The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-11-02
Dare Commissioner Reviews,sEiis-
tory Of Drainage Projects and
Economic Benefits.

GCOUOUttC 00HSIISs
An extremely interesting and
informative letter has been for
warded by County Commissioner
Lawrence Swain of Manteo, to Col.
B. C. Snow of the Salt Marsh Mos
quito Control Commission in Ra-
leigh, in response to an inquiry
from the State office about con-
troll of this mosquito in Dare and
its economic aspects to the county.
In his letter 70 Col. Snow, Mr..
Swain offers the following infor-
nation and comment:
During the early "thirties"
Dare County was fortunate in that
the Civilian Conservation Corps
and other, Federal Agencies were
making a practical experiment in
Beach Erosion and drainage in the
county and produced some very
dramatic results. The scope of this
experiment was quite large and
involved, at times, some 1900 to
1400 men for a period of seven
years.
at was during this time that
our barrier dune system was Great
ed; grass was planted, not only on
the barrier dunes, but on any and
all barren stretches of sand at or
near the ocean; drainage bitches
and canals were dug, and the area
was generally cleaned up. Engi-
neering statistics and data was
accumulated so that efforts in the
wrong direction would not be re-
peated.
"The results of this practical ex-
pertinent were as follows:
81. The creation of the barrier
dune system was accomplished by
the planting of brush fences in
such manner as to collect sand
from the prevailing winds. AS sand
collected grass was planted, using
native grasses and plants, partic-
ularly those that were hardy
enough to withstand salt spray
and that would, at the same time,
create root system. AS the dune
grew, these plants helped to anchor
it and keep it in place. More
brush fence was added as that
which was already in place became
covered. Always the planting of
grass was paramount to the sue
cess of the system. This barrier
dune assumed natural slope to
the ocean and wave action helped,
rather than hindered, progressive
building.
"2. Planting of grasses and
other plants on the barren stretch
es of beach lands almost immed-
lately produced different sort of
terrain. In the beginning there
was precious little grass available
to plant-and that mostly in shell
tered places. By careful nurt1ring
and by transplanting from place
to place sufficient quantity was
soon produced to fill requirements.
With the exception of a few very
large hills and those which had a
high degree of movement, our
beach land became anchored and
stable. Today it would be possible
to recreate the forests that long
ago abounded in this section in
places to the oceans very edge.
SO. Drainage was attempted al
most entirely in difference to the
mosquito. It did not seem practi-
cal to reclaim land due to the gen.
eral equality of elevation of the
marshes to sea level or sound
level. Therefore, drainage bitches
were intended to drain off lands
when flood tides receded after a
storm. In this direction drainage
served its purpose. In addition
some lands that had hitherto beer
regarded as low were found to be-
suitable for development and othel
lands became changed to the ex
tent that, with little more effort
they could possibly be made use
full.
"To point up this accomplish
ment the most severe hurricane
ever to hit Dare County occurred
in September of 1914. This 'hurri.
cane caused much damage to prop.
erty but it was observed that mos
of the damage was caused By
flooding from sound waters which
rapidly receded through the fine
drainage system then in good re.
pair. The shoreline along the
ocean was not injured. The mos.
quitos did not increase after the
storm.
"In the years after the wal
See SWAIN, Page Five