OVERFLOW OF RED RIVER 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 Kice 
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 Reel 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 
