County agent project progress report, Flood control, November 1, 1941

COUNTY AGENT PROJECT Progress Report DATED: November 1, 1941 State Office #172 Clark County #12 NAME OF PROJECT: Flood Control 1941 Activities in the Clark County' s Flood Control program concerned in overcoming the flood menace in each: 1. Las Vegas Valley by way of overcoming hazards of the summer flash storm floods. As a means of approaching the problem, the Moapa Soil Conservation District Supervisors petitioned the SCS to cover the Las Vegas Valley farms of consequence with farm plans, giving special attention to the flood menace where necessary to security of the farm concerned. Consideration was given 14 farms and ranches. By the close of the season farm plans were submitted for two of those farms. As further studies progressed, and as National Defense Program attained greater significance, the item of temporary water storage in conjunction with flood control was given consideration. 2. Moapa Valley: Arrangements similar to those of 1940 for cooperative relationships among the U. S. Forest Soil Conservation Service agencies and the Moapa Soil Conservation District carried on throughout the year 1941. The Moapa Soil Conservation District appropriated over $3,000.00 toward carrying on the program of 1940-1941; and $4,000.00 had been provided for with which to begin the 1941-1942 program, with the understanding that an additional $5,000.00 must be provided for with which to complete the proposed program of 1941-1942 consisting of two basic items considered first priority projects. (1) Improvement of the West Side Canal intake and Canal head; (2) Continued improvement of the Moapa Valley Flood Channel, beginning at Wells Siding and working downward toward Lake Mead. The CCC Camp under Forest Service Supervision with approximately 150 men moved into Wells Siding during October to begin work accordingly. (3) The improvement of the entire Lower Moapa Valley Irrigation system. As a means of financing such programs as the foregoing, preliminary approaches were made to the Disaster Loan ?2? and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. water storage and flood control at the White Narrows in cooperation with the U. S. Indian Service and the U. S. Engineers, the attention of the Case-Wheeler representative was secured through cooperation of the Nevada State Engineer A. M. Smith. Likewise, through the assistance of State Engineer Smith cooperation of the U. S. Engineers was intensified toward a solution of the flood menace of the Meadow Valley Wash at Pine and Mathews Canyons, and at Delmues Flood Control water storage site in Lincoln County. (4) Control of Side wash floods originating on the various drainage areas on the Public Domain surrounding the Moapa and Virgin Valleys. Owing to the unprecedented flash storm floods of August, 1941 with damages in the Moapa area alone amounting to approximately $36,000.00, the problems of providing reasonable measures of protection therefrom gave rise to a thorough study of the problem through cooperative efforts of all Federal, State, County, and local agencies concerned in these valleys. Through a meeting called for the purpose of discussing ways and means of securing action, a committee representing the Grazing, the Soil Conservation Service Agencies, and local residents was secured, and steps were taken through R. H. Rutledge, Director of Grazing and C. W. Creel, Director Nevada Extension, to place an engineering crew in the field to begin surveys at once. 3. Virgin Valley: The Side CCC Camp under supervision of the Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the Bunkerville members of the Virgin Soil Conservation District Supervisors began its work of bank erosion control and canal head protection in November 1940. Excellent results were secured from the $500.00 additional funds secured from the County Commissioners in addition to hold over funds from the Disaster Loan Corporation loan of the previous year with which car frames and cement were purchased. Approximately 14 miles of canal head and five miles of Virgin River Bank adjacent to the Bunkerville Community's farms were afforded additional protection through 2,810 lineal feet of car frame-cedar post "Jack-Straw" structures interlaced with 26,000 lineal feet of brush rock revetment work. Preparations for the purchase of a supply of car frames, cable and cement, in addition to securing cedar posts were underway at the close of the report period for a side CCC Camp in Bunkerville for the 1941- 1942 CCC period. Miscellaneous activities conducted in relation to this project were: (1) Attendance of the Extension Agent, or representatives of the Moapa and Virgin Soil Conservation District Supervisors or both at conferences with various local, county, state, and Federal agencies for the purpose of determining the feasibility and securing action accordingly on projects that would effectively meet flood-water storage needs. (2) Conducting a tour of local, state, and Federal agencies over the Moapa-Virgin Soil Conservation Districts to study flood control, water storage, stock watering, range, drainage, land use, and 3A activities in the County. County Extension Agent