The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-10-11

The letter follows:
b. Pursuant to an invitation of Be-
midi citizens I accompanied Edward
J. Dugan, civil engineer of the United
<States war department and Senator
d. P. O'Neill of Thief River Falls on
a trip across Red Lake and down to
Red Lake Falls.
The trip was made by Mr.. Dugan
solely for the purpose of Investigating
conditions relative to navigation and
conservation of water, and reporting
on same to his superior officers who
may order public hearing and at
that time determine, if conditions
warrant, the Federal government in
making survey Of the Red Lake
basin and the river valley with refer
ence to control and navigation and
future conservation of water
We found the water of Red Lake
at about three feet above normal,
which, no doubt, results in overflowed
Lands in the Tamarack and Shotley
rfver country.
ls~ But Little Fall. ~rs'.>(
After leaving the lake there is but
little fall to the river until you reach
what is known as Highlanding, a dis
tance of 27 miles by land from the
lake. The land along the river is
some of the most fertile land in the
state of Minnesota and when the Red
Lake river is properly dredged and
!; Strengthened from Highlanding to the
Gnke, the lands mentioned will then
come a wonderful agricultural real
y and something should be done at
once along that line.
At Highlanding a large delegation
? of farmers met Mr.. Dugan and Mr.
O'Neill and there was an interesting g
discussion of the drainage question,
and among the other things, Beltrami
. county was cussed and discussed.
The most important facts which
were brought out at this particular
meeting were that the farm crops
from Highlanding up the river had
been drowned out for two successive
years and that the settlers wanted the
river dredged and Strengthened, and
also wanted the state and federal
governments to pay for same.
We attended meeting at the club
rooms Of the Thief River Falls Com
mercial club at which time the mat
ter of drainage and control of the
waters of the Red Lake valley was
gone into by a number of speakers.
Dredge Stream.
The concensus of opinion seemed to
be that the river from Highlanding
to Red Lake should be dredged and
Strengthened and a control dam con-
structed at the outlet of the lake. AT
'Sthis meeting it was brought out that
+ Under what is known as the Nelson
act, the Red Lake band of Indians
can dispose of their pine timber and
use the proceeds thereof in the drain
ing of their wet farm lands and with
cooperation on the part of the state
and the Indian department the drain.
age project can be put through.
The trip from Thief River Falls tC
Red Lake Falls was made in a canoe
There are many fine water powers
along this route, in some places the
fall of the river being as much as 60
feet to the mile. The riparian own.
ership of the shore along the water
power sites is practically all owned
by power companies. We arrived at
Red Lake Falls 20 minutes late tC
catch the Great Northern train for
SasQokston and was forced to make the
trip by auto. However, we reached
the University Farm at Crookston in
time to participate in and enjoy the
sumptuous banquet, splendid music
and excellent and interesting, drain.
age talks by Congressman Steenerson
Senator O'Neill and many others from
North Dakota as we'll as Minnesota
From the intense interest shown
all along the way by settlers and by
the farmers and business men of the
Red River valley and by our. state at
large there is no question but that
the near future will see a comprehen-
ae drainage system evolved, and
.Ans matured for the raising Of
-4fGnds with which to properly drain
ssAAthe fertile farm lands of the grea,
4 Red River valley, and also to prop.
erly conserve the waters for use in
dry years for domestic and water
4 power use. Respectfully yours,
assf %ssas r--Chas. s. Carter.