Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-24
River Bend Is Called
Best Site for Dam
Speed Urged
In Planning
By Engineers
BY JOHN w. STEPP
Star Stan CORRESPONDENT

NAV = OANs N0ss way CT
The Army engineers today made
their strongest plea to date for
contraction of a Potomac River
dam at River Bend.
Byron Bird, chief engineer of
the Washington Engineer Dis,
trict. asserted fatty at the spring
meeting of the Interstate Com
mission on the Potomac River
Basin that River Bend appears
to be the most logical site for
a storage dam which would most
benefit the Metropolitan WASH
ington Area.
River Bend as a site for a
multiple-purpoSe dam last came
before the public in 1916. At
that time the engineers recon-
a dam there along with
13 other dams in the Potomac
Basin. But overwhelming oppo-
sition killed the plan.
Called Least Costly
Mr.. Bird brought the matter
into the open again when he said
q dam at River Bend, 3 miles
upstream from Washington's
present water intakes at Great
Falls, would provide the least
costly" water storage.
He emphasized. moreover.
that there should be no further
delays in proceeding with en-
cheering and planning studies.
THE need for Potomac River
storage" he said. "is here now
not in the year 1880 or 20O0."
Citing the explosive increase
in population, industrial and
farming demands for water" the
chief engineer warned that If
these demands were to coincide
with a drought year like that Of
1890, more than half of the en-
tire Potomac fiow-including all
concentrated upstream waste
discharge-would be required to
serve the domestic water needs
Of the Washington area. He
added grimly: Great Falls
would be practically dry. and
polluted. brackish water would
ebb and now in the harbor
month after month during a hot
Washington summer"
In terming the River Bend site
the most desirable economically.
Mr.. Bird made these points:
/. The resulting inundation
would have an impact on the
least amount Of valuable agricui-
tural land in comparison with
that Of other potential dam sites.
2. There would be no major
disturbance to highways and rail-
roads resulting from the water
impoundment.
3. The storage for domestic
water supply purposes would he
as close as possible to the popu-
lation center.
4. The recreational features Of
the reservoir likewise would he
close to the area, which most
needs such facilities.
Power Secondary
S. Flood control and pollution
features Of the structure also
would be effectively located to
serve the areas where this pro-
lection is most needed.
Mr.. Bird also mentioned use
of the dam for hydro-electric
power only insofar as that use
would help retire the cost Of
the structure. Il
The chief engineer said his Of
fee is well aware Of objections
that will inevitably be raised as
they we're in 1916. to this par
ticular dam site.
Among these. he said, is the
fact that people established in
homes or communities
in the area would have to move
because of the inundation. He
added, however. that a. River
Bend reservoir would affect rela-
lively few people.
He noted further that the old
Chesapeake and Ohio canal
would be submerged for q dis
lance of approximately IS miles
Of its total 184-mile length and
that a few cherished historical
and recreational attractions
would disappear. He noted how
ever. that pleasure boaters of
the future could be served by the
installation Of q lock in the
dam to serve the canal below
and connect with the upper
reaches at Harpers Ferry. w. va.
Hearings Scheduled
Mr.. Bird emphasized that his
office honestly seeks to know
the intimate wishes Of all the
people who will be concerned"
He said that is the purpose Of
public hearings now scheduled
for June rs through June 81.
chiefly for the benefit of WASH
ington area jurisdictions.
Earlier a Shenandoah Valley
representative pledged that any
attempt to build major multiple
dams in the valley will meet Bit
ter opposition.
Representative Harrison, DEM
ocrat Of virginia's 7th district.
warned he will personally lead
the fight If proposals similar to
those Of 1896 are renewed by
the Washington District of the
Army Engineer Corps.