The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-07-08
Large Crowd Attends The Dam
Hearing Yesterday in Libby

-. muse Was present at the
lone Theatre yesterday afternoon
70 near proposals of the review of
the report to be presented to Con
gress on the proposed Libby Dam
winch will be constructed, if ap-
proved, at a site near Jennings on
the Kootenai River.
Presenting plans for the proposed
Gam before nearly 900 persons were
Col l.. H. Hewitt of the u. S. Army
Engineers, Seattle and B. P. Thomas
civil engineer from Seattle. who
were present at the initial presen-
Iatlon given local people at the
LIBBY courthouse April II, l947.
with plans expressed on a much
more definite basis at this time than
a year ago, Col. Hewitt stated the
site chosen as the most practical.
ooth from the physical feasibility |
ana economical standpoint, is about
I|12 miles east of Libby and one
and one half miles west of Jen-
nlngs. He continued that the pri-
mary need was for flood control
with hydroelectric power taking
second place. Other advantages to
be realized but of lesser Importance
are recreation, farm DEVELOPMENT,
and transportation of logs. Con-
Servation of Wildlife and other de-
talls have also been studied in de-
Iermlnlng location of the best site
Inc Colonel brought out that flood
condltlonS such as were suffered
IhlS year make some measure neces-
'ary TO avoid a flood repetition,
winch engineers contend will not
De possible if the proposed dam and
eVee project IS carried through. :
Mr.. Thomas gave statistics show
ng that the dam will be 2l2.6 miles
rom the mouth of the Kootenai !
md the reservoir will extend about
'5.34 miles above the Canadian /
boundary. The dam will be 244O E
Get above sea level with TOP
rest of 1880 feet in length and
$50 feet at the base with the dam q
tself being 400 feet in heighth With /
lood forecasts determined within
bout 30 per cent of accuracy il
Jould be possible to draw the water
rom the reservoir before any dan !;
er was imminent. Following the =
Ugh water period the reservoir
ould> again be filled and used for
over facilities, which the Army l.
ngineers contend will benefit This
5 well as the Columbia Basin and n
S tributary sections. q
Many details brought out at tha .
st session were stressed az this 2
me in regard to the benefits to Z
2 derived by this locality. as well p
few damaging effects. - =
Relocation of the Great Northern ss
ilIway as well as Highway No
was discussed drawing much \
THOSE tavoring the proposed prof. n
I included many from the flooded
cas- OF Boomers Ferry; also Mr.. 4
Unstable OF Creston, B. c.. who
resSed the fact that the proposals
pear 70 be very much in order u
q that although Canada has no.
ne nearly as far ahead with adj
nclng such needed precautions. he
sure she will favor such a pro M
am. Constable stated that it SIC
'uld be harder for the Canadian VIZ
'Vernment to get the necessary ne
preparations as the states ARE we
're IN the habit of getting an tol
OPERATIONS through" Irrigation M
uld be one of the greatest bene- LII
;, together with help received in
zee control, he said. am
Those favoring the project urged IN
hurry-up job Flood control IS ed
'ir main interest with power. we
ondary, other benefits being
lie discussed. On the list hoping we
project will soon go under con- tia
lction were many clubs, civic l89
of the lower valley hot
Governors representation and SAT
ieral Agencies. w hol
strong opposition was expressed pie
Senator Wallace of Lake County ais
The disorderly control of the head hot
-ers of the Columbia Basin. stat aft
It will destroy substantial values try
Montana. I
lore definite possibilities of the ko'
lprehensive plan were asked for aiol
the Libby Chamber of Com bia
'ce and the Libby Lions. They tloC
tend that most of the present Fra
rs have been hearsay and are F
substantiated Relocation of scri
facilities and com dat
sation for such, as well as for Yer
oerties destroyed by the pro- A
" - Mr..
Continued on Page Four) the