OVERFLOW OF EED RIVER OF THE NORTH. 89 



to or greater than that of 1897 would cause much more damage than 

 was caused by that flood. By improving the river channel as pro- 

 posed, flood heights could be reduced by 5 feet or more and addi- 

 tional outlet facilities needed in some localities would be provided. 



Benefits which would accrue from improved drainage outlets such 

 as are proposed in the Lake Traverse-Bois de Sioux project would 

 add greatly to the value of the land affected. 



It appears, therefore, that the two projects are well worthy of 

 adoption. The benefits that would be secured during future periods 

 when large run-off occurs, such as now causes floods, will be large 

 enough to warrant a considerably greater expenditure than will be 

 necessary to obtain relief from these conditions. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 



The authors desire to acknowledge their indebtedness to the follow- 

 ing, who furnished valuable data and suggestions in addition 

 to those noted elsewhere in the report : Mr. E. V. Willard, commis- 

 sioner of drainage and waters, Minnesota ; Mr. W. A. Robinson, State 

 engineer, North Dakota ; Mr. Homer M. Derr, State engineer, South 

 Dakota ; Messrs. T. R. Atkinson and J. W. Bliss, formerly State en- 

 gineers, North Dakota ; Mr. E. F. Chandler, professor of civil engi- 

 neering, University of North Dakota; Mr. R. H. Slocum, professor 

 of civil engineering, North Dakota Agricultural College; Mr. E. J. 

 Dugan, assistant engineer, United States District Engineer's Office; 

 Mr. A. V. Taylor, engineer, Otter Tail Power Co.; Messrs. J. G. 

 Sullivan and Douglas McLean, engineers, Manitoba Drainage Com- 

 mission; Mr. W. P. Brereton, city engineer, Winnipeg, Manitoba; 

 Mr. L. W. Burdick, city engineer, Wahpeton, N. Dak., and Brecken- 

 ridge, Minn.; Mr. W. B. Stevenson, acting city engineer, Fargo, 

 N. Dak.; Mr. C. G. Selvig, superintendent, Northwest Substation, 

 Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station; Mr. George A. Ralph, 

 formerly State drainage engineer, Minnesota ; Mr. T. A. Hoverstad, 

 agricultural agent, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Rail- 

 way ; the engineering departments of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 

 Paul Railway; the Northern Pacific Railway; the Great Northern 

 Railway ; and the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway ; 

 county officials in charge of drainage records in all counties in the 

 Red River Valley in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 



In addition to the persons mentioned, many citizens of the valley 

 rendered valuable aid during the progress of the work. 



