Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-08-01
= Northwest news N
DRAINAGE PLANS.
Congress. VIII BE Asked to Assist In

the Matter.
The attendance at the first days ses-
sion of the Tri-state Drainage and Ca
nal association, at Fargo. was not as
large as had been expected. and after
meeting in the afternoon and the deter
mination on Senator Hansbrough for
permanent presiding officer, an adj
journment was taken until Monday.
when several prominent men have sig
uified their intention to be present.
Among those present were Senator
Hanshrough Of North Dakota, Con-
gresham Burke Of South Dakota end
Congressman Lacy of Iowa. Mr.. Lacy
is chairman OF the public lands COM
mittee of congress, and his presence
was peculiarly fortunate, as 1t may be
necessary to secure concessions from
his committee if the reservoir plan is a
success.
On Tuesday there was a larger at
tendance.
After the proposed plans of the asso.
citation were outlined by Secretary KEEL
sey. number Of interesting addresses
were made by such men as Ezra G. VAL
entine. chairman Of the Minnesota
drainage commission; Prof. Hoag, Of
States Senator McCumber of North Da-
kota; Congressman Marshall of North
Dakota, and others.
Senator Hansbrough, who presided.
was much interested in the possibilities
of the drainage plans, and thought con-
gress could be induced to assist in the
work on a proper showing. A number
of Minnesotians were present, and are
even more interested than residents Of
the Red river valley on the North Da-
kota side.
On Wednesday the convention adj
journed, after number of interesting
speeches had been made. Speaker Dow
ling of Minnesota; H. A. Mayo OF Wal
halla; ex-Congressman Spaldins Of
North Dakota, and other prominent
men were among the speakers.
Resolutions were adopted reciting
the necessity of some governmental ac-
ton and petitioning congress for an APP
preparation for the purpose of draining
the Red river valley and controlling the
water supply at its sources, to avoid
disastrous floods in future.
The proceedings were ordered pub
lished and, on motion of A. E. Fenton
Of Armenia, resolution was adopted
calling upon township organizations on
both sides of the river to contribute
funds to assist in the proper presenta-
ton Of the necessities of the case to
congress.
The meeting resulted in a fuller and
more definite understanding of the real
conditions and the plans necessary to
prevent the floods. This proposed move.
ment has assumed a more tangible form
and has good hope Of success.
The next meeting will be held at
Wahpeton, not later than Oct. Is Of this
year.
The prevention of floods and the
drainage of the Red river valley have
had much light thrown upon them by
the survey made by United States En-.
gineer w. c. Weeks, under the direc-
ton Of Col. William A. Jones, consists
ing of a survey of Big Stone Lake and
Lake Traverse, Minnesota, with view
to the construction of reservoirs, in ac-
cordarce with the report of Maj. Jones
of the engineer corps of the United
States army Of Jan. 16, 1885, and, IN this
connection, the map Mr., Weeks submit
ted was Of special Importance.
Mr.. Weeks proposes to build dixie
at the north end of Lake Traverse and
raise the flowage line Of the lake to q
level Of $50 feet above the sea, and at
the south end of the lake he proposes
to divert the Minnesota river by q short
canal, from its present course into Big
Stone lake into Lake Traverse. Also, to
make comfortable opening, so that
the Little Minnesota might be dis
charged through its old channel into
Big Stone lake when necessary. MI.
Weeks also proposes to make cahal
from Lake Traverse to the Minnesota
river, and thence, through the old bed
Of the river, into Big Stone lake; by
dredging the Minnesota river draft of
four feet of water could be maintained
between the two lakes. The total ex-
pense of the construction of the system
directly connected with these two lakes
Col. Jones estimates at $S50,00O. This
would include the expense of a dixie and
lock and dam system at the foot of Big
Stone lake between Ortonville, Mimi,
md Big Stone City. 8. D.
In January, 1875. A. A. Humphreys,
brigadier general and chief of eng1n-
GERS, made report to w. w. Belknap,
then secretary of war, of a survey MADE
by c. S. Davis, civil engineer, under
Maj. G. X. Warfren,. then in charge OF
the station, which states. on page ~,
that Lake Traverse and Big Stone lake
could be made into system Of reser-
voirs, and practically outlines the same
plan which is subsequently recom-
mended by Mr.. Weeks.
It would seem from the above that all
of the United States engineers. 1nclud-
ing Col. William A. Jones. Engineer w.
G. Weeks, Civil Engineer c. E. Davis.
Col. r. Davenport, Brig. Gen. and CHIEF
of Engineers A. A. Humphreys. Will
lam w. Belknap, formerly secretary OF
war, and number Of others, that IN
every instance the above described 'sys-
tenn has been recommended and ap-
proved.
rery extensive examination of the Min
nesota river, and in an essay which ne
presented on the subject, he calls atten-
ton to a survey which he had made IN
1865 and 1867. and to Macomb's survey,
made in 1872, and to Longs expedition
to the source of the river. which was
made in 1923.
IT seems that the report of Longs ex-