The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-12-18
RESOLUTION TO LOWER
WATER LEVEL OFFERED:
AFFECTSN. MINNESOTA

Representative Knutson on Dec.
II introduced the following joint
resolution in congress-, which was
referred to the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce and or
dered to be printed:
Providing for a change of policy
in the manner of handling the reser-
voir waters of the Mississippi river
and it's tributaries in Minnesota.
Whereas there are six reservoir
dams on the headwaters Of the Mis-
sissippi river and its tributaries in
the state of Minnesota, maintained
by the federal government, under
the supervision 'of the war depart
ment; and
Whereas at the time of their auth
orization policy was announced un-
der which the said dams were con-
structed to aid navigation and the
war department engineers were in
structed to operate said dams solely
with that object in view; and
Whereas said engineers acting un-
der such instructions have honestly
and diligently carried out said pol
icy for the purpose of aiding naviga-
tion alone without regard to other
needs; and
Whereas the reservoirs created by
the dams hold immense volumes Of
water and are practically full at all
times; and
Whereas every spring the melt
ing SHOWS Of winter fill the reser-
voirs to overflowing during the
months Of May, June and July the
whole reservoir country becomes
flooded because of the obstruction to
the natural flow, created by the
dams; and
Whereas there is a large agricul-
tural district adjacent to the reser-
voirs and along the streams both
above and below the dams, contain
ing numerous farms, meadows and
general agricultural improvements,
and all of these are damaged an
nually by the floods caused by the
government reservoirs; and
Whereas there are numerous dams
on the streams erected by private
owners who operate them for power
purposes; and
Whereas the power dams are rem
dered less efficient by the handling
of the waters in the government res
ervoirs in the manner heretofore
practiced; and
Whereas all public and private in
forests considered, the best general
service will result If policy is es-
tablished to lower the water sew
era1 feet in all of said reservoirs
during the winter months and again
fill them in the spring from the melt
ing SHOWS and spring rains that in
variably follow the winter: There
fore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United
States of America in Congress assem-
bled, that the secretary Of war be,
and he hereby is, advised and in
structed to change the policy of con-
trolling these waters at the headWa-
ters of the Mississippi river and its
tributaries in Minnesota held in res
ervoirs by government dams con-
structed for the purpose Of aiding
navigation, and hereafter so control
the waters as to further agricul-
tural, water power and navigation
interests, and in the furtherance Of
said policy advise and instruct the
engineers of the war department to
lower the level of the water in said
reservoirs during the winter months
and gradually refill them during the
spring and summer months, at all
times protecting the agricultural and
water power interests from injury
and annoyance. and at the same time
Feing Of as much practical aid TO ma
vigation as possible.