The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-11-05
University Dean Says Proper
Place For Dam Would Be
Near Garrison

Fargo, N. D., Nov. 5.-R1-North
IDakotas troubles from waterloo
ficiency in dry years would be less
ened by construction Of the Missouri
river diversion project, Prof. E. F.
Chandler, dean Of the college of en-
cheering Of the University of North
Dakota. told the North Dakota Water
and Sewage Works conference here
Thursday.
Prof. Chandler expressed the opin-
ion that the project would assure a
more dependable sourc for water
supplies Of cities and towns in the
eastern part of the state, and would
provide q more steady and regular
flow In the departing streams used by
cities to carry away sewage.
Explaining the essential features OF
the diversion project, Prof. Chandler
said the Missouri river runs q 800
mile cours through the state from an
elevation Of 1880 feet above sea-level
down to 1850 feet.
"Paralleling the river along its east
side," he continued. usually within
20 or 80 miles, is a long ridge at ele-
walton from 1000 to 2,200 feet above
sea-level.
East Of this ridge nearly half the
state is from a hundred to q thousand
feet below the Missouri river, so that
water from the river could easily flow
there II 1t could be taken through the
ridge.
1.-THE height and width Of the ridge
are * great a. to make an open canal
through 1t entirely impracticable. But
there apparently would be no insuper-
able difficulty in running through the
ridge a tunnel, Of length 80 miles,
more or less, and with diameter per-
hAps is or 10 feet.
THE best location for such tunnel
would probably head at a canal lead
ing from the river at or near Gar
rison, and 1t could outlet either into
the Mouse river valley or near the
head Of the Sheyenne river or the
James River: and when once across
the divide to any Of these it could
with little difficulty be carried also to
each Of the others.
IT, for example, the tunnel were
made Of size sufficient to carry q
thousand cubic feet of water per Sec
otd. this would be only a small frac-
ton Of the flow Of the Missouri even
at lowest stage OF that river. And
furthermore. a considerable portion of
the water thus diverted would not be
permanently taken. but merely Dor
Yowed, because in the following weeks
or months much Of it would gradually
flow or seep into the James river or
other Missouri tributaries and thus
ultimately return to the Missouri
again.
Briefly stated, 1t may be said that
except on various trivial details cas-
lily susceptible Of amendment Or i'm
provement, only objection Of real
importance is offered to this project,
namely. its great cost. But on the
other hand. if properly arranged and
managed, the benefits from it would
be many and very great indeed.
The two benefits are the special
benefits to many Of the towns and
cities In the eastern part Of this state.
and to some in South Dakota. The
first Is that thereby q more depend
able and suured source for the water
supplies Of the cities would be secured,
able and assured source for the water
from the streams or the underground
flow now becoming 50 seriously de-
pleted which would thus be gradually
restored. The second benefit Is hav-
ing q more steady and regular flow in