The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-07-03
PROPOSED MISSOURI
DIVERSION NO CURE,
SAYSB0ARDRDPORY
Disagree With Thought That
Garrison Dam Would Give
Widespread Relief
DO NOT DIsAPPRovE PLAN
Experts Declare Studies Show
State Merely in the Midst
Of Drouth Cycle
DO NOT DIsAPPRovE PLAN

Washington, July 3.-(R)-The pub
lie works administration does not look
upon the Missouri River Diversion
project as sure cure for North Da.
kota's drouth and flood problems.
Instead Of agreeing with proponents
that construction Of dam at 0arri-
son would divert an ample water sup
ply to 100000 acres, PWA experts
are Of the opinion that only increas-
ed rainfall will provide widespread re-
lief.
This became known Tuesday when
the Mississippi Valley committee Of
the PWA made public letter con-
tanning its views on the project. The
letter was drafted - an answer to
inquiries from the state concerning
chances Of PWA approval Of = re-
quest for grant Of @65 yO00. 600 with
which to finance the dam and pro-
posed system Of reservoirs.
While the committee did not posi-
lively disapprove the project 1t in
dicated it could not accept Ill Of the
claims advanced by proponents. The
letter explained that water level stud
les were still in progress to determine
whether the Dakotas were destined
to become desert wastes or whether
they were merely In the midst Of .
drouth cycle.
Lean Toward Cyols Thsosy
It was apparent the committee
leaned toward the cycle theory and
was not 50 concerned as some Of the
residents Of the state over the future.
1T seems probable that North Da-
kota Is at or near the bottom Of
dry trough In q cyclic period Of
years. and that the precipitation
there may soon increase notably"
the letter stated. widespread relief
will have to come from increased rain
fall rather than through conservation
projects"
Spokesman for the committee said
a ground water report under prepara-
ton by DIR. Simpson, state geologist.
would probably Be ready In another
month. This is 80 days later than
was expected. Senator Nye CRep. N.
d. some time ago quoted Col. H. M.
Waite, deputy PWA administrator, 8
predicting the report would be ready
by July l.
Meanwhile. the project apparently
had reached stalemate. The feder-
al relief administration took sud-
den interest in 1t q few weeks ago,
viewing 1t as q likely work relief un-
dertaking, but Harry L. Hopkins, re-
lief director, was preparing to leave
washington on q six weeks European
tour.
Minimise Possible Benefits
Further action by his department
probably will await his return.
The PWA letter expressed the belief
that the diversion project under the
most favorable circumstances would
afford only mild relief and this to .
very restricted area.
1T has been proposed to divert
1000 second-feet Of water for six
months annually. which would be the
equivalent Of only Il inches Of rain
fall on about $4,000 acres. A popular
but erroneous belief exists that some
25,OO0,O00 acres would be benefited by
the project.
Even II . vastly larger volume
could be diverted, many years would
elapse before IN area Of magnitude
could be benefitted in any way, be-
cause Of the slow rate at which ground
waters percolate and because Of the
topography Of the water table. Ex-
cent close tn the rivers to which It
II nronoeed to divert water, the wells
Of the region could not thus Be re-
plenished with water.
1.-THE proponents Of the project claim
some flood control and navigation
benefits. We believe that the Fort
peck reservoir and other improve
ments In progress In the Missouri
render invalid the claims Of the pro-
ponents with reference to the effect
on the navigability Of the river, and
the Garrison dam would have very
little influence on floods along the
lower Missouri and Mississippi"
The letter explained that studies
were In progress concerning the rela-
ton Of rainfall and rllu-ofY and the
ground water situation IL the north
west that should promote . better
understanding Of longtime land and
water problems"
All possible solutions Of the water
suppl, problem, the committee added.
were being considered ito ascertain
II there Is some rational understand
ing that can be depended upon 10
bring relief commensurate with the
cost"