New Ulm review., 1922-05-31
OPPOSITION TO
DAM LOCATION
NEW ULM CITIZENS EXPRESS
HOSTILITY TO PLAN OF
DAM NEAR CITY.
CLAIM LAKE WOULD BE ONL Y
A MENACE TO HEALTH
AND BEAUTY.

Asserting ,CnaC Cne prOpOSeu COllSeT-
vancy dam near the city of New Ulm
would not solve the flood-water sit
uation in the Minnesota river valley
and that the result for New Ulm would
mean only a costly swamp with dead
vegetation and trees, breeding place
for mosquitoes, the cutting off OF
trade highways, and not real lake
with spring water and gravel bottom,
but silt and mud, many business men
and others expressed themselves as
forcibly opposed to the plan at meet
ing held in the Commercial club rooms
Monday evening. After many citi-
zens had expressed their opposition, a
motion was adopted instructing Presi-
dent Otto Buenger to appoint a com
mittee of three or five citizens to meet
with the conservancy board with the
idea of heading off the project. The
meeting went officially on record as
opposed to the dam here. with the
adoption of resolution to that effect.
Graft Gives Opening Talk.
J. P. Graf, the New Ulm member OF
the conservancy commission, gave the
opening talk, explaining the history
of the conservancy movement, the
act of the last legislature which created
the commission, the surveys that had.
been made and the plans agreed upon
by the commissioners. He compared
the commissions work with that OF
drainage ditch board, stating that
the viewing, laying out, bonding etc.
were practically identical. Two OF the
commissioners live above New Uln
on the river and two below, and with
practical agreement upon dams at
Big Stone Lake, Lac, Qui Parle ana
New Ulm we are in between, and IN
case of a fight would be at some dis
advantage. A dam at New Ulm would
be a fine thing for Mankato, and the the.
other towns down along the line as
we'll as for the farmers down that way.
Mr.. Graft reiterated that about 2,Ooo
acres would be permanently flooded
here and something like $4,000 per
manently reclaimed, and the cost OF
.. the dam here would be about 81 100000
and the two dams above here would
cost about s1,5O0,O00. Maps are now
being drawn to indicate the levels
and appearance of the proposed lake,
dam and surrounding country.
Mr.. Graft stated that a permanent
level of 1893 feet had been suggested
for here, whereas S05 feet would bring
the water about on level with the
floors of the new bridge here. n
F. w. johnson Opposes.
F. w. Johnson expressed himself as
absolutely opposed to the dam pro-
ject, stating it would be detrimental
to the best interests Of the city OF
New Ulm. He said it was impossible
to have beautiful lake here with the
ground covered only to shallow
depth that would furnish breeding
places for mosquitoes, and that IN
all his experience with floods here
since 1881 he had never seen stage
of water that indicated anything like
a real lake at this point. The deposit
ing of silt and the growth of rushes
and weeds as we'll as the killing Of the
trees within short time he said were
menace to the city. Mr.. Johnson
also argued that much trade would be
lost to New Ulm if roads now leading
to the city were flooded or put out
of commission. H. 81,
q sNow is the time for the citizens
of New Ulm and our neighboring far
mers to act'', said Mr.. Johnson in
closing.
tWho is going to handle the flood
gates and get the waterpower?' asked
President Otto Buenger.
Hasn't Heard Good Word.
81 haven't heard good word fol
the project from anyone, said H. Auf.
derheide. .'The channel of the Min.
nesota river should be widened, straight
.ened and cleaned and the COTTONWOOD
made to run in it's old course.
F. H. Retzlaff said this was very
serious matter and that New Uln
citizens would do well to act energeti.
cally in their own interests.
Jacob Klossner spoke Of his &C years
residence in the Minnesota valley and
said he had seen the water as deer
as 80 feet and then again only one
foot. Mr.. Klossner is opposed to the
dam here. 5... ..s
Somsen Advises COMMITTEES.
Atty. H. N. Sonsen was called upor
as one who had made deep study
Of the situation. Mr.. Somsen said thai
while he was in sympathy with a great
deal that had been said by the othel
speakers he felt it was not 50 much :