area described above 185 residences, 1 church, 20 business establishments, the county fairgrounds, 2 public parks, 1 nursery and seed company, and the yards, shops, and equipment of 2 railroads were flooded to depths ranging up to 6 feet. 92329-49- -61 Plan of improvement.-The city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebr., is located on the left bank of the Big Blue River, 130 river miles above its mouth. Indian Creek, which drains an area of 75 square miles, joins the Big Blue River within the limits of the city. Plans for a project to control floods from the Big Blue River and Indian Creek have been considered by local interests at various times, and two channel alterations were made on Indian Creek between Irving and Hoyt Streets in 1929. A small earth levee has been constructed along the left bank of the Big Blue River above the mouth of Indian Creek, and a levee averaging about 3 feet in height, with a crown width of 2 feet and side slopes of 1 on 12, has been built along the right bank of the Big Blue River between Bluff and Front Streets. These works have been effective during minor overflows, but are inadequate to provide protection during major floods. In 1943 the city sponsored the development of a plan to provide flood-protection works consisting of levees and channel improvements along Indian Creek. The Union Pacific Railroad Co., the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co., the Nebraska State Department of Roads and Irrigation, the United States Soil Conservation Service, and Gage County cooperated in the formation of a plan consisting of the following features: (a) Raise and extend the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bridge over Indian Creek. (b) Construct a new channel for Indian Creek from the mouth to Irving Street and clear timber from floodway. (c) Relocate Second Street, build a bridge at the new channel and construct a small section of levee. (d) Construct bridges over the new channel at Hoyt and Irving Streets. During the period 1944 to 1946 a portion of the above-described plan was completed at a cost of approximately $61,000. The plan proposed herein for the protection of Beatrice against floods on the Big Blue River and Indian Creek provides for channel improvement, levees, and the removal of a low dam in the Big Blue River which seriously reduces the channel capacity at that point (see pl. 36, appendix I). The proposed works along Indian Creek are essentially similar to those proposed by local interests, and consist of a new channel between Irving Street and the mouth. A levee is to be provided along the left bank of Indian Creek between Irving Street and the mouth of the creek, and on the right bank between Irving Street and Second Street. A bridge will be constructed over the new channel at Irving Street. No crossing of the new channel at Grant Street will be provided. The existing levee along the right bank of the Big Blue River between Bluff and Court Streets would be extended and raised to extend from a point near Grace Street along the right bank to Centre Street at the south edge of the city. The levee would have a crown width of 6 feet, and side slopes of 1 on 21⁄2 on the riverward side and 1 on 3 on the landward side, and would be constructed to provide 2 feet of freeboard above the design flood of 51,000 second-feet. Plans also provide for the construction of a similar levee beginning at the mouth of Indian Creek and extending to Scott Street, along the left bank of the Big Blue River. Reference is made to plate 37, appendix I, for profiles of these levees. The channel capacity of the Big Blue River will be improved by alterations to bridges and the removal of a small concrete power dam situated just downstream from the Court Street Bridge. The latter bridge will be extended 68 feet; the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad bridge will be extended 112 feet; the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bridge abutments will be reconstructed to provide an increased floodway; and the Sixth Street Bridge will be raised 3 feet and extended 130 feet. Channel excavation in the vicinity of these bridges and other points is included in the proposed project. Mr. Chairman, I would also like to include a statement submitted by Mr. W. B. Kenagy and a statement by Mr. Ray Umphenour, both of Beatrice. STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY W. B. KENAGY Beatrice is a city of approximately 12,000 population. It is situated in southeastern Nebraska some 85 miles west of the Missouri line and 20 miles north of the Kansas line. It was founded in 1857, 10 years before Nebraska became a State. It is and always has been the largest community in the southeast Nebraska area, and as such it is important to the welfare of all nearby communities which it serves. It has always been a sound community in the heart of a rich farming section. But while agriculture is the principal form of support, Beatrice also forms a center for small, independent, home-developed industry-all of it well established. The city's economy, therefore, is nicely balanced. Besides being the keystone of the area's business and industrial structure, it is also the area's cultural center. Beatrice is situated on the Big Blue River, which is important to its welfare. But while the river has aided in the development of the community it also has provided it with its gravest and most enduring problem. The river passes through the town, separating it into an east side and west side. Moreover, at a point almost within the business section and a few yards above a power dam and a main intracity bridge it is joined by Indian Creek. This stream normally flows a small amount of water. But it drains a tributary watershed of considerable size. In times of flood it becomes a grave problem. Moreover, several miles above Beatrice the Blue River is joined by another stream comparable to Indian Creek. It is called Turkey Creek. In times of heavy rainfall these two streams, joining with the swollen waters of the Blue River, strike Beatrice with destructive force. And by virtue of their general confinence occurring almost in the heart of the city, they combine to form an extraordinarily great force for damage. Southeast Nebraska is an area of flash floods. The Blue Valley drains swiftly into the river. This characteristic is inherent in the area. Throughout the history of the valley Beatrice has been visited year after year by damaging flash floods-floods that divide the town, cause extensive damage to improvements, to property, to homes, and to people. Twice within the past few years they have been so severe that the American Red Cross declared the city to be a disaster area. In both instances, the Red Cross expended thousands of dollars to aid citizens who were flood victims. The community itself has expended great sums over the years to restore roads, sewer systems, water systems, electric service. It has also borne an unusually heavy public health burden, because of flood-borne infections and constant dangers of epdemics following the floods. There are no competent records regarding cost of life, but illness following floods, both from exposure and flood-borne infection has unquestionably been responsible for the death of many citizens. Beatrice has grappled with its flood problem for many years, spending all it could afford, and doing, within its powers and understanding all that it could. It has attempted diking, dredging, channel changing, and even lately operations for the control of Indian Creek. But a community is limited to what it can do and to what it has a right to do. Beatrice cannot extend its control work beyond its corporate limits. It should not engage in some remedies that might somewhat improve its condition but to the hurt of other communities. It should not construct flood-control devices inconsistent with an over-all, rationalized program for the entire watershed. It cannot engage in engineering and construction beyond its means. Yet it ought not to continue as an especially and extraordinarily afflicted victim of a watershed where general inertia is responsible. It is not only fair to the community that remedial steps be taken on a level high enough to be effective, but it is also just to the general area which holds Beatrice as its principal center. Subsequent to an especially damaging flash flood in June 1947, when the river overran prepared defense both along the river, itself, and along Indian Creek, it became evident that what the city had been able to do was not enough. At that time united action of the citizens brought about the organization of the Beatrice Flood Control Association. Representative citizens were named to give the subject of future flood control their urgent and dynamic attention. It is that organization that we are representing here today. Several months of study have shown that the Blue River watershed is included as a part of the Kansas flood-control program as prepared by the Army engineers, the division engineer of which is General Pick, of Omaha. An examination of the program's plans for the Beatrice area show they are ideal to the community's need. The plan shows a complete understanding of the Beatrice problem and sets forth in detail its effective remedies. All that the plan lacks is the "go-ahead" signal. We are convinced that its need in the Beatrice area is urgent; that its effects would be immediately beneficial to the whole section and that delay is not supported by any logic. Indeed, delay would be a negative ally of further and otherwise unpreventable loss of life, property. Gentlemen, after 90 years of vain struggle with the problem on the community level, the citizens of Beatrice feel that its record of loss and defeat justifies their appeal for aid without further delay. Ninety years is a long time to await a positive remedy. It is certainly long enough to prove the reality of the flood menace and likewise it is long enough to prove the earnestness of a community. It is long enough to demonstrate the demensions and the durability of the problem. The citizens of Beatrice pledge united support to the remedies that the Kansas plan offers. And for them the Beatrice Flood Control Association guarantees all-out assistance should the plan be approved. It stands ready to cooperate in obtaining easements, rights-of-way, land, needed local facilities and services, and to do whatever else may prove to be within its power. It also has the assurance of official aid and support from the city of Beatrice together with the civic support such as can be rendered by the chamber of commerce and the civic service clubs. We sincerely hope that you will approve the provisions for the Blue River in the Beatrice area. STATEMENT OF RAY UMPHENOUR, OF BEATRICE, NEBR. Mr. UMPHENOUR. Gentlemen, I would like to read this letter from the city of Beatrice: FLOOD CONTROL COMMITTEE, BEATRICE, NEBR., April 12, 1948. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: The undersigned commissioners of the city of Beatrice, Nebr., hereby certify that they have examined the plan for local flood control for the city of Beatrice, as proposed in the Kansas River plan prepared by the United States Army engineers. The plan meets with their approval and the necessary procedure to obtain land, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for the completion of the plan will be taken upon the authorization of the plan by the Congress of the United States. A bond-issue election will be called for the funds necessary to lengthen the Court Street bridge in accordance with the proposed plan. The assistance of the city engineering department will be given to the Army engineers if they so request. Flood control is vitally needed in Beatrice, and the city government is ready to cooperate in every way it possibly can to put the proposed plan into effect. Yours very truly, [SEAL] VELMER J. MORRIS, Mayor. Mr. Chairman, I have introduced a bill to authorize the project at Beatrice. H. R. 2289 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the project for flood-control at Beatrice, Nebraska, on the Big Blue River in the Kansas River Basin is hereby authorized substantially in accordance with the recommendation of the district engineer at Kansas City in his report on the Kansas River Basin dated March 15, 1947, at an estimated Federal cost of $440,000. Now, Mr. Chairman, the situation at Hubbell, Nebr., is very much the same as at Beatrice. It is a smaller project and perhaps in a sense the losses have been a little bit less. It is, however, important to the local people. I would like to see that project authorized. Mr. Chairman, I would at this time like to include a statement describing this problem and the proposed flood control works which was prepared by me last year. That statement is as follows: HUBBELL, NEBR Extent and character of flooded area.-Hubbell is located in southeastern Thayer County on the left bank of Rose Creek, approximately 36 miles above its mouth. The population of Hubbell increased 7.3 percent from 1930 to 1940. The flood of June 1941 entered the town from the west above the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bridge, flowing east and inundating the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad tracks and station buildings. Parts of 10 city blocks located in the south half of town, which included 8 business buildings, 30 residences, the city waterworks, a lumber yard, and a grain elevator, were inundated. Plan of improvement.-Hubbell is located in Thayer County, Nebr., on the left bank of Rose Creek, 36 miles above its junction with the Little Blue River near Endicott, Nebr. The plan to afford complete protection consists of a levee along the southern and eastern sides of the town and the improvement of the channel conditions at the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad crossing at Rose Creek. The levee, 5,500 feet in length, would be constructed with a crown width of 6 feet and side slopes of 1 on 2% on the riverward side and 1 on 3 on the landward side. The levee would provide 2 feet of freeboard above the design flood of 20,000 second-feet. A gap in the levee at Main Street would be closed by sandbags during extreme floods, and ramps would be provided at other streets. A pumping plan for interior drainage would not be required, since flood crests on Rose Creek are usually of short duration. Local interests have suggested a plan of improvement to provide partial protection, consisting of a levee extending southeast from high ground west of town to join the existing railroad at the county road crossing southwest of town, a distance of 1,400 feet, and the improvement of the channel conditions at the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad crossing at Rose Creek. Reference is made to plate 40, appendix I, for the alinement and profile of the levee and the location of channel-improvement feature of the partial project. At a conference with local interests on July 15, 1947, they indicated that they were more favorable to the partial protection plan as this would involve only a moderate cost to local interests and would furnish a satisfactory degree of protection. Mr. Chairman. I have also introduced a bill to authorize this project at Hubbell and that bill is as follows: H. R. 2288 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the project for flood control at Hubbell, |