The conclusions and recommendations of the State agencies relative to the subject report have been considered by the State water resources and flood control board. After consideration of the report as submitted and reviews of its content by State agencies the State of Illinois concludes that the report is generally satisfactory to the State, provided that the State is not required to accept any contingent liability and has an opportunity to protect the interests of the State by review of the definite project plans prior to initiation of construction. Yours very truly, DWIGHT H. GREEN, Governor. The CHAIRMAN. We have with us Representative Simpson who has been interested in this matter and responsible for the reports and surveys. Mr. Simpson, we will be glad to hear from you. STATEMENT BY HON. SID SIMPSON, DISTRICT 20, ILLINOIS Mr. SIMPSON. Thank you very much, Chairman Whittington. The Sny Island stream and levee districts start at about Quincy, Ill., which is in the bulge of the State and goes south to about Hamburg, Ill., in Calhoun County. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only gravity district, or if it is not, it is the only gravity district being the largest gravity district in the upper Mississippi River. There is no pumping station there. The water is being excluded or being sent out into the Sny district by central gravity system. In 1937 or 1938 there was a series of dams constructed for navigation purposes causing a higher water table. Naturally, that held the water higher in the Mississippi River, and the flood stage in place of the water going out of the Sny district, we had actual indication of the water backing up and flooding all of this land due to the water being higher in the Mississippi River than in the district. Now, the Illinois empties into the Mississippi. Just below the Illinois, the Missouri empties in-about 20 miles below. When the Missouri and the Illinois are at flood stage, then the Mississippi is in a flood stage, and we get a black flood of water downstream. The CHAIRMAN. What do you call that? Is that a stream? Mr. SIMPSON. It is a Sny creek; that is what we call it locally. The CHAIRMAN. Was there a levee constructed by the local people? Mr. SIMPSON. This is on the Sny district on the east side, of course, of the Mississippi River. Way back in 1888, rather 1880, the Federal Govertnment constructed for navigation some navigation levees along there. The CHAIRMAN. Will you recall about when they built them up? Mr. SIMPSON. 1934. They elevated some levees in my own county of Greene, and I wish to state for the record to my knowledge no levee paralleling the Illinois or the Mississippi River had been elevated, broke, or caused any flood damage in 1943. The CHAIRMAN. How wide is that valley along the Mississippi River where this Sny runs parallel with it? Mr. SIMPSON. Anywhere from 3 to 6 miles. Mr. SIMPSON. Due to the fact that this being a gravity district and the water table in the Mississippi River being held higher, and the Illinois and Mississippi and the Missouri at flood stage simply cause the water to back up into the Sny and inundate all that area. We have had a flood practically every 2 years, and a devastating flood to my knowledge about every 2 years. Since the 1943 flood, some of the local newspapers have started a campaign to get that thing taken care of. The engineers of Rock Island held flood-control meetings and publicly advertised and the people living within that area, those landowners voted 8 out of 10 in favor of this project. The CHAIRMAN. And your people are willing to provide the contribution required and furnish the rights-of-way for the channelization work and Mr. SIMPSON. To my understanding, and the report so shows as the comprehensive report of this project, where they had 30 days to appear and protest against it, and as far as our office is concerned, I do not believe we had over six and possibly eight people that were not satisfied with the engineers' plan. The CHAIRMAN. And speaking for that area-and you represent the entire area in your district as I understand-you favor the adoption of this project? Mr. SIMPSON. I do; I am very much for it. Part of the district— the Sny district-is in the Quincy. The CHAIRMAN. Who represents that district? Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chiperfield. The CHAIRMAN. And he is cooperating with you? Mr. SIMPSON. Very much, sir. The CHAIRMAN. We are glad to have your statements, and the committee has got to stand in recess again. next. There is roll call in the house. minutes. (A short recess was taken.) We will be back here for you PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, ILL. The CHAIRMAN. General Crawford, we also have submitted for our consideration a report, which I am sure Colonel Herb may present at this time, on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Prairie du Rocher. Colonel, will you for the record give us your statements at this time? STATEMENT OF COL. E. G. HERB, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CIVIL WORKS DIVISION, OFFICE, CHIEF OF ENGINEERS Colonel HERB. This report is submitted in accordance with the Flood Control Committee resolution, adopted September 18, 1944, requesting a review of reports on Mississippi River between Coon Rapids Dam and the mouth of the Ohio River. Prairie du Rocher Creek and Kaskaskia River enter the Mississippi River from the east at river miles 130 and 118, respectively, above Cairo. The low area under consideration comprises about 16,000 acres of agriculture land between those streams. The average annual precipitation is about 40 inches. The area has a population of 1,200, engaged primarily in agriculture, principal crops being corn and wheat. Prairie du Rocher, with a population of 650, Modoc 100, are the only towns in the area. Railroads and several improved highways serve the area. There have been no existing Federal projects in this vicinity. The Work Projects Administration in 1939 supplied some funds to aid in clearing out the di.ch from Prairie du Rocher to the Mississippi River. The drainage and levee district was organized in 1917 to protect 2,000 acres of land. Improvements constructed consisted of one-half mile of levees and 5 miles of ditches. Floods occur about once every 18 months, and cause damage to crops, and to less extent to highways, railways, bridges, and farm property. The average annual flood damage is estimated at $120,900. The maximum floods of recent record occurred in May-June 1943 and April 1944. The plan of improvement provides for the construction of a levee along the south bank of the present channel of Prairie du Rocher Creek from the bluffs near the town to the Mississippi River, thence along the high bank of the Mississippi River to the Kaskaskia River, thence along north bank of latter stream to bluffs near Root, Ill., a distance of 16 miles. The CHAIRMAN. Show us Prairie du Rocher on this map, and where is the Mississippi River on the map, and what is there at present to protect that area? Colonel HERB. About one-half mile of levees and 5 miles of ditches constitute the only protection there at the present time. The CHAIRMAN. And when did you say the WPA funds were made available? Colonel HERB. In 1939, for cleaning out the ditches from Prairie du Rocher to the Mississippi River. The CHAIRMAN. What is your proposal now? Colonel HERB. To construct the levee along the south bank of the present channel of the Prairie du Rocher Creek from bluffs near the town to the Mississippi River, thence along the high bank of the Mississippi River to the Kaskaskia River, thence along the north bank of the latter stream to bluffs near Root, Ill., a distance of 16 miles. The CHAIRMAN. Very well, sir. What areas will be embraced? Colonel HERB. The area protected, as I recall it, is about 16,000 acres. The CHAIRMAN. Is there a railroad there? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Will you point that railroad out on the map? What do you propose to do with that? Colonel HERB. Bridge alterations are required to permit uninterrupted service on the Missouri Pacific during high-water periods. The CHAIRMAN. What about your highways? Colonel HERB. A stop-log structure would be provided where State Highway No. 155 crosses the north flank levee. The CHAIRMAN. Will you have to bother about other railroads? Colonel HERB. No, sir. The crossings over the south flank levee along the Kaskaskia are above the proposed levee grades. The CHAIRMAN. Any railway relocation involved? Colonel HERB. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Any highway? Colonel HERB. No highway relocation involved. 87116-46- -29 The CHAIRMAN. The local interests will furnish the rights-of-way for the project? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. They are to furnish the rights-of-way for the levees? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Will the interior drainage be by gravity or by pumps? Colonel HERB. It will be by gravity, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Where will the waters that originate in that 16,000 acres go-how will it get out of there? Colonel HERB. It flows into the existing streams, sir. The CHAIRMAN. I am sure it does—but you have got the Mississippi levee, haven't you? How are you going to get the water out of there? Colonel HERB. There would be drainage structures along with these levees which would provide for the interior drainage. The CHAIRMAN. You mean floodgates? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. It is proposed to use corrugated metal pipe with seepage collars to act as sluice gates. The CHAIRMAN. The construction of pumping plants would cost the Government more than mere outlets? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. There is nothing in this report to indicate that either on this project or the preceding one that there is any pumping. Tre there any pumping plants contemplated? General CRAWFORD. No, sir. The first cost of the project contains an item in the amount of $215,000 which is set up for drainage structures, at Federal costs. No pumping plants are contemplated. The CHAIRMAN. Is there any cost with respect to highways involved in there? I believe I have asked that. Colonel HERB. No sir, highway relocations are not involved. As I mentioned before, one stop log structure will be provided. The CHAIRMAN. And none with respect to railways? Colonel HERB. No sir, just the bridge alteration for the Missouri Pacific line. The CHAIRMAN. What about other utilities-any cost with respect to ather utilities? Colonel HERB. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And that will protect the railroads there? General CRAWFORD. Yes, sir. Colonel HERB. The first cost of the project is estimated at $2,627,000. The non-Federal costs is $52,000. The ratio of costs to benefits is 1.0 to 2.18. The CHAIRMAN. Are there any existing levees along there at the present? Colonel HERB. Local interests have constructed about one-half mile of levees. The CHAIRMAN. Wiul you set them back generally or not? Colonel HERB. No, sir, that levee is west of the proposed improve ment. The CHAIRMAN. The only other proposed work was the cleaning out and clearing of a channel? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. Cleaning out the ditch. The CHAIRMAN. Any other statement with respect to that? I would like for you in your revision of your remarks to be sure to advise us whether there are pumping plants there or drainage? In other words, the committee wants to be able to advise the Congress and the country that we are treating all of these areas substantially the same. Colonel HERB. Yes, sir. (The report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors and of the Chief of Engineers together with the comments of the Governor of Illinois are as follows:) WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON FLOOD CONTROL, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: 1. The Committee on Flood Control, House of Representatives, by resolution adopted September 18, 1944, requested the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors to review the report on the Mississippi River between Coon Rapids Dam and the mouth of the Ohio River, printed in House Document No. 669, Seventy-sixth Congress, third session, with a view to determining whether any modifications therein are desirable at the present time with particular reference to providing flood protection in the reach between the mouth of Kaskaskia River and the Fort Chartres and Ivy Landing drainage and levee district with particular reference to the town of Prairie du Rocher in Randolph County, Ill. I enclose the report of the Board in response thereto. 2. After full consideration of the reports secured from the district and division engineers, the Board recommends adoption of a project for the protection of the area between Prairie du Rocher Creek and Kaskaskia, River, Ill., consisting of levees and appurtenant works, generally in accordance with the plans of the district engineer and with such modifications as in the opinion of the Secretary of War and the Chief of Engineers may be deemed advisable, at an estimated first cost to the United States of $2,575,000 subject to the provision that local interests give assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of War that they will: (a) provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for construction of the project; (b) hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction works; and (c) maintain and operate the works after completion in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War. 3. After due consideration of these reports, I concur in the views and recommendations of the Board. Very truly yours, R. A. WHEELER, WAR DEPARTMENT, BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, Washington, February 19, 1946. Subject: Mississippi River between Coon Rapids Dam and the mouth of the Ohio River, vicinity of Prairie du Rocher. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. 1. This report is in response to the following resolution adopted September 18, 1944: "Resolved, by the Committee on Flood Control, House of Representatives, That the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, created under section 3 of the River and Harbor Act approved June 13, 1902, be, and is hereby requested to review the report on the Mississippi River between Coon Rapids Dam and the mouth of the Ohio River, printed in House Document No. 669, Seventy-sixth Congress, third session, with a view to determining whether any modifications therein are desirable at the present time with particular reference to providing flood protection in the reach between the mouth of Kaskaskia River and the Fort Chartres and Ivy Landing drainage and levee district with particular reference to the town of Prairie du Rocher in Randolph County, Illinois." |