this basic network was not sufficiently dense in all regions to provide suitab records of streamflow for use in planning, design, and operation of specific rive improvement projects for which the Department of the Army is respons: funds have been transferred to the Geological Survey in recent years to e in part the cost of installing and operating specific stream-gaging stations Le sary for such purposes. To continue the operation of these stations that are special importance to the Corps of Engineers in connection with authorizer activities, a total of $1,339,000 would be required by the Geological Survey da ing fiscal year 1957, exclusive of funds received by that agency from other s operative sources. This total amount includes funds to be transferred by the Department of the Army to the Geological Survey, as well as funds appropriats. directly to the Survey expressly for use in operation of stream-gaging statis required by the Corps of Engineers. Of the total of $1,339,000, the amount of $285,000 is being included in t budget estimates for fiscal year 1957 submitted by the Geological Survey ! expenditure on the stream-gaging program required by the Department of t Army. The amount of $188,000 is included in the Corps of Engineers bais estimates under "Collection and study of basic data" for transfer to the Gen logical Survey. In addition to the above amounts, it is estimated that funds the amount of $866,000 will also be transferred to the Geological Survey = funds budgeted elsewhere for authorized projects and studies. Mr. KIRWAN. This is a continuing program from year to year. I there anything new or unusual in the program for 1957? Mr. HEARN. No, sir. Mr. KIRWAN. Are there any questions? PRECIPITATION STUDIES Mr. KIRWAN. Then we will go on to the item, "Precipitati studies," $244,000 requested. Page 5 will be inserted in the record (The information referred to is as follows:) GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 1957 2. Collection and study of basic data (b) Precipitation studies (Weather Bureau).-There are two separate ties funded from this item, a rain-gage program and a technical service otzit zation, in the Weather Bureau. Each of these activities is discussed in the : lowing paragraphs. The hydrologic network of precipitation stations operated by the -States Weather Bureau was established to supplement the network of me, logical stations with additional precipitation stations, particularly of the ~ tinuous recording type, so as to provide the Corps of Engineers with a dere of stations and type of record which would be adequate for present and f development of water resources. While required and fully justified for spec river-improvement projects for which the Department of the Army is re sible, the program is also partially satisfying a long-existent deficiency in ing precipitation data. These data, for which there is no substitute, are by all Federal, State, and other agencies and individuals dealing with s resources. As with all hydrologic data, the value of the records is larg pendent upon uninterrupted station operation. The hydrometeorological studies required by the Corps of Engineers 270 by the Weather Bureau. This activity includes review of the meteor aspects of the storm study program utilized by the Corps of Engineers in planning, design, and operation of water-control structures. As a restit review activity, the Weather Bureau has developed a new and unique « estimating maximum possible precipitation, in order to provide the Corre neers with basic meteorological data needed to insure the adequate d-large structures whose failure would result in disastrous loss of life and The amount of $244,000 is needed during fiscal year 1957 for transfer Weather Bureau for the above essential programs. In addition to the a an amount of $323,000 will be transferred to the Weather Bureau from elsewhere for authorized projects and studies. Mr. KIRWAN. This also is a continuing program from year to year. Is there anything unusual in the program for next year? Mr. HEARN. No, sir. FISH AND WILDLIFE STUDIES Mr. KIRWAN. Next is a request for $43,000 for fish and wildlife studies. Page 6 will be inserted. (The information referred to is as follows:) GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 1957 2. Collection and study of basic data (c) Fish and wildlife studies.-Funds in the amount of $43,000 are required for making detailed studies and reports on navigation and flood-control projects of the Corps of Engineers throughout the United States, exclusive of the Missouri River Basin, which are not yet authorized for construction. By law (act of August 14, 1946; 60 Stat. 1080), the Fish and Wildlife Service is required to determine the effects on fish and wildlife resources of waterdevelopment projects of the Corps of Engineers and other Federal agencies and private agencies under Federal license and to recommend measures for the protection of these resources. The act authorizes the transfer of funds for these investigations to the Fish and Wildlife Service from moneys appropriated to the Corps of Engineers and other Federal construction agencies for surveying, engineering, or construction, and provides that the costs of the investigations are to be treated as project costs. In its preauthorization studies of corps projects, undertaken to provide information for the benefit of the Congress when it considers the authorization of projects for construction by the Corps of Engineers, the Service determines whether the net effects will be beneficial or detrimental to fish and wildlife. If detrimental effects are anticipated, the Service report on the project recommends specific measures for preventing or reducing losses to these resources. The corps report on the same project discusses these recommendations and indicates their acceptability. Mutually acceptable damage prevention measures are then included in the project plans and the costs of these measures are included as an integral part of project costs in accordance with the provisions of the act of August 14, 1946. Recommended damage prevention measures include minimum releases from reservoirs to protect downstream fisheries; minimum pools in reservoirs to maintain reservoir fisheries, protective screening to prevent fish from entering turbine intakes and diversions; fish ladders to pass fish over dams; fish hatcheries to maintain fish runs where ladders are not feasible; selective reservoir clearing to facilitate fish and wildlife utilization; and acquisition and development of land areas to serve as compensatory wildlife habitat. In some instances, in addition to damage prevention measures, the Service also recommends, where appropriate, that certain public lands and waters, acquired for project use and deemed suitable for wildlife management purposes, be made available to State or Federal conservation agencies, subject to agreements, mutually acceptable to the Secretaries of the Army and Interior and the head of the appropriate State conservation department. The funds requested herein ($43,000) will permit the Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct detailed studies, during fiscal year 1957, of about 16 Corps of Engineers projects not yet authorized. Mr. KIRWAN. Are there any new activities intended to be initiated in 1957? Colonel WALKER. We will study some 16 projects. However, this is a continuing program. This is a Fish and Wildlife study in conjunction with our survey reports on a normal basis. There is nothing unusual in it. BEACH EROSION DEVELOPMENT STUDIES Mr. KIRWAN. The next item is "Beach erosion development studies"; $150,000 is requested. We will insert page 7 in the record. (The information referred to is as follows:) GENERAL INVESTIGATION, FISCAL YEAR 1957 3. Research and development (a) Beach erosion development studies.-The amount of $150,000 is required in fiscal year 1957 for the conduct of general beach erosion development studies as authorized and directed by existing law. The amount requested will permit continuation of the research program of the Beach Erosion Board on a minimum basis. The studies deal with physical phenomena, techniques, basic principles and remedial or control measures related to shore protection and improvement. They provide general criteria which may be applied to the sound and economic solution of shore erosion problems at specific localities. Results of these studies are published and disseminated to other Federal, State, and local agencies and individuals having need for their information. The Beach Erosion Board is the only agency in the United States devoting significant and continuing effort to the development of more effective and economic methods of shore protection and improvement. Erosion damage on the coasts of the United States is widespread and huge sums have been expended by local interests for protective measures, a large proportion of which have been ineffective or even detrimental. Existing technical knowledge of shore processes is inadequate, resulting in many past instances in construction of uneconomic remedies. The development and research program of the Beach Erosion Board will bridge these gaps in knowledge systematically. The funds requested for fiscal year 1957 are essential in order to maintain a trained technical staff and continue the vital development program on a limited and minimum orderly basis. This minimum program of $150,000 does not provide for any research contract with technical universities, as the entire sum will be required to hold the trained staff for operation of the special wave test facilities at the Board's laboratory. Mr. KIRWAN. This is the first item in this group showing some decrease being budgeted for 1957. What is the significance of the $20,000 decrease? Mr. HEARN. These are in the nature of research problems consisting of some 19 specific items to advance our understanding of various bech phenomena. We attempt to gain as much data in the way of research annually as we feel we can assimilate into our program. This is the amount we need. This has been going on a number of years, sir, but it has been used very economically in the design of our projects which come after this research. Our program from this appropriation is $20,000 less, but the request for appropriation is increased $5,000 over last years. The appropriation for fiscal year 1956 was $145,000, the balance was carryover funds from fiscal year 1955. Mr. KIRWAN. How long has the corps been engaged in the activity and what worthwhile accomplishments have been made? Colonel ALLEN. This activity has been going on in the corps since 1945, and the only installation of its type in the world is in operation here in the District, that is, at the Beach Erosion Board. Since the studies have been underway the various wave and beach phenomena have been investigated to the point where we are able to design our jetties and design our inlets to a much greater degree of efficiency than formerly existed prior to the development of this information. For example, years ago it was felt that the only way of protecting against the onslaughts of beach erosion was to construct a very expensive seawall, with very high maintenance costs involved and virtually destroying the beach in front of it. Now we have come to the point where in many cases the beaches can be held by periodic nourishment by replacing sand at a much lesser cost than constructing an expensive seawall and retaining this sand with what we call a groin field. This improved method was used in the case of the Presque Isle project which this committee queried us on some weeks ago. All in all, the entire science of beach erosion has been advanced very materially by the work this Board has done. HYDROLOGIC STUDIES Mr. RABAUT. Next is hydrologic studies. We will take up that subject now. The request is for $100,000. We will insert pages 8 and 9 in the record. (The information referred to is as follows:) GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 1957 3. Research and development (b) Hydrologic studies.-General: The hydrologic studies included under this item are essential basic activities which provide a background of information and experience which is subsequently drawn upon in the optimum design, construction, and operation of water-control structures. These basic studies are conducted by field offices of the Corps of Engineers and are included in this item only because they are not clearly chargeable to authorized projects or reports. A discussion of each of the studies is presented below: (1) Storm studies: An investigation of major storms is conducted by the Corps of Engineers for the purpose of accumulating comprehensive data for the most important past and current storms. Basic precipitation data from all sources are compiled and analyzed to determine critical depth-area-duration relationships for the storms as they actually occurred. These data are necessary to the proper planning, design, and operation of water-control structures. (2) General hydrologic studies: These studies are essential to the development of criteria on which to base the design and operation of flood-control projects. The criteria derived from these studies are required in determining economic justifications, capacity of flood-control works, required provisions for security against failure of the project during extreme flood emergencies, proper design for optimum performance, economy of construction, and proper operating procedures after completion of construction. The studies include analysis of the relations between rainfall and resulting runoff, snow studies, flood forecasting, analyses of past floods, infiltration indices, unit hydrographs, development of flood hydrographs, and other studies of related hydrologic nature. (3) Sedimentation studies: These studies, such as the collection of suspended and bed-load data, data on degradation, aggradation, and delta formations, investigations of sediment transportation characteristics of natural streams and laboratory studies, are necessary to provide general knowledge and background data on which to base the planning, design, and operation of water-control structures. One of the major efforts under this item is a cooperative interagency investigation on methods used in measurement and analysis of sediment loads in streams. This project is conducted at the St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory and is sponsored by the Subcommittee on Sedimentation, Interagency Committee on Water Resources. (4) Corps of Engineers streamflow and rainfall data: In addition to the cooperative items (2a and 2b) above, the Corps of Engineers independently operates certain stream gaging and rainfall stations that are not included in the programs carried on in cooperation with the Geological Survey and the Weather Bureau. Those noncooperative general-coverage stations, which are not assignable to any specific project or report, are usually required in con nection with some special study or purpose. Due to the special nature of the stations and the fact that they are operated for a limited time only, their inclusion in the cooperative programs is impracticable. (5) International water studies: The United States is obligated by international agreement to actively participate in a number of control boards to allocate and control international streams and watersheds which mutually affect the United States and the bordering nations. Members of the Corps of Engineers are appointed to represent the United States on the following international boards of control: Niagara, Massena, Lake Superior, Lake Champlain, Prairie Portage, Lake of the Woods, St. Croix River, Kootenay Lake, Osoyoos Lake, and the Columbia River Engineering Committee. Funds are required to finance the Corps of Engineers' share of participation on these international boards. The amount of $100,000 is needed during fiscal year 1957 in order that the field offices of the Corps of Engineers may carry out the essential and basic activities described above. Mr. RABAUT. This is another program which has been going on for some time. Is there anything out of the ordinary planned for next year? Mr. HEARN. No, sir. This follows the general pattern of these studies. Mr. RABAUT. Nothing new? Mr. HEARN. No, sir. CIVIL-WORKS INVESTIGATIONS Mr. RABAUT. We will take up the civil-works investigations for which $1,250,000 is requested. Insert pages 10, 11, and 12 in the record. (The information referred to is as follows:) GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 1957 3. Research and development (c) Civil Works Investigations.-The amount of $1,250,000 is requested for fiscal year 1957 to continue engineering investigations designed to assist in the solution of unsolved or incompletely solved problems associated wtih design, construction, and operation and maintenance of civil-works projects. The investigations are grouped into the six broad engineering fields indicated below for which funds are needed in the amounts shown in the following table: The remaining $105,000 is needed for operation of the research center at the Waterways Experiment Station ($100,000) and for coordination of the Civil Works Investigations program by Waterways Experiment Station ($5,000). In the fiscal year 1957, the funds will be applied to 66 individual investigations divided among the 6 fields of engineering as follows: |