The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-26
PLACE BLAME FOR
ATKINS FLOODS
Engineers Of Special Board Re-
port on Remedies for Missis-
sippi Rivers Overflow.
BY w. w. Jermane.

Washington, Dec. 26.-General Mac,
kenzie, chief Of engineers, has received
the report of the board consisting, OF
Major Chittenden and Captains Potter
and Judson, which investigated the
tSs npper Ms sH 01a IS voamn
Gus document with various tables show
ing the rainfall and runof Of water
over dams at various points along the
river. and the full text will not be
made public by General Mackenzie. Z.
Major Derby's management Of dams
is commended and it Is recommended
that the broad discretion vested in the
be continued as in the best interest OF
all concerned. That officer is in direct
touch with the situation at all seasons
and under all conditions, say his
brother officers, and it is, therefore,
advisable that his present powers be
continued. s -.# ...tE-~ 49,. ..
The board finds that the floods at
Aitkin and its vicinity were not caused
by overflow from the dams at the head
waters of the river, but came from
tributary streams lower down, the
crookedness Of the river and the con-
sequent retarding Of the flow Of water
being in a measure responsible for the
Measure Of Safety.
The board, however. In spite Of the
fact that it was found that reservoirs
were not to be charged with the dam
ages due to the food. suggests that as
q measure Of safety, it would probably
be a good thing to construct canal con-
neetions between the Leech lake and
Pokegama reservoirs, if the cost Of
such canal should be found not too ex,
cessive. tL
The board took up the question Of
preventing a repetition Of the condi~
tions which prevailed last summer
Three remedies are suggested. The
first is the construction of reservoirs
lower down the river, in the food dis
trict, if suitable sites can be found.
This is said to be the only real practi-
cable plan, of relief. The second sug-
and cut-offs to straighten the crooked
channel Of the lower river, which is
only referred to in a short paragraph.
The Canal Remedy.
The third remedy, and one to which
the board says the people Of Aitkin and
vicinity seem to be welded, is the con-
struction Of q cutoff canal across the
bend in. the Mississippi from Pine
Knot; This project is viewed by the
Of doubtful value, inasmuch as it would
| cost considerable sum for mainte-
nance and would not be Of use except
at odd times when flooded conditions
| actually existed. It would involve the
| construction Of expensive controlling
! works, unless it should in the course
| Of time become the main channel of
the river, leaving. the Land inclosed in
moderate estimate of the cost Of this
cutoff canal is $4,000, but with con-
trolling works it would probably cost
in the end, in the neighborhood of
half million dollars. It would have a
capacity Of 5000 cubic feet per second,
which is in itself good-sized river.
"A suggestion is made by the board
for further Investigation Of the rain,
fall and run-oH of the river at all
stages at various places along Its
course, with view to ascertaining the
effect OF reservoirs on navigation at
all seasons Of the year.
Report in Congress. 49,.
It is probable that soon after the
holidays a resolution will be introduced
IN the house calling on the secretary
OF war to send to congress the full re-
ports, A letter was received at the Of
ice OF the chief Of engineers few days
ago, thru Senator Nelson, urging that
|
ment, in view of it's Importance to
residents of Minneapolis and along
the, upper river: General Mackenzie
will not oppose the suggestion to have
the report printed, and it will be sent
to the house which calls for 1t.
Because Of its limited authority the
board did not go into the question OF
the various remedies suggested, and
the cures named above are from other
sources. The examination was made by
the board with view to gathering in
formation for the use Of congress OF
any of it's committees, should the foo6
question come up in either branch. Il
is rrobab bic that when the report il
submitted to congress or one Of it,
committees, General Mackenzie viii
make no comment on it, leaving that
to be done orally later, when hearings
are held before the committees on river.
and harbors in the house and Of com
merce in the senate
? To Cure Cold m One Day
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