Missouri River Basin Research Articles

The Role of Meteorology in Projects of the Corps of Engineers in the Missouri River Basin *

The comprehensive plan for the development of water resources of the Missouri River Basin provides for flood control, navigation, electric power generation, irrigation, and other miscellaneous water uses. Of these features the Corps of Engineers is primarily responsible for flood control and for river and harbor developments in the interest of navigation. In the planning, construction, and operation of water control projects to fulfill these primary responsibilities, meteorology plays a very definite and important role. Meteorology as an art touches the lives of all—as an applied science it affects the plans and actions of numerous organizations which are vitally concerned with the predictability of weather, its variation and extremes. The latter is particularly true in the Corps of Engineers in which weather is one of the basic factors to be considered in the planning, construction, and operation of river development projects.

An Engineer's Appraisal of the Missouri Basin Development Program

IN CONSIDERING the Missouri Basin Development Program from an engineering aspect, it seems almost impossible not to touch upon certain other aspects such as economic, political, and social considerations. Engineering considerations must always take into account various other influences. Any good engineer will recognize these influences and temper his engineering decisions to some degree in accordance with those outside influences. However, these outside influences should never be allowed to predominate to the point where good engineering becomes secondary. The Missouri Basin Program is certainly of national importance in many ways. The economy of the area will always be a vital factor in the economy of the nation. The bulk of the expenditures being made for development come from the federal government, yet has any economic analysis of the program, from a national point of view, ever been made? Is it desirable to carry on the program at such an accelerated pace during this particular national economic level? Do we need increased production, in some cases costing hundreds of dollars per acre, at this particular time when we find it necessary to have price supports on farm products at a high level? Soil erosion is depleting the productive capacity of the Basin at a rather alarming rate. In order to maintain and increase the productive capacity, it seems logical that soil conservation measures should occupy a high priority in any development program for the Basin. Strange to say, this matter has received serious consideration only in recent months and very little work has been done to accelerate the program of soil conservation. On the other hand, irrigable land represents a potential productive capacity that does not deteriorate when not in use and can be brought into use at the proper time to bolster national production when it is most needed. It seems that the first requirement for the Missouri River Basin is to enhance the economy of the region to the point where it becomes a national asset rather than a national liability. I seriously question whether the development program, as it is now being carried out, will of itself accomplish this. I see very little attention being given to industrial development. Industry is certainly one

Some Provisional Correlations in Missouri Basin Archaeology

In the Missouri River Basin, as elsewhere, the need for an accurate chronological framework for the understanding of archaeological relationships and cultural development is of primary importance. Because of the vastness of the area, the great diversity of materials from its various regions, and the relatively limited systematic work so far performed, no general Basin-wide chronological scheme of any preciseness is yet feasible. About the best we can do is to try to correlate a few locally developed sequences, and then if possible fit into this general picture some of the “floating” sequences and horizons. Complete coverage of the known archaeological remains of the Basin is manifestly impossible within the limits of a summary paper. It is hoped, however, that the remarks which follow may help to suggest trends developing as the evidence accumulates.

White Cat Village

White Cat Village, a newly-explored site of the Dismal River Aspect, is located on Prairie Dog Creek about 3 miles above the point where it joins the Republican River from the south. The greater part of the village is included within a 70-acre field just southwest of the center of Section 24, Township IN, Range 18W, some 6 miles southeast of Alma, Harlan County, Nebraska. The village occupies an area approximately 1000 feet long and 250 feet wide, lying along a 30-foot bluff which forms the north bank of Prairie Dog Creek at this point (Fig. 70, e). The terrace on which the site is located will be a few feet under the normal level of the Harlan County Reservoir, and nearly 20 feet below the maximum level.A preliminary survey of the village was made in November, 1946, by Marvin F. Kivett and J. M. Shippee, for the Missouri River Basin Survey.

Missouri River Basin Development and its Effects on Fish and Wildlife

Missouri River Basin Development and its Effects on Fish and Wildlife

Letter to the editor

The Federal Inter‐Agency River Basin Committee (FIARBC) is composed of the Washington representatives of the five major agencies of the Federal Government interested in a sound and coordinated development of our river resources. The agencies include the Departments of War, Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce, and the Federal Power Commission. Under the aegis of the FIARBC, two comparable field committees have been organized, one for the Missouri River Basin, and the other for the Columbia River Basin.

Missouri River Basin

Missouri River Basin