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Mr. ROBINSON. You have not done any previous work on this? Colonel HERB. No, sir; there have been no improvements of any kind that we have a record of for flood-control purposes.

Mr. ROBINSON. How soon can this improvement be made if it is approved by Congress in regular course?

Colonel HERB. Sir, that depends upon the appropriations provided by Congress, and how soon we will get the money. This project would take one working season to complete.

Mr. ROBINSON. Does the Department of Interior have any statement to make on this?

STATEMENT OF J. W. DIXON, DIRECTOR OF BRANCH OF PROJECT PLANNING, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

Mr. DIXON. Colonel Herb has referred to the letter of October 19 and has correctly set forth the picture as we had it figured at that time. There are other statements in that letter that might go in the record.

I know, Mr. Congressman, you are particularly interested in the central Utah situation.

The letter says [reading]:

When the report was prepared this Department had no plans regarding irrigation or power development on the Spanish Fork River or its tributaries. In the past 4 months, however, the Bureau of Reclamation has been investigating the possibilities of making a large diversion from the Colorado River Basin into the Bonneville Basin by way of Diamond Fork and Spanish Fork Rivers. Although the studies are far from complete, the project looks promising.

At present, water is carried through a tunnel from Strawberry Reservoir into Diamond Creek, a tributary of the Spanish Fork River. The contemplated project is to include a 60,000 acre-foot reservoir at Monks Hollow site, a 25,000 acre-foot reservoir at the Little Diamond Creek site, both on Diamond Creek; and a diversion aqueduct from Spanish Fork River into the existing Sevier Bridge Reservoir on Sevier River.

Should a flood occur, even though the reservoirs are full, up to 700 second-feet could be diverted into Sevier Bridge Reservoir, by closing the tunnel diversion from Strawberry Reservoir. Another 500 second-feet could be diverted by irrigation diversions above the flood area. Such diversions would handle all but a minor part of the record peak flow of 1,430 second-feet as mentioned in paragraph 19 of the report.

This Department's proposed project, if approved, probably would not enter the construction stage for several years, but if such project were constructed prior to or during construction of your proposed improvements, you might wish to adjust your plan accordingly.

Your proposed plan of improvement will be beneficial to a large portion of the Strawberry Valley project. The plans are satisfactory to this Department. However, since that portion of the Spanish Fork River to be improved under your plan traverses the Strawberry project, thereby possibly affecting project lands and facilities with a possible reduction in irrigable areas, I would like to have the opportunity of making a further review of your proposal when final plans are prepared.

Mr. ROBINSON. There is no reason, in view of what you say, with reference to this new project, why the plan of the Army engineers should not proceed?

Mr. DIXON. There is no reason why it should not proceed. I think they should keep in very close touch with the Bureau of Reclamation. Mr. ROBINSON. I would not get the impression that there is any feeling or dispute between these two departments.

The CHAIRMAN. I think they are getting along splendidly. Any questions by any members of the committee?

What is the ratio of costs to benefits?

Colonel HERB. One to 2.9.

The CHAIRMAN. I thought it was an exceptionally good ratio. What is the total cost to the Government in this case?

Colonel HERB. The total cost to the Federal Government is $74,500, and to local interests $24,100, making a total cost of the project $98,600.

The CHAIRMAN. Any further questions?

(The report of the Chief of Engineers together with the comments. of the Department of the Interior and the letter of transmittal are as follows:)

Subject: Spanish Fork River, Utah.
To: The Secretary of Wr.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, February 1, 1946.

1. I submit for transmission to Congress my interim report with accompanying papers and an illustration on preliminary examination and survey of Spanish Fork River, Utah, in accordance with the Flood Control Act approved June 28, 1938, which authorized surveys of streams draining into the Great Salt Lake, and the Great Basin, Utah and Nevada. Separate reports are being made on other localities in the Great Basin.

2. Spanish Fork River rises in the Wasatch Mountains in the southeastern part of Utah County, Utah, and flows northwesterly to Utah Lake, a component of the Jordan River system draining into Great Salt Lake near Salt Lake City. The Spanish Fork River drainage area of about 700 square miles consists of rugged mountains, rolling foothills, and benchlands in the upper 35 miles of the stream course and relatively flat lands along the lower 13 miles of the river between the base of the mountains and Utah Lake. The flat-land area is essentially an alluvial fan deposited under water in past geologic time and later reworked by the parent stream. The fall of the stream across the fan is about 200 feet with slopes ranging from 25 feet per mile at the upper end to 3 feet per mile near the lake. Channel capacity ranges from about 500 cubic feet per second at restricted and vegetation choked sections in the reach from 7 to 13 miles above the lake to as little as 350 cubic feet per second at points within the lower 7 miles. Spanish Fork, with a population of 4,167, is the principal town in the basin and serves as a community center and place of residence for many of the people operating farms in the flat lands. Nearly all of the flat land is intensely developed for agriculture and is used either for growing crops or pasturing livestock. Crops include vegetables, sugar beets, wheat, oats, and barley. Annual precipitation at Spanish Fork averages 16.6 inches. Irrigation is essential to general farming, although some dry farming is practiced due to shortage of water. Irrigation water is diverted into the basin from Strawberry Reservoir in an adjoining drainage area and rediverted from the river for use in the flat lands. Highway and railroad transportation facilities are available to the area.

3. Floods occur along the lower reaches of Spanish Fork River about twice every 3 years as a result of melting snow or general rains or both. They cause damage to crops and farm appurtenances including irrigation works and to roads and railroads within the flood plain of about 2,250 acres. The maximum flood of record occurred in May 1909, and produced a maximum mean daily flow of 1,430 cubic feet per second at the Lake Shore gaging station (mile 6.5). The flood of May 1944 had an estimated peak of 900 cubic meet per second in the affected area and inundated 640 acres of improved farm land and 360 acres of pasture and grazing land, causing estimated net damage of $33,400 to crops and $11,000 to other items including roads, bridges, irrigation works, farm improvements, and personal property. The estimated average annual flood damage is $18,000. Local interests request that the lower 13 miles of Spanish Fork River chanel be cleaned, enlarged, and otherwise improved, with levees to be constructed at critical points so as to prevent inundation. They offer to provide the necessary rights-of-way, make all necessary revisions to roads, bridges, irrigation diversion dams, and utilities, hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction works and to maintain and operate all the works after completion.

4. The district engineer proposes levee and channel improvements in the lower 13 miles of the river, modification of two division dams, revision of bridge and road facilities, and provision of necessary protective works at bridge abutements and piers within the limits of improvement. The improvements are designed to protect the adjacent areas from a flood of 1,500 cubic feet per second and are estimated to cost $98,600. The total annual cost is estimated at $5,825 and tangible annual benefits at $17,000. In view of the favorable ratio of benefits to costs of 2.9 to 1, the district engineer concludes that the improvement is economically justified and recommends its construction subject to certain conditions of local cooperation. The division engineer concurs.

5. The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors is of the opinion that the improvement recommended by the reporting officers will provide adequate protection from future floods and is economically justified. Accordingly, the Board concurs in the recommendations of the district and division engineers.

6. After due consideration of these reports, I concur in the views of the Board. The proposed improvements will provide adequate protection for approximately 2,250 acres of improved land along the lower 13-mile section of the river and are clearly justified by the prospective benefits. I therefore recommend the improvement of Spanish Fork River, Utah, substantially as outlined in the report of the district engineer and as shown on the accompanying drawing with such modifications thereof as in the discretion of the Secretary of War and the Chief of Engineers may be advisable, at an estimated cost to the United States of $74,500 for construction; subject to the conditions that local interests furnish assurances satisfactry to the Secretary of War that they will: (a) Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements, and rightsof-way necessary for construction of the works and bear the expense of all necessary alterations of roads bridges, utilities, and irrigation works; (b) hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction works; and (c) maintain and operate all the works after completion in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War.

Lt. Gen. RAYMOND A. WHEELER,

R. A. WHEELER,
Lieutenant General,
Chief of Engineers.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington 25, D. C., October 19, 1945.

Chief of Engineers, War Department.

MY DEAR GENERAL WHEELER: By letter dated July 24, 1945, General Reybold transmitted to me for my information and comment a copy of his proposed interim report on a preliminary examination and survey of "Streams draining into Great Salt Lake, and the Great Basin, Utah and Nevada" covering Spanish Fork River, Utah, together with the reports of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors and of the division and district engineers. In accordance with provisions of section 1 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, General Reybold asked for my views on the report by October 30, 1945.

The report recommends improvements along the lower 13 miles of the Spanish Fork River by building levees, rectifying the channel, and revising and modifying existing diversion dams, bridges, and road facilities.

When the report was prepared this Department had no plans regarding irrigation or power development on the Spanish Fork River or its tributaries. In the past 4 months, however, the Bureau of Reclamation has been investigating the possibilities of making a large diversion from the Colorado River Basin into the Bonneville Basin by way of Diamond Fork and Spanish Fork Rivers. Although the studies are far from complete, the project looks promising.

At present water is carried through a tunnel from Strawberry Reservoir into Diamond Creek, a tributary of the Spanish Fork River. The contemplated project is to include a 60,000-acre-foot reservoir at Monks Hollow site, a 25,000-acrefoot reservoir at the Little Diamond Creek site, both on Diamond Creek, and a diversion aqueduct from Spanish Fork River into the existing Sevier Bridge Reservoir on Sevier River.

Should a flood occur, even though the reservoirs are full, up to 700 second-feet could be diverted into Sevier Bridge Reservoir by closing the tunnel diversion from Strawberry Reservoir. Another 500 second-feet could be diverted by irrigation diversions above the flood area. Such diversions would handle all but a

minor part of the record peak flow of 1,430 second-feet as mentioned in paragraph 19 of the report.

This Department's proposed project, if approved, probably would not enter the construction stage for several years, but if such project were constructed prior to or during construction of your proposed improvements, you might wish to adjust your plan accordingly.

Your proposed plan of improvement will be beneficial to a large portion of the Strawberry Valley project. The plans are satisfactory to this Department. However, since that portion of the Spanish Fork River to be improved under your plan traverses the Strawberry project, thereby possibly affecting project lands and facilities with a possible reduction in irrigable area, I would like to have the opportunity of making a further review of your proposal when final plans are prepared.

Sincerely yours,

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MICHAEL W. STRAUS, Acting Secretary of the Interior.

MARCH 22, 1946.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I am transmitting herewith an interim report date February 1, 1946, from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, together with accompanying papers and an illustration, on a preliminary examination and survey of "Streams draining into the Great Salt Lake and Great Basin, Utah and Nevada," covering flood control on the Spanish Fork River, Utah. This investigation was authorized by the Flood Control Act approved on June 28, 1938.

In accordance with section 1 of Public Law 534, Seventy-eighth Congress, copies of the proposed report of the Chief of Engineers were furnished the Governor of the State of Utah and the Secretary of the Interior. While the State of Utah acknowledged receipt of the copy of the report on July 31, 1945, no written views or recommendations with respect thereto have been received. The views of the Department of the Interior with the reply thereto are inclosed. The Bureau of the Budget advises that there is no objection to the submission of this report.

Sincerely yours,

ROBERT P. PATTERSON,
Secretary of War.

JORDAN RIVER, UTAH, AND LITTLE VALLEY WASH AT MAGNA, UTAH

The CHAIRMAN. The next project under consideration is the report on the Jordan River at Salt Lake City, Utah, and Little Valley Wash, at Magna, Utah.

As I understand, Colonel Herb, that report is before the Budget? Colonel HERB. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Will you give us the location and the general watershed of the Jordan River, and the problem involved, and the proposed solution of it here in the Salt Lake City area?

STATEMENT OF COL. E. G. HERB, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CIVIL WORKS DIVISION, OFFICE, CHIEF OF ENGINEERS

Colonel HERB. The authority for this report is contained in the Flood Control Act approved June 28, 1938.

The Jordan River has a drainage area of 3,295 square miles, with its source in Utah Lake, from which it flows northward through a mountain gap known as the Narrows, and thence across the central part of Jordan Valley to Great Salt Lake. Jordan Valley is a rectangular area of about 790 square miles, of which 413 square miles are valley lands and the remainder foothills and mountains. It is surrounded by mountains except on the northwest where the flat lower

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lands border Great Salt Lake. About 15 miles south of Great Salt Lake, the Jordan River flows through the westerly section of Salt Lake City. A considerable part of Jordan Valley, to the west of Salt Lake City, drains directly into Great Salt Lake through small

streams.

Magna, Utah, is located in that area on the debris cone where Little Valley Wash, with drainage area of 6 square miles, debouches from the mountains. The flows of Little Valley Wash are intermittent and no well-defined natural channel exists to carry them across the debris cone. Salt Lake City had a population of about 150,000 in 1940, and Salt Lake County about 212,000. Magna is an unincorporated mining and residential community with about 3,500 residents. Agriculture, transportation, mining, smelting, manufacturing, and the administration of governmental functions are the principal occupations in Jordan Valley. In general, the land along Great Salt Lake is inadequately drained and is used chiefly for grazing although some tracts are irrigated. Water for irrigation in Jordan Valley is obtained from Utah Lake via Jordan River, from the smaller streams which rise in the mountains and from wells.

The average annual rainfall in the lower part of the valley is between 15 and 16 inches, the benchlands average 21 inches and in the mountains the range is from 22 to 43 inches.

The CAIHRMAN. Describe the flood problem.

Colonel HERB. The records of floods for Jordan River through Salt Lake City and Little Valley Wash at Magna, Utah, consist almost exclusively of newspaper accounts, testimonies of old residents, and information from private sources. All available information concerning Little Valley Wash indicates that floods considerably larger than any of record should be anticipated. Newspaper files indicate that the largest flood in the history of the basin occurred in 1862 when the river remained in flood stage for over a month and much of the lower valley through what is now part of Salt Lake City was under water. Other floods of record occurred in 1850, 1876, 1884, and 1885. The largest flood of recent years in the Jordan River occurred in 1917. During this flood the recorded maximum 24-hour mean discharge at the gaging station near the Narrows was 522 cubic feet per second. The second largest flood of recent years occurred in 1922 when the discharge from Utah Lake was 1,370 cubic feet per second. Minor floods occur almost annually.

Future average annual direct and indirect flood damages at Salt Lake City from floods up to the largest to be expected with an average frequency of once in 100 years are estimated at $37,000. Floods of Little Valley Wash and other streams in the Magna area are usually caused by local summer storms of the cloudburst type, which are of short duration but may be extremely violent. Since 1922, seven floods have been reported on Little Valley Wash, those of 1922 and 1930 having been the most severe. Medium-sized floods occurred in 1932 and 1936, and smaller floods occurred in 1934, 1935, and 1937. Major floods at Magna may be expected with an average frequency of once in 10 years, and a peak discharge of 3,900 cubic feet per second in 100 years. The average annual flood damages are estimated at $9,310.

The plan of improvement provides for the improvement of Jordan River, Utah, at Salt Lake City, by enlargement, straightening, and removal of obstructive works from its channel, to obtain capacities

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