Mr. CANNON. General, will you briefly explain this project? It is a beach erosion control project, as I understand it.

General MACDONNELL. It is, sir.

Mr. CANNON. Why is it necessary at this point? You have had this situation ever since the Indians were driven out of the woods. General MACDONNELL. One of the contributing factors to the creation of a problem with respect to beach erosion is the action taken on the rivers that normally feed material onto the beach. This beach is south of San Diego. The littoral movement of the sand along the beach is from south to north. The Tijuana River

Mr. CANNON. Is that the prevailing movement throughout all seasons of the year?

General MACDONNELL. No, sir. This is primarily for about 7 months of the year. There may be perhaps 2 months when it moves differently.

Mr. CANNON. During the remaining seasons of the year then the movement is not in the opposite direction?

General MACDONNELL. Just a little, sir, but by far the preponderant movement south of San Diego is from south to north.

The Tijuana River, of course, has been dammed and channelized primarily by the Mexican Government. The natural source of material which would feed this beach has disappeared. This project provides for a series of groins totaling five, and varying in length from 300 feet to 600 feet, approximately. They would protect the shoreline of the city of Imperial Beach and the U.S. naval radio station, which is immediately adjoining it.

Mr. CANNON. This is adjacent to the international boundary line? General MACDONNELL. It is very close to it, sir.

Mr. CANNON. Does the Mexican Government have any similar project south of the line?

General MACDONNELL. No, sir, they are not doing anything. South of the Tijuana the problem would not apply.

GILA RIVER

Mr. CANNON. Gila River, $800,000.
We will insert pages 87 through 90 here.
(The justifications are as follows:)

October 1962

Project: GILA RIVER, CAMELSBACK RESERVOIR SITE TO SALT RIVER, ARIZONA (Cont'd)

JUSTIFICATION: Clearing of the Gila River Channel would effect partial flood control by increasing
channel capacities with attendant lowering of the water-surface elevations of future floods and with
resultant reduction in the extent of the flooded areas. Some of the smaller floods would be contained
within the improved channel. Eradication of the phreatophytes in the Gila River channel would also
result in a salvage of most of the water presently consumed by the growth in the river. It is estimated
that the net increase of water to the farmers resulting from the channel clearing from the upper end
of Safford Valley to the Buttes Reservoir site would amount to 19,800 acre-feet annually. In this
extremely water-short area, every means should be utilized to conserve the existing water supply and
eliminate water losses. The most damaging flood of record occurred in 1916 with an estimated peak
discharge of 100,000 cubic feet per second and destroyed lands, crops and buildings. No data are
available as to damages sustained at then prevailing prices. Under current conditions of development
and price levels, a like flood would cause damages estimated at $2,750,000 of which $450,000 would be
prevented by the project. Average annual benefits amount to $374,000, comprising $98,000 for flood
control and $276,000 for irrigation water.

FISCAL YEAR 1962: The requested amount of $800,000 will be applied to:

NON-FEDERAL COSTS: The costs to local interests of complying with the requirements of local cooperation
is $275,000 for Lands and Damages. Local interests are required to maintain and operate the project
upon completion. The annual cost of maintenance and operation is estimated at $50,000. Local interests
are also required to keep the improved flood channel free from encroachment. The estimated cost of
this requirement is not available.

STATUS OF LOCAL COOPERATION: The Board of Supervisors of Graham County, Arizona, adopted a resolution
1 July 1960 assuring the United States that the requirements of local cooperation would be supplied in
cooperation with Pinal County, Arizona. The resolution was accepted by the District Engineer 1 August
1960. The Board of Supervisors of Pinal County adopted a resolution 8 August 1960 assuring the United
States that the requirements of local cooperation would be supplied in cooperation with Graham County.
The resolution was accepted by the District Engineer 12 September 1960.

COMPARISON OF FEDERAL COST ESTIMATES: The current Federal cost estimate of $1,700,000 is the same as the latest estimate submitted to Congress.

70856 0-61-pt. 1-13

APPROPRIATION TITLE:

CONSTRUCTION GENERAL

CLASSIFICATION: Local Protection Projects (Flood Control)

PROJECT:

-

GILA RIVER
Camelsback Res. Site to Salt River
SUMMARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM (PB-1)
FISCAL YEARS 19 61 & 19 62