County agent project report, Erosion-flood control, April 1938

COUNTY AGENT PROJECT) PROJECT NUMBER; 1938 State Office #172 Clark County #12 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION DIVISION AND UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING I, SUB-PROJECT: Erosion-Flood Control II. NAME OF PROJECT! Erosion-Flood Control III. LEADERS: Virgin Valley - Soil Conservation District Supervisors Moapa Valley - Soil Conservation District Supervisors IV. LOCATION! Clark County V. DATE EFFECTIVE! December 1, 1937 VI. OBJECT! Provide adequate protection from Erosion and Floods! Railroads, high-ways, farm lands, homes, facilities thereof, and prevent silting of Mead Lake. VII. FACTS: 1. From 1910 to 1925 inclusive, periodic floods of immense damaging proportions broke seriously into normal farm operations thru flooding and silting farms in Moapa Valley. 2. Since the early settlement of Bunkerville and Mesquite communities in the Rio Virgin River Valley over a period of from 40 to 50 years, almost yearly recurrences of high flood waters menaced river banks adjacent to farms and seriously interferred with irrigation water thru breaks in their (brush-rock) diversion dams. 5. Side hill floods likewise have been a menace to farms, farm homes, and communities in each the Moapa and Virgin Areas especially the latter. 4. Since 1925 both areas have been covered with preliminary and detailed surveys determining possibilities for erosion and flood control in addition to water storage facilities. And, with the inception of the CCC movement, beginnings toward solution of the major problems of excessive Erosion and Flood Control were under way in the fall of 1933 since which time there have been conducted 12 CCC Camp periods within the area influenced thereby with an approximate total expenditure by the U. S. Army, the U. S. Forest Service and the Soil Conservation Service of $750,000. 5. To continue with such a program and to stabilize procedure for future work thru the various Fed era), agencies, it became necessary to designate a legally authorized state institution thru which local units and such available Federal agencies might enter into -3- cooperative agreements under which authorized projects might be undertaken and constructed accordingly. Accordingly, a state set-up was perfected thru the Soil Conservation Act of March 30, 1937. And in accordance with said act, all haste possible was made to affect a soil conservation District in each the Moapa and Virgin Valleys. VIII. GOALS t 1. In accordance and in conformity with such Act of March 30, 1957 the Soil Conservation Service proceed with the organization and perfection of Soil Conservation districts in each the Moapa and Virgin Valleys. Thru such districts, carry on all work possible that will come within legal limits of all cooperating agencies that may become involved. In so far as possible proceed with following objectives: (1). Virgin Valley - Securing ways and means of providing: a. Permanent diversion dams and intakes at each the Bunkerville and Mesquite Irrigation canal heads. b. Adequate protection of canal heads at each the Bunkerville and Mesquite canals. c. River bank erosion-Flood Control each each the Bunkerville and Mesquite sides. d. Side-hill flood control for the Bunkerville townsite. e. Secure cooperation of such agencies as might be able to contribute toward up stream watershed, (Arizona and Utah) water storage of such character that will serve the dual purpose of flood control and water supply adequate to needs of communities concerned. (2). Moapa Valley - Secure ways and means of completing present projects now under way: a. Wells Siding - Bowman Dam project. b. Drops excavations, and revegetation of Moapa Valley Flood Channel. c. Completion of the Meadow Valley Wash Project No. 1) and, provide for d. Controls for side hill wash floods in most seriously needed areas upper and lower Moapa Valleys. e. Secure cooperation of Lincoln County for a complete survey of the entire Meadow Valley -3- Wash watershed, the object of which would be to culminate in a watershed-wide construction program of Soil Conservation, erosion, flood oontrol, re-vegetation, thereby providing reinforced water storage, erosion-flood control for the Moapa Area. 2. Determine feasibility of organizing a Soil Conservation District in the Las Vegas Valley. 3. Secure cooperation of the State Soil Conservation Committee in preparation and formal presentation of Program of Work. Plans to the Soil Conservation Service Washington, D. C. for approval of projects applied for. 4. Provide for memoranda of understanding with such agencies thru whom the necessary financing and construction work of approved projects might be effected. IX. DUTIES OF COOPERATING.AGENCIES: County Agent 1. Assist local supervisors in district organization and program procedure. 2. In cooperation with local Soil Conservation District Supervisors the State Coordinator assist said Districts to enter into agreements with Federal and local agencies for performance of given work in line with approved programs, 3. Assist District Supervisors in follow-up procedure in securing cooperating agencies to affect desired Construction work in accordance with adopted and approved projects. 4. Institute some means of adequate publicity regarding progress of procedure and results. Local District Supervisors. 1. Will become familiarized with District organization and procedure in cooperation with Extension Agent and State coordinator and the Extension Soil Conservationist. 2. Will take the initiative in securing the necessary cooperators thru whom: (1) To proceed with action programs. (2) Will likewise assist in securing cooperation of local cooperating agencies in construction of projects approved. -4- (3) Will provide ways and means of securing active cooperation in securing appropriations with which to carry out necessary work of approved projects. Cooperators: 1. Win attend such meetings as may be called by District organization for purpose vital to progress of projects approved. 2. Will provide such financial or material costs and labor as might be required by cooperating supervising Federal,State, or other agency thru whom approved projects might proceed with construction. Cooperating Agency: 1. Will investigate any proposed work that may be presented for construction. According to feasibility, legality, and utility, construction works may proceed at such time as all cooperating agencies directly concerned might agree. X. PROCEDURE! WHEN WHAT WHO Jan.-Feb.-Mar. 1. Perfect organization Districts in each Moapa Extension Agent and Virgin Valleys. 2. Secure completed program of work plans for servationist adoption and approval by State and Federal State Coordinator agencies at earliest possible dates. District Supervisors 3. Secure cooperation of Meadow Valley Soil of all Districts Conservation Districts in coordinated program concerned. of Flood Control for the entire Meadow Valley Wash watershed area in each Clark and Lincoln County. 4. Likewise secure a coordinated program of fl od control for the entire Virgin River watershed area. April, May, June 1. Follow approval of adopted programs of work Extension Agent proceed with selection of agency or agencies thru Extension Conservations whom work shall proceed. State Coordinator 2. Enter into memoranda of understandings which District Supervisors will provide for all necessary items to enable Cooperating Agencies, proceeding with surveys, and construction programs accordingly. WHEN WHAT WHO June, July 1. Complete all details in readiness for Extension Agent August securing necessary CCC Camp organisations with Extension Conservationist finances with which to proceed with action pro- State Coordinator grams. District Supervisors 2. If necessary secure cooperation of Nevada's Cooperating Agencies Congressional Delegation. Sept.-Oct. Folloi&-up program of approved projects to All cooperating adequately meet needs of cooperators concerned, agencies. Date_ Date Director of Nevada Extension County Extension Agent