construction of a concrete gravity-type dam shown schematically in this insert [indicating] with a central overflow spillway, a stilling basin below, with outlet tunnels through the left abutment, discharging at this point below the stilling basin. The estimated first cost of this single reservoir is $18,300,000, of which $16,300,000 would be paid by the Federal Government and $2,000,000 would be paid by local interests, by virtue of the fact that a sizable portion of the benefits to be produced by this plan are in the nature of land-improvement benefits in the agricultural area of the lower valley. The construction of this reservoir would permit the more intensive use of certain of the rich agricultural lands in that valley, hence would raise property values generally through the area, and it is believed that, by the nature of these benefits, local interests should contribute to the cost of this project. I might say at this point that the State and county have made arrangements to have this money available and I believe it is appropriated at the present time and local interests stand ready to produce this $2,000,000 whenever the project is authorized and can go ahead under Federal sponsorship. The annual charges on this project are $831,000, the annual benefits $893,000, indicating a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.07 to 1. Are there any questions, Mr. Chairman. Senator SPARKMAN. I have no questions. Senator Cain? Senator CAIN. I just have one. Colonel, would it be possible in the future, if this dam were constructed, to provide facilities for the generation of power? Colonel GEE. It would be. Senator CAIN. It would be? Colonel GEE. Yes, sir. Senator CAIN. How difficult a job would it be to provide power generation from this flood-control dam? Colonel GEE. Following the usual procedure in the drawing of the definite project report for the construction of this dam, we would in consultation with the Federal Power Commission-Mr. McWhorter's organization-have a series of conferences to examine the data and determine whether or not the supply of water is adequate to support a power installation at this point. If the decision is made that there is adequate water, then we would be required by the Federal Power Commission, in accordance with existing law, to provide pen stocks for the installation of future power if and when it is authorized. Senator CAIN. You are not qualified, then, at the moment, in the absence of these studies, to say how much potential power Colonel GEE. Certain studies have been made. We cannot say at the moment how much power could be installed at this point, and how much the supply of water would support. Senator CAIN. You have answered the question, namely, to say that if this dam is created presently for flood-control purposes, there is no restriction or no prohibition against adding to it for the purpose of power generation if the water is sufficient for that undertaking. Colonel GEE. Quite to the contrary. We are required under the law to do it, Senator. Senator CAIN. Thank you. I have no other questions. Colonel GEE. Yes, sir. Senator SPARKMAN. Senator Magnuson. STATEMENT OF HON. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON Senator MAGNUSON. I also want to appear on behalf of this project, and I have a statement here which I will not burden the committee with, but it covers a great deal of what was said by Colonel Gee. I want to add this, however; that this is a project that has been for many years in the process of being examined and investigated. It probably would have been authorized by Congress a long time ago had not the war intervened and had not matter of ratio of local financial participation been such a knotty problem. That was finally solved after many meetings and conferences with members of the State authorities, county authorities, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which is vitally interested in this matter, because the lower end where the Duwamish River goes into Elliott Bayall that area is the big industrial area of Seattle. And although it has not been, in many cases, seriously damaged by these floods, the million-dollar losses that have occurred in these various floods-and there are floods every year-could be very serious. It could have been serious this year had we not had the fortunate weather conditions in the melting of the snow up in the Cascade Mountains, which was very high this year, in some cases 20 and 25 feet. So it could be a very serious thing. After much consultation and the fact that all States are somewhat hampered in their ability to financially participate in these projects, we finally, through the Army engineers, who have been most cooperative, and the county and city officials, have the participation money available. The last State legislature passed a bill appropriating $1,500,000 for the State participation. That amount will be available until the next legislature meets. And the county, King County, in which most of the river bed lies, appropriated $500,000, which was a considerable amount, Mr. Chairman, for a county because in our State counties have no taxing power, and they must rely upon their revenues from the State when they are split up. This is a considerable sum to this county, but they feel it is so important that they contributed a half million dollars. So the contributory amounts are now available. The area has been held back a great deal in agricultural and industrial development because of the fear of these constantly recurring floods. As the Colonel pointed out, this river drops in the course of 60 miles a little over 5,000 feet from its source, so there are these quick flash floods, and the damage could be in untold millions if we had a bad one and it took over that industrial area at the mouth of the river. Senator Cain asked a very pertinent question, because we are al concerned, as you know, with our power situation in the Pacific Northwest, and there has been some discussion and some controversy whether or not if and when this dam was built it should include the power feature. However, as required by law, all the examinations—engineering examinations and survey of this matter include plans for prospective power features of the so-called Green River, but it was deemed after many months and almost years of study on this matter-as pointed out in 1936 it first was in the congressional act-that is, a dam and reservoir at Eagle Gorge was deemed the most feasible and the best method of controlling studies involving water storage, also for municipal purposes, and for irrigation and conservation. The dam contemplated has a spillway crest at an elevation of 1,200 feet and would create a reservoir with a capacity of 106,000 acre-feet, which is a considerable amount of water, more than three times the amount necessary to control the greatest flood on record. The project designed would provide protection from the standard project flood by reducing the crest discharge of 65,000 feet. So there is a lot of water up there to be used for many other purposes other than the flood-control purposes which are more imminent at this time. The ratio of benefits to costs was brought out by the colonel. I might just briefly call the attention of the committee to some of the other benefits. As you gentleman know, the Army engineers historically have been very conservative in estimating benefits from flood-control projects. This is as it should be, since the investment of public funds is involved. There are long-range benefits, however, in connection with this project that even the Army engineers have not included. These benefits are what we might call somewhat speculative in nature in that their realization will depend upon the construction of this dam. But studies by competent engineers and industrial committees in Seattle estimate that if the city of Seattle is to fulfill its industrial potential over the next 25 to 50 years an additional 8,000 acres of suitable sites must be available. The main industrial development has taken place in those filled-in tidelands at the mouth of this river. Practically all of the desirable sites are now being utilized. Future growth should logically take place along the banks of the river farther down, but that has been very seriously hampered because of the danger and the threat of these floods. So it could mean a great deal to that great city, and our future development all through that area. And I hope the committee sees fit to approve this project. It is not new. We are not bringing something here that has not been battered around for many months, and in some cases, years. Comprehensive studies have been made. A great deal of work has been put into this project by all of those interested, and I hope that we can have the approval of the committee. Senator SPARKMAN. Thank you, Senator Magnuson. Did you want to place your full statement in the record? Senator MAGNUSON. Yes; I would like to place the full statement in the record. Senator SPARKMAN. It will be included at this point. STATEMENT OF SENATOR MAGNUSON ON GREEN-DUWAMISH RIVER Mr. Chairman, you have scheduled today testimony on two projects of vital interest to the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. I refer, of course, to the Green-Duwamish Rivers flood-control project and the revised 308 report of the Army engineers and companion report of the Bureau of Reclamation on Columbia River development. First, I address myself to the Green-Duwamish Rivers project. GREEN-DUWAMISH RIVERS FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT The Green River rises in the Cascade Mountains about 60 miles southeast of Seattle at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet. It flows north and west 60 miles to its junction with the Black River. Below the junction it is shown as the Duwamish River, which flows about 12 miles and empties into Puget Sount at Seattle. The flood plain starts just above the city of Auburn (population 6,000) and comprises a very fertile valley 2 or 3 miles wide. Exclusive of Seattle, the basin has an area of about 474 square miles and a population of approximately 35,000. The city of Kent (population 3,000) is next to Auburn as the principal community affected by recurring floods. The flood plain is devoted to farm crops of unusually high value. There is considerable dairying in the area and the tracks of three transcontinental railroads traverse the basin. FLOOD HISTORY Between November and February are the worst flood months on the Green River. The December 1933 flood inundated 13,800 acres and the December 1946 flood 12,000 acres. The gross area subject to inundation from a flood flow of 40,000 cubic feet per second would be 19,000 acres. The area subject to flooding contains a considerable portion of urban property and facilities, agricultural land and improvements, and transportation and service facilities. The tangible damages from the 1933 and 1946 floods are estimated at $1,750,000 and $1,350,000, respectively, based on 1947 prices. ENGINEERS' RECOMMENDATIONS Several methods of controlling the floods were surveyed by the Army engineers. A dam and reservoir at Eagle Gorge was deemed most feasible and the best means of controlling floods, providing water storage for municipal purposes, irrigation, and conservation. The dam, with spillway crest of 1,205 feet would create a reservoir with a capacity of 106,000 acre-feet, more than three times the amount necessary to control the greatest flood on record (first measurements established in 1931). The project design would provide protection from the standard project flood by reducing its crest discharge of 65,000 cubic feet per second to the safe capacity of the existing channel below the dam. With the end of the spring run-off, water would be stored for release during summer to maintain stream flow. COST OF PROJECT Cost of the project is estimated at $18,300,000 and the annual carrying charge at $823,139. With $2,000,000 of the cost borne by State and county, total annual carrying charges would be $831,658 due to the interest rate of 3.5 percent applied to non-Federal costs. Maintenance and operation is estimated at $80,000 annually. BENEFITS FROM PROJECT The Army engineers estimate total annual benefits at $893,000, consisting of $429,000 from prevention of tangible flood damage, $214,000 from increased return from protected agricultural lands, $191,000 from increased returns from industrial lands, and $59,000 from benefits to fish life. OTHER BENEFITS FROM PROJECT As you gentlemen know, the Army engineers historically have been very conservative in estimating benefits from flood-control projects. This is as it should be, since investment of public funds is involved. There are long-range benefits in connection with this project which the Army engineers have not included. These benefits, which I will mention in a moment, are what we might call a semispeculative nature in that their realization will depend upon future constructive action by the communities involved. Studies by competent engineers and industrial committees in Seattle estimate that if the city of Seattle is to fulfill its industrial potential over the next 25 to 50 years, an additional 8,000 acres of suitable sites must be available. The major industrial development in Seattle has taken place on filled-in tidelands in the southern section of the city. Practically all of the desirable sites are now being utilized. Future growth should logically take place along the banks of the Duwamish River which, as I have explained earlier, is fed principally by the Green River. To bring to fruition present long-range plans for development of this area, local interests-chiefly King County and the city of Seattle-will have to invest 10 to 36 million dollars in channel improvements. Straightening the channel and related improvements will cost about $10,000,000. A ship canal into this prospective industrial area would cost about $36,000,000. Ultimate decision of this phase of the project remains for the future. The opportunity to make the decision, however, depends upon the construction of the proposed dam at Eagle Gorge, to eliminate the flood threat. Obviously industry would not be willing to invest in sites and construction if the lands involved are continually subject to destructive floods. I reiterate, the engineers properly have not included these prospective benefits in their compilation of the benefit-to-cost ratio. Nonetheless, your committee should have these facts in mind as additional argument for approving the project. Army engineers studied this project carefully and have approved it. Local interests are contributing $2,000,000 for this construction. One million five hundred thousand dollars has been appropriated by the State legislature; King County Commissioners have $250,000 in this year's budget for the project and have committed themselves to set aside another $250,000 next year. Immediately after the project is authorized by the Congress and even a token appropriation is approved, this $2,000,000 of local contribution will become available for completion of plans, specifications, and construction. The project will permanently eliminate the flood threat, thereby permitting better use of agricultural lands, potential industrial sites, and protecting life and property in the Green River Basin. Those of you who have read about or witnessed floods know this: There is still one additional benefit, and perhaps the most important one of all, which has not been computed by the Army engineers, namely, the security and happiness of the people involved. It is impossible to compute in dollars and cents the discouragement and human misery created by a flood which, in a matter of hours or days, may destroy a man's crops, his home, his furniture, his livestock, and even his own life. Investment of public funds in this project, like others you have under consideration, is an investment in the lives of people and their property. I sincerely hope you will approve expeditiously authorization of the Green River flood-control project. Senator SPARKMAN. I do not believe you stated whether or not this has received Budget appeal. Senator MAGNUSON. I might state this in all frankness to the committee: the matter has been down before the Budget for, I would say, approximately 4 or 5 weeks. I have not been in constant contact with the Budget as has Senator Cain and others interested, and they have sent up a report to the Army engineers. Is that correct, Colonel? Colonel GEE. That is correct. Senator MAGNUSON. Now the report does not object to the project but it raises three questions. I have not read it but I understand that from my information. It just came up yesterday afternoon, I believe. What are the prospects of potential power features on this matter? Can the local participation be made even greater? And, third, the possibility of-what was the third feature they had in it? Colonel GEE. Power and local contribution were the only two. Senator MAGNUSON. The two major ones. And they did not object to it; they merely said the usual material, "This may not be in accordance with the present program until these matters might be looked |