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Show MINIATURE DAM FUIIDSMVAITED Data on 276 Projects Gathered by U. S. DENVER. Nov. 13 CSV-The reclamation rec-lamation bureau, builder of Irrigation Irriga-tion and water power projects, will be ready to offer eemiarid western states a new type of conservation con-servation projects-hundreds of small storage dams whenever congress con-gress provides th money. John C Page, commissioner of reclamation, reminded th Association Asso-ciation of Western States Engineers, Engi-neers, meeting here today on the eve of the National Reclamation association's convention, that congress con-gress in 1937 authorized th bureau to spend 1500,000 on small dare projects, but had not yet made funds available. The proposed program of small storage reservoirs. In regions where there is insufficient water for large scale reclamation projects, would be "a contribution of great significance signifi-cance to th solidarity of th nation," na-tion," th commissioner said in a prepared address. Even if funds were available now, the 8500,000 program "would not go very far toward filling the need which apparently exists" . In large western states for small dams to cost from 85000 to 850,000 each. Page told the engineers. - "Aa I view It th program which has been authorized by th congress, con-gress, when implemented by an appropriation, ap-propriation, will nerve principally as a demonstration in this new field." The reclamation bureau already has obtained data on 276 proposed small dam projects and Intends to ask the western states for more Information when funds are appropriated. ap-propriated. "Certain areas, encompassing whole counties, in these big, dry states, must forever remain largely undeveloped and sparsely populated." populat-ed." Page said in explanation of the program. "This Is a fact which Is self-evident self-evident to anyone familiar with ConthtonS on Sana X oolunM I MINIATURE DAM FUHDSJWAITED (OaaUetHe Fnta Paas Om the geography and the rainfall pattern of the west. There simply It not sufficient water ever to make possible close settlement over vast territories. "In these areas the grazing of livestock, where natural fa rage exists, ex-ists, will remain the principal agrl- cultural pursuit, ine irrigation of small patches of bottom lands along the creeks would make It possible for ranchers to establish homes, support schools for their children, and In such ways to assist In tightening the joints of these loosely connected states. This would be a contribution of great significance to the solidarity of the nation." To hold coats within the (50,000 limit Imposed by the 1937 act for Individual projects, the reclamation reclama-tion bureau would necessarily dispense dis-pense with some of the expensive investigations conducted on large reclamation undertakings. Page said. He outlined plana for creating a "separate staff of well-qualified men to Investigate, to plan, to negotiate ne-gotiate repayment contracts for, and to construct" the small dams. Reduction of overhead costs would not, however, be permitted to jeopardize the bureau's engineering engi-neering record, of which the commissioner com-missioner said he was proud. "The bureau has never had a failure ef a dam, and It has built 156 of them, some small, and some of which are the outstanding dams of the world. This record we do not mean to Jeopardize. . . . These small dams should be sound and permanent structures." |