United States. Cong. House of Representatives. Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation. A Bill for the Adoption of the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project, and for Other Purposes. Hearing, 16-17 Jan. 1928. 70th Cong, 1st sess. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1928.
Summary:
This congressional hearing explores the potential sites, costs and economic benefits of constructing reservoirs on the Columbia River and its tributaries. While the committee, prior to this hearing identified over 30 potential reservoir sites along the basin, this document emphasizes the practicality of building reservoirs at the Grand Coulee, Hungry Horse and Pend Oreille Lakes along with the Albany Falls site that connects to the Pend Oreille Lake.
The Columbia Basin Project stems from a history of poor agricultural planning in the late 1890's and a growing optimism about the economic potential of the northwest. In the early 1900's the US government gave land away to enterprising farmers willing to attempt “dry farming” in arid Eastern Washington. One of the witnesses during the hearing testifies to the failure of such agriculture ventures that forced a majority of the farmers to abandon their farms. The proposed Columbia Basin Project would provide irrigation for approximately 2 million acres of land. The dams would save destitute farmers as well as attract new farmers and business to the northwest. Creating dams along the Columbia River in Idaho, Washington and Montana would increase productivity of farms as well as add diversity to the crops farmers could cultivate. Flooded lands could produce orchard fruits as well as alfalfa and other grasses that were not possible in dry farming. In addition, the committee recognized that such construction could lead to increased business for railroads, economic stimulation for the labor industry during construction, cheap hydroelectric sources used in zinc, copper and lead mining as well as revenue generated from the power plants at the reservoirs. The experts emphasized the importance of increased food production in a growing country. The prevailing opinion was that the future growth of the Pacific Northwest was dependent on its ability to expand its farmed areas. One expert testified that it was a “crime” to let land overrun with coyotes and jack rabbits go to waste.
Much of the hearing concentrated on the costs associated with the Columbia Basin Project. Some experts said that building reservoirs at Albany Falls and Hillcrest would cost $ 120 million, while other experts disagreed and testified that neither exact costs nor acreage irrigated could be calculated without further investigation of potential reservoir sites. The hearing concluded with unanimous approval for the project pending further investigation and federally funded studies.
Critique:
The most valuable aspect of this document is its age and quality of testimonies given at the congressional hearing. This hearing gives historical context to what issues were motivating politicians, farmers, engineers and railroad executives to push for extensive damming on the Columbia River. Each testimony and comment from the congressmen is blanketed with such optimism about the need to irrigate the land for farmers and the effects it will have on American economy. It seems that the most important issue is to make the Pacific Northwest land more productive acre for acre. The best way to achieve this productivity is to build dams at all possible points on the Columbia River basin. While four sites are emphasized in this document, many participants provide anecdotes about reservoirs on other possible sites that could be developed in the future as land becomes more productive and farmers flock to the area.
While its not surprising that there is little concern for the environment in the 1920's, it was astonishing to have complete agreement for the project from all parties. Were there any groups that did not support the Columbia Basin Project? If they did exist, were they represented in later congressional hearings?
This document provides an excellent window into the popular opinions regarding agriculture and the environment before damming began on the Columbia River. We can see what will become larger issues as agriculture increases, industries develop and mining along the river escalates with the emergence of hydroelectric reservoirs.
reviewed by Heather Daniel
Robert D. Clark Honors College, University of Oregon
HC 441: Science Colloquium, Columbia River Ecology
Fall term, 2005
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