OVERFLOW OF RED RIVER OF THE NORTH. 11 
Plate II, figure 1, show some of the bridges and typical low-water 
conditions which prevail during several months each year. 
The Bois de Sioux River never has been used for water transpor- 
tation. The fact that it is not a navigable stream is officially stated 
in the report of a preliminary examination of Traverse and Big- 
stone Lakes by the Corps of Engineers, United States Army (see 
House Doc. No. 199, 65th Cong.). Lake Traverse is navigable for a 
distance of about 12 miles between grain elevators of Diamond, S. 
Dak., and Browns Valley, Minn., and boats operate between these 
points (see PL II, fig. 2). The only tributary stream on which 
commercial navigation reached important proportions is Red Lake 
River, including Red Lake. Transportation on this waterway con- 
sisted mainly of log-running and a small amount of freight and 
passenger service. This traffic decreased with the decline of logging 
operations and at present has practically ceased. 
SURVEYS AND OTHER INVESTIGATIONS. 
The surveys and other investigations by the Bureau of Public 
Roads were conducted with the constant aim of obtaining as com- 
prehensive an understanding as possible of all factors that now, or 
that may in the future, affect the drainage and flood situation in the 
Red River Valley. This necessitated a thorough study of past and 
probable future precipitation and run-off, and the other influencing 
factors. Flood conditions 1 were studied with respect to causes, 
magnitude, extent of damage, probable recurrence, and methods of 
control and prevention. The possibilities of reclaiming and improv- 
ing the wet and flood-affected lands were given careful considera- 
tion as were also the general efficiency of existing drainage systems 
and the question of further development of local drainage. Various 
plans for improving drainage in general and for the control and 
prevention of floods were studied with a view to selecting the most 
practicable and advantageous combinations applicable in this water- 
shed. Suggestions in regard to the form of organization best adapted 
to carrying on the work are made in the following pages. 
The measures recommended are of two classes— those the char- 
acter or design of which is affected by the run-off from territory 
lying in more than one State, and those designed to remedy evils re- 
sulting from local conditions only. 
The work in the field was begun in September, 1918, and was con- 
tinued for practically one year. It was the original intention to 
make a detailed survey only of the Bois de Sioux-Lake Traverse 
region, depending on records of former surveys for data concerning 
the remainder of the valley; but as the work progressed it became 
apparent that in order to obtain sufficient information to permit an 
intelligent study of -the project, field work would be necessary along 
the Red River as far north as the international boundary. 
