The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-03-13
ENGINEERS OF
STATE HEAR OF
RIVER PROJECT
CONTINUED from page One)

practically all dried up. If the Miss
ouri River is ever brought over to
this side of the ridge hundreds OF
these low places can be reconverted
into lakes to act as storage basins
during years when the rainfall Is
sufficient to take care Of the water
needs of our project area.
I'VE believe that the water can
he brought over to the northeastern
side of the Coteau at such an eleva-
ton that it can then be diverted.
by only comparatively small
amount of ditching and control
works, into the valleys of either the
Mouse, the Sheyenne, or the James.
Let US hope that before we meet
many more times we shall have suf-
ficient maps completed to enable US
to inform you, with a considerable
degree of certainty, just what can
be done.
1.-The legislature that has just adj
journed has made an appropriation
to be used, in conjunction with the
U. S. Geological Survey, in making
Topographic maps in North Dakot;
The mapping of this portion of the
Coteau is one of the areas that will
be covered.
Eastern Half Must Act
81 have now covered most OF thu
principal facts, relative to. the ac
tual construction of this project, tina
/ am able to give you at this time
would like to call your attention
to the facts which make this projec
future necessity; and to the warn
Gus reasons that will compel the PEG
pie of the eastern half of North Da
kota to take some definite action il
promoting its construction at tn
earliest possible date.
1.-THE restoration of numerou
fresh water lakes all along the line
the restoration Of Devils Lake wit
fishing and all the other waite
sports restorcd), the creation of
summer resort area in North DE-
kota-these considerations alon
would be sufficient to mark the Miss
Iouri River Diversion Project as
worthy project-these consideration
alone should be sufficient to strik
the fancy of every true lover
North Dakota.-these consideration
alone should be sufficient to justif
considerable expenditure Of none
But want to dwell, for few M
ments, on the possibilities of tn
. project as a source of water suppl
IL doubt that there is a man he1
who is not firmly convinced that II
population of North Dakota will J
doubled inside Of 20 years. b
lieve that is safe prediction. ri
ture to yourselves, if you can, VIII
, conditions will be. Minot, a city
:, 30, 600 people; Fargo reaching iowa
the $4,000 mark; and all the tow
. and cities in the valleys OF Il
g Mouse, the Sheyenne, and the Jam
9 Rivers, even down into South Oak
= ia, evidencing proportionate growt
9 to say nothing of new towns al
4 cities which may be expected
spring up. As the cultivation of {
: land increases, both extensively a
:, intensively, more and more OF t
: surface water is lost through see
age. The summer flow of the strea1
dwindles to almost nothing. I
t towns and cities we have mention
h must have water to drink and wat
e to carry away their sewage. Und'
a ground sources can. supply cert'
r. needs, but if you have followed
history of our artesian wells
know, only too we'll, the limitatie
On such sources of supply. Stor;
t. of the spring floods in. Lake 7
,e verse may solve the problem for F
60 and the cities on the Red Ri
a but this solution will have serl'