The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-28
HISTORY OF
THE PLAN

For Preventing the Overflow Of the
Red Rfver-It Also Embraces the
Problem of Navigation Of the Red
and Minnesota Rivers.
Judge Edgar M. Bennetbof Sisseton,
s. d., who is here as delegate to the
drainage conference, is an old timer,
both in the drainage movement and the
development of the Northwest. Some
26 years ago next month he came to
Big Stone, and took a prominent patt
in politics and the drainage movement
or the Bennett Waterway Scheme" as
1t was then known. As mayor of Big
stone he took a prominent part In
scheme in connection with the people
Of Winnipeg for the opening Of a
waterway from Hudson Bay to the
Gulf Of Mexico. While enjoying. a So
cial chat with an Evening Times man
in the corridor of the Dacotah last
evening Judge Bennett said:
I'VE have. better prospects for the
contamination of the great waterway
from the foot of Big Stone lake to Lake
Winnipeg, under the Major Jones plan,
as reported by him to General Casey,
in 1892, than ever before. There Is no
question about having plentiful sup
ply of water for navigable purposes.
The old theory that there would not
be water enough is cried only by those
who are not conversant with the plan.
The reason speak of this is that when
l first began to advocate this project.
twenty years ago, that was the argu-
ment used against me. But if anyone
will read the report of Major Jones,
civil engineer of high standing, such
will be dispelled. In personal inter-
views have had with Major Jones, re
says there is no question as to having
plenty of water in the most droughty
seasons. under his plan, which is the
reservoir system.
Every one in the Northwest is ac-
quafhted with the destruction caused
by the floods of the Red River of the,
North, there having been, since the set
Element of that portion of the country,
some $10,00O,O0O worth of property de-
stroyed by floods. Several lives have
also BEEN lost. No longer than the
winter of 1897, over 100000 worth
of property was destroyed by the floods
OF the Red River Of the North, or more
in value than it would take to pay the
expense of the building of this grand
waterway under Major Jones' plan. All
of this can be prevented by simply put
ting dyke at the north end of the
Boise de Sioux, about fifteen miles
south of Wahpeton, and another dyke
at the foot of Big Stone lake and a lock
and gate on the Otter Tail river at the
nearest point to the Rabbit river chan
mel, and forcing he waters of the OF
ter TAIL In the spring, south through n
short-distance artificial channel to the
Rabbit river channel. down the Boise
de Sioux, where it will be forced from
the north dyke south, through Lakes
Traverse and Big Stone, to the dyke at
the foot of the last named lake thus
creating one grand reservoir of nine
ty miles and preventing the floods of
the Red River of the North: The Otter
Tail river Is the principal feeder to the
Red river, and, as it thaws out earlier
In the spring than the Red river of the
North. farther north, its waters flow
to the ice beds Of the Red River of the
North and create the floods. By it's di-
version the floods are easily prevent
ed There is gate connected with the
lock on the Otter Tail river, When
the gate, is closed, the water is forced
south into the reservoir. When. the
gate is lifted, the water of the Otter
Tail resumes its natural course-north.
Thus the waters of the Otter Tail are,
under absolute control Hence, the
damage is prevented and the surplus
waters are held intact, to be used at
will as genefit.
Big Stone lake, being feeder to
the Minnesota river, would be- the
means of furtherfng navigation on the.
Minnesota river south, under the res
ervofr plan. SO that fair-sized boats
could be used for navigable, purposes
on the Minnesota river to the twin
cities. Just remember that 1 do not
pretend to say that the ninety-mile
reservoir. would hold all of the surplus
flood waters that create all the foods
of the Red River of the North. But it..
would hold a sufficient amount of such
waters with what it could get rid of
as feeder to the Minnesota river and
Its created reservoirs further south. Il,
prevent the foods of the Red River of
the North and make navigation south
TO the twin cities. Congressman Nc
Cleary has been. as l learn, strong
advocate of the theory 1 advance, per-
tanning to navigation of the Minnesota
river to Big Stone lake.
THE same principle would be utfl-
lied in the creation of navigation on
the north to Lake Winnipeg. That ii,
the reservoir system and the straight
ening out In many places of the Red
river chained. Thus navigation would
be created to Lake Winnipeg. In fact.
citizens of Winnipeg have been strong
supporters Of this waterway ever since
I began to agitate 1t, in 1880. 1 have
communications In my possession az
far back as Nov. %. 1885, from C.. Is.
Hamilton, the mayor of Winnipeg,
wherein he and his council took great
I interest In the work. Also from Geo.
A. Stewart. civil engineer Of Winnipeg.
who has written many lengthy com.
ri1unications as to the great worth IL
the project and the great benefits to be
derived ttherefrom. Under the Jones
plan we would have 900 miles Of inter-