Evening star., 1945-12-16
Maryland Groups Plan
To Offer Data on
River Flood Control
BY ALEXANDER F. PRESTON.

The forthcoming restudy of flood
control and navigation problems
connected with the Anacostia River
and tributaries by the Washington
District Engineer Office will be aug
mented by data from number of
civic, public utility, local governm cnt
and commercial interests.
Col. Donald G. White, District en-
gineer, has announced public
nearing on Anacostia River problems
at 1870 pm. January 9, 1916, in the
County Service Building, Hyattsvilie,
to obtain information on a plan of
improvement that will best meet the
desires OF local interests involved.
In addition to Prince Georges
County and Maryland State inter-
ests. officials of Bladensburg, Colmar
Manor. Edmonston, Bren wood,
Riverdale, Berwyn and other season.
ally flooded communities have been
Invited to offer suggestions.
Following the district engineers
announcement that an earlier re-
port on flood control, dated July 81.
1910. would be used as a basis for
reopening the study to evolve an
entirely new plan. 1t was learned
the following agencies will be among
affected interests planning to offer
suggestions: The National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, the
Maryland National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, the Washing
ton Suburban Sanitary Commission.
the Prince Georges County Civic
Federation, the Prince Georges
County Chamber of Commerce and
the town Of Colmar Manor.
Embraces Wide Area.
The area embraced by the previous
survey covers territory northward
from the Pennsylvania Railroad
bridge, just inside the District line,
to the Northwest and Northeast
branches of the river and up each
Tor total area of approximately
Z square miles. The areas affected
on the Northwest branch extend
northWard and up Indian Creek
and Paint Branch to the vicinity
OF Branchville and Daniels Park.
This basin was figured on the high
water mark of flood on August
23' l933-one of the most severe
ever recorded in the area.
Several times every year the area
around Peace Cross at Bladensburg
Is Hooded, causing serious property
carnage and traffic congestion.
At the time of the 1910 report, one
OF the objections made by some local
interests was that the plan did not
go into navigation features. A sepa-
rate study of navigation was made
by the engineers Office at that time.
To meet this possible opposition, Col.
Whites office will incorporate flood
control and navigation into a single
report. The engineer emphasized
the 1910 report is available at his
Office, First and Douglas streets
NV. for restudy, but that the
earlier survey will form a basis on
which new discussions can begin.
John Nolen, jr., director of plan
mng. National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, said his group
discussed the problem at its Friday
meeting. The planning body has
worked closely with the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission and other State
agencies in the future development
Of the area involved because it is a
part of proposed extension to Ana
costa Park.
400-Acre Tract Acquired.
Over period of years the Mary
land planning agencyAhas acquired
tracts along the river under the
Capper Champion Act until today
the acquisitions total approx
mately 400 acres.
Col. E. Brooke Lee of the Mary
land planning body, said his agency
would be represented at the hearing
by Fred Tuemmler, chief planner
and others.
The Washington Suburban Sani-
tary Commission has a number of
interests in any flood control and
navigation improvements which
might alter existing topography and
flow conditions. 1t already has a
sewage treatment plant in the area,
which is protected by levees. Lacy
Shaw, commission member, said
Howard Duckett, counsel; Harry R.
Hall. chief engineer, and Harry v
Shaw, assistant chief engineer
would supply data at the hearing,