OVERFLOW OF RED EIVER OF THE NORTH. 83 



ones, it should be required that all bridges shall span the whole 

 channel and be placed high enough to clear the high-water flow. 



The width of the channel to be cleared varies in different sections 

 of the river and the amount can be determined only by a detailed 

 survey. An approximation of average widths for three sections of 

 the channel based on information secured during the survey gives the 

 following: From Wahpeton to Fargo, 100 feet on each side of the 

 present low-water or open channel ; Fargo to Grand Forks, 150 feet 

 on each side; Grand Forks to the Canadian boundary, 200 feet on 

 each side (see fig. 4). With such a strip cleared on each bank the 

 approximate average widths of open channel in the three sections 

 mentioned above would be 300 feet, 430 feet, and 600 feet respectively. 

 As a result, during high-water periods the volumes of water which 

 would pass in a given time through this wide unobstructed channel 

 would greatly exceed those under present conditions. 



It is believed advisable to gain control, under this project, of a 

 strip of land 200 feet wide outside the land actually to be cleared on 

 both sides. This would provide ample space for operations and for 

 limiting all encroachments. After clearing the channel, the part 

 of it outside the low-water flow-line should, where possible, be 

 seeded to grasses ; this would not only provide pasturage or hay land, 

 but also would aid in keeping down the cost of maintenance. 



EFFECT OF CHANNEL CLEARING. 



The value of channel clearing becomes more evident when the re- 

 sults are reduced to figures which show approximately the increase 

 in carrying capacity of the channel that can thus be secured. The sec- 

 tion between Wahpeton and the mouth of the North Dakota Wild Rice 

 River at present will carry about 4,000 second-feet without overflow. 

 By the proposed clearing this can be increased to 5,400 second-feet, 

 which with the reduction in flood volumes obtainable through the 

 Lake Traverse detention reservoir will be adequate to provide for 

 the disposal of all spring and summer flow. From the mouth of the 

 North Dakota Wild Rice to the mouth of the Sheyenne the capacity 

 can be increased from 6,000 second-feet, its present value, to 7,500 sec- 

 ond-feet. Between the mouths of the Sheyenne and the Red Lake 

 Rivers, the capacity of the Red River channel is now 15,000 second- 

 feet and this can be increased by about 3,500 second-feet which would 

 be ample to prevent practically all overflow along that section of the 

 stream. Below the mouth of the Red Lake River at Grand Forks 

 the channel in its present condition will carry 25,000 second-feet; by 

 clearing out obstructions a flow of 30,800 feet can be provided for 

 throughout the remainder of its length in the United States. The 

 increase in capacity securable amounts to from 20 per cent in the 



