The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-12-31
FLOOD CONTROL SOUGHT. !.
Meeting Held At the City
Hall Yesterday
DISCUSS WATER POWER
Little Blue Earth River Appears
To Besome Bone of
Contention

|
kato Civic and Commerce association
and the Blue Earth county farm bu-
reau at the city hall yesterday after
noon w. A. Streater, president or
the Mankato Civic and Commerce
association, presided at the meeting
and introduced the speakers of the
afternoon. Mr.. Streater said that
the object Of the meeting was to dis
cuss ways and means of arriving at
true solution of the question.
A. B. Kaercher of Ortonville, who
for years past has taken a decided
interest in the question OF flood con-
troll Of the waters Of the Minnesota
river, was the first speaker OF the
afternoon. He stated that the ques-
ton had been before the people for
several years past but now the first
steps were being taken toward the
actual prevention Of the destructive
floods, which cause thousands of dol
lars worth or damage to growing
crops. Mr.. Kaecher was or the opin-
ion that the food waters of the
Minnesota can be best controlled by
the foot of BigstOne Lake, and the
diverting of the Milestone river into
that lake. Another impounding dam
at Lac qui Parle and one at the
mouth of the Cottonwood river near
New Ulm. The erection Of the dam
at the foot of Bigstone Lake and the
diverting of the Wnetstone river in
to that body of water would protect
the lands down the river for dis
lance of at least seven miles.
Impounding of Water.
The impounding of an immense
amount Of water at Lac qu Parle
would protect another portion of the
valley and the third dam at the
mouth of the Cottonwood river woul1
l. Ir<x-r 60. G<rxwrr
Mankato. The speaker was OF the
opinion that streams feeding the
Minnesota like the Blue Earth and
Chippewa rivers should be looked af-
ter in like manner He suggested a
dam up at Vernon Center on the
Blue Earth. The surplus waters OF
this state, the speaker stated are
next in value to the land itself,
Immense power could be generated
from the impounded waters. He pre-
dicted that at no far distant date
hundreds of factories whose power
will be furnished from the hydro
electric plants will dot the valley it's
entire length, and the homes will
even be heated and lighted by cleo.
slack water navigation between
Mankato and the twin cities by
system of dams. The fish that could
be propogated IN those artificial
lakes would result ip. large revenue,
which could be used for the up keep
of the reservoirs. Mr. Kaercher said
that the great difficulty in putting
the "Follow up spirit" Proper or
ganization into drainage districts is
absolutely before anything can be
/ accomplished.
Address BY Willard.
e. v. Willard, commissioners OF
drainage and waters, said that some
$4,000 had been appropriated for
and that about SIS 900 of that amount
had been used in investigations thus
far. Mr.. Willard said that one OF
the largest problems confronting the
people of Minnesota today is the
control of the food waters Of the
Minnesota river. He stated that in
his opinion that the reservoir plan is
ing of the channel to accommodate
the food waters would be to costly a
proposition. While he made this
statement he was aware of the fact
that some people, especially those
living in the vicinity Of proposed i'm
pounding dams object to the reser-
yoir plan. MIR. Willard said that il
the people expect to get any support
from the state and the national gov
eminent, an organization is absolute
ly necessary.
BY the construction OF reservoirs
at the points mentioned, Mr.. Willard
said would materially reduce the de-
wanting floods of the Minnesota riv-
er, but that some lands would have
Of the same. The construction of the
dams will accomplish the purpose Of
food control.
Highland Man Escape Tax
Neither Mr.. Willard nor Mr.. Kaer-
cher thought that the man living on
the highlands would be assessed for
benefits from the improvements on
been assessed for drainage bitches
etc.
Mr.. Willard brought up the neces-
sity OF making Typographical sur
vey Of the state, and he asked thar
the meeting go on record as favoring
the same. County Surveyor Roy
Allison and w. L. Comstock were
L. Comstock's motion that the meet
Ing go on record as favoring the
survey, and to take 1t up with the
state legislature carried unanimous
ly. The Civic and Commerce asso-
citation and the Blue Earth Farm
Bureau will take up the matter for
mally at meetings Of those bodies.
as Ballard asked as to the assess
ments of those on the highlands.
Mr.. Kaercher stated that no man
will be assessed, who does not re-
ceive benefits from the river inn.
provement.
Opposed Allison Contention
G. N. Cosgrove of lie Sueur, who
had lost 200 acres Of crops last sum
| mer, took decided opposition to
County Surveyor Allison's contention
that the Blue Earth river should be
left out Of the proposition, il the
majority of the land owners could
not assessed for the proposed addi-
| tional dam near Vernon Center. He
said that most of the land bordering
that stream Is about $50 feet above
the level OF that river.
Mr.. Kaercher was not in favor of
that river being left out, and said that
II any additional power were created
on that river that it should be in the
| control OF the people.
Columbus and George Ballard said
that they favored the proposition OF
providing flood control and thought
that petty jealousies should be
| thrown to the winds. and All should