The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1906-01-11
THE DRAINAGE
CONVENTION
HILL IS TIE ATTRACTION
/. AT THE FORKS TODAY
Two Interesting Addresses During the
Forenoon by Government Engineers
Hill Spoke This Afternoon-Per-
j. nianent Organization VIII be Affected

Grand Forks, N. D.. Jan. II.-There
is no mistaking the earnestness of the
delegates here to attead the meeting of
the state drainage convention. Many
of the participants are practical farmers
in the Red river valley, whose crops
have been damaged year by year as a
result of excessive moisture. They want
some form of relief. ~ ~ #sF
The convention was called to order
this morning with fair attendance at
the Metropolitan theatre. The first adj
dress was by Engineer c. G. Elliott
of the division of irrigation and drain
age investigation Of the agricultural de-
partment. He discussed Drainage on
the Prairies and its Results in manner
that convinced the audience that he
was thoroughly informed. He handled
the subject in such an interesting man
ner that there was sharp discussion for
fully an hour following the address.
Many practical questions were asked
and answered and the members of the
convention gained lot of important
information at first hand.
Drainage Problems in the Red River
Valley was the subject of the address
by Engineer John T. Stewart of the
division of irrigation and drainage of
the department. of agriculture. He dis
cussed his subject as follows: >-
STEWARDS ADDRESS. H.
Drainage problems of the Red river
valley, valley by John i Stewart drainage ssgs; en-
United States department Of agricul-
ture.
''In discussing the drainage problems
of the Red river valley I wish it under
Iof territory from twelve to eighteen
of the river between the south line of
Cass county and the north line of Walsh
county. In using the term Red river
valley shall use it as referring to the
Dakota side of the valley. SY
In some respects the entire valley
may be regarded as occupying unique
position in the field of drainage. This
water shed has been spoken of in var
ious publications as the dividing line
between the humid and arid regions.
The east side OF the valley extends into
the region of heavy rainfall and the
west side into the region of light rain
fall. The source of the river being
in the south and the course generally
north, is also oht of the ordinary for
rivers of the United States The valley
can not be compared with the heavy
overflow lands on the Missouri Delta,
neither is its drainage conditions the
same as in the swamp uplands of Iowa
and Illinois" s%,@
The topography of this region is level,
sloping towards the east and north at
the rate of three feet TO the mile in
the hatter sections. with the fall increas-
ling as the ridges are approached on the
west side. Generally speaking the fall
/ is to the northwest but this direction Of
greatest fall varies in sections from east
TO north. The gerieEal direction OF
the coulies and streams can be taken as
an index to the greatest surface slope.
Like all alluyial regions the surface is
Higher along the banks of the streams
and coulies in the valley This elevation
of stream banks is due to the overflow,
| the stream being heavily charged with
sediment, at the time of the overflow,
/ the current is slackened and the sedi-
lment deposited, heavy deposits occurring
near where the water first leaves the
channel. This occurring year after year
lgradualy raises the banks above the sur
i rounding prairies. This elevation is
lquite marked in several localities. The
bottom Of one long crooked coulie west
! of the Cheyenne river in Cass county
lis several feet higher that the country
/ a quarter of mile on either side Of it,
a condition that renders this coulie en-
Itirely useless for drainage purposes
The water that causes the damage in
j the valley may be considered as COM
ling from the following sources:
/ i. The rainfall. y
~. The overflow Of the Red river.
s. The water coming from the higher
i lands to the west known in other locali-
4 ties as "still water
The rainfall, Mr.. Stewart stated, was
uniform over the entire valley and would
cause no damage, the Red river overflow
looming SO early in the spring, before
sowing is done causes no damage to
lcrops, bur is dangerous to other proper
h Ity. The hill water is what is causing
the greatest damage to the valley. The
4 rainfall and overhows could be easily
HANDLED but hill water, being in such
q Iuncertain quantities can not be taken
lcare Of at present. The water carried
Il down from the hills is well distributed
i and hence there would be little difficulty
Il in handling it through the fats to the
river with proper drainage.
Il The many rivers and coulies were
II generally crooked, and. in some places,
Iobstructed by trees and drifts of RUB
bish. Combining these two things, ii Is
I a serious innpediment to the water which
Icar not run as fast ais it should. He
stated that the sides Of the rivers could
be cut and in that manner the water car
Tried off more rapidly. The only at
tenlpts at artificial drainage iii the larg-
er part Of the valley were bitches along
the highways. which rather helped 10
/ spread the water than carry it off. They
were Of insufficient Size to carry off the
water. having too large ain area to drain.
!. In heavy railfalls after the water from
I 1.-The fields has rim off into the bitches
81 1the water from the hills comes down
I and again gives The land a soaking.