Evening star., 1932-04-24
RAISING Of MALI
FOR FLOODS 0. KID
Chief of Engineers in Report
Disapproves Plan to
Build LeVee.

A plan of the National Capital Park
grade of Potomac Park roads and
grounds between Lincoln Memorial and
the Washington Monument as a pro-
lection against the possibility of floods
endangering Government buildings and
downtown Washington has been ap-
proved by Maj. Gen. Lytle Brown, chief
Of Engineers.
In a lengthy report Of some TOO
pages made to Congress late yesterday
following engineering studies Of the
Potomac River made by Army en-
gineerS during the past six years. Gen.
Brown favors such a course, in har-
mony with the treatment of this high
ly developed park area, rather than for
the construction of levee, as recon-
mended by the district and division
engineers.
He pledged that the Engineer Corps
would be ready to take care of any
flood emergency, either with or with
out this grading.
Postponement Urged.
Indefinite postponement of any fur
ther flood control, navigation or irri-
CATION work on the Potomac River or
Its tributaries is urged by Maj. Gen.
Lytle Brown, but he advises Congress
that there are important potential pow
er sites in the Potomac River that
could economically be developed by
private industry.
The question of power development
is largely tied up with the proposed
park development and preservation of
scenic beauty of Great Falls and the
gorge of the Potomac River he points
out, and a comprehensive plan of de-
velopment has been prepared by the
district engineer for rivers and har-
bors work.
The report, transmitted to Congress
by the Secretary of War, is in response
to an authorization by Congress in 1929
for study of certain streams where
power development appeared feasible. on
recommendation of the Federal Power
Commission.
Gen. Browns conclusions were based,
In part, on the following conclusions
Of the division engineer:
THE tidal section of the Potomac,
which affords commercial navigation
from Washington, the present head of
navigation to the sea, is not in need
of further development at this time.
The construction Of a waterway from
Washington to Cumb> land, Md, and
thence across the mountains to connect
with the Ohio River is not econom-
tcally warranted.
Flood Damage Local.
Flood damage is local in character
and calls for local measures to be ini-
tiated by the municipalities and inter-
ests affected. The construction of
capacious detention or flood storage
reservoirs to furnish general food re-
lief is without justification. Appreci-
able lowering of flood stages may even
tually be obtained through proper
manipulation of power storage reser-
voirs hereafter built in the Potomac
River basin.
Protection of downtown Washington
by means Of a levee, extending from
Lincoln Memorial easterly to high
grounds near the Washington Monu-
ment, in conformity with the plans of
the National Capital Park and Plan
Mig Commission, is advisable.
THE construction of this levee and
the other Improvements connected
Herewith at an estimated cost of $751;
140 and the raising Of P street south
west at an estimated cost of s3.280
are considered to be proper parts of any
program for the protection and beauti-
hcatlon OF Washington, to be met from
appropriations of the District of Colum-
bia. The construction of lovees at the
airports and experimental farm at an
estimated Federal expenditure of $246,-
080 is not considered to be justified
at the present time