The log cabin Democrat., 1911-02-08
BIG RECLAMATION PROJECT PLANNED 6O,OOO ACRES INVOLVED DAM ON CADON PROPOSED TO PROTECT FROM RIVER
 BACKWATER.

county, will be the subject of legsla- ton to be brought before the general assembly within the next few days. If the plans of the promoters of the project are correct and the legisla- ture consents to organize an improve ment district for the purpose, over 60 .000 acres of the most valuable land in the county, lying on either side of Cadron creek for a total distance of nearly 40 miles will be protected from overflow by backwater from the Ar kansas river and brought under culti- vation. Only about one-fourth of this land has ever been cleared and it is all subject to periodic overflow, rend- ering it almost valueless for farm pur- poses. If the statements of the pro- motors are to be believed, low esti- mate of the productive capacity of the land it is proposed to open up would be 30,000 bales of cotton, the value of which would exceed $2,000,000 annu- ally.
 The plan is to construct a concrete dam, fitted with locks across Cadron creek near the point where it is bridg ed by the Iron Mountain railroad at Gleason This dam would prevent the upward flow of backwater from the Arkansas, into which the creek emp ties a few miles below, and thus pre- vent the overflow of the lands along both prongs of the creek for a dist ance far into the northern and east ern sections of the county. The banks of the stream, it is claimed, are ample to contain all the headwater, even though a flood stage in the river should occur simultaneously with heavy local precipitation. In ordinary times, of course, the locks in the dam would be open and the water from Cadron would flow as usual into the river.
 The estimated cost of the dam is al most ridiculously small in proportion to the amount of territory to be in- cluded in the district. It is believed that the locks and dam, together with about one-quarter mile levee which will be needed on the west bank of the stream, can be constructed for about $40,000, or less than 70 cents an acre for all the land it is proposed to protect. Prof. G. H. Burr has made a preliminary survey of the work, and exports that he has found point at Gleason where the stream passes through and over a ledge of solid rock, giving a splendid founda- tion for the dam with little excava- ton. If it were not for this natural advantage, the cost of the dam would be several times as great, as the slze of the prism would be greatly increas- ed by any addition to the height of the dam, as it's base would necessarily have to be proportionately widened. The dam, as planned, will have a |
 sufficient width at the top to permit roadway connecting Faulkner and Conway counties and replace ferry boat now used to connect the roads at that point.
 Back of the project are several To- cal citizens of means who declare there is nothing visionary in the scheme and it will be carried into ex- ecution at an early date. J. D. Col Her, who owns about 1,200 acres in the district, is one of the most enthus- iastic of the promoters, and among other large landowners living here and interested in it are the Drummer estate, Halter Brothers, s. D. Free man, J. R. Saunders and others Prominent farmers living farther up the creek are also said to be highly in favor of the improvement, and it l is stated that not word of objection has been heard from anyone who would be affected by it.
 On account of considerable area in Conway county being involved ir the district, it will be necessary tc have it incorporated by the legisla- ture. and R. w. Robins, local attor' ney, is now preparing the bill provid ing for the creation of the district which will probably be introduced within the next week or two. The pro moters of the district are apparently in dead earnest and one of them saiC today if there was no delay in secur inn tha snecial act. the dam could bt