The Flood Control Act of June 28, 1938, approved the comprehensive plan for flood control and other purposes in the upper Mississippi River Basin as contained in Flood Control Committee Document No. 1, Seventy-fifth Congress, first session, and for the initiation and partial accomplishment of that plan there were authorized the amounts of $6,600,000 for reservoirs and $2,700,000 for local protection works. The Flood Control Act of December 22, 1944, authorized $10,000,000 in addition to the previous authorization for the prosecution of the plan approved in the 1938 act including the Red Rock Dam on the Des Moines River for flood control and other purposes. The comprehensive plan for flood control and other purposes in the upper Mississippi River Basin consists of a system of reservoirs and local protection works. The status and location of the projects comprising the approved plan are shown in the following tabulation: Reservoirs are constructed entirely at Federal expense. For local protection projects local interests are required to (1) furnish lands, easements, and rights-of-way, (2) hold and save the United States free from claims for damage resulting from construction, and (3) maintain and operate all works after completion in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War. In addition to the projects already completed and under construction the existing monetary authorization can be applied to the initiation of the Coralville Reservoir and the Grand Tower local protection project. Additional authorization is needed for the completion of the reservoir and local protection project selected as mentioned above and for the initiation of construction of one more reservoir to be selected from the approved group. CLINTON RIVER, MICH. The CHAIRMAN. We have a report this morning respecting the Clinton River project. We have with us Mr. Wolcott and witnesses, who would like to testify with respect to that project. We also have with us Mr. Dondero, a member of the Committee on Rivers and Harbors. Mr. Dondero, as I understand it, your witnesses would like to testify later in respect to this matter or reserve the right to testify. Mr. DONDERO. They reserve the right to testify later. They are here as spectators and to listen in on the proceedings. The CHAIRMAN. Give me the names of those witnesses. Mr. DONDERO. I have given them to you. I have been advised that the 18th is the date. The CHAIRMAN. We will undertake to oblige you when we have reached and disposed of the previous matters set forth for that date. Colonel Herb, will you indicate now and describe generally the area and the location, the name of the river, where it is formed, how long this river is, and the proposed solution of the problem with the local contribution required? Colonel HERB. The Clinton River is formed by the confluence of its South, Middle, and North Branches at the Forks, and flows easterly 102 miles to empty into Anchor Bay, an arm of Lake St. Clair, 20 miles north of Detroit. It flows through a part of Mount Clemens, which is 1 mile east of the Forks. The CHAIRMAN. In other words, this Clinton River is formed by the three or four smaller streams? Colonel HERB. That is right, sir. The CHAIRMAN. It flows in what direction? The CHAIRMAN. What is the problem? Colonel HERB. The problem is one of flood protection for Mount Clemens. Mount Clemens had a population in 1940 of about 14,400. It is purely a flood-control problem which can be taken care of by the construction of a diversion channel. The CHAIRMAN. Indicate first the river and then the solution. Colonel HERB. The diversion channel is shown in red on the map. It is similar to a cut-off which allows the water to flow into Lake St. Clair during high stages by a shorter route. The CHAIRMAN. Do you divert or do you divide? Colonel HERB. The water is divided during high stages. This diversion channel will take care of about 11,000 cubic feet per second. The existing river will take care of another 4,000 cubic feet per second. The peak flood of record had a flow of 15,000 cubic feet per second. The CHAIRMAN. Mount Clemens is how far from the mouth of the river? Colonel HERB. About 10 miles, sir. The CHAIRMAN. How far south or southeast or east of Mount Clemens does this proposed diversion begin? Colonel HERB. It starts right in the town of Mount Clemens. The CHAIRMAN. How far is Mount Clemens by river from the mouth? Colonel HERB. About 10 miles, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What is the length of this proposed diversion? Colonel HERB. About 12,500 feet, sir. The CHAIRMAN. How many miles is that? Colonel HERB. A little over 2 miles, sir. Colonel HERB. Yes, sir, 2 plus. The CHAIRMAN. In other words, from the point where you begin, it is about 2 miles to Lake St. Clair? Colonel HERB. That is correct. The CHAIRMAN. And it is about 10 miles around by the river? The CHAIRMAN. What is the character of the land along that river between Mount Clemens and the mouth, and what sort of improvements are there at present? Colonel HERB. Mount Clemens is mainly a health-resort town. It also has a beet-sugar refinery and large greenhouse establishments. The CHAIRMAN. You mean Mount Clemens? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. It is a health-resort town outside of Detroit, noted for its mineral waters. The CHAIRMAN. Along this river there, what is the type of the land, and what is the topography of the valley through which it runs? Colonel HERB. The drainage basin has rolling hill country in the northwest and level, flat lands in the southeasterly section where it drains into the lake. It rises in rolling country and flows through flat land near the mouth. The CHAIRMAN. How far is it from the mouth of the proposed diversion to the mouth of the river? Colonel HERB. It is about 6 miles along the lake shore from the mouth of the river. The diversion starts in Mount Clemens, which is about 10 miles from the mouth of the river. The CHAIRMAN. And the proposed diversion is about 2 miles long? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What is the type of the area through which this diversion runs? Colonel HERB. It is a flat country, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Is it agricultural? Colonel HERB. No, sir; in general it is sparsely settled subdivided property. The CHAIRMAN. Is it improved, and do people live along this proposed diversion? Colonel HERB. People live in the vicinity of the proposed diversion, but its construction would require the evacuation of only three dwellings. The CHAIRMAN. What works have been done locally in an effort to provide for flood control either for the protection directly at Mount Clemens or the floodwaters that accumulate there at the confluence of these tributaries forming the Clinton River? Colonel HERB. Local interests have spent a large sum of money in trying to correct this problem-about $242,000, mainly to improve the drainage conditions. Also the Works Progress Administration participated in part of this work, spending a sum of about $6,000. The CHAIRMAN. There is an airfield somewhere in that area, not? is there Colonel HERB. Yes, sir; it is known as Selfridge Airfield. A dike has been built around that airfield to protect it against high water. The CHAIRMAN. From what high water? Colonel HERB. From high water in the Clinton River, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Is there really a flood problem and has it done any damage? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The floods in this basin occur in the late winter or early spring and cause an estimated average annual damage of about $23,500 in and below the city of Mount Clemens. The CHAIRMAN. And you propose to construct a cut-off or new channel substantially 25 feet deep and 74 feet wide at the bottom from deep water in Lake St. Clair to Mount Clemens? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And the estimated cost of that project to the Federal Government is approximately $378,000, and the cost to the local interests is approximately one-half of the total, or $330,000, the local interests being required to provide the right-of-way for the proposed channel and maintain the channel, and the Government to pay for the actual cost of construction. Is that correct? Colonel HERB. That is correct, sir. The estimated cost of $330,000 to local interests also includes the cost of bridges and access road. The CHAIRMAN. And the project, according to your report, is economically justified in that the benefits will be in excess of the proposed cost? Colonel HERB. No, sir; the cost to benefit ratio is 1 to 0.82. The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors in studying this project made this statement: The project is considered meritorious and necessary for the general welfare of the communities affected. The CHAIRMAN. In recommending the project the board also considered the large local contributions as being sufficient to warrant. Federal participation in the project? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. It is a little bit different from the average situation. Colonel HERB. Yes, sir; with respect to the large local participation and the benefit to the general welfare of the community. The CHAIRMAN. Colonel Herb, in the project under consideration, for the record, I will ask you if it is fair to assume that the usual procedure was followed? Were the local interests notified of any investigations or hearings so that those who advocated or opposed the project could be heard? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And before the submission of this report, as I understand you, the local interests signified their agreement to complying with the local contribution, which is approximately 45 percent of the total cost of the project? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. In view of that large contribution and in view of the flood damages, and the definite flood hazard, you have recommended favorable consideration of this report by the committee? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And the adoption of this project? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. Also the Governor of Michigan has endorsed this project. The CHAIRMAN. Any questions by members of the committee? If not, for the moment, you may stand aside, Colonel. The report of the Chief of Engineers with the views of the Governor of Michigan are as follows: Subject: Clinton River, Mich. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, 1. I submit for transmission to Congress my report with accompanying papers and illustrations on preliminary examination and survey of Clinton River, Mich., authorized by the Flood Control Act approved June 22, 1936, as amended by the Flood Control Act approved August 28, 1937. 2. Clinton River is formed by the confluence of its South, Middle, and North Branches at "The Forks" and flows easterly 101⁄2 miles to empty into Anchor Bay, an arm of Lake St. Clair, 20 miles north of Detroit. It will pass flows of 5,000 cubic feet per second without flooding low areas providing Lake St. Clair is not extraordinarily high or the river mouth is not blocked by ice jams. Red Run joins South Branch from the southwest 5 miles above "The Forks." The drainage basin comprising 760 square miles is rolling to hilly in the northwestern section and level to undulating in the southeastern section. Mount Clemens, 1 mile east of "The Forks," with a 1940 population of 14,400, is the largest city affected by floods in the basin. It is a resort noted for its mineralwater baths. It has a beet-sugar refinery, large greenhouse establishments, an automobile house-trailer factory, a pottery factory, and boat works. 3. Under a navigation project authorized in 1886, Clinton River has been improved to provide a channel 8 feet deep and 50 to 60 feet wide from deep water in Lake St. Clair to Mount Clemens. No maintenance work was performed between 1916 and 1938. However, during the latter year dredging of shoals at the mouth of the river restored the 8-foot depth throughout that section. Vessel traffic is limited to light-draft scows, tugs, fishing boats, and recreational craft. No improvement for flood control of Clinton River or its tributaries has been authorized by Congress. Since 1878, local interests have expended $242,250 in improving the channels of Midle Branch, Red Run, and Bear Creek, a tributary of Red Run, for drainage purposes. The Works Progress Administration participated in a part of this work to the extent of $6,290. A dike has been constructed to protect Selfridge Field, a United States Army airport on the north side of Clinton River near Lake St. Clair. 4. Floods occur in the late winter or early spring and cause an average annual damage estimated at $23,500 in and below the city of Mount Clemens. The flood of February 1938 produced a peak discharge of 14,500 cubic feet per second at the Moravian Drive Bridge one-half mile west of Mount Clemens city limits and caused damage principally to residential areas in the city estimated at $50,000. The flood of May 1943 produced a peak discharge of 15,000 cubic feet per second at the Moravian Drive Bridge, damaged the homes of 2,500 residents of Mount Clemens, and inundated 1,000 acres of land below the city. 5. Local interests desire flood protection along Clinton River and suggest improvement of the river channel and the lower reaches of its principal tributaries. They also suggest a cut-off channel to extend from the city limits of Mount Clemens to Lake St. Clair at a point about 3 miles below the present mouth of the river. Responsible county and city officials state that in their opinion if a project is adopted by Congress, local interests will be willing to meet the requirements of local cooperation. 6. The district engineer finds no justification for flood-control improvements above the city of Mount Clemens as flood damage there is small. He finds that the most practical plan for the protection of Mount Clemens and vicinity consists essentially of a cut-off canal and appurtenant structures extending from a point on Clinton River about 1,500 feet below Gratiot Avenue Bridge, directly 87116-46-26 |