The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-03-13
ENGINEERS OF
,.STATEHEAR0F OF
RIVER PROJECT
Diversion of Missouri Waters
and Conservation Held
Big State Project
FLOOD CONTROL ALSO
Speakers Here Discuss the
Necessity of Controlling
Foods in Valley

Engineers from various parts of
North Dakota gathered in the con-
vention here today of the North Da-
kota Society of Engineers and North
Dakota Chapter of the American As
sociation of Engineers, which opened
two-day session in Elks hall this
morning.
Prof. E. S. Keene. president of the
bodies, called the convention to Or
der. The morning program was de-
voted to flood control and water con-
servation, with George II. Mcmahon.
assistant state engineer, in charge.
Speakers included j. N. Roherty,
Estate Highway Commission; E. V.
Willard. Commissioner, Minnesota
Drainage Commissions; Prof Z. F.
Chandler, University of North Da-
kota, and DR.. Keene.
MIR. Roherty, in his address, out
lined to the engineers the plan of
Water conservation, reclamation and
flood control through utilization of
the waters of the Missouri. Mr.. Ro-
hcrty said in part:
Briefly stated, ttJ proposition is
just this. The Missouri River is
the most reliable source of water
of any considerable size in North
Dakota. The mountain SHOWS are a
sure and constant source Of water.
The construction Of reservoirs in
Montana for power and irrigation
purposes serve to diminish the spring
floods and to increase the summer
flow. Aside from the values these
reservoirs have for their primary
purposes they arc also Of value to
North Dakota in equalizing the flow
of the river. The Missouri River
on the big bend near Garrison at
low water stage is almost 200 feet
higher than the railroad tracks at
Velva and almost 27O feet higher
than Devils Lake. Between the
Mouse River Valley and the valley
of the Missouri is the ridge called
the Plateau du Coteau du Missouri.
1t is only about 40 miles, in an air
line, from the Missouri River near
Garrison to Velva. By going up the
valley of Spring Creek on the Miss
ouri side and following up some of
the valleys of the Mouse River Bas-
in we know that somewhere in that
locality we will find comparatively
narrow dividing ridge. If tunnel
were constructed through this ridge
the waters of the Missouri could be
brought out on the other side of the
ridge at an elevation considerably
higher than the city Of Velva.
Average Fall
"The average fall of the Missouri
River through Sorth Dakota is less
than nine inches per mile. Now, if
we assume fall of three feet per
mile in. the tunnel. we know that
the water in the tunnel would have
a much higher velocity than it has
in the river. This would prevent
the deposition in the tunnel of any
silt the river water might be carry
ing.
owe estimate the length of the
tunnel at from 18 to Is miles but for
this case let US assume that it will
be 25 miles lonT. There is 200 feet
difference between the water levels
Of the two rivers and even though
we lose rs feet in coming through
this tunnel, We shall still come out
on the north side of the Coteau at
an elevation of 125 feet above Velva.
Once on the other side of the ridge
we feel that the problem would be
comparatively simple.
Former Survey
"About twelve years ago the State
Engineers Office made a survey to
determine the feasibility of divert
ing the waters of the Mouse River
into Devils Lake. So far as the en-
gineering features were concerned,
the project was found to be feasible
but it was abandoned because the
available water supply was consider
ed insufficient and because, since
about 80 percent of the drainage
farea of the Mouse River belongs to
Canada, the latter country would
have prior claim to its waters,
should she desire. to make use of
them.
"At that time it was planned to
build diversion dam near the
mouth of Wintering Creek and to
raise the water to level nearly up|
to the city of 'Velva. BY using al
very light fall in the bitches it'll
could then be diverted into Devils
Lake. As l started few moments
ago, the proposed tunnel will carry
the waters of the Missouri to the
north side of the Coteau at an eleva-
tion over 100 feet higher than Velva.
which was to have been the height
of the Wintering Creek Dam. 1t isl
clear that. with this difference in ele-
vation, the problem of diverting the
water into Devils Lake becomes
much simpler. Due to the greater
} fall, the same amount Of water can
be carried by smaller bitches.
"As you will notice. it is difficult
to outline Con the rnap) in places,
just what territory drains into the
James River and what drains into the
Sheyenne River. You will also note
u great number Of small lakes. They
were lakes at one time but are now
(Continusd . ~ q )Sr
tiE 81 9si 49,