Water customers were told they could use all the water they wanted. "All it would cost," said Carrollton Mayor John Robinson, "was what they paid the month before we started the open spigot policy."

The secret is the extra municipal and industrial water supply stored in Lake Tallapoosa, one of the 14-flood-retarding lakes in the Little Tallapoosa River watershed project.

"At a time when everybody else is burning up, we can offer our people all the water they want because we have it stored in our watershed lake," Mr. Robinson said.

"I want everyone to know," he continued, "that this watershed project is the greatest thing that has happened to Carrolton to create jobs and attract industry. The men in SCS deserve all the credit in the world for helping us with this project."

Another cumulative benefit accruing to Carrollton, according to Mayor Robinson, is the increasing water revenue. "This now enables us to finance the extra utility services necessitated by the expanded industrial growth and housing developments."

"There is no doubt about it," Mr. Robinson said; "the extra water we have now because of the Little Tallapoosa watershed project is the vital key in assuring the future development of this area."

The Mayor of the city of Carrollton reported, "The Little Tallapoosa watershed project is the finest thing that has happened to our city and county in a long time. We were faced with the necessity of building a new sewage treatment plant. But we were able to construct an oxidation pond in an area of bottom land near Carrollton which is now protected because of the watershed improvements upstream. This alone saved us more than $100,000.

"A private consulting firm employed by the city has estimated that the recreational value alone from structure 36 (near Carrollton) will be about $10,000 a year, although no additional water storage was included for recreation.

"Carrollton's share of the cost of the project was ess than $200,000. In the light of benefits that have and will continue to accrue, it would have been cheap at several times that figure."

In 1931, Carrollton was saved thousands of dollars in repair bills to its water plant because of the then incompleted project, according to the Mayor. In 1948, a 101⁄2-inch rainfall occurred and, despite the use of sand bags, floodwater from the Little Tallapoosa got into the city water supply. The flood covered 6,100 acres, washed out 19 bridges, and did extensive amage to land, crops, and improvements.

The Vice-President of Southwire Company, Carrollton, stated that the plant expanded in 1964, doubling its use of water and increasing the number of people employed. The plant now employs more than 800 people, with an annual payroll of $4 million. A further expansion, which will more than double present operations, is being planned.

Trent Tube Company, Carrollton, is now building a plant that will employ 400 people. Its only source of water will be the new watershed reservoir. It also plans to make further expansions as adequate water is ensured.

The Douglas-Lomason Corporation reported that the company's Board of Directors agreed to build a plant at Carrollton only after the new water supply was assured. The plant is under construction, and 800 people are already employed.

Waianae Nui and Waianae Iki

HAWAII

These adjacent watersheds are located on the leeward side of the Island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Archipelago and occupy a land area of 30,760 acres. This tropical area, with its vast sand beaches, is populated with one of the largest low-income groups in Hawaii. It contains a sizable community of native Hawaiians living on homestead lands administered by the state.

The population of the Waianae district has increased from 16,452 in 1960 to 23.842 in 1970. This is a 45 percent increase in population in ten years in an economically depressed area.

The Waianae Nui watershed project was the first major community-inspired project in the area. Approved for installation in late 1960, the project has provided stimulus for a momentum of community redevelopment.

Redevelopment projects in downtown Honolulu brought relocated low-income families to the region. This has compounded social problems. Protection provided by the Waianae Nui watershed project has helped give low-income families the

The Hawaii Houisng Authority has purchased 20 homes built on land formerly undevelopable because of flooding and drainage problems. The developer was able to embark on a low-cost housing development soon after the Maili channel improvement was completed in 1967.

A joint state-city program for development of a planned community consisting of 500 new homes, a government services center, a shopping center and recreation facilities near the Waianae Iki channel improvement was recently announced. Public and private agencies have initiated other development programs since the start of construction of both watershed projects. A sewage treatment plant designed to serve the existing and projected population has been completed.

Interstate Highway H-1 is under construction, and will put newly constructed beach parks of the Waianae area within 25 minutes of downtown Honolulu. Newly constructed schools in the area include Waianae Elementary, Maili Elementary and Waianae Intermediate. Construction is underway on a new Nanakuli High School. The Nanakuli-Maili area is one of the two active Model-City program areas in the state of Hawaii.

The watershed projects have also stimulated private investments in the area. Now that flooding has been eliminated, Joe Dwight, Sr., has been able to realize his dream of developing an attractive housing area along the Ulehawa Stream. Fifty-two homes have been built and sold at $17,000 and up. Prospects for further development are bright.

A local school teacher and long-time resident stated, "These projects have provided the people with a new hope for the future and an intense pride in the redevelopment of their community."

Through community efforts, the entire beach front is presently undergoing improvement. Much of the debris and shrubbery which accumulated over the years is being cleared out. The Community Action Program, employing underprivileged young people, has made great headway in further beautifying the community. The overall beauty of the area also has been greatly improved by eliminating weed- and rubbish-choked channels. A sense of community pride is growing. George Zane, chief of the State Sanitation Division, stated that the Ulehawa channels have eliminated a health hazard caused by the frequent flooding of the Nanakuli area. Before the channels were installed, floods formed large pools of standing water which remained stagnant for two weeks or more. The pooled areas were perfect breeding places for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying organisms. The standing water also made cesspools inaccessible for pumping. Raw sewage seeped upward through the ground producing noxious odors and posing a serious health hazard. "This condition," Mr. Zane noted, "no longer exists."

The Ulehawa channel project, completed in April 1965, has provided residents of Nanakuli with protection from five storms. The storms would have caused an estimated total damage of $750,000.

Instead of looking forward to human misery because of floods, the people of the area are confident of the protection provided by the channel projects.

Cedar Creek

IDAHO

Cedar Creek is a small watershed in South Central Idaho that, typical to the West, receives most of its precipitation in the form of winter snows. With irrigated agriculture depending on stored water in Cedar Creek Reservoir for existence, the area had long been plagued by problems of poor water supply and delivery. From the damsite down to the irrigated plateau, the creek stretches between vertical rock cliffs as it carves a deep canyon toward the Snake River Plain. An old fume constructed many years ago contoured the water out of the canyon and onto the plateau above. To compound the problems of poor water control, this leaky flume would often be broken by a falling rock from the cliffs, leaving the area with no water at all during peak irrigation seasonss.

A new diversion dam and a 54-inch pipeline replaced the old flume, making certain that all the water taken from Cedar Creek reached the irrigation area. There a regulating reservoir allowed a large enough supply to be held so that each farm and ranch had the benefit of better water control. In addition to the irrigation benefits, the regulating reservoir is widely used for picnicking, swimming, and other recreation. Waterfowl and upland game birds find hundreds of acres of new habitat within reach of the water.

Other improvements continually show up on the irrigated area. Improved roads, improved homes, improved land treatment and other new aspects of beautification are seen annually. Twin Falls bankers testify that the stability of the irrigated agriculture of the area shows up in downtown business and bank deposits. Lawrence Heil, President of the Cedar Mesa Reservoir and Canal Company, expresses the feeling of most people in the area when he says, "If we had to go back to using the old system, I would sell my ranch and pull out."

Fourth of July Creek

The project was completed in 1966 to reduce flood damages in a 17.000 acre watershed. Seven farms have benefited with improved removal of spring floodwater. This was accomplished by strengthening a dike separating Fourth of July Creek from the Coeur d'Alene River and installing a pumping plant to lift creek waters into the river at high water. Because of the improved agriculture in the Fourth of July Creek bottoms, the project has had an unexpected benefit to wildlife habitat in the area. After farmers harvest 100-bushel oats in the fall, the fields turn to a lake as early spring runoff begins. During the 3-4 week period that it takes the pumps to drain the surface water into the Coeur d'Alene River, thousands of ducks, geese, swans and other waterfowl utilize the lake as a feeding ground. With an ample feed supply caused by spilled grain, the gaggle of feeding waterfowl can be heard throughout the watershed for a period in the spring when other food supplies for the migrant birds are in short supply.

Big Blue Creek

ILLINOIS

Big Blue watershed project in Pike County supplies water to the city of Pittsfield. It also provides flood control to farmland downstream.

The 250-acre Lake Pittsfield provides an adequate water supply. Since its formation, the following progress has been made in the city of Pittsfield (Population 4,100) and in developing the watershed project for recreation:

1. The Greater Pike Industrial Association was formed to try to secure new industries. The members purchased 132 acres north of town and are developing it into an industrial park. The Association raised the money for the purchase price, $47,000, by contributions from groups and individuals and by issuing stock in the Association. Two plants are now considering Pittsfield as a place to locate.

2. Because of an adequate water supply from the lake, it was possible to build an oxidation basin for handling sewage in the south part of town. The basin cost $200,000. Two housing developments have been completed and two more started. 3. Because of an adequate water supply, Assembly Homes Incorporated chose Pittsfield over some other towns for building a $500,000 nursing home. The Development Association in Pittsfield purchased the land for $10,000.

4. Public recreational facilities are being developed at the lake site. This too, is a community undertaking. It now includes seven separate picnicking areas with tables, grills, and access to fishing; a gravel boat ramp; a boat dock; two campgrounds; and a playground park. All these facilities are offered to the public free of charge. Recreation plans for the future include a $30,000 concrete boat ramp with access roads and parking lot.

A nine-hole golf course is planned on the east side of the lake. Keep in mind that recreation was not a purpose in the watershed work plan but these developments are made possible by the watershed project.

The 40-acre lake which was the city water supply, prior to construction of the watershed reservoir, was sold to a private concern, which has developed it into an excellent and well known recreation center. This operation employs about 25 people during the vacation season and brings in the thousands of dollars to the community in the form of sales and services to the patrons of the recreation development.

A new low-rent old-age housing project is now under construction in Pittsfield. It will contain about 70 units. Without an adequate water supply it is doubtful if this project could have been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

5. During October of 1969 between eight and nine inches of rain fell on the watershed one weekend. Although other creeks in the area were flooded and caused considerable damage, Blue Creek was never out of its banks and caused no damage. Downstream landowners are convinced of the effectiveness of floodwater-retarding structures.

6. A local banker and former councilman, who has had more to do with initiating the project than any other individual, has this to say, "The psychological effect of an adequate water supply on the whole business community has been tremendous. Since the formation of the 250-acre lake with an adequate water supply, the attitude of the businessmen is entirely different."

Old Tom Creek

When structure 30 was constructed in the Old Tom Creek watershed, it replaced a bridge on a county township road. The county and township contributed to the cost of construction and also agreed to maintain the fill.

Soon after the completed fill was turned over to the owner on whose land it was constructed, the Prime Beef Chapter of the Isaac Walton League in Monmouth, Illinois, worked out an agreement to lease the east side of the lake comprising about 20 acres of land and 15 acres of water. This was leased for $500 per year.

The League members were interested since there is no recreation available within a 20-mile radius. The land has grown up in brush and large trees and required a tremendous amount of work to put in shape. The local members of the League contributed this labor, so that now the entire area is a beautiful park.

To secure money for clearing and developing, the membership was enlarged so that today it consists of 509 families paying an initial $10.00 initiation fee and $20.00 dues per year per family. This money was and is used for development and maintenance.

The use of the park and facilities is limited to the 509 families, who are members, or about 1,806 people considering 3.5 people per family.

There are some exceptions, however. Other groups such as Boy Scouts and church groups may use the area with clearance from the officers. Any organization with adult supervision is welcome.

The facilities consist of about 20 outdoor fireplaces, a shelter house about 38 feet by 60 feet; 2 bath houses with showers; electricity with numerous outlets: a deep well; a large sandy beach with float and diving tower; two cook shacks, four modern rest rooms, and all roads are blacktopped.

The lake has been stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish so that now excellent fishing is available.

This area is providing fishing, camping, boating, swimming, and ice skating. Many of the families spend their vacation here and the Boy Scouts camp frequently.

The following is the estimated man days used in a year. Some, but very little overlapping, is included:

This is an excellent example of extra benefits from watershed work and also for recreation for a large area that was devoid of any before.

Busseron

INDIANA

This was the second year in operation for the multiple-purpose flood prevention and recreation structure which created 460 acres of water, and developed 420 acres of land for camping and picnicking. The year 1970 surpassed 1969 in visitor days by 25,954 (145,856 in 1970-119,902 in 1969), and in total receipts by $12,311.14 ($51,340.14 in 1970-$39,029 in 1969). Annual entrance passes increased from 616 to 898. There was also an increase in fishermen, boaters, campers and picnickers.

The enlarged remodeled grocery store nearest the park, the new store fronts on the city square, the boat insurance signs on the windows of insurance agencies, and most stores selling out of camping and picnicking supplies each weekend are some of the benefits not clearly seen by most.

The assessed valuation of the land acquired for the park and lake was $25,000. One of the main objections to the development was the removal of this from

the tax rolls. Just one development on 65 acres near the lake with city sewers and water has added $154,400 assessed valuation to date. This includes 43 lots sold and 15 houses constructed. There are three more under construction and more planned for next year. This is a benefit to the county that very few could or would recognize and this does not take in the development around the other parts of the lake.

Prairie Creek (Daviess County)

The 89,000 acre Prairie Creek Watershed is providing flood protection to over 11,000 acres of land which, prior to the watershed program, flooded 3-5 times annually.

The 11 flood water retarding structures, 49 miles of flood control channel, and 15 miles of levees have reduced damages to county roads and bridges because the floodwater is controlled. Several old (3-ton limit) bridges have been replaced by corrugated metal pipes. Many county roads which do not flood anymore are being blacktopped.

The multi-purpose structure at Montgomery, Indiana, known as Indian Rock Lake, has really been a tremendous benefit to the community. The 26-acre lake and 13 acre park were originally designed to include 10 campsites with electricity. This has been expanded to over 50 sites. There were 16,108 camper days used during last season in the park.

The Montgomery Ruritan Club, who financed the local share of the costs for the recreation facilities, purchased an additional 20 acres adjacent to the park this summer. The Ruritan Club plans to develop this new area for camping, parking and outdoor sports area.

Davis Battle Creek

IOWA

The Iowa State Highway Commission had tried unsuccessfully several times to stabilize the road shoulders along State Highway 37 west of Soldier. The completed grade stabilization structures in the watershed have provided a stable base for the Highway Commission to stabilize and improve the shoulders along the highway. The District Maintenance Engineer stated that the Highway Commission has been able to improve the road shoulders in the area where in the past it was impossible to do. He also stated that in several places the highway grade would have eroded out or been badly damaged without the completion of the watershed structures.

Indian Creek

Indian Creek for many years has been a problem to the of City Council Bluffs The 9,792-acre watershed lies to the north of the city flowing directly through the heart of the business district. Frequent flooding in the city has been caused by silt clogging the channel.

High intensity rain storms which covered a 22-day period in June 1967, after the structures were completed, produced 17.71 inches of rainfall. The flow in Indian Creek was never more than one-quarter full compared with overflowing in 1947. Land treatment measures consisting of 66 miles of terraces, 27 acres of grassed waterways, 60 acres of land conversion from cropland to permanent pasture, and construction of three grade stabilization and detention structures have prevented silt from clogging the channel and thus alleviated flooding. A fourth structure, replacing a bridge that had been replaced several times, has been constructed which permitted the County to straighten the road as well as provide flood prevention benefits.

The four impoundments have been stocked with fish. They provide recreation such as hunting, fishing, picnicking, and some swimming to residents of the area. Many species of waterfowl have been noticed visiting these ponds, including ducks, geese, and on at least one occasion, a flock of pelicans. One owner has beautified the area around the conservation pool by planting trees and shrubs. He keeps it mowed clean, adding to the beauty of the farmstead as well as the countryside.

Pony Creek

The Nishnabotna Girl Scout Council of Southwest Iowa has purchased a 280acre site which includes a 22-acre lake formed by a Pony Creek watershed structure in Mills County. The Nishnabotna Council serves 3.738 girls and expects an enrollment of 5,000 in the next 10 years. The name of the camp will be Camp Neyati (English translation "By the Lake"). The activities at the