1. Delivery of irrigation water to the Fort Sumner irrigation district by the latter part of fiscal year 1951, with completion of the diversion dam and other works related thereto. Program for fiscal year 1950, $1,750,000 The construction program for fiscal year 1950 in the above amount is scheduled to accomplish the following: Complete construction of the diversion dam; partially complete the rehabilitation of the main canal by deepening the canal and installing structures; install a new turbo-pump and install a gasoline- or Diesel-driven stand-by pump unit on the high-line canal; provide funds for surveys and the preparation of plans and specifications for rehabilitation of laterals on which construction is scheduled in fiscal year 1951; provide funds for investigations and engineering for the rehabilitation of drains on which construction is scheduled during fiscal year 1951; and the construction of a headquarters building, garage, warehouse, field laboratory and the purchase of maintenance equipment, all of which are required for construction forces on the project. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE RIO GRANDE PROJECT, NEW MEXICO-TEXAS ELEPHANT BUTTE DAM (See p. 2614) (Upon request, the Reclamation Bureau furnished for the record the following additional information regarding the Elephant Butte Dam:) RECLAMATION FUND, SPECIAL FUND-OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Rio Grande project, New Mexico-Texas: For an additional amount for "Rio Grande project, New Mexico-Texas," for fiscal year 1950, from the accumulated replacement reserve and current power revenues, $110,000, for extraordinary repair and maintenance of the Elephant Butte Dam and for reimbursement of funds utilized heretofore for this purpose. GENERAL STATEMENT An inspection of the Elephant Butte Dam by a representative of the Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Reclamation and a consulting engineer revealed that certain parts of that structure are in a potentially dangerous condition due to deterioration over past years. As soon as the inspection report was made available to the project officials, work was started to effect the required repairs because the unusual weather conditions of this year presented the possibility of excessive run-off to a degree constituting an emergency condition. This work, which is now well under way, is being financed from emergency and construction funds. The total cost of this extraordinary maintenance is now estimated to be $110,000 of which it is now anticipated $40,000 will have been obligated at the close of fiscal year 1949. While the possibilities of the dangerous developments that existed when this work was started appear now to have lessened in the light of revised predictions of flood flows, it is necessary to continue the work to completion so that the structure will be in a safe condition to carry the spring flood of 1950. This work, being maintenance and repairs in nature, is not a proper charge to construction funds, and should be financed by an appropriation of operation and maintenance funds from power revenues and the replacement reserve created from power revenue. Accordingly, a fiscal year 1950 appropriation is requested as follows: Reclamation fund, special fund, operation and maintenance, Rio Grande project, New Mexico-Texas (power revenues), $110,000. The justification is as follows: 1. Emergency spillway repairs, total estimated cost, $50,000 (a) Spillway crest.-The crest of the spillway at Elephant Butte Dam consists of an unreinforced concrete blanket 1 foot 6 inches thick laid upon a backfill composed of sand and cement. This sand-cement fill is progressively resulting in voids beneath the blanket which in turn cause transverse and longitudinal cracks in the blanket, spillway walls, and the tunnel linings under the crest block and walls. Before any sizable volume of water can be safely passed over the spillway, this situation must be corrected. It is proposed to drill holes through the concrete on 5 or 10-foot centers or spaced as field investigation progresses. and fill the void beneath the crest block and walls with concrete grout pumped through these holes. After the void is filled, it is further proposed to make a final cleanout of the weep holes to relieve back pressure. Due to the ever present possibility of reservoir spill, this work is an emergency job, particularly in view of weather conditions this winter. It is therefore proposed to accomplish this work immediately. (b) Spillway apron. The apron in front of the spillway at Elephant Butte Dam consists of an unreinforced concrete blanket 12 inches thick with a cut-off wall along the upstream face 3 feet deep. This apron is laid partially upon original sandstone and shale foundation, and partially upon a sand-cement fill. Due to progressive breaking up of the sand-cement fill and perculation of water through cleavage planes in the original sandstone-shale bedrock, this apron is cracking and breaking up. To correct this situation and to prevent the possibility of undercutting the spillway during a period of flood spill, it is proposed to drill holes on approximately 5-foot centers, and fill the voids with cement grout. (c) Spillway cut-off walls.-No cut-off walls were placed at the downstream end of the spillway chute during initial construction. Flow during spills and disintegration of the shale are undermining the end of the chute. It is proposed to place a cut-off 10 feet deep beneath the end of the floor and up the ends of the walls. It will be necessary to remove from each side a considerable amount of rock that is endangering the chute walls and is extremely hazardous to the construction of the cut-off wall. 2. Balance valves, service conduits, and sluice tunnels, $60,000 The four 60-inch balance valves have not been in use since the year 1942, during which they were operated for flood-control release prior to actual spill. The valves must be maintained for an emergency condition of flood-control release. The balance valve equipment, including the large pistons, seat rings, tunnel liners and guides are in need of repairs to the cavitated areas, guides, and frames. Cavitation of the seat rings in the two lower valves may be so extensive that replacement will be required. In addition to possible replacement section of the two seat rings, extensive repair welding is required on the metal-lined section of the four service conduits. The upper quadrants of two of the heavy pistons also show effect of cavitation and should be repair welded. The hydraulic operating jacks which open and close the heavy pistons (about 9,000 pounds each) consist of intricate piping, valves, and cylinders which have not been repaired since installation in 1914. The long period of nonuse for irrigation release at the time the power plant began operating the hydraulic control assembly has caused continuous deterioration of piping, packing, and valves of the control net. The valves and conduits are of such importance as emergency units that a complete overhaul is justified; and should be undertaken as soon as possible. The sluice tunnels have not been used since 1938, but the required repair welding of the metal gate frame liners, and concrete surfaces should be undertaken simultaneously with the work on the balance valves and conduits. During the same work period the valves, cylinder packing, and piping of the sluice gate and frott conduit gage mechanism should also be disassembled for replacement and repair as necessary. In addition to the foregoing mechanical and welding repair, the air inlets to the two lower balance valves must be provided with either flap-type shut-off valves or combination flap and standpipe in order to prevent water from backing out through the air vents and discharging into the operating galleries. This is a must as the lower balance valves cannot be opened beyond 16-17 inches (full opening is 28 inches) as water in large volume begins pouring through the air vents as the gate opening approaches 18 inches. MISSOURI RIVER BASIN MOORHEAD DAM PROJECT, MONTANA Senator HAYDEN. I have received several letters transmitted through Senator Ecton to the committee in connection with the Moorhead Dam project. These letters shall be made part of the record. WASHINGTON, D. C., June 17, 1949. (The letters follow:) COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, United States Senate. GENTLEMEN: I, Milton C. Simpson, of Volborg, Mont., wish to urge your committee to allow an appropriation equal to the request of the Bureau of Reclamation for the building of the Moorhead Dam at Moorhead, Mont., located in the drainage area of the Missouri River. Having been born and raised on the same ranch that I now own and operate, which is located immediately adjacent to the Powder River drainage area, I feel qualified to make this request. I have known and been acquainted with the flood hazards that exist on Powder River all my life. I know that the fear of floods on Powder River has always had an effect on the people living along this river and those anticipating settling there in the planning of their ranching development. The building of Moorhead Dam will definitely establish a continuous flow of water in the Powder River that will materially effect the progress of development of ranching enterprises in this area. It is of absolute necessity that we begin and continue to develop our natural resources to the point where our younger generation will be assured of a place to build homes in rural areas if they desire. Since 11⁄2 million dollars have been spent in surveys, camp sites, roads and other preconstruction development for the Moorhead Dam project, it would be false economy to abandon such a project and start another. .Respectfully yours, MILTON C. SIMPSON, Volborg, Mont. WASHINGTON, D. C., June 17, 1949. COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, United States Senate. GENTLEMEN: As secretary-manager of the Miles City, Mont., Chamber of Commerce, I am authorized by its board of directors to make a statement on behalf of the Moorhead Dam. Moorhead is located on the Powder River at about the Montana-Wyoming line. It has been proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation and preconstruction work is about completed. The primary purpose of Moorhead Dam is for silt and flood control on the Powder River and it is tied into the over-all picture of the control of the Missouri River and its tributaries. We know that control is vital to those who live on the Powder River below the dam site. The writer was formerly business manager of a livestock operation that had among its holdings a sizable lease on the Powder River. From our experiences we know that the river is extremely hazardous to livestock and humans and can cause untold destruction to property, because of flash floods, ice jams, silt and quicksand. This problem can be solved by controlling the flow of the river. Moorhead Dam will accomplish this control. In addition, we understand that approximately one-third of the capacity of Moorhead will be reserved for future irrigation. Supplemental water is needed on the hay meadows along the river for the production of additional livestock feed. This is especially true in years of less than usual rainfall. For these reasons we urge that construction of the Moorhead Dam be carried out as planned by the Bureau of Reclamation. Very truly yours, Hon. KENNETH MCKELLAR, MILES CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 17, 1949. Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate. DEAR SENATOR: With regard to the Moorhead Dam on Powder River, Mont., which is being constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation: As one who has managed properties throughout southeastern Montana for the last 26 years and who is still managing properties and interested in the de velopment of the State, I recommend that the Congress appropriate the necessary funds to complete Moorhead Dam. The Powder River has to my knowledge done flood damage to properties along the river practically every year during the past 26 years. Livestock raising is the principal type of business along this river from the site of Moorhead Dam to the mouth of the river, a distance of approximately 125 miles, and if the floodwaters of this river are controlled, as I believe they will be by the construction of this dam, the ranchers will be saved from considerable flood damages and will be able to develop irrigation on small tracts of land for the raising of livestock feed and other crops. I know almost all of the ranchers along this river are of the opinion that this dam is going to be constructed and if they thought for a minute it was not, I am sure that they would be a very sorry lot of people and would organize in some way to save the project. For the economy of the people of all of southeastern Montana and especially along the Powder River, I sincerely hope that the necessary funds will be appropriated to complete the proposed dam. Sincerely yours, W. A. MITCHELL, FISH AND Wildlife SERVICE PROPAGATION OF FOOD FISHES Senator HAYDEN. In compliance with a request of the committee, the Fish and Wildlife Service has submitted a statement in connection with propagation of food fishes. The material shall be made part of the record. (The statement follows:) SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT FURNISHED BY FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGARDING EFFECT OF HOUSE ACTION ON OPERATION OF FISH HATCHERIES No funds whatever were included in the budget as submitted to Congress for the rehabilitation and improvement of the fish-cultural stations at Warm Springs. Ga., and Quilcene, Wash., or for the development of facilities for the production of both warm-water and cold-water fishes at North Attleboro, Mass. The Warm Springs, Ga., and Quilcene, Wash., stations are stations which were established many years ago. The North Attleboro station has not been established. The State government purchased 270 acres of land at a cost of $30,000. It did so on the basis that the hatchery was to be built by the Federal Government. The over-all cost of establishing a station at that point for the production of both warmwater and cold-water fish is estimated at $300,000. Of this amount it has beer. estimated that $100,000 could be expended to advantage during the fiscal year 1950. Inasmuch as the rehabilitation work needed at the Quilcene, Wash., and Warm Springs, Ga., fish-cultural stations are estimated to cost $79,000 and $66,000, respectively, the cost in 1950 of the work contemplated at the three stations in question would be $245,000 for which no provision is made in the bill as passed by the House, except by depriving other fish-cultural stations of funds necessary to provide for their operation and maintenance. As regards Senator Reed's query as to how this might affect the operation of the Farlington, Kans., station for which funds were provided in 1949 for completion and for which $13,000 was included in the budget for the fiscal year 1950 for operation, it has been decided that if the action of the House is sustained, only $9,000 would be available for allocation instead of $13,000 as budgeted for that purpose This would make it necessary to employ only two people instead of three and to get along with less funds for other operating expenses than are required to utilize the facilities to the maximum extent possible. As regards the Senator's request for suggestions as to what might be done to take care of these situations, it would seem that one of two things should be done (1) that the funds required for the work contemplated at the three stations in question should be appropriated by the Senate, or (2) that the Fish and Wildlife Service should be relieved from the diree tive of the House committee requiring that it allocate funds to provide for the work in question. If either of these two courses of action is followed, it would mean that the funds budgeted for operation of the Farlington, Kans., as well as all other stations would be available, depending, of course, upon whether the amount included in the budget is provided in the appropriation. BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND UTILITIES RED LAKE SCHOOL, MINNESOTA (The following justification was submitted in connection with a supplemental estimate contained in Senate Document No. 87 for the Red Lake School, Minnesota. The justification referred to follows): (Estimate, $4,769,000; act, $6,904,500) (House hearings, pt. 1, pp. 679–682; 719) (P. 23, after line 2) Page 23, after line 2 insert the following: "Minnesota: Red Lake, $68,000;”. House report In the House report no statement is made concerning this item. mitted after the House committee hearings. Justification It was sub The amendment adds $68,000, contain ed in Senate Document 87 for school facilities at the Red I ake Indian School, Ride I ɛke, Minn. In House Document No. 93, an estimate of $80,CCO was submitted and included in the second deficiency bill, 1949, as an additional amount for fiscal year 1949 for the construction of school facilities to acccm mcdate Indian pupils of the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. The amount of this estimate was based upon the facilities required to meet the estimated enrollment at that time. Due to the lack of adequate facilities since 1940, when the building was destroyed by fire, the school has carried on a very limited program. A survey concluded at the close of the 1948-49 school year discloses that the enrollment for the next school year will be materially increased. The amount of this estimate will provide for four additional rooms now considered necessary for the accommodation of a greater enrollment than contemplated by the previous estimate. It is estimated that the high-schcol enrollment for the next school year, 1949-50, will be 225 pupils. Senator HAYDEN. The hearings on the 1950 appropriation bill for the Department of the Interior are hereby closed. (Whereupon, at 6:07 p. m., June 15, 1949, hearing in the aboveentitled matter was closed.) |