The Bismarck tribune., 1925-05-08
U.S.. TO MAKE
TOPOGRAPHIC
MAP OF STATE
Office of N. ID. Engineer
Will Not Participate
in Survey

The topographic mapping Of sec
tions of North Dakota, including the
Missouri Devils Lake diversion sec
tion, will be conducted under the
direction of the United States geo
logical survey Of the department of
interior, according to plans nearing
completion and announced today by
the state engineers department.
Neither the state geological sur
vey nor the office of the state en-
gineer will participate in the actual
work Of making the surveys, accord
ing to officers to the former depart
ment. W. II. Heron, federal divi-
sion engineer of the central district,
who has carried on an extended cor
respondence with the state engineer
relative to the project expects to be
in active charge himself and all field
parties will work under his direct
supervision; the state engineers de-
partmen. and the state geological
survey helping only in an advisory
capacity.
Announcement was made today by
the state engineers office that off
cials there and from the state geo
logical survey eXpcc. to confer with
Mr.. Heron soon, here. At this meet
ing the areas to be mapped first
will be definitely decided upon and
all preliminary arrangements Will
be made for pushing the work for
ward ut the earliest possible date.
The state appropriation of $4,000
for making topographic surveys
was passed by the last session of
the legislature but Mr.. Heron has
informed the North Dakota officials
that Federal aid funds to match this
appropriation will not be available
before the beginning of the govern
ment's fiscal year, July l, and it is
probable, therefore, that no field
work will be undertaken until that
time, according to the Dakota Off
GERS.
A statement today from the Of
flee Of the state engineer, on the
status Of the topographic mapping
project said in part:
Recommendation will be made by
the State Engineer that the first
work undertaken by the survey be
the valley of the Mouse River, with
special attention to flood protection
for Minot and the vicinity. This
area has suffered heavy flood losses
periodically for a number of years
Minot having sustained flood losses
probably in excess of 100000 this
years. Engineers who have studied
the problem are Of the opinion that
this is the most serious emergency
in the State and that this problem
should be studied first.
''ln connection with the mapping
OF the Mouse River Valley portion
Of the areas lying between the Mis-
souri, river and the Mouse River Val
ley along the suggested course of tn,
proposed Missouri River-Devils LAX,
diversion project will also be map
ped. These topographic maps will b,
of incalculable value in picking tn,
locations Of the proposed diversion
tunnel, according to j. N Roherty
engineer of the State Engineering
Department.
apart from the probable bene
fits to be derived from these map.
from the stand point of the propose,
Missouri River Diversion, more d
rect and immediate benefits are ex
pected due to the fact that thi
area contains some of the riches
Ignite coal deposits in the state. Ac
cording to reports of the State Geo
logical Survey this seam of coal i
about IL feet thick, of good quality
and offers the shortest haul to mar
kets in the eastern part of the stat,
of any Ignite deposits yet discover
ed
"As the appropriation passed b,
the state legislature was for tn,
biennium and as "A considerable are;
is to be covered it is expected tha
this work will be carried over tw,
seasons. Those interested hope tha
Federal engineers will be sufficient
~ impressed with the Importance 0
some of North Dakota's problems $,
that increased Federal funds unde
the provisions Of the Temple Bill
will be available to carry on tn
work.
Dance at MenOken Satur
day night. Nav 9.