control wherever possible. Complete flood protection cannot, however, be obtained in that way, therefore levees often are required for complete protection. Many of the rivers have been improved for navigation in some part of their length within the Coastal Plain, although considerable work yet remains to be done in providing channel capacities of sufficient depth to permit modern barge navigation upstream to the towns and cities requiring port facilities. Soil conservation and reforestation are important in a number of the river basins, especially those in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The development of these important activities closely related as they are to the solution of interstate problems and the administration of river systems through future years require adequate, reliable, and continuant information with respect to the quantities of water flowing in the rivers and the nature of the ground water conditions in the tributary ground storage basins. It is only through the collection and use of these basic data that the broad development of the river basins can proceed in the most orderly and efficient manner. PROJECTS CONSIDERED Twelve of the most important river basins on the Atlantic coast have been selected as possible projects for consideration. However, with the exception of the Delaware River Basin, it does not appear that any of the projects proposed for the Atlantic region are of sufficient importance, socially or economically, to require special consideration by the Federal Government at this time. The 12 projects which have been considered for the Atlantic region are as follows: 1. DELAWARE RIVER BASIN That part of the Delaware River project which it is believed desirable to recommend at this time consists of the following items: (a) A comprehensive plan for the development of adequate watersupply systems for the cities of New York and Philadelphia and other cities and municipalities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania which may logically be supplied with water from the Delaware River Basin. A detailed investigation of the probable needs of these cities and municipalities and a study of the best method of supplying their needs by storage of flood waters on tributaries of the Delaware River would be a prerequisite to the preparation of plans and cost estimates. These plans should also provide for sanitary improvement necessary for the protection of existing water supplies. It is believed that a project of this kind, whereby various conflicting interests-many being of an interstate character-may be corre lated and harmonized, would be a desirable activity of the Federal Government. It is, of course, impossible at this time to give a proper estimate of the cost of the project as a whole, but as a measure of its importance it is recommended that a figure of $10,000,000 be set up for the preliminary costs. The ultimate cost of the project would,. of course, depend upon the scope of the work which was undertaken. (b) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (c) Water-resources investigations and collection of basic data regarding surface-water and ground-water supplies. (d) Soil conservation through erosion control. 2. HUDSON RIVER BASIN The work proposed in this project is as follows: (a) Navigation improvement above Troy, N.Y. (b) Storage reservoirs for combined flood-control and water-power development. (c) Additional power developments. (d) Improvement of opportunities for recreation and the promotion of wild life. (e) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. This project is not recommended at this time. 3. SANTEE RIVER BASIN The work proposed in connection with this project is as follows: (a) Storage reservoirs for a unified plan of navigation improvement, flood control, and power development. Estimated cost $66,070,600. (b) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data to supplement the information now available. (c) Reforestation at the headwaters to hold the soil and check runoff. (d) Soil conservation by means of soil-erosion control and adjustments in land use. Although this project appears to be meritorious it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant consideration at this time. 4. SAVANNAH RIVER BASIN This project would consist of the following lines of activity: (a) Completion of studies now under way regarding potential navigation, power, and flood control. (b) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. (c) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (d) Land conservation through soil-erosion control. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant consideration at this time. 5. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN The work to be done in connection with this project is as follows: (a) Improvement of navigation from Chesapeake Bay to Port Deposit and canalization of tributaries, with a canal system to connect with the New York State Barge Canal at Montezuma, N.Y. (b) Additional power developments and storage reservoirs. (c) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. (d) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (e) Land conservation through soil-erosion control. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant consideration at this time. 6. POTOMAC RIVER BASIN This project consists of the following parts: (a) An interconnected system of power developments on the main river and tributaries. (b) Storage reservoirs for flood control. (c) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. (d) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (e) Land conservation through soil-crosion control. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this time. 7. YADKIN-PEE DEE RIVER BASIN The work proposed in connection with this project is as follows: (a) An interconnected system of power developments on the main river and tributaries. (b) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. (c) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (d) Land conservation through soil erosion control. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this time. 8. CONNECTICUT RIVER BASIN This project is essentially as follows: (a) Navigation improvements. (b) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (c) Soil conservation through soil-erosion control. (d) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. (e) Improvement of opportunities for recreation in the White Mountain region. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this time. 9. JAMES RIVER BASIN The work proposed for this basin is as follows: (d) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this time. 10. ROANOKE RIVER BASIN This project would consist of the following essential features: (a) Additional power development. (b) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (c) Soil conservation through crosion control. (d) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this tinie. 11. ALTAMAHA RIVER BASIN The work proposed in this project is as follows: (a) Reforestation of the Sand Hill and Piedmont Uplands. (b) Additional power developments. (c) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this time. 12. CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN This project is essentially as follows: (a) A comprehensive plan for unified flood control and power developments. P (b) Reforestation and adjustments in land use. (c) Soil conservation through erosion control. (d) Collection of additional basic stream flow and ground-water data. Although this project appears to be meritorious, it is not believed that it is of sufficient importance to warrant presentation at this time. RÉSUMÉ OF THE REPORT ON THE GULF REGION The Gulf region includes river basins, except that of the Mississippi River, which are tributary to the Gulf of Mexico. The water resources are of notably diverse character, the eastern portion of the area being well watered, while in the western portion development is and will be definitely controlled by the degree of efficiency attained in the utilization of the limited existing water supplies. Some of the problems related to water conservation and watershed management are common to the region as a whole. Among such problems are those of soil-erosion control, agricultural adjustments, forestry measures, protection of wildlife, conservative use of ground water supplies, and, of course, adequate information relating to the quantity and quality of surface and ground waters obtained currently, for intelligent guidance of development. Omission of mention of any of these items in connection with the individual projects must not be taken to mean that it is of no importance. Problems comprising one or more of the items of flood control, navigation, irrigation, power development, and drainage are presented in each project, the more prominent features of which are described under the individual projects. 1. RIO GRANDE General.-The Rio Grande and its tributaries drain a portion of southern Colorado, most of New Mexico and a considerable area in Texas, not to mention a large area in Old Mexico. The basin ranges from semiarid to arid and agriculture is almost wholly dependent upon irrigation. Navigation is impracticable, water-power potentialities small, and flood-control problems are becoming less serious with the intensive development of irrigation. Water problems of the Rio Grande are complicated by the fact that from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico the river is the international boundary, making allocations of water a treaty matter. Interstate complications exist on the upper Rio Grande, further confusing the situation. The proper future development of the Rio Grande Basin requires the participation of the Federal Government in an orderly, well-conceived program. Project. The following principal items are proposed for the Rio Grande project: (a) Improvements in San Luis Valley, Colo., including drainage and water salvage ($2,000,000) and the construction of two storage reservoirs ($4,000,000 each). (b) Transmountain diversion from Colorado River Basin, consisting of diversion from East Fork of San Juan River, with two regulating reservoirs at a total estimated cost of $6,000,000. (c) Construction of storage reservoir near the Colorado-New Mexico State line, primarily for flood-control purposes, at an estimated cost of $2,000,000. (d) Construction of Caballo Reservoir, about 20 miles below Elephant Butte -Dam, primarily for flood-control purposes. (e) Construction of Mariscal Reservoir for irrigation, domestic use, and river regulation and El Jardin and Salieno Reservoirs for irrigation in the lower valley. f) Construction of Alamogordo Reservoir on Pecos River ($2,000,000) and lining the principal canals of the Carlsbad project ($250,000). (g) The control of soil erosion throughout the upper drainage. (h) Surface and ground-water investigations in the basin at an estimated cost of $310,000. Ground-water investigations in the closely adjacent basin of Nueces River are also included. Recommendation. This project is considered of sufficient importance to justify its selection in preference to all of the other proposed Gulf region projects. Its adoption is therefore recommended. A rough estimate of the cost of the project pertaining to construction work alone is $29,000,000. 2. WARRIOR-TOMBIGBEE RIVERS General. The basin drained by these rivers has an area of 19,477 square miles and a population of 1,233,500. Steel and iron manufacturing, farming, mining, lumbering, and naval stores production are the principal industries. There have been large expenditures for improvement of navigation on these rivers. Approximately 44 percent of the area is under cultivation and about 35 percent is forested. Project. A comprehensive plan for improvement consists of power development, flood control incident to the construction of reservoirs in connection with power development, continuation of the improvement of navigation, prevention of soil erosion, and reforestation. |