The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1917-09-06

mel and Major Ranes of Lisbon, in
seeking to have the state office push
this work. which must mean much in
financial way for the county and
city. The river extends diagonally
across the whole county.
After the preliminary investigation
it, is assured that much water power
is! capable of development all along
the Sheyenne from the Red River
Valley to far north of Valley City. 1t
is only a question as to how extern
sively the citizens care to use it. Not
only is series of small reservoirs
Practicable, but at least two large
dams are possible up stream where
Engineer Hard is now pushing the
preliminary work. Reservoir water
rights on the river will be eagerly
sought after by those possessing sites.
Mr.. Hard has already passed upon the
availability of several small but valu.
able private sites as we'll as locating
several for larger ones. Some owners
have not heretofore realized the large
value they possess in these power
sites. Others wishing their river land
inspected should consult Engineer
Hard or write his office at Fargo.
This work is all part of the flood
control work for the Red River VAL
ley and tributaries. The Sheyenne in
cludes many sites of reservoirs capa-
BILE of holding back the spring floods
which for three years have damaged
over eight million acres of finest val
ley land. While the series of small
dams will injure no land, it is a mat
ter for the people to decide whether
the benefit of the large dams to the
Red River Valley will far more than
compensate for the injury to the
farms of the beautiful Sheyenne val
ley. Engineer Hard has developed the
/ plan and has interested the U. S.
Department of Agriculture to the point
where it has made, through Secretary
Vrooman an offer of $25,000 worth of
work for the states of North Dakota
and Minnesota. This is to consist of
work by it's corps of engineers Co
operating with the State Reclamation
Office in survey with cost estimates
on all dams and canals.
Mr.. Hard was asked to meet the
Ransom county commissioners and
explain the plans for drainage and res
ervoirs for holding back water-later
to be used in creating immense power
for milling, electricity for lighting,
motor power etc. AS Ransom coun-
ty has a big area badly in need OF a
drainage survey, and, in the light OF
a preliminary survey just being made
several fine power sites, it is very vi
tally interested.
The system used in some counties
of employing private engineer each
time a drain is to be laid out costs
the county from 5000 to $4,000 for
each ditch. Sometimes poor survey
or is gotten because he is cheap and
is gotten because he is cheap and
handy, with the result that the ditch
does not drain.
County maps showing the right 10
cation for all drains, and made by,
and in cooperation with the U. S.
Chief Drainage Engineer, will settle
all future troubles and argument.
With its use, county drain boards will
be in position to settle drainage pro-
ceedings cheaply and correctly.
The proposed survey and reclama-
tion work is great big, broad
guaged, but intensely practical plan
which is inviting the attention of the
businessmen and farmers of Lisbon,
Ransom and Barnes counties, and of
the whole Red River Valley.