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Show P I - 2000 Page 22 - UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. May in late August. Work on the reservoir was completed during the winter months, and the project was dedicated June 4, 1965, with Governor George D. Clyde as principal speaker. Although it had Continued from page 13 been anticipated that several years would be required to utilize the foil that year the dam was dedicated. capacity of the new facility, heavy Red Creek Reservoir, which was runoffs that spring Tilled the reservoir also under construction, wascompleted to capacity before the end of June. The in early I960, bringing promise of a rapid fill left one stretch of Moon Lake much needed water supply even in the Electric power line stranded, the poles summer of 1960, lessening the effect rising from the water in one arm ofthe of the drought that had plagued the new lake. It wasnt until fall, when the area for several years. water receded, that the power comOne reservoir that had been in the pany was able to move their line. In December 1964, plans for the planningstagesforanumberofyears, generating great interest from water construction ofStarvation Reservoir, usen in thecenterofOuchesne County, on the Strawberry River above was the Big Sand Wash Reservoir. It Duchesne, were announced. The reswas not a part of the Central Utah ervoir was to be one of the mqjor Project, but shared the limelight with features of the huge Bonneville Unit its larger cousins. Ground was broken ofthe Central Utah Project. Although July 1, 1963, for the dam, dykes and final approval from congress on the Conreservoir preparation, withW-Bonneville Unit, which was also to struction Company contracting the include the enlargement of Strawproject. berry Reservoir, the construction of J ust over one year later, August 13, diversion dams and tunnels, as well as 1964, the status of the Sand Wash distribution systems for the utilizaproject became clouded when the con- tion of water in counties of central tractor walked off the job, demanding Utah, was not given until December that the board consider his request for 1965, engineering and planning for additional money, for work alleged to the 318 million Starvation project have been required beyond the origiwere being pushed. Original plans nal contract. In response, the board called for construction to begin in voted to terminate the contract with 1965, but bids were not opened until W-giving them 1 0 days' leeway February 16, 1967Ahuge blast higheither to be backon the job.or remove lighted the groundbreakingritcs held their equipment from the site. After May 31. 1967. On November 4, 1969, floodgates negotiations, differences were resolved, and work again got underway. were closed at Starvation dam, begin LOOKING BACK ning the (illingpniccsson what was to be a beautiful water storage and recreational site in the ccnterof Duchesne County. Dedieat km ceremonies would not be held until the summerof 1970. The decade of reclamation construction nut only provided aneco-nomi- c boom, but also brought promise of a stable water supply to an area totally dependant on water for their survival. WEATHER IN THE SIXTIES When the decade opened, the county was already in the throws of a drought which had continued in greater or lesser degrees for several years. In October 1960, the county was designated a national drought area, offering federal assistance to farmers and ranchers. And that winterdidntseem to offer any relief. As of February 2, 1961, watersheds rimming the Basin were measured at only about half of their normal water supply. Prospects of water for the coming summer were gloomy. This gloomy forecast continued to worsen, until March 24, which turned out to be the first of four days ofheavy snowfall. The floor or the valley saw the snows continue until upwards of two feet of the while stuff covered the ground in many areas. But while local residents shoveled at their homes, the mountains were pilingupover six feet of the water-lade- n snow, bringing an end to the drought for the time being. What a By January 1962, the mountains and Basin areas were already covered by a deep blanket of snow, and the temperature turn-aroun- ly c media termed the Uintah Busin as the "Iceberg of Utah. Snow measurements in April Hurt year showed a water content well above average. But, living up to its reputation for extremes," Basin snow measurements at the end of January 1963, low water content. found "all-tim- e But that was reversed in the fall of 1964. At that time heavy snows "buried the Basin, again putting the area in a deep freeze. The storms continued through the winter and on through the ensuingsummer. Heavy runolf in June caused considerable damage, but thunderstorms and flash floodsof July and August were even worse. On the July 29, a flash flood hit the center of the county, sending as much as two feet of water over Highway 40 in the Bridge land area, shutting down traffic for several hours. Then on September 16 and 17, alter a couple of days of rain, the temperature dropped, and the Basin saw nearly 48 hours of snowfall. Up to 18 inches fell in Roosevelt, but some of the upper county areas reported over 24 inches. Since the leaves were still on the trees, the heavy wet snow wreaked havoc on limbsand branches, closing some roads as trees were split in two, or large limbs tumbled to the ground. It seemed to be a fitting flnale to more than a year of storms. Such was the weather in the Sixties. And it remains much the same today. DISASTERS STRIKE Closely related to the weather in the Basin in the Sixties was the advent of a number of disasters. Although some of these included flooding, by for the most devastatingduringthat one decade was fire. October 18, 1962, was termed "Black Thursday" in Roosevelt, when fire roared through five buildings downtown, destroyingsix businesses. Total damage was estimated at over $500,000. The Small Businesa Administration quickly declared Roosevelt a "disaster area, making UTAHS HIGHEST AND LONGEST The new bridge over an ami ofStarvaihm Reservoir is fast takingshape.(Notc the man standing on the bridge deck, civine an idea of its size.) The bridee will cany Hichw av 40 traffic after its completion. TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS:'' He at Care Free Homes would onVtfACW,YAUTH0"'WS0t, . i I Care Free t? V X jSWa like to take the time to thank all ofyou we have served in the pas t, and those ofyou we hope serve in the future. N Homes IsJ s33s IF YOU ARE THINKING OF buYinq underwent a change with that change came would be sold. Care Free authorized wholesaler. 'S bow borne, philosopny on the Basitfs only factory to be tome confoswo opportunity to sit Tim mi toe. as othere may A 7 not mAcm and shar rwmed- - MANUFACTURED sasitssa-Uvriuefm'We future of the caREABOUT !fLmuedlmJ'E MSSrVOFEALU we CARE ABOUT HOME, YOU SHOULD gg&lKK YOU. Gate. Q-ie-o federal funds available to businesses in order for them to rebuild. Businesses destroyed included Super Tire Market, the Wagon Wheel, Graces Dress Shop, Shirleys Small Fry, Christensen's, and Bradshaw Auto Parts. Although cries for help went out immediately for assistance from neighboringcommunities. this effort was hampered by the fact that within a short time after the fire began, the main telephone cable linking the Roosevelt switchboard with the outside world was severed, blacking out communications. , It was, indeed, a black Thursday for the Basin. In 1963 it was a flood that spelled havoc for reudentsofl la nna,Tabiona, Utahn, and parts pf Duchesne. On June 20, with rivers already running high from spring runoff, and heavy .lain, a awakened dam op the Little Keservolr.Ym tire North of Duchesne River, pve way, water sending an additional down the watershed. A number of bridges were destroyed or badly dam aged, and property along the river was inundated. One life was lost to the raging watera.and residents estimate that it will take months to recover from the affects ofthe water and mud. On New Years iiay 1965, again fire brought destruction. Two huge fires taxed the fire brigades in and around " Roosevelt. The first call for assistance came shortly after noon that day. It was reported that flames were already eating up the buildings at Alterra High School on the bench east of Roosevelt. Crews from Roosevelt and other areas responded but were unable to prevent the total destruction ofthe school. Before fire crews returned to their stations, another call came in. Flames were engulfing the Uintah Fanners Coop building in Roosevelt . Although backup crews were available, it became impossible to control the blaze, with temperatures that hovered near zero hampering their efforts. Despite heroic efforts by firefighters, both buildings were totally destroyed. Then, just over a month later, on February 9, another fire destroyed a Roosevelt business. A midnight fire leveled the Phillips 66 Service Sta-tiooperated by Phil Hullingrr.srnd-in- g flames into the night sky. Fire crews kept the blaze from spreading to other buildings. n, bounds. And perhaps one of the highlights r of phone systems was the In the early part of the Sixties from manual switchboards to autothere waa considerable unrest in matic dialing. The Duchesne system school circles. School buildings needed waa switched on April 23, 1966, and upgrading but no funds were availthen on July 15, 1967, the last manually-oable. Teachers felt they needed larger perated phone system in the salaries, but again no money. Taxpayof Roosevelt, was changed that state, turned ers were strapped and had to automatic Although it was a rod-ldown a bond issue that would have ter day for the area, it was also one made additional funds available for or The new system offered nostalgia. schools. that could not be eiyqyed advantages It wasn't until April 2, 1964, that before, but italso meant the demise of voters, when presented with a $1.5 the pleasant "N umber Please" greetmillion bond proposal, gave their apthat phone users had come to ing proval, freeing up money for improveappreciate. But progress must march ment. Seeing the need for much imon. provement in school facilities, includDuring the decade a new oil field renovaand some new buildings ing was opened in the Uintah Basin. Two tion of others, voters expressed their wells in the Montwell area, coming in desire for bctterachools. with tremendous production records, But at the same time other matset the stage for a boom that would ters were brewing Teachers throughencompass what was later out the slate had long been seeking eventually field, known as the Altamont-Bluebe- ll financial help, and when Governor of oil in the state, a mqjor producer Clyde refosed to call a special session even to date. of the legislature to consider their In April 1967, plans were anplight, the Utah Education Associanounced to build Bottle Hollow Comtion called for a statewide "recess. and work started in June that Teachers in Duchesne County joined plex, Work on the Bottle Hollow Reswith the state effort and stayed out of year. began in late February 1969. the classrooms on May 18 and 19. ervoir In reporting the news of this deAlthough teachers were back in the cade, from the pages of the county's classrooms on the 20, their represenit wasevidentthatchangre tatives at a state meeting had decided newspapers in news during this time that no new contracts would be signed had madereporting advances. Although many fall for the session of school until the the industry showed continual issue was settled. The National Eduprogress through early decades ofthe cation Association even invoked sancit became more noticeable in century, tions against Utah, closing the state sixties. T wo advances in technolthe from accepting teachers from other ogy added to this change, including areas, should talks break down. to make picture engravWith passage ofthe bond issue in the ability local ings at the plant level, and later, Duchesne County, andefforts throughto the offset method of out the state, teachers needs were the change the newspapers. met, and contracts signed for the fall printing The first advance was noted in June session. with thechan of Other improvements in schools 1965,Standard. Cliffge ownershipof who the were welcomed. On October 13, 1964, hadbeenowner and Memmott, publisher forever the new West Junior High School was 15years, relinquished his duties here dedicated, offering facilities for stuand wentintostate service. The busidents who had been attending Alterra ness wassoldtoClarin Ashby, who had High School. been publisher and owner ofthe Emery Then in March 1965, bids were in Castle Dale. It was a warded, using bond money that had County Progress not the change of ownership that been mule available, for four concaused an upgrade in the Standard, struction projects in the county. New but rather apiece of buildings were to be constructed at Duchesne Elementary and Duchesne equipment Ashby brought with him, made High School, plus new additions at alkiwingpictureengravintobe in plant, rather than the necessity of Myton Elementary and Roosevelt them out to Salt Lake City. Junior High School. The plans also sending This meant "instant pictures for the called for brick facing to be added to in greater quantity, and at a the Altamont High School building. paper, much lower cost. This move wasbeing One ofthe highlights ofthe 1965-19- 66 duplicated throughout the state, upschool year was the capturingof grading the quality of newspapers. another state chamnionshio. On SatThat fsct.coupled with thechange November Union 27, 1965, urday, of newspaper production from hot type High School griddera trounced a to offset printing later in the sixties, highly-toute- d Delta team by a score of new depth to news coverage. 30 to 0, to win the state crown for the brought in covering the news of the deAnd second time. cade, it made the task of sorting Another important step was taken through thousands of news items to eduto during the sixties improve the find those of special interest to the cational opportunities of county students. On Febniaiy 27, 1968, bids readers much more daunting. were opened for the construction of a new vocational center adjacent to Union High School. The elongated Boy-ScoutoctaBMsl building we4.tW?0 k lerYt Lnion students, but also from surrounding schools and the general public. With tremendous support from oontnetoreand volunteers, the project The Boy Scouts of America anwas com pleted in little over a year and nounced today that the a half. The new building waa dediorganization officially reached a hiscated October 24, 1968, and opened toric membership milestone with the for class work. addition of its 100 millionth memfrom ber. Mario Castro, a milbecame 100 the NY, Brooklyn, BUSINESS ANDINDUSTRY lionth member of the Boy Scouts of Finally, let's take a glimpse at the America, the premier youth-servin- g business and industry structure durorganization in the country. Castro ing the sixties. Setting the stage for a mined Michaels Roman period ofeconomic growth and influx of new residents, at a meeting of the in Brooklyn. Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce Castro, who emigrated from early in I960, Gus Backman of the Mexico City with his family 10 years Salt Lake Area Chamber predicted said "Joining the Boy Scouts of that "The Uintah Basin is destined to ago, America and being the 100 millionth become the hub of economic and inmember is very exciting. Now, Im dustrial expansion ofthe state during to go on adventures with my future years. Although the rate of eager and sha with troop my family and growth predicted has not continued to friends what I have learned." this date, it was certainly evident in In theUlah National Parks Counthe sixties when the county populacil over 58,000 youth are supported tion more than doubled and county assessed valuation totals skyrocketed. by 30,000 registered adult volunteers in fostering a philosophy of Just a few of the business highduty to God, country and self. There the decade included the lights during is a commitment to others through a following; comprehensive program of outdoor The federal government announced in May I960, that a huge oil adventure and service prefects. The Scouting program is a year round shale industry was to be established, centered to a great extent on deposits series of events that help foster within each boy the meaning oTthe in the Uintah Basin. Scout Oath and Law. Scouting is Mountain Fuel Supply Company available for all ages 7 20 who brought natural gas lines to the Basin subscribe to theboys BSA value strucand offered this service to residents of ture. For more information contact Roosevelt and Duchesne, later exthe Utah National parks Council at panding that service beyond those (801) SCH001S IN THE SIXTIES cut-ove- et photo-engravi- s slu-For- welcome it's 100 millionth member 373-416- 5. READ THIS. V -- flreat Hornet Great Price! - All This (jor. Under SIKMMH) DFXUMIHOM COMPARE attYHERE- -. FLOOD DAMAGE High runoff from winter snows, compounded by a collapsed dam at the Little Deer Creek Reservoir on the North Fork of Duchesne River June 20. 1 963, resulted in s tremendous flood of w atcr cascading dow n the Duchesne River, through Hanna, Tabiona, Utahn and Duchesne. This bridge across the river at Utahn is an example of some of the damage that was sustained before the waters leveled out upon entering the w ider n cr al lev below Duchesne. Poor Copy |