82 BULLETIN 1017, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
the laws of Xorth Dakota, it should be done at the same time and 
in cooperation with the floodway project. The floodway would 
so relieve high-water flow in the Wild Eice below the intake that 
little or no work on the channel would be necessary below this point. 
The improvement of the Sheyenne channel below the outlet of the 
floodway would necessarily be included as a part of the Eed Eiver 
project. 
CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT IN RED RIVER. 
In considering possible methods for improving the channel of the 
Eed Eiver, two may at once be discarded as impracticable, taken 
either separately or in combination. These are cut-offs, and en- 
largement of the present channel. The number of cut-offs to be 
made, the great size of the excavated channel required, the depth 
of cutting necessary, and the disposal of the immense quantities of 
excavated material, require a scope of operations and present tech- 
nical difficulties that would make the cost prohibitive. 
The most economical plan in this connection, and a very effective 
one. is that of clearing the channel of the obstructions which greatly 
retard the flow and are in a large measure responsible for overflow 
during high-water periods. As previously noted, the channel ! 
throughout its length is more or less obstructed by trees, brush and I 
undergrowth, artificial structures, refuse dumps, and debris of vari- ■ 
ous kinds. Along certain reaches the channel is almost completely 
choked by trees with the exception of a narrow strip which serves : 
as a low-water channel and is kept open by the continuous flow- 
throughout the year. During high-water periods the entire channel 
is necessary to carry the flow and, as a result of the obstructed con- 
dition of the greater part of its cross-sectional area, the velocities are 
so low that the water passes through the channel at a slower rate 
than it is brought in by the tributaries. Such channel conditions 
also tend to cause serious clogging by floating ice when it is present. 
- It is recommended that from TTahpeton, N; Dak., to the Canadian 
boundary, a distance of 39-i miles along the river (see fig. 3, sheets 
4 to 20. inclusive), the channel be cleared of all trees, brush, deadfall, 
debris, and structures of all kinds except bridges, which seriously 
'interfere with the free flow of water. If possible the entire high- 
water channel should be cleared. The channel, having once been 
cleared, should be maintained permanently in good condition. This 
can best be done by pasturing the channel, or using it for hay land. 
It is not believed advisable to include under this project the removal 
and rebuilding of all bridges which cause obstruction to flow, as 
most of these are of wood and will not be serviceable for more than 
a few years, after which they must be replaced or the crossings aban- 
doned. In replacing present bridges and in constructing additional 
