One of the largest industries to be attracted by abundant water and other advantages is a poultry-proccessing plant currently scheduled for construction. It will initially employ 225 people, with plans to eventually employ 450.

Another index of the town's growth is the Lincoln School District tax assessment. In 1963, it was $2,405,634. Now, it is $3,021,276. The new families have created a need for more school facilities and a $70,000 expansion of the school is underway.

Prairie Grove took a lesson from Lincoln and petitioned watershed sponsors to amend the plan and add municipal water supply to one of the dams near their town before their own water supply became critical. The town agreed to pay their share of the cost to insure future water needs, and construction of the multiple-purpose reservoir which has been completed.

John I. Smith of Fayetteville's First National Bank said, "The expanding benefits of this project are difficult to assess accurately, but we feel they will far exceed early estimates. The improved soil, reduced floods, and abundant water supplies plus the new investor confidence that has brought in new industries, jobs, and payrolls all add up to success for the Muddy Fork of Illinois River watershed project."

Escondido Creek

CALIFORNIA

This project is located in the city of Escondido, San Diego County. Improvements include 7 miles of concrete-lined channel and one 3,200 acre-feet multiplepurpose dam. Approximately 5 miles of the channel and Dixon Dam have been completed to date. The project also has a watershed land treatment program consisting of fire protection measures on the brushland and erosion control practices on the farmland. Construction on this land treatment program was started this past year.

Work plan projections estimated that the flood plain of Escondido and Reidy Creeks would be completely urbanized in 40 years. The influx of people and industry to the area has far exceeded this estimate. The area protected by the completed channel has almost completely developed in the 10 years since the work plan was prepared, and additional construction has been authorized or started adjacent to the remaining channel units in anticipation of their completion at an early date.

Statistics show building construction for the past 2 years in excess of $50 million, providing jobs for hundreds of people both in the construction trades and in staffing the businesses and industries created. Mobile-home parks, apartment houses, and tracts have also been built to house the population increase.

During the years, since the completion of the first channel phases of construction, damages in excess of $5 million resulting from ensuing winters' storms were averted. As construction of the channel continues, even greater damages will be prevented by the control of the flood waters.

Realignment of the channel through land owned by the city has provided room for additional recreational facilities, and a new City Hall and Civic Auditorium which are scheduled for construction in the near future.

For many years the people of Escondido have lived with knowledge that the floods of the past would occur again, and that the small clean-up and damage repair that occurred each winter was a mere trifle to what could happen as the flood plain urbanized. Perhaps the biggest benefit of all then is knowing that if the flood comes, the people can watch it roll through town on concrete, they can use their streets all winter, and generally proceed with business as usual. Napa River

Three projects have been completed in the Napa River watershed under Public Law 566.

The Tulucay Creek project constructed in the southeast section of the city of Napa has about 3 miles of channel improvement. Since the completion of this project, six new businesses and firms employing about 40 people have been established. Several new homes have been constructed in the area that once flooded to a depth of a foot or more.

The Conn Creek project was constructed near the town of Oakville. This project protects primarily agriculture land planted to premium wine grapes. Since the completion of the project no overflow from Conn Creek has occurred. The reduction of overflow from stream channels is becoming more important with the planting of premium wine grapes. Infestation of Bermuda grass, Johnson grass,

Oak root fungus, nematodes, etc., into these plantings are requiring a control cost program of $750 to $1,500 per acre. New planted certified root stock vineyard with irrigation and frost protection, fumigated and drainage improvement is being valued at $5,000 to $7,500 per acre. Prior pasture or hayland was less than half this value.

Tree planting to replace riparian trees along the stream for a wildlife habitat was part of this project. Excellent cover now provides habitat for game animals. The opening and widening of the channel has changed it from a jungle to an excellent hunting area.

Marsh-Kellogg

From the start of construction in 1960 until completion of the twelfth contract in 1970 there have been many planned and some unexpected benefits resulting from the installed works of improvement. Several thousand acres of farming land have been saved from flooding many times during this period. The cropping of much of this land has changed from low value field crops to relatively high value vegetable crops as the flood threat was eliminated.

There are two towns of approximately 4,000 people in this area that are no longer subject to flooding from channel overflow of Marsh Creek. Since elimination of the flooding hazard substantial urban development has occurred in and around these towns. An existing mobile home park has been enlarged and two new mobile home parks have been built. Approximately 150 new homes, a shopping center, bank, several service stations, motel, expanded school facilities, and a senior citizen low income housing complex have been constructed. Construction of these new service facilities have necessarily resulted in additional jobs being created within the community.

Some unplanned benefits have resulted from the construction of these works of improvement. The sponsors of the project and the County Superintendent of Schools have entered into an agreement to use the permanent pool area of the Marsh Creek Dam as an outdoor education classroom combining marine, wildlife, and conservation projects. The local high school Future Farmers of America class will have the responsibility for conservation management of this area. Also, wildlife habitat along the improved stream banks has increased recreational use through hunting by providing protected nesting places for game birds within the intensely cultivated farming areas.

Ulatis Creek

The Ulatis Creek watershed project is 85 percent complete with the construetion of 2.3 miles of improved channel this year. Structural measures now include the improvement of 46 miles of floodwater channels, drop and grade stabilization structures and inlet structures to convey local runoff into the channels. The watershed consists of approximately 96,800 acres.

Rainfall during the winter of 1969-70 was normal. Storm intensity and runoff was light and well below the 10 percent event. However, mild temperatures in January melted the snow pack in the Sierras and the resultant flood flows in the Delta coupled with high tides produced flooding conditions in the lower reaches of the watershed. Average annual benefits of approximately $30,000 were realized in this lower unit of the watershed which is protected by 4.1 miles of levee.

In addition, local youth groups from Vacaville, which is located within the watershed, have planted approximately 1,500 plants for wildlife habitat improvement along completed units of channel improvement.

Adobe Creek

This project is located in Lake County, and was completed June 30, 1968. The principal problems were floodwater and sediment damage to high value orchard land and homes in the Big Valley area.

Structural measures include two floodwater-retarding structures. One has 965 acre feet of water for fish and wildlife, 5 miles of stream channel improvement and streambank stabilization. More than 87 percent of all land treatment measures have been applied. Conservation treatment is complete on 18,701 acres in the watershed. The access roads needed for fire protection on the watershed are complete.

Recreational benefits which would not have been possible without the project, were an unexpected development following completion of this PL-566 project. The California Wildlife Conservation Board, in cooperation with the Lake County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, have completed a fishing and

hunting access development for Highland Springs Dam; including paved asphalt roads, parking areas, electricity, picnic tables, rest room facilities, drinking water, and a fishing float. The 1969 estimate was 19,000 man-days of use. The "Sea Bats", a group of scuba divers, hold regular meeting and training sessions at the lake, so even the lake bottom is receiving multiple use. Public access to over 3,000 acres of federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management has been improved.

Rainfall during the winters of 1968-69 and 1969-70 were about 30 percent above normal. In fact, Lake County was declared a disaster area in 1970 due to the heavy prolonged periods of rainfall. Adobe Creek below the dams ran from 50 to 90 percent of capacity for a 5-day period in December 1969, a 9-day period in January 1970, but no downstream damage was suffered. As Leroy Thomas, a pear and walnut grower on Adobe Creek puts it, "The residents along Adobe Creek no longer sleep with one eye open during periods of heavy rainfall.”

Big Sandy

COLORADO

The Big Sandy watershed project has not suffered any serious floods since 1965. The following information has been provided by the Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Division relative to recreation use of the multiple-purpose Ramah Reservoir in the Big Sandy watershed project: The total use in terms of visitordays amounted to 31,000 valued at $1.50 per day. In terms of economic impact, examples of use are as follows which is not all inclusive: Fishing, 20,535 days; boaters, 2,243 days; campers, 1,761 days; skiers, 272 days; swimmers, 175 days; and picnickers, 89 days.

Home Supply

One of the principal features of this project is an irrigation water reservoir with a storage capacity of 5,200 acre feet.

A separate cooperative agreement between the sponsors and the State Game, Fish and Parks Division provided for stocking of game fish, public fishing, and boating. The State agency is also providing facilities for picnicking, parking, sanitation, and boat docking at the site. Present investments for these purposes by the State amount to $16,576.

Since stocking the reservoir with trout, 30,000 fishermen have used the recreation facilities. Based on the $2 per fisherman-day used as a value by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, the facility has already provided recreation usage valued at $60,000.

The Lon Hagler reservoir containing 5,200 acre feet of irrigation storage has provided a full capacity supply of water for irrigation during 1969. The going local sale price of storage water is $5 to $6 per acre foot. The benefits for 1969 based on water sale price of $5 per acre foot are $26,000. Increased crop production from the water supply adds to the water supply benefits.

Many other structural features of the project which are completed, as well as applied land treatment measures, would add materially to annual benefits received.

Furnace Brook

CONNECTICUT

The Post Office occupies the ground floor of a new building at the edge of the channel with truck loading in the basement. This would not have been possible prior to the watershed project.

A garage on Furnace Avenue that was badly flooded has been purchased by the mill across the street to be used as their main shipping and receiving building. Rayteck Equipment Company is housed in a building that was badly flooded. Rayteck produces lighting equipment.

The Board of Selectmen was advised by the consultants designing a new sewage treatment plant that several thousand dollars will be saved as a result of the project because sewage tanks can be placed at a lower elevation.

The town has been able to obtain a $5 million liability insurance policy which includes flood damage for the low risk preminum rate.

The Stafford Printers has expanded its operation and plans another expansion. Previous to the project three insurance companies had refused them flood damage insurance.

Several miles of railroad bed and tracks are now protected from flood damage.

A commercial recreational development, Sun Valley, is located directly below one of the flood retarding dams. The development consists of one large pond and several smaller ponds offering facilities for swimming, boating, and fishing; trails for skimobiles, trailer sites, picnic areas, and a barn for square dancing.

DELAWARE

Bear Hole

Bear Hole project reduced potential flood damages to crops from $25,000 to only $2,000 during a 13-inch rainfall in July 1959. Improved drainage has permitted additional hard surfacing of roads in the watershed. Land values have increased as much as 70 to 75 percent in the area.

Upper Nanticoke River

The Upper Nanticoke River project is beginning to show the benefits predicted. The project consists of stream channel improvements designed to serve agricultural land. Channel construction reached the first cropland during one of Delaware's worst droughts. Twelve farmers in the watershed took advantage of the dry seasons to build farm ditches emptying into the new outlet. Property values rose. Several landowners added to their farmland holdings.

The project was conceived primarily in terms of cropland benefits from drainage and flood prevention through channel improvement. The recent drought years have produced few benefits from cropland protection. However, unexpected benefits have been recorded. These include such items as

(1) Roads previously considered not worth paving due to poor underdrainage were surfaced.

(2) Storm sewers in three rural communities were installed or improved. (3) A recent forest fire was brought under control at the clearing provided by the channel, berm, and spoil.

(4) Channel construction roads have been used for timber harvest in previously inaccessible areas.

(5) Construction roads improved wildlife habitat. Increased use of the roads by hunters was evident.

(6) The general appearance of one area of the project has been changed so much that one leader commented, "The project has completely reversed the downward trend of the area and has provided the foundation and encouragement to improve and beautify the community."

North St. Lucie River

FLORIDA

In the period of May 18 through June 30, 1968, a total of 40 inches of rain fell on the watershed. Areas outside the project were inundated 50 percent of this period. Tropical storm "Abby" dumped 6 to 8 inches of water on this saturated watershed.

Rainfall of this intensity and duration would have flooded 8,000 acres of citrus for a period 3 to 5 days had not the project been completed. Local estimates are that losses would have been $300-$400 per acre. The damage to the citrus trees lasts for at least 2 years. At this rate $21⁄2 to $3 million damages were prevented by the project.

During the storm period, the project pump station operated 7 hours straight to prevent flooding in its drainage area. This 100,000 gallon per minute pump station operated a total of 100 hours during this 6-week period. (The pump station is in addition to gravity drainage by channels.)

This channel-type project stood out in the spring of 1967 drought like an oasis. All structures were holding full heads of water at the end of the drought. Landowners used and managed the available water wisely.

Six thousand acres of citrus were benefited above structure 2 and 7.000 acres above structure 3. A total of 22 stationary pumps and numerous portable pumps pumped irrigation water from the storage pools and above these structures. Areas beyond the boundaries of the district dried up and crops were ruined. The water table was maintained at a satisfactory level in the district and the trees were able to hold their fruit.

Taylor Creek

In a 6-week period of May and June, this watershed received 20 inches of rainfall, including a hurricane. Some privately operated rain gauges recorded. up to 40 inches.

The final construction contract was 90 percent complete when the rains began. In spite of this the project works prevented flooding of pasture and citrus lands. Aerial observations revealed extensive flooding outside the watershed. It is estimated that flooding was prevented on 15,000 acres of pasture and 300 acres of citrus. At the damage rate of $20 per acre of pasture and $300 per acre of citrus, a total damage of $390,000 was averted.

Sarasota West Coast

Water control structures hold water in 11 miles of completed channels which were stocked with fish when constructed. These channels held water throughout the 1967 spring drought, which was the worst in 25 years. All natural channels and ponds in the watershed dried up. The project channels will restock the remainder of the watershed with fish. Contrary to many theories, these 11 miles of channel have provided excellent fishing during the past years.

Bull Creek

GEORGIA

Eleven floodwater-retarding structures, improved channels including concrete and rock-lined channels, and appropriate land treatment measures comprise the main elements of the Bull Creek watershed in Harris and Muscogee Counties. The project, now nearing completion, protects 1300 acres of agricultural land with an estimated benefit of $6,000 annually.

In addition, it provides 100-year flood protection to more than 1300 acres of urban land in Columbus, a city of more than 125,000 producing an estimated annual benefit of $286,000.

The Muscogee County government has been unusually active and farsighted in this project. They acquired over 1,000 acres of land for ten of the eleven structures at a cost of $1,559,148. Each of the ten lake sites is being developed into a county park with rest rooms, picnic tables, and shelters with an expected 4 million dollars annual benefit from recreational use. These benefits were unexpected and were not used to justify the project at its inception.

One floodwater-retarding dam is on the Fort Benning Military Reservation and provides recreational facilities to thousands of military personnel and their families.

Women's organizations are cooperating with project sponsors to beautify parks around the structures, making these areas more attractive to park users. This opportunity for the women's groups to participate, while unexpected at the outset, has added considerable impetus to the watershed project.

The installation of three flood-retarding reservoirs on the Lindsey Creek tributary saved the county government an estimated $360,000. This was the amount necessary to replace a single culvert under an airport runway with larger twin culverts. The installed structures now control runoff to an amount that is well within the capacity of the present culvert under the runway.

On March 3, 1966, a 6-inch rain in 8 hours fell on the Lindsey Creek portion of the watershed. At this time three flood-retarding structures and part of the concrete-lined and rock-lined channel were already installed. Althought a portion of the concrete-lined channel was still to be installed, flood damage was estimated at only $200-$300.

Damage on Weracoba Creek, adjacent to but outside the Bull Creek watershed, to urban property was estimated at more than $100,000.

Little Tallapoosa

Benefits continue to accrue to both rural and urban people in the Little Tallapoosa River watershed.

The Mayor of Villa Rica reports, "Six new industries employing approximately 450 people, have opened plants in Villa Rica, Georgia. Since the Little Tallapoosa River watershed project started, the city has completed plans to run a 10-inch water main through a 140-acre tract of the land which has been reserved for industrial development. One of the major factors in our securing these new industries and jobs for our people is the assured future water supply."

According to a recent report of researchers from the Geogia Institute of Technology, one of the most attractive locations for new industry is the Villa Rica area. Residents of Carrollton, Georgia, turned on their spigots and let them run virtually free of charge during September 1968, at a time when severe drought still plagued much of the State.