4/3/30

C.H.

dam at diablo will be ready by october

Although Winston Brothers, contractors on the huge dam being built for the city of Seattle at Diablo canyon on the upper Skagit, lost about two months during the past winter on account of weather conditions, it is now practically certain that the dam will be finished before October 1.  The work has been progressing rapidly for the past month and final completion of the project can now be estimated within a few weeks.  Two electric generators for the Diablo power house and the turbines to operate them were recently ordered for delivery early next year.  These generators are of 85,000 horsepower each, greater by 10,000 horsepower than any now in use anywhere in the world.  These will double the present production of electricity of the Seattle light department.  Bids for construction of the power house will be called within a few weeks.

Diablo Dam

Estimated completion date October 1930.

8/14/30

C.H.

water will be turned into diablo power dam saturday

The huge power dam being built by the city of Seattle in Diablo canyon, above Newhalem, is now practically completed and the waters of the Skagit will be turned into the dam next Saturday.  This week the diversion tunnel is being sealed and the two spillways located about forty feet above the bed of the river will also be sealed.  When the water reaches the first gate, or spillway, to remain in the permanent structure, it will have a depth of over 160 feet and will form a lake six miles long and twice as large as Lake Union in Seattle.  With the present flow of water, it will require ten days or more to fill the big dam.  …  The new power dam is one of the highest in the world, towering 389 feet above the bed of the river.  It ranges in thickness from 140 feet at the base to twelve feet at the top and is built of reinforced concrete from the base on bedrock to the railing at the top.  Superior Portland cement was used in the construction of the dam, and a number of local people have been employed on the project from the time it was started three years ago to its completion.  With completion of this dam, Seattle has one of the largest power projects in the west, and the plant will be further enlarged in the near future through the erection of a huge storage dam on Ruby creek, a few miles further up the Skagit.  It is expected that work will start on the Ruby creek project within the next year.

Diablo Dam

Skagit River waters to be turned against the dam in one week.  Depth of lake to be over 160 feet.  Lake to be 6 miles long.

Base of dam 140 feet thick.

Ross dam not yet under construction.

8/28/30

C.H.

new power unit on upper skagit is now dedicated

The huge Diablo power dam, under construction for the past three years, is now officially the property of the city of Seattle.  The dam has been fully completed and was dedicated yesterday at an impressive ceremony held on the crest of the dam.  The structure was turned over to the city by Luke S. Oakes, president of Winston Brothers company, builders of the dam, and was accepted on behalf of the city by J. D. Ross, superintendent of the Seattle Light department, and Mayor Frank Edwards.  Other speakers on the program were Governor Hartley and S. F. Tolmie, premier of British Columbia.  …  The dam, the second largest of its kind in the world, is located in Diablo canyon, about 35 miles up the Skagit river from Rockport.  The dam is of the arch type, 390 feet high, 1200 feet long at the crest, and 140 feet thick at the base.  The walls of the canyon are of solid granite and at some places the opposite walls are only nineteen feet apart.  The dam was started in September, 1927, and its cost is about $4,000,000.  The ultimate power to be generated from this dam, when all contemplated units have been installed, is 225,000 horsepower.  The impounding of the water back of the dam forms a lake six miles long with a storage capacity of 90,000 acre feet.

Diablo Dam

Officially completed.  Dam construction began in September 1927.

Diablo canyon originally narrowed to 19 feet across.  This is the exact location of where Mr. Stewart found evidence of his “monster flood” of 1815 which in a later article turned out to be 1820 which is what Stewart originally said.  (See The Story of Mox Tatlem 3/5/1936 C.H.)

10/30/30

C.H.

up-river traffic stopped by flood waters of skagit

All highway traffic from Concrete to the upper Skagit valley was cut off for two days the first of the week.  A sudden rise in the waters of the Skagit took out the ferry landing on the south side of the river at the Kauffman ferry, and as a result it was impossible for cars to get on or off the ferry on that side of the river.  A crew of men were immediately placed at work on rebuilding the landing and late Tuesday afternoon the ferry resumed regular service.  It is not likely there will be any further interference with up-river traffic before the new road is open for travel, which will be about November 15.

Undocumented Flood Event

Not reported by Corps of Engineers.  Ferry at Kauffman’s washed away.

1/15/31
CT

Skagit is mecca of many anglers

Fish

1/29/31

C.H.

flood waters in skagit shuts off travel up river

The residents of the upper Skagit valley have been shut off from highway travel for almost a week now and while conditions now seem more favorable, it will probably be several days yet before autos will be able to travel over the roads from Concrete east.  At the present time, persons in the up river communities who want to come to Concrete either have to take the train or else drive to Van Horn and walk down.  The heavy rains last Thursday and Friday raised the Skagit to flood stage and by Friday night the Concrete and Van Horn ferries were unable to cross, closing the detour.  The river fell a little Monday and hopes were entertained that the road would soon be open again, but the downpour all day Tuesday brought the river up again until it was several feet above the former mark.  Yesterday it was reported that all the ferries above here had stopped running.  With the rain apparently at an end, the river began dropping slowly yesterday afternoon.  However, it is believed that the ferry landing on the south side of the Skagit at the Concrete ferry is washed out, and it may take a few days to rebuild this.  The work will be rushed as soon as the water is low enough, and is it hoped to have the ferry in operation again in a few days.  …  The water in the Skagit did not get high enough to interfere with down river travel, nor was any damage done beyond shutting down the ferry service.  No signs of high water in the Baker River was noticeable, the Baker river dam holding the flood waters back, but water was flowing over the top of the dam yesterday for the first time in about a year.

Undocumented Flood Event

Not reported by Corps of Engineers.  Roads covered by water.  All ferries had to stop running.  No waters coming from the Baker until January 28 when water flowed over the dam.

2/12/31

C.H.

editorial

The Skagit River has dropped back again, but ferry service up the river has not yet been resumed on the former standard.  After a few weeks of inactivity, they should make every effort possible to give those dependent upon them adequate service, but for some reason, ferries cease to run at six in the evening and do not resume until daylight.  The lack of ferry service at night is being felt in Concrete as much as in up-river communities.  Why can’t something be done to end this inconvenience?

Wanted Ferry Service At Night

2/12/31

C.H.

power company building new line to upper valley

The Puget Sound Power & Light company recently decided to extend its power and light service lines are now being built between Concrete and the upriver community.  Erection of the pole line was started about a week ago from the Rockport end, and poles are now in place to a point about a mile on this side of the Sauk post-office.  Most of the crew employed on this work are making their headquarters in Concrete, and a number of the men have moved their families to this city and will make their homes here until the work is completed.  It is estimated that it will take a month or six weeks to complete the Concrete-Rockport line.  The new line will provide electric light and power service for the communities of Van Horn, Sauk and Rockport, and for the farmers residing along the highway between this city and Rockport.  …  So far no extension to the south side of the Skagit at Sauk is contemplated, as the farms and residences are too widely scattered to make an extension to that district feasible at this time.

Electricity Extended To Upriver Above Concrete

Rockport, Van Horn and Sauk on the north side to get electricity.  Sauk river on the south side did not get electricity.

7/9/31

C.H.

baker lake foreman to supervise hatchery

Leslie W. Dunn, foreman at the government fish hatchery at Baker Lake, left this morning for Enumclaw, where he will supervise the construction of a new government hatchery about thirty miles from that city. Mr. Dunn expects to remain at Enumclaw until the hatchery is completed, which he estimates will take two or three months. Ralph W. Young, who was recently transferred from Baker Lake to Lake Crescent hatchery, will return to Baker Lake and act as foreman until Mr. Dunn returns. Mr. Young is expected to arrive here in about two weeks, and until he comes, Harry Hill will be acting foreman at the hatchery.

Fish Issue

Baker Lake fish hatchery still operating and still called the “government hatchery” as in Federal government.

7/16/31

C.H.

editorial

Someone once stated the saying “poor fish.” After visiting the Baker river dam we say it ought to be revised. In order that the fish may get up the river to spawn, a regular trolley and elevator service is kept in operation carrying fish over the dam into Lake Shannon. The fish coming up the Baker are caught in a trap, lifted into water filled tanks and transported by rail and cable to the lake above the dam, and then towed a mile up the lake before being released. All this keeps a crew of men sweating in the hot sun and then they say “poor fish.” But then every fish has his day.

Fish Issue

Fish transported over the dam by “trolly and elevator service”.

7/30/31

Argus

water arrives none too soon

Anacortes Gets First Drink From Skagit When Supply Is Almost Depleted

The 250 horsepower inductive motor in the pump house at Avon began forcing water through the huge main to Anacortes late Friday afternoon at the rate of 2,400 gallons per minute.  . . .  The city has accepted the water from the river, but has not accepted the new pipe line as yet or made final settlement with the contractors.  The water is being treated with chlorine gas as it comes through the intake pipe into the pump, after going through the sand filter.  In Anacortes it is variously treated to insure as nearly 100 per cent water as is possible to obtain.  . . .  New water system cost the City of Anacortes around $700,000

Anacortes Water Treatment Plant goes on line.

1/7/32
Argus

flood control will not be assured until ruby creek dam is finally completed says engineer

Present dams on the upper Skagit River would not provide flood control for the Skagit Valley in the event of a flood like that of 1917 or 1921. . . A big flow of water would fill the Diablo basin in one day, and would continue over the dam with the same disastrous effects as in previous years, said Smith.  Existing dams serve a good purpose in holding back sudden small freshets and also tend to maintain a higher water level in the valley during extremely dry years, but no safety from heavy floods can be felt until the completion of the Ruby Creek dam, the final unit of the Seattle project. 

The completion of this dam will render impossible even such floods as the one in 1815, which Indian tradition has it, submerged much of the Skagit Valley to a depth of fifteen feet, the engineer believes.  It is hoped by the city of Seattle that money can be obtained from the national government to assist with the construction of Ruby Creek dam, which is now being delayed on account of financial crisis.  At the present outlook, the dam may not be built for five or even ten years . . . People of Skagit Valley will be appealed to for aid in an effort to get such an appropriation on the grounds of flood control.

Statement attributed to Glen Smith, assistant to J.D. Ross.

Talk about a sense of false security.  Seattle City Light must have also had a copy of Stewart’s work.  Ross dam was completed in 1949.

Skagit County was promised more flood control then they received.

1/18/32
MVDH

Flood Danger Is Not Feared In This City

            That Mount Vernon and its surrounding community is in no immediate danger of floods from the Skagit river was the information learned today in the county engineer’s office, which keeps an accurate check of the height of the river.  . . .  However, this condition will be changed within the next twenty-four hours when a rise of about six feet is predicted as a result of the heavy winds of the last day.  . . .  A flood condition is not prevalent, it was learned, until the river rises to a point of 20 feet or more.  The Skagit has not been near that point since June 1931, when it rose to 18.7 feet.  In May the river height was around fifteen feet and sixteen feet on several occasions, and in January, a year ago, the river rose to 20 feet in one day.

Flood Danger Point Was 20 ft On Gage

Last threat was June 1931 when river got to 18.7 feet which would be a 26.7 foot river on todays gage.

3/3/32
Argus

raging skagit breaks through dikes

Delta Farmers Greatest Sufferers from Freshet

Although Several Breaks Occur, Only Comparatively Small Area Is Inundated – Losses of Cattle and Poultry Small – Roads Suffer Some

Unable to withstand the pressure of the mighty Skagit, swelled by rains and melting snow, dikes broke at three widely different places during the week-end, allowing flood waters to inundate more than 12,000 acres of farm land in the lower valley, resulting in considerable damage to property.  . . .sections where the water had previously been held at the very top of the dike, were perilously near a break this time on account of a weakened condition of the dikes, which have been neglected somewhat because of confidence in present dams to hold back floods, it is said.

The first break occurred about eleven o’clock Saturday evening in front of Phil Iverson’s farm, which is located on Skagit Island, between Fir and Skagit City.  . . .  This break, together with three others along Dry Slough, which runs across the island completely inundated the large Skagit delta, about 5,000 acres of farm country bordered by the two forks of the river and the bay.  Two of the breaks occurred early Sunday morning at the Ed Good and I.R. Hallen farms; the other the same afternoon, at Mrs. Sadie Polstra’s place.  Water has been running out into the bay through the salt water dikes which broke several places near John Wylie’s farm and were cut elsewhere.

February 27, 1932 Flood Event

USGS and Corps records state this flood crested 2/27/32 at Concrete at 39.99 on the gage with 147,000 cfs.  Greater then the 1951 and 1975 floods but less then the 1980 flood at least at Concrete.  Both the 51 and 75 floods produced more water at Mt. Vernon then Concrete.  1980 was less water at Mt. Vernon.

Feb 27, 1932.  Fir Island was still called Skagit Island.

NOTE:  Article was continued on page 4.  Need to obtain copy.

3/3/32
CT

flood damage estimated to exceed $100,000 in county

rush repairs to highways as flood waters recede; normal traffic announced in most sections; detour arranged while fill is repaired here; thousands watch flood waters on rampage

Bridges at several points were damaged or removed by the raging waters of the Skagit Saturday and Sunday when the breaking dikes and back water sent a yellow flood over nearly 20,000 acres of land and forced many residents to abandon their homes in search of safety on nearby high points of land.  . . .  In the valley proper no loss of life has been reported, and the accident claiming four lives at Diablo, just as the waters threatened, remains the major incident of the highest flood waters since 1921. . . .  Bridge Out  Knapp reported the Diobase creek bridge washed out, sixty feet of span and an equal amount of trestle, the forty foot truss over Hanson creek on the river road tipped over, slides on the Van Horn and Faber hills, damage of fifty feet of the west approach of the Jackman creek bridge, and a wash-out on the German Prairie road west of the Samish school, where the bridge over the Samish remained intact.  . . .  Following the slide above Newhalem the Skagit began rising slowly, but the condition was not believed serious until late Friday night, when flood conditions were approached.  Friday night and Saturday morning the water rose at an amazing rate, with lowlands along the river being flooded.  Fill Damaged -- . . .  Constant rumors of danger to two dams in the Skagit and Baker river power projects resulted in an alarm that one of the dams had broken, and many residents of Hamilton, Lyman, Sedro-Woolley and Mt. Vernon removed to higher ground with emergency rations.  It was reported a man coming down the river had given the false alarm, and Lyman was almost deserted by the exodus that followed.  Responsible agencies spiked the rumor within an hour, and the bolting residents for the most part returned to their homes.  Dams Are Safe  --  Consequent investigation disclosed that flood gates on the dams were not opened and that flood waters poured over the tops of the dams.  At Baker River before the flood, water was 36 feet below the top, and at the peak of high water flowed nine feet deep over the top of the dam.  At Diablo gates were left open until engineers were certain that a flood was imminent, and then closed the gates Friday afternoon.  Early Saturday morning the water flowed over the Diablo spillways, when no more water could be retained.  . . .  The same authorities also explained the fact that while flood waters at Mt. Vernon reached within inches of an all-time record, the peak at Sedro-Woolley was from four to five feet under the record.  This was due to the fact that previous floods had removed two curves below Sedro-Woolley and shortened the river’s course nearly one half mile.  This makes the river almost straight from Burn’s bar three miles west and the effect had been to lower the river bed here nearly four feet.  Dikes Broken -- Shortly after noon Sunday the dike south of Burlington gave way and the Great Northern fill broke at 12:45 to release a yellow flood through Varney’s slough and Gage’s Lake to inundate the section between Burlington, Avon and the Bay View ridge.  . . .  Breaking of the dike at Conway relieved the pressure in this district late Sunday afternoon, and a large section in the lower end of the county was covered with water.  Alarm Is Given -- . . .  Residents of the Nookachamps district were taken from their homes when back waters filled this section, and the two branches of the creek flowed back on their courses.

FEBRUARY 27, 1932 FLOOD

USGS 147,000 cfs Concrete (39.99), 157,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, no figure for Mt. Vernon.

Flood was larger then 1951 flood.

Bridges over creeks washed out.

Slide at Newhalem.

Rumor that dam had broken.  Lyman almost completely evacuated.

Flood gates on dams not opened.

Water rose 36 feet in Lower Baker then 9 feet flowed over top of dam.

Diablo gates closed then water flowed over spillways.

It is believed they are talking about Debay Island cut-off as Sterling cut-off happened in 1911.

Dikes broke in Burlington.  Water flowed down Gages (Varney) Slough.

Conway dikes broke.

3/3/32

C.H.

rumor about diablo dam causes panic in lyman

When the flood was nearing its height, and as residents along the Skagit were beginning to get worried over its steady rise, someone started a rumor in regard to the stability of the Diablo dam. In Burlington, Mount Vernon, and other communities in that vicinity, the report was that the dam had cracked and that all the water would have to be let out at once, and for all to prepare accordingly. This report was also received here, but given no credence, but it was believed along the lower river.  At Lyman and Birdsview this rumor was first heard, then later a report that the dam had broken, and for all to flee for their lives. At Lyman the fire siren was blown, and every resident of the community took to the hills with such valuables as could be easily carried.  …  The source of the story cannot be definitely traced but it seems to have started at Burlington and worked its way up the valley. Hamilton missed much of the excitement, and the up-river communities failed to get this story, as telephone lines were out.

Diablo Dam

February 27, 1932 Flood Event

Corps says 147,000 cfs (39.99 ft) at Concrete.  No figure for Mt. Vernon.

Rumor Diablo Dam had cracked started in Burlington. 

3/3/32

C.H.

flood in skagit does no damage in the community

With the heaviest snowfall in the mountains that has been known in twenty years, a raging Chinook wind accompanied by heavy rains, found conditions just right to bring on a flood and do it quickly.  The rains started last Thursday and continued steadily until Saturday afternoon, and during most of that time the rain was heavy as well as steady.  The Chinook continued through the greater part of the day.  It was exceptionally warm for this season, raising the temperature almost to summer level during the afternoon.

Flood Comes Quickly

            All the streams in the Skagit valley began rising Thursday afternoon, and had already reached about the highest stage of the winter by the time the Chinook struck Friday.  Then the smaller streams became raging torrents and the Skagit began a steady climb that did not reach its peak until late Saturday night.  When the river began to drop Saturday night, it still lacked six to eight feet of being up to the record level of 1921, but it was high enough to cause some worry among the residents of Crofoot’s addition and East Concrete.  Low-lying gardens on the east side were covered but Crofoot was not even dampened.  The Baker River dam held back the flood waters of the Baker for over 24 hours, and then only a comparatively small amount of the stream came over the dam.  Had this stream been added to the water already in the Skagit, Crofoot would have been flooded by Friday night and the communities of the lower valley suffered much damage.  …  Birdsview the greatest damage was to the Great Northern railroad, with the Grandy creek bridge and considerable track washed out, and at the fish hatchery, where grounds and buildings were flooded.  Hamilton and Lyman suffered only the usual damage from high water, with no buildings washed away.  Nearly the whole of Hamilton was covered at the height of the flood.  In the lower valley the most damage was done Saturday by breaking dikes along the lower river.  The approach to the Skagit river bridge at Sedro-Woolley and a considerable portion of railway track between Sedro-Woolley and Lyman were washed out.

February 27, 1932 Flood Event

Corps says 147,000 cfs (39.99 ft) at Concrete.  No figure for Mt. Vernon.

This article supports USGS figure of 1921 flood of height elevation of 47.6 at the Dalles.

3/4/32
B.J.

Burlington Escapes Flood Which Takes Big Toll In Skagit County And State

Break in Railroad Fill Saves Flood In Streets; Efforts of Volunteers Keep Dikes In Town Solid

While many parts of Skagit County and Western Washington suffered heavy damages from flood waters last Saturday, Sunday and Monday[1], Burlington, on three sides, emerged practically untouched and losses in the immediate adjacent country were comparatively light.  West Conway, Skagit City and up-river communities suffered most from rising waters of the Skagit River, which flooded an extensive countryside for the first time in ten years. The great power dams in Baker river and the Upper Skagit and rather elaborate diking systems in the lower valley, proved only partial protection from a mighty river filled to overflowing, after two days of warm Chinook winds had melted snow in the mountains. . . . Anxiety was felt for a few hours following the break in the dike south of town Sunday noon, but was dispelled when the Great Northern railway fill gave way, allowing the water to sweep over the fields to the West and Southwest.  Strong Chinook winds of Thursday and Friday filled the Skagit to the top of its banks, and Saturday water began overflowing and covering the land up to the dikes. Shortly after midnight Saturday water had risen to a height of less than two feet from the top of the dike east of Burlington.

Sunday morning, with water backed up from the Burlington dikes to Clear Lake, a distance of between six and seven miles, the situation became dangerous. The dike was becoming soft in many places and the water continued to rise gradually. Old-timers expressed the belief that there was more water back of the dikes than in any previous flood.

            A screaming fire siren at 12:10 Sunday noon announced to Burlington that a dike had been broken. Water came crashing through in torrents at the LeMar place, nearly a mile south of Burlington.  . . .  The flood, temporarily checked by the railroad fill and quickly filling to a depth of three and four feet the fields near the break in the dike, rushed north, emptied into the sloughs, and backed up into Burlington.  . . . A few minutes after the river broke through the dike, water began to seep through the base of the G. N. fill a mile south of the depot and by three o’clock broke through, lessening the flow into the Burlington sloughs, but sweeping the fields westward.  . . .     The water level at the dike east of Burlington was down 54 inches Monday morning, and by ten o’clock cars were getting through water on the blacktop road to Bay View. Traffic began making use of the highway between Burlington and Mount Vernon by three o’clock.

February 27-29, 1932 Flood

First major flood in 10 years.

Dams and dikes proved only “partial protection.”  Two days of warm Chinook winds.

Dike broke “south of town”.  GNRR fill broke allowing water to move south and west.

Water two feet from top of dikes east of Burlington.

Water “backed up” from Burlington dikes to Clear Lake.  “More water back of the dikes than in any previous flood.”

First flood early warning system?  Dike broke one mile south of Burlington and waters “rushed north”.

So in 24 hours the floodwater was gone?

3/4/32
B.J.

II.                  let’s keep the dike

            We can be glad now that somebody knew enough to say no to the idea advanced a year or so ago, of grading down the dike at the Fairhaven avenue crossing. Burlington would still be drying out, instead of being practically the only town in the valley that did not get its feet wet. Dikes may be eyesores and nuisances to drive over, but they are mighty handy when the water comes a-rolling. 

This sounds like Fairhaven used to go over the dike.  Today it has been graded down and goes through the old dike.

3/10/32
Argus

men, not steam shovels, ought rebuild levees

Farmers Ask Contractor To Put Aside Machinery As Soon As Possible

Willing To Pay More

Needed Work at Water Plant Up To City of Anacortes – Want Additional Dolphins

Local men and teams must be given as much of the dike reconstruction work at the Varney break as is possible, it was the opinion of almost a hundred farmers in diking district No. 12, assembled in a special mass meeting at the Avon school gym Monday evening.  . . .  Championing the demand that residents of the district, badly in need of employment, be given work on the dikes, Joe Hall urged that every dollar possible be given for the work of men and teams.

The Commissioners were requested to consult the City of Anacortes about urgent repairs to the fill which replaces the dike around the pump house at Avon.  Considerable dirt was washed away from the small trees used in constructing the fill.

Claud Davis Construction Company has also been awarded the contract for rebuilding the dike in front of the Iverson place, where there is a break more than 500 feet long and 25 feet deep in places.  The cost of this will be approximately $9,600 at 40 cents per cubic yard there being about 24,000 cubic yards of dirt to replace.

Local farmers needed work.

Avon Bend damaged.

Iverson place was located on Skagit Island between Fir and Skagit City.

3/13/32
CT

Jupiter Pluvis Shatters Record With March Floods

Flooded fields and basements filled with surface water attested a record breaking rainfall of 11.15 inches for the month of March in this vicinity.  Harry L. Devin, official weather observer here, can find no counterpart of this in the more than 40 years since he first began observing weather conditions in this district.  The average for March over a 33-year period is a precipitation of 4.30 inches.  The first week of March this year was far under this average, with .33 of an inch.  As the month progressed the rainfall became greater, to end with a 42-hour deluge Tuesday and Wednesday, to set a new record.

Lots of Rain in March 1932

Jupiter Pluvis was the Supreme God in ancient Roman days comparable to Zeus in Greek mythology.  The name translated into “Rain Giver”.

Most rain in 40 years according to H. L. Devin.  11 inches in Sedro-Woolley.

3/16/32
MVDH

Dike Repairs Being Rushed To Completion -- Night and Day Shifts Kept On Job To Make Dikes Safe If County Experiences Chinook

            With large crews of laborers working night and day, the danger of additional flood damage, should the Skagit river rise suddenly again is fast being minimized, Clause O. Davis, contractor in charge of repairing two dikes, told the Daily Herald today.  Mr. Davis holds the contracts for the replacement of the dike west of Conway, and the dike south of Burlington, which collapsed during the recent freshet flooding thousands of acres of farmland.  Twenty men, working on ten hour shifts, have placed the Burlington dike beyond the danger mark.  It would require a 12-foot freshet to wash out the new dike, Mr. Davis declared today.  The hole in the dike west of Conway will be closed tomorrow, halting the flow of water for the first time since the freshet.  More than 50 men have been working 10-hour shifts on this job.  This dike will be safe from high waters within forty-eight hours, Mr. Davis declared.

FEBRUARY 27, 1932 FLOOD

USGS 147,000 cfs Concrete (39.9), 157,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley. (See 3/3/32 CT and Argus articles)

Burlington dike raised to 12 feet.

3/17/32
Argus

skagit might obtain government river dredge

Suction Dredger at Grays Harbor Been Idle for 2 Years, Says Gaches

Would Cost Nothing

Dirt Could Be Used To Widen Dikes, Restore Banks That Have Been Washed Away

It is quite possible that Skagit County can obtain without cost, a government suction dredge for use in the Skagit River channel if the county will make concerted appeal to the proper authorities in Washington; it is the opinion of Charles Gaches, local farmer.  . . .  The rapid depositing of sediment in recent years has resulted in bringing the river bottom up to a level almost as high as the farming land, especially along the South Fork, and increased the necessity of building higher and higher dikes all along the lower end of the valley.  At the same time the river has been cutting away the banks, making it more easy for high water to undermine and come through on the inside of the dike as happened during the recent freshet, it is explained by the local man.

Dredging.

Where in the South Fork is the river as high as the adjacent land?

Cost of dredge was $150 per day but hadn’t been used in 2 years.

3/26/32
MVDH

Diablo Project Is Blamed For Flood Damage -- Flood Gates of Dam Were Opened At Wrong Time, Dike Districts and Farmers Charge In Claim

            Alleging the flood gates on Diablo dam were opened at the crest of the recent high water, thus releasing an additional torrent of water in the already bankful Skagit river, causing dikes to break in many places, four Skagit dike districts, and three individual farmers today filed claims aggregating $53,315 against the City of Seattle.  The claims were rushed to Seattle today so they could be filed before the thirty-day limit expires.  List of Claims  Following is the list of claims filed against the City of Seattle, owner of Diablo Dam, which is a part of the city’s power development on the upper Skagit.  Dike district No. 2, located on the west side of the Skagit river and north of Fir – Claims damages in the amount of $17,500.  Dike district No. 13, located between Dry and Brown sloughs on Skagit delta, west of Fir – Demands $4,000 damages.  Dike district No. 186, located between Fresh Water and Dry sloughs on south side of pavement, west of fire – Demands $6,500.  Dike district No. 12, located south of Burlington – Demands $10,000.  Phillip Iverson, farmer living northwest of Fire, demands $2,925.  Iver Iverson, same locality, demands $7,650.  John Leander, same locality, demands $4,000.  Water Held Back On February 23^rd, according to the complaint filed with the City of Seattle, the reservoir behind Diablo dam was approximately half full of water, the amount being between 35,000 and 40,000 acre feet of water.  At that time, the flood gates of the dam were not opened, although the water was continuing to rise, the complaint states.

Diablo Dam Alleged To Have Contributed to Flood Damages

Dike districts and 3 farmers file claims with City Light.

Crest of the flood happened on February 27^th.  This means that Diablo filled from being half full in 4 days.

3/26/32
MVDH

ross ridicules skagit claims for damages

J.D. Ross, city light superintendent, today declared “ridiculous” claims for $53,315 damages against the City of Seattle, filed with the city comptroller today by four Skagit county diking districts and three Skagit county farmers as a result of floods in the county late last month.  . . .  “The dam held back the first on-rush of water down the river,” Ross said.  “As soon as the lake back of the dam rose to the height of the flood gates, we began releasing the water gradually.  Only a part of the gates were opened, just enough to prevent the water from overflowing the top of the dam.  This controlled the flood, releasing it only as fast as the river could carry it away.  The damage to the dikes down in the valley occurred after the crest of the flood had passed at Diablo.  It was simply a case of where the river could not hold the water which poured into it from numerous streams below the dam, in addition to carrying the controlled flow through the flood gates.

City Light Denies Liability

Water was not released until water got to the flood gates.  Blamed “other streams” (Sauk, Baker, etc.)

3/31/32
Argus

Damage claims total $98,825

Farmers and Dike Districts File Claims vs. Seattle For Flood Damage

Claims of Skagit farmers and diking districts against the city of Seattle for flood damages alleged to have been caused by letting water from flood gates in Diablo dam at a crucial time during the recent high water, thereby causing the dikes to break, have mounted to $78,825 during the week.  The filing of these claims is merely a preliminary action.  It does not constitute a suit, but protects the rights of those claiming damages to sue at a future date.  According to law, it is necessary to file claims of damages within thirty days of the time when the damage is done in order to bring suit against a municipality.

Dike districts 2, 18, 12, and 13 filed claims along with several individuals.  Need to find out what happened to these claims.

5/3/32
Argus

more dredges needed  editorial

Once more the feasibility of a government dredge, available for extensive channel work in Washington’s troublesome rivers, has been demonstrated by a freshet, which stopped just short of inflicting real damage in the Skagit Valley.  Dikes have risen even higher, yet each freshet has found them practically at the same relative height.  The explanation offered by men long experienced and by engineers has been that the bottom has constantly kept pace with the elevation of the dikes.

If this is true (and we have no reason to doubt our authority) a partial remedy, at least, is likely to be had by the deepening of the channel.  To bring this about it would seem wise to ask congress to reinforce the government’s present Sound equipment with one of more dredges so that rivers, such as the Skagit, may have a larger measure of flood relief.  Another thing we have learned is that the power dams are not the protection engineers promised.

Dredging editorial.

Bottom of river rising as fast as dikes.

Recognizes dams did not stop floods.

See 1/7/32 article.

6/9/32
CT

june snow scene near sedro-woolley -- local man photographs snow field near here

These two views show from ten to fifteen feet of snow not ten miles from Sedro-Woolley in Montborne prairie.  They were brought here by Norman Fladebo and show him and John Fladebo.  The upper view shows snow almost fifteen feet deep, covering thousands of acres, and the other shows Fladebo, at the edge of the prairie snow field, with rifle stretched, to show the depth of the snow.  The pictures were taken a few days ago.  Fladebo reports the snow deeper than in the big snow year of 1916, as he walked completely over the top of a tree which he had notched then.  Thar’s snow in them thar hills.

10-15 ft of Snow Near Sedro-Woolley

Amazing there wasn’t a huge summer flood this year.

6/27/32
CT.

Want Skagit Power At Same Rates As Seattle Will Get

Skagit and Whatcom counties, in which Seattle will get electric power, when the big water power project on the Skagit river is developed, should get power for the same rates as Seattle manufacturers, according to local men.  The Commercial club will take the matter up with the local Congressman, and with Secretary Lane.  As the source of this power is in the two counties, it is felt that they should not be deprived of the right to use some of it, at the same rate which Seattle will charge to users in that city and district.

Skagit Wanted Same Electric Rates As Seattle

9/22/32

C.H.

county chamber asks for dredge on skagit river

The greater part of the September meeting of the Skagit County Chamber of Commerce, held in Burlington Tuesday evening, was devoted to a discussion of flood problems on the lower Skagit River. It was said that the bed of the river was steadily rising, causing a flood menace every time the water reaches a high stage. The reason for this is that the volume of water needed to bring the stream to the top of the dikes is now much less than when the channel was kept open.  The question was first brought up by Fred Ornes of Mount Vernon, who urged the chamber to start a move to secure the placing of a government dredge in the Skagit river, to be used in keeping the channel open at all times. Supporting talks were made by G. O. Moen of Mount Vernon, Jas. Squires of Edison and by Pres. C. D. England. A motion was unanimously passed empowering the president to appoint a committee of three to draft a resolution asking the government to place and maintain a dredge in the Skagit, the resolution to be submitted to the various chambers of commerce in the Puget Sound district. The president named Fred Ornes, G. O. Moen and Howard Sackett to serve on this committee.

Dredging

Alleged that bottom of the river was coming up.  Needed to have government put a dredge boat on the Skagit River.

11/14/32
MVDH

Several Farms, Highways Are Under Water -- Skagit Recedes After Rising With Unprecedented Rapidity; Highways Reopened; Dikes Guarded During Night

            After threatening another serious flood in Skagit county, swirling waters of the Skagit river began to recede this morning, and the dread menace of the last twenty-four hours began to disappear as rapidly as it had overtaken this community.  Rising with unprecedented rapidity, the Skagit river had reached a height of 23 feet on the county’s gauge last night, where it remained until this morning, when the drop started.  . . .  The Nookachamps community, which bore the brunt of the flood early this year, was partially under water again today, following the breaking of the newly built dike, the Herald was informed.  The water was not high enough to enter any of the farm homes and little or no damage was done, it was declared.  The new dikes south of Burlington and west of Fir were said to be holding up well under the new pressure, but seepage from the new dike in Dodge Valley had flooded the Art Anderson and F.X. Thein farms, it was declared.  . . .  County roads were flooded in the vicinity of Hamilton yesterday, but autoists were able to get through with difficulty.

NOVEMBER 13, 1932 FLOOD

USGS 116,000 cfs Concrete (approx 36 ft on gage), 125,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley.

23 feet in Mt. Vernon would be 31 feet at today’s gage or a little less then 1975 flood event.

See 11/18/32 BJ article.  They blamed Baker dam for flood waters.

Dodge Valley flooded.

11/17/32
Argus

flood waters visit skagit

Second Inundation in Nine Months Covers 2,000 Acres In County

Scarcely nine months after one of the most disastrous floods the Skagit Valley has experienced in recent years, rivers and streams of the County, swollen by continual heavy rains, were again on the rampage, breaking dykes and flooding farm lands in several sections.

November 13, 1932 Flood

Mostly flooding was limited to Nookachamps and Dodge Valley.  River reached 116,000 cfs at Concrete which was approx. 36 ft on gage.

11/17/32
CT

skagit river floods – editorial

With high water threatening the Skagit valley, the people again turn their attention to the river and flood damages.  If a bad flood occurs during the next few days, there will be meetings and resolutions concerning getting flood relief and loss of many thousands of dollars to property and business; the water will go down and interest in flood relief will subside until the next flood comes along.  . . .  We will think of flood control now, but when the danger is gone, we forget floods and turn to thoughts of more pleasant things, consoling ourselves with the idea that there probably will not be another one for many years.  It may take a real catastrophe to get real flood relief for the Skagit.

Flood Editorial

For the past 72 years no truer words have been written about the Skagit River flood issue.  Hopefully, in 2005 that is about to change.

11/17/32
CT

heavy rains close roads

The heaviest rainfall in the history of Sedro-Woolley, fell here Wednesday night, according to H. L. Devin, official government weather man here for 36 years.  Between 6 p.m. Wednesday night and 9 a.m. Thursday morning, there was a total of 2.25 inches of rainfall, which followed 1.83 inches Wednesday up to 6 p.m.  . . .  Heavy rainfall during the past few days brought the river almost to flood levels, closed the road between here and Concrete, and caused sloughs to overflow in many places.  Many roads were closed Sunday, including the Pacific highway at Silvana, but cooler weather brought the water down.  The river rose eleven feet Sunday, but at last reports, had gone down five or six feet, in spite of continued rain.  According to statistics of H.L. Devin, local government weatherman, November is twice as wet as usual.  October rainfall was 6.31 inches here as compared to the normal 4.8 inches and the November rainfall up to November 15, was 6.4 inches as compared to the normal of 6.74 inches for the entire month.

NOVEMBER 13, 1932 FLOOD

USGS 116,000 cfs Concrete, 125,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley.  Close to a 1975 event.

Heaviest rainfall in history of Sedro-Woolley?  4 inches in 24 hours.

11/17/32

C.H.

streams in upper valley at flood stage from rains

The continuous heavy rain during the last few days of last week cause a sudden rise in the Skagit River ands its tributary streams, so that by Sunday morning flood conditions were prevailing in the valley. Colder weather with the rain changing into snow in the mountains, brought relief on Monday, but Tuesday morning another steady and heavy rainfall started, and by today another flood condition is threatened.

Road is Blocked

            Sunday morning the Skagit River was running bank full, and all the creeks flowing into the river were at flood stage. The water from the river was over the road at several points between Concrete and Hamilton, but cars were able to make it as far as Hamilton, where progress was stopped, a large part of the road being under water, and between Hamilton and Lyman the road was impassable in several places. Traffic between Concrete and the lower valley was effectually stopped all day Sunday, many local residents who had attended the football game in Seattle or visited other points Saturday being unable to return home. By Monday morning the water had receded enough to open the road, and the river then continued to fall until yesterday morning, when another heavy downpour, continuing all day, started another rise.  …  Outside of the highways, no real damage from the high water has been reported from any point in the Skagit valley. The river is still at a high stage, and there is still considerable danger of a real flood.

Waters Are Still Rising

            A steady rain is still falling this forenoon, and the Skagit is again nearing the high water mark reached on Sunday afternoon. All streams in the valley are steadily rising and there is considerable danger of a real flood if the present weather continues.

November 13, 1932 Flood Event

Corps says 116,000 cfs at Concrete, 125,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley.

No real damage from the high water anywhere in the valley.

11/18/32
MVDH

Major Flood Fear Passes, River Drops

            Continued rise of the Skagit river during more than forty-eight hours came to a halt in Mount Vernon today, giving hope that the flood danger that has hovered over this community would soon pass.  . . .  The river had reached a height of nearly 23 feet on the gauge here this morning, two or three feet from the danger mark.  . . .  A log jam east of the Great Northern bridge at Riverside was causing some worry and a crew of men remained on guard throughout this morning.  It was said blasting might be restored in an effort to break the jam.  . . .  The rise of the Skagit river was the most abrupt in the memory of old timers.  Between Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, until this morning, the river had risen a total of fifteen feet, according to records kept by the county engineer’s office.  The rise was caused by a deluge of rain and melting snows in the Cascades.  An inch and a fourth of rain fell between Saturday morning and this morning, the county records showed.

Log Jam On Great Northern Bridge

River came up very fast.

11/18/32
B.J.

High Waters Appear Again

            The big rise in the Skagit took place Saturday night and Sunday morning, when in the space of 15 hours, the water rose 14 feet, some hours gaining more than a foot.  Besides rains and a Chinook wind which melted snows, opening of the Baker river dam caused much of the rise, it was understood.

November 12 & 13^th  1932 Flood

Blame placed on Baker dam.

11/18/32
B.J.

Flood Control Needed

            High waters from the Skagit, Samish and other rivers caused considerable damage this week in Skagit county farms.  It would seem that with low prices, a scarcity of markets and money, and poor weather, farmers could well be spared the loss of property and livestock from floods.

            Perhaps the cheapest way out of flood dangers is a spillway system of controlling high water, as suggested recently by Jim Squires of Samish.  Two floods in a single year should make us think over things like that.

Overtopping levees.

11/19/32
MVDH

Record Rain In 12 Hours At Sedro-Woolley

            The most rain to fall in twelve hours in the history of Sedro-Woolley fell here Wednesday night and Thursday morning totaling 2.25 inches, according to H.L. Devin, official government weatherman for the past 36 years.  The entire precipitation for the 24 hours was not extraordinary, however.  . . .  Hansen Creek, which runs through the Northern State hospital grounds, backed up due to a log jam at the Great Northern railroad trestle, flooding much property, including the large berry ranch of George Andrick.

Most Rain In History Of Sedro-Woolley

2.25 inches in 12 hours???

Hansen Creek log jam causes back-up.

11/23/32

C.H.

huge landslide demolishes three east side homes

Early last Friday forenoon the residents of the entire community were alarmed by a roar and crash that the old-timers know could be nothing but a landslide-and a big one.  When the fire siren sounded a few minutes later, all knew that disaster of some kind had visited the community, and feared that lives had been lost-that some persons had been buried under the slide, the locale of which was still unknown.   …

Three Homes Are Destroyed

The slide, one of the largest ever known in this vicinity, started at the top of the hill north of East Concrete and crashed down through almost the center of that part of town.  Three homes were in its path, those of Dudley I. Green, E. M. Buchanan, and C. E. Hutchnison.  All were reduced to kindling wood, and with the exception of the Green home, practically every article in the house was a total loss.  …

Warning Saves Lives

            That no life was lost in the slide is entirely due to fact that the slide came in three sections, and that the final-and main-slide was not a few minutes later.  The first slide came before daylight Friday morning, when a small mass of dirt, carrying one large log, came down and lodged against the corner of the Green residence.  This gave the first warning that the hillside was sliding, but did not cause any serious harm.

            Soon after 9 o’clock in the forenoon another larger slide came down centering on the Buchanan home which was pushed off its foundations and shoved ahead five or six feet.  All occupants of the three homes then left their houses to seek places of safety, Mrs. Buchanan and Mrs. Hutchinson having the presence of mind to drive out their cars from the rear of the dwellings.  Minutes passed, with no indication of any immediate danger, and all were slowly starting back to their homes, accompanied by neighbors curious to learn what damage had been done, when the main slide started down the hillside with a roar that could be heard all over town.  All fled for safety, and escaped without injury.

Picture available

Landslide in Concrete

It would be interesting to go to Concrete and find this location to see how many homes have been built over the top of this slide material.

It is believed that one of the reasons for slides in the Concrete area is that much of that area is built on top of old glacial moraines coming down from Mt. Baker.

12/8/32

C.H.

editorial

The flood nuisance around Hamilton the moment a bit more rain than usual comes along, is getting beyond the stage of being something to bear silently. A road straight along the railroad track should be the next improvement made in upriver roads, there being no good excuse for making traffic detour through Hamilton and thousands of reasons for building the road straight.

Suggested Moving Highway 20

1/18/33
CT

Local Farms Sustain Big Flood Losses

Congressman Wallgren Asks $1,500,000 For Skagit

Heavy losses from the recent flood waters along the Skagit river makes the cause for government control more urgent than ever before.  In one bend of the river in the Utopia district, fifteen acres of land have been washed away from the farms of Carl Johnson, James Atwood and Oliver Buchanan since the first of November.  This is merely one case in which improved farm land has been washed away.  William Wulff of the same district was forced to move his residence after the last freshet.  Several other homes in the immediate vicinity are in grave danger from each succeeding flood.

Erosion Problems

Utopia area looses another 15 acres of land.

1/18/33
CT

New Dredge For Skagit

An appropriation of some $100,000 was made this week from the state’s recent relief bond issue, to purchase a dredger for the Skagit river.  W.R. Morgan, county welfare commissioner, headed a delegation to Olympia the first of the week, and obtained this appropriation as the first step in a program of flood control on the Skagit.  The new dredge will be equipped to build dikes and to work both along the bayfront and the river.  It is estimated it will take ten men to run it, and it is believed that CWA labor can be used.  A plan of reorganizing dike and drainage districts to facilitate the work of rebuilding dikes, will be discussed soon.

“New Dredger”

No record located that “dredge” was ever purchased.

12/8/32

C.H.

editorial

The flood nuisance around Hamilton the moment a bit more rain than usual comes along, is getting beyond the stage of being something to bear silently. A road straight along the railroad track should be the next improvement made in upriver roads, there being no good excuse for making traffic detour through Hamilton and thousands of reasons for building the road straight.

Suggested Moving Highway 20

6/22/33

C.H.

skagit valley road damaged by flood

The high water in the Skagit River for the past week has caused a serious problem for the road crews in one place, and minor damage in several other places. The bad condition is near Hamilton, being a short distance west of Steen’s service station, where the Skagit has cut away the river bank into the road. There is now only space for one-way traffic, and even this seems none too safe. The washout is about 200 feet long.  …  A similar condition exists near the Hooper place, between Rockport and Marblemount, but the narrow piece road there is much shorter, and there is not nearly so much traffic as between Concrete and Hamilton.

Undocumented Flood Event

1/25/34
Argus

flood control fate rests on dike election

Consolidation of Districts in Skagit County Is Started

Avon takes the Lead

All Dike Districts Must Unite If Aid From Federal Government Is Sought

May 6 may determine the fate of flood control in the Skagit Valley.  On that day the diking districts will hold their annual election; and, if present plans are carried out, consolidation will also be submitted to the voters.  Petitions asking for consolidation election are already being circulated.  Avon has taken the lead and will hold a mass meeting tomorrow night to consider the proposal.  . . . “Under the law, the county can get state, federal and county aid for flood control, but consolidation of diking districts will be necessary,” Mr. Welts asserted.  . . .  The program involves building up the bayfront dikes, the Skagit River dikes and the straightening of the Skagit River.  Fifty thousand acres of land and 10,000 people are involved.  . . .  “If you don’t unite now, just forget ever trying to get help in the future, because you can’t get it as individuals,” Will Hayton warned.

R. V. Welts was local attorney.

Strengthen sea dikes, strengthen river dikes and straightening of the river.  “Huge tides” motivated this effort.

Article was continued on page 4 which was not copied.

1/26/34
B.J.

Farmers to Vote on Merging All 16 Dike Districts for Dredging

            A mass meeting of property owners in Diking District No. 12 will be held this Friday evening in the Avon gymnasium, M.F. Snelson, chairman of the board of diking commissioners announced this week.  Action will be taken on the proposal to merge all 16 diking in the county to obtain federal aid in one big flood control project.

            Meetings will be called in all diking districts to obtain the sentiment of the people in each toward the general project.  If the consensus of opinion is favorable, an election will be held to vote the project through.

Merge the dike districts.

2/2/34
MVDH

Dike District Votes Against Merger Plan--District No. 3 Unwilling To Join Consolidation Plan Without More And Definite Information

            First concerted opposition to merge all the dike districts of the county in an effort to draft a flood protection program that might result in federal, state and county appropriations was heard at a meeting of farmers of dike district No. 3. at the Finn hall at Lower Cedardale yesterday afternoon.  A motion was adopted to delay signing a petition, which provided that a special election be called.  Considerable sentiment was expressed against the consolidation plan, several speakers saying they could not see that the district would derive any benefits.  It was then decided to “table” the proposal for consolidation, at least until definite information is forthcoming.

Dike District 3 Kills Consolidation Plan

Merger would have allowed flood protection plan resulting in Federal, State and County funding.

Several other districts had approved the plan.

3/1/34

C.H.

puget sound power & light company—what’s what

We have heard a lot lately about cheap power attracting new industry and commerce to these parts. Of course cheap power is helpful and advantageous, but after all it is only a small part of the cost of most finished products, and only in a few cases is it of major importance in the location of industry. Further, the present activities of the government are not confined solely to providing so-called “cheap power” for the Northwest; its factors are widespread - its program appears to cover the country.  … If you can obtain cheaper power, or any other kind of service, only by wiping out the hard-earned savings of your neighbor, invested to serve you, the price you will pay for it is too great, because the same sort of doctrine that would today permit you to profit at the expense of the other fellow would tomorrow enable him to profit at your expense. We are not going to get anywhere with a program which attempts to pull one fellow out of the mud by shoving his neighbor into quicksand.  I believe you subscribe to the policy of “live and let live”; you want a fair price for your product and are willing to pay the other fellow a fair price for his.

PSP&L Advertisement

Complaining about higher taxes.  Government power plants did not have to pay taxes.

4/26/34
CT

sixty miles of dike built by 1,015 men; cost, $160,000

According to a report issued from the office of the superintending engineer, C.A. Strong, work on the Skagit County dikes, if no unforeseen interruption occurs, will be completed by May 1st.  . . .  The allowance made by the CWA authorities for the entire repair and reconstruction project are $59,424.00 for equipment rental, and $14,000.00 for materials and supplies.  The number of men approved for the work is 1,206; the total number of work hours, 332,018.  At the present time there are approximately 1,015 men on the job.  The field forces are divided into three divisions geographically, each under a division superintendent.  The CWA approved a total length of dike work in Skagit County of 328,000 feet or approximately 62 miles, of which 253,434 feet had been completed up to April 19.  Work is progressing at the rate of about 8,000 feet per day.

Skagit County Dike Work

According to this article the average wage paid to the dike workers was approximately $3.83 per hour.

62 miles of levees worked on.

5/11/34
MVDH

Flood Control Action Urged At Conference -- United Plea May Go To Federal Official Asking Survey of All Rivers In Washington

            OLYMPIA, May 11 – (AP) – Washington flood control groups were urged here today to unite behind a program calling for a survey of all rivers in the state, whether navigable or non-navigable, as the first major step necessary in bringing permanent flood control to the state.  A statewide river survey, with the federal and state governments cooperating, was advocated before a flood control conference here by Howard A. Hanson, Seattle, president of the Puget Sound flood control association.  . . .  Hanson pointed out that without a river survey a permanent flood control program could not be developed.  Under existing legislation no federal funds can be spent on river surveys except on navigable streams.

All Rivers In State Proposed To Be Surveyed

All navigable rivers.

5/17/34
Argus

dredge necessary for flood control, says james squires

. . . But let us not forget that no matter how high our dikes are built, if these two rivers get “out of control” (Skagit and Samish) like all of us have seen them do in the past, we will have the same old trouble, only worse.  In my opinion there are two things to be done, the necessity of which is so self-evident that no proof is required.

Those two things are: dredge and straighten these two rivers properly, and construct adequate spillways.

Letter to the Editor printed on the front page.

Squires was from Bow.

“no proof required”

Dredge, straighten and overtopping levees.

6/14/34
CT

flood expert gives county chamber, talk

col. hanson, speaker at big meeting here; local boy talks

Col. Howard A. Hanson of Seattle, head of the state flood control council, gave an interesting talk to the Skagit County Chamber of Commerce at their monthly hour here Tuesday evening, in the crypt of the Episcopal church.  Some fifty business men from all parts of the county attended the meeting.  Col. Hanson for years has been attorney for King county and Pierce county in their flood control work on the White, Green, Puyallup and other rivers, and is a recognized authority on both the engineering and legal ends of flood and erosion control work.  He was introduced to the audience by A. G. Mosier of this city, Skagit county member of the state flood control council.  The speaker told of the need for a state and national program of flood control, and explained the policy of the federal government which refuses to spend any money on rivers beyond their limits of navigation, regardless of damage done by the river.

State Flood Control Council

Speaker stated that Federal government refused to spend money on flood control, only river navigation.

6/14/34

C.H.

flood control is speakers subject at c.c. meeting

The June meeting of the Skagit county Chamber of Commerce was held Tuesday evening in Sedro-Woolley.  Highlights of the evening were the subjects of flood control and a discussion of the numerous initiative measures now being circulated throughout the state. Flood control was advocated by Col. Hansen of Seattle, who is president of the state flood control council. He urged members of the local chamber to “set up on their hind legs and holler as loud as the farmers do in the Midwest,” and stated that the only way the state could get action on the problem would be for every county affected to join in asking for government aid.  The Skagit River, he explained, has a flood plain because it is a filling river rather than a cutting one and at the present time it has a 1,200 foot fill - a job too big for the county to handle alone. The big argument of the government at present is that the Skagit is not sufficiently navigable to warrant federal assistance.

Flood Control Meeting

Skagit River a “filling” river rather than a “cutting river”.  Skagit “not sufficiently navigable to warrant federal assistance.”

6/28/34

C.H.

lake shannon mill starts operation again this week

The Lake Shannon Shingle mill, operated here by Miller & Foss, started operations again Monday of this week after a shutdown of over a month.  The shingle market had forced the shutdown, but recently orders were received for enough shingle to empty the kilns at the mill.

Logging History

7/12/34
CT

hansen creek work to start; more projects  -- local plan board has promise; to grade streets here

Work will be started at once on unfinished CWA relief projects in this county, according to information received by the county project manages.  The dredging of Hansen creek will be the first to be resumed here, and will probably start next week.  . . .  The WERA will appropriate $1,000 for rental of a gas shovel to use on Hansen creek, and $864 for employment of non-relief shovel operators.  There are no shovel men available from the relief rolls.  Twenty men from this list will be put to work on the grading work in addition to the shovel men.  The total cost to complete the work is estimated at $6,200.

Hanson Creek

Hanson Creek dredged.

8/5/34

C.H.

editorial

Those of you who consider that your taxes are a bit high should consider the case of the Puget Sound Power & Light company. Since 1930 their tax burden has been increased one million dollars and is now about $10 a year for each customer. The increase is enough to allow for a 10 per cent decrease in rates, or would allow a one-third increase in all company payroll - that is, if it did not have to be paid to the state. On top of this consider that their competition, public owned plants, pay no taxes. It has been stated that the Coulee dam will sell power at 2 mills per kilowatt hour. The private company pays 2.7 mills taxes on the same amount. The “tax trust” is beginning to grind sand into the wheels of industry.

Supporting PSP&L

Editor seemed to be saying that either PSP&L should pay no taxes or the publicly owned plants should pay them.

8/16/34

C.H.

concrete man lands whale of a salmon

The biggest fish story ever told in Concrete, with the fish to prove it, was spun here last Friday when Harry Harris came back from a fishing trip up the Skagit with a 61 pound Tyee salmon. This finny monster, which measured over four feet in length, was landed on ordinary casting tackle on the bar at the mouth of Rocky creek after a fight of over an hour and a half. As far as known it is the biggest fish ever taken from the Skagit near here on a hook and line.  The fish was on display at the Concrete Market and Grocery most of the day Saturday and drew a large crowd, both local people and those from out of town who had heard of it while passing through. Even after being cleaned and with the head off the salmon weight 49 pound, which is a lot of weight for any whole fish.  Of interest to fishermen, the Tyee was caught on a No. 4 Colorado spinner, and landed with a 38 pound test gut line.

Fish Issue

61 pound King Chinook.  Where do I buy a #4 Colorado Spinner?

“Gut line” was used before monofilament was invented and was commonly made of horsehair string.

11/8/34

C.H.

heavy rains and wind cause flood waters in valley

During the past week Concrete was visited with two natural disasters, one an earthquake and the other a flood.  The first, the earthquake, failed to be a disaster in the true meaning of the word but shook houses and rattled windows and dishes for about ten seconds at 6:50 Saturday morning.  The other trouble occurred Monday when high winds and heavy rain combined to swell all creeks and streams in the district to overflowing.  The road at Hamilton was under water in several places and traffic was detoured on the other side of the railroad tracks most of the day.  Later in the evening, however, the water began to rise and soon was too high for cars to attempt to go through it.  As rain ceased Tuesday the river dropped again and traffic was resumed.

Baker Lake Road Suffers

Damage along the road to Baker Lake by the streams in that district was great.  Besides the usual cutting of the banks and approaches to the bridges the waters of Big Sandy, Sulphur creeks and Little Sandy rose high enough to take out the new bridges that had been built over them recently.  This makes it impossible to get to Baker Lake by car and it will be some time before new bridges are put in place.

Undocumented Flood Event

Not reported by Corps of Engineers.

Road to Baker Lake closed.  River again shuts down traffic through Hamilton.

12/27/34

C.H.

flood control on river and dredge projects approved

According to word received from Washington, D. C., last week, two Skagit county projects have received favorable mention in a report filed by the United States board of army engineers. The engineers have made an extensive survey of this state and all projects of value as relief projects or projects involving navigation, water conservation or power have been studied.  None of the projects in the state are actually recommended for immediate completion, but all were either given the approval of the engineers or listed as “feasible” or the objections stalled.

Flood Control Justified

In their report on flood control on the Skagit River by raising dikes and protecting the banks of the river by various methods, the engineers stated that the project was justified to “receive unemployment.” The cost was estimated at $2,800,000.

Flood Control

Raise the levees recommended.  Cost $2,800,000.  Two years later the Avon By-Pass would be recommended at a cost of $4.000,000.

1/15/35
CT

Grocery Store Ads

Can’t buy dog food for a nickel any longer.

1/24/35
CT

filling in creeks (editorial)

Quick action by citizens in the middle of the night in cutting a channel thru the county road north of town, saved hundreds of families here from being flooded out of their homes.  The channel was cut at the place where the county engineers replaced a creek and bridge with a dirt fill and small culvert.  This disastrous policy was followed in many places in the county in past years, and has cost thousands of dollars and much trouble.

Culverts and Fill

It would appear that culverts and fill across streams and creeks are an invitation to drainage problems.

1/25/35
MVDH

Skagit River Still Rising At Concrete

Water Coming Up At Rate of Three Inches An Hour At Concrete; Danger Mark Draws Near

            . . .  This afternoon the river was within three feet of the point reached at the last flood here two years ago.  . . .  Readings at the county gauge south of the city docks at intervals today were:

8 a.m. – 23 feet, 2 inches.

10:45 a.m. – 23 feet, 8 inches.

12:30 p.m. – 23 feet, 10 inches.

1:30 p.m. – 24 feet.

2:30 p.m. – 24 feet, 3 inches.

            Early this morning the river was said to be rising two inches an hour at Concrete.  The flood gates were opened on the Baker river dam at Concrete yesterday, and huge quantities of water poured from that point and later reached the Skagit.  The amount of water coming over the dam was said to have slowed down considerably this morning, indicating it had been colder in the upper stretches during the night.  . . .  Many acres of farm land in the northern part of the county were flooded by the Samish.  It was said the Samish flood was the worst in years.  Wednesday night the water rose to three inches deep over the floor in Joy’s store at Allen and was level with the floor yesterday.  The Pacific highway was covered with water to within a mile north of the Triangle service station in that section of the county.  At Sedro-Woolley serious flood damage to property was saved early Wednesday morning when a group of citizens in the north end of town gathered under the direction of E. C. Carr and cut a channel through the old grade road northwest of town.  A four-foot culvert with which the county had recently replaced a bridge, proved inadequate for rapidly rising waters which soon flooded the homes in the surrounding districts, and but for the prompt action of the men in cutting the channel a serious flood menace would have threatened, putting the entire north end of the city under from three to six feet of water, with perhaps several feet in the business district.

JANUARY 25, 1935 FLOOD

USGS 131,000 cfs Concrete (37.9), no figures for Mt. Vernon.  More than 1975, less than 1979.

24 feet at this gage would be 32 feet at today's gage.

Water flowed over the top of Lower Baker Dam.

Samish River flood worst in years.

Sedro-Woolley business district flooding averted.  This flooding would most likely have been from Brickyard Creek and not the Skagit River.

1/26/35
MVDH

Danger of Serious Flood Is Lessened As River Starts Receding--Danger Not Yet Over, But Hundreds Breathe Easier; River At Highest Point Since 1917; Dropping Rapidly In Eastern Section of County; Scores Labor To Stop Dike Breaks

            Hundreds of residents in many sections of lower Skagit breathed a little easier this afternoon when it became apparent that the threat of the worst flood in years was gradually passing.  . . .  It was believed the high point in the river had been reached early this afternoon, and the Skagit was expected to start receding later today.  At 2 o’clock, river watchers said the Skagit was no longer rising.  The county gauge was out of sight, but it was estimated the river had reached a height of 28 feet, which is within a very few inches of the high in 1917 when sections of the county were visited by disastrous floods.  The river was at least a foot higher than three years ago when dikes broke at various places causing the inundation of hundreds of acres of farm lands.  All that saved a recurrence of the flood of late February in 1932 was the strengthening of the dikes under the CWA program, many declared.  . . .  There was only one actual dike break, which occurred on the south bank of Freshwater slough, south of Fir. … was flooding approximately 25 acres of land near the Island Gun club.

Gage Out Of Site – Estimated 28 Feet

1917 flood a little over 28 feet.  That would be a little over 36 feet at todays gage, which would be the same as the first flood in 1990 and less then the second flood in 1990 and the 5^th flood in 1995.

One dike break….Freshwater Slough.

River a foot higher then 2/27/32 flood when many dikes broke (USGS 147,000 cfs Concrete 39.9 ft, 157,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley.)

No question levees raise the level of a flood event.

1/26/35
MVDH

county cities recover from flood scare – dike breaks northeast of burlington, but flood is averted; much damage is done to roads, bridges

Mount Vernon and other Skagit county towns were almost back to normal today after experiencing the worst flood scare in years. . . .  Roads and bridges were damaged to the extent of several thousand dollars, but the exact amount cannot be determined until a survey is completed. . . .  Excitement during the high water reached its peak at about 3:30 Saturday afternoon when Burlington residents prepared to “move out” when it was learned that the dike had collapsed near the Cleveland ranch, northeast of Burlington. Hundreds gathered at Varney slough, a short distance east of the Burlington hospital, to watch the water as it roared down the passage. It was feared that the water would run down the Burlington main street from that point, but the receding of the river saved Burlington from inundation. The water reached within a few hundred feet of the hospital, but most of it raced down the slough, . . .

JANUARY 25, 1935 FLOOD EVENT

USGS 131,000 cfs at Concrete (37.9), no figure for Mt. Vernon.

Cleveland Ranch is located adjacent to Lafayette Road where road is the dike. 

“Varney slough” is today referred to as Gages Slough.

1/26/35
MVDH

what river did

The Skagit river, on its rampage last week, rose approximately 18 feet to one of the highest points in years. Gauges were out of sight, but it was estimated that the river has reached the 28-foot mark. . . .  Here’s how the river acted last week, readings being taken at the county gauge each morning at 8 o’clock:

Jan. 21 – 10 feet 10 inches

Jan. 22 – 11 feet 8 inches

Jan. 23 – 16 feet

Jan. 24 – 17 feet 8 inches

Jan. 25 – 23 feet 2 inches

Jan. 26 – 28 feet (estimated)

Jan. 27 – 25 feet 2 inches

Jan. 28 – (Today) – 21 feet

Mt. Vernon Gage Readings

If 28 feet is accurate (at the Moose Lodge in downtown Mt. Vernon) then this flood would be comparable to the first flood in 1990 and the October 2003 flood event.  Given the condition of the levees in 1935 it is believed highly unlikely that the river reached this level.

1/26/35
MVDH

marblemount isolated 5 days

Marblemount, situated ten miles east of Rockport, with its population of approximately 40 people, was completely isolated from the remainder of the world for five days during the severe weather of the last week. . . .  The Skagit river was almost solid with ice in many places. Snow, which had fallen a few days previously, was blown into high drifts Friday and Saturday. Sunday the weather moderated, and an additional two feet of snow fell, rendering travel impossible. . . .  Newhalem has reported six feet of snow and is entirely isolated.

Skagit River Almost Solid With Ice

Newhalem had 6 feet of snow.

1/28/35
MVDH

flood control measure is now on file

. . .  The rules committee introduced a flood control act, giving the state, through the department of conservation and development, full regulation and control over all waters in the state. The state hydraulics engineer would have authority to reject or approve plans for any structure to be built over or across any flood plain or floodway of any stream or body of water. As soon as funds are available the state is ordered to make a study of flood control needs. 

State Takes Control Of Floodplains

1/29/35
MVDH

city will seek assistance from diking districts

Enlargement of a diking district to include all of Mount Vernon, as proposed yesterday by Mayor C. W. Vaux has been found impossible, and city officials will now seek the cooperation of commissioners of dike districts already formed to bring about a program that will include strengthening in dikes within the city limits of Mount Vernon. . . .  He said something would have to be done or Mount Vernon will face a disastrous flood in the future. . . .  South Mount Vernon, including the business district, is in dike district No. 3, of which Edor Bergstrom, Peter A. Lee and Victor Lillquist are the commissioners, while west Mount Vernon is in district No. 1,   . . . 

Mt. Vernon Mayor Wanted All Of Mt. Vernon To Be Included In Dike District

1/31/35
Argus

car goes off broken dike; 2 drowned

Mrs. Harry Dimmick, Small Son Succumb At Break Near Burlington

Road Not Barricaded

Husband, Exhausted As Efforts Under Water Fail, Narrowly Escapes

Tragedy brought indirectly by the high waters of the Skagit River took the lives of a young mother and her three-year-old son early Tuesday night when the automobile in which they were riding slowly vaulted over the edge of the broken dike-road between Burlington and Sedro-Woolley and buried itself in about fifteen feet of water.

January 25, 1935 Flood Event

Flood crested 1/25/35 at Concrete 131,000 cfs, 37.9 on gage.

Flood related death.

Dike break was on Lafayette Road.

1/31/35
Argus

lower valley farmers keep dikes secure

Constant Patrolling Wins Over Turbulent Waters Of Rising Skagit

3 Breaks Reported

Damage is comparatively Small – Samish floods Northern Part of County

Combined efforts of more than 1500 lower Skagit valley residents to effect a 60-hour constant patrol of the river dikes during the highest stages of the Skagit proved effective despite the fact that the river rose to the peak obtained during the flood of 1922.  Stronger dikes constructed during past year by the dike districts also proved instrumental in checking the turbulent waters that rose to within inches of the dike tops Saturday afternoon.  . . .

Two breaks were reported south of Mt. Vernon, one at the freshwater slough and the other between Brown and Dry sloughs.  . . .

The County recordings of the river taken each day last week show the unusual speed in which the river rose.  On Sunday the reading was 7 feet, Monday and Tuesday 10 feet, Wednesday 16 feet, Thursday morning 17 feet, Friday 23 feet, Saturday 28 feet.

Since there was no flood in 1922 assume they meant 1921.  Same level??  Dikes broke south of Mt. Vernon, Freshwater Slough, and between Brown & Dry Slough.  Also broke in Burlington on Lafayette Road.  (See previous article.)  This strongly suggest flood in 1921 not as great as Stewart said it was.

1/31/35
CT

three skagit cities have flood scares; danger past

The present flood danger in Skagit county is now ended, but three cities, Mt. Vernon, Burlington and Sedro-Woolley, had some bad moments.  Sedro-Woolley was not threatened so much by the river as by high water from the hills north of town, which for two days surrounded several hundred homes and would have flooded the city, but for blasting out the old grade road in the middle of the night.  . . .  Saturday night was the flood crisis in Burlington and Mt. Vernon.  At Burlington Saturday afternoon, the siren sounded an alarm to bring more help on the dike northeast of town.  This time the dike held and it was thought the danger was past.  However, a real break occurred Saturday evening and Burlington citizens prepared to move out.  . . .  The flood reached the Burlington hospital, but the fact that the river was receding at the time, prevented any inundation.  The creek just east of Burlington washed away part of the road.  The big break on the dike near the old Cleveland place, took away a large stretch of highway.

JANUARY 21, 1935 FLOOD

USGS 131,000 cfs at Concrete (37.9).  No figure for Sedro-Woolley or Mt. Vernon.

Sedro-Woolley blows up old grade road.

The Burlington dike they are talking about is Lafayette Road where it takes a 90 degree bend and parallels Highway 20.

1/31/35
CT

two drowned in road hole

Victims of a tragic aftermath of the high waters, Mrs. Harry Dimmick and her three-year-old son, Perry, were drowned Tuesday evening when the car in which they were riding, plunged off the road into the opening caused by high water, near the Cleveland ranch northeast of Burlington.  Harry Dimmick, the husband and father, was able to free himself from the auto, which was submerged in 15 or 20 feet of water, and is recovering from shock and bruises.

Flood Deaths

This is why people shouldn’t drive around road barricades during flood events.

Both of these 1/31/35 articles have now helped us locate the Cleveland Ranch which is mentioned in many flood articles.

1/31/35

C.H.

editorial

The accident that occurred Tuesday night near Burlington is the result of pure negligence on the part of officials in charge of our highway. Upper valley residents happen to be used to this sort of thing and this is the only reason no such tragic occurrences have happened in the district. Slides, rocks, places where the road has slid into the river and other hazards are left for days with only a few twigs or a small log to warn away the motorists No detour signs are ever posted on the roads in time of flood water. No red lanterns warn night travelers of dangers ahead. Instead, the one who travels must take his life in his own hands and rely on his own ability to keep from wrecking his car. The fact that lives must be lost before an awakening is noticed does not make the picture any more maddening, it is only that investigations cannot bring back the dead.

Flood Related Deaths

January 25, 1935 Flood Event

Two lives lost on Lafayette Road near Burlington.

1/31/35

C.H.

flood waters fail to do much damage here

The rising waters of the Baker and Skagit River here Friday and Saturday failed to become high enough to do a great deal of damage in the upper valley. Concrete was shut off from down river points for a day. Mail was carried across the railroad tracks at Hamilton so this service was uninterrupted, but papers and regular deliveries of laundry, meats and groceries were suspended.  …  In the upper valley Marblemount was isolated for a few days on account of the high water. Part of the county road along the river near Washington’s hill slid into the Skagit, making it extremely dangerous to travel over.  …  The first of the week water was still across the road at the Hamilton school house but was not deep enough to prevent through traffic.  …  In the lower valley a broken dike near Burlington flooded part of the district.

January 25, 1935 Flood Event

Corps says 131,000 cfs (37.9) at Concrete.  No figure for Mt. Vernon.

Broken dike near Burlington.  Hamilton underwater.

1/31/35

C.H.

two lose lives in washout by flood

Failure by county road workers to block off a portion of the road between Sedro-Woolley and Burlington caused the death of two persons on Tuesday night. The road had been cut in two near the Cleveland place on the old Burlington road when dikes of the Skagit broke near there Saturday afternoon. Tuesday evening Mr. And Mrs. Harry Dimmick and their three-year old son were driving along the road but not in time to stop and the car plunged into about fifteen feet of water at the bottom of the hole.  Dimmick managed to escape through a hole in the top of the car but was unable to rescue his family. By time a wrecker had been secured and the car removed his wife and child was beyond human aid.  The road had been partially blocked off by a sawhorse at one side of the road some 400 feet from the hole, but no effort had been made to put up signs of warning or notices of necessary detour. There were no barricades at the edge of the hole.  Local people driving over the road Tuesday morning barely escaped the same fate, daylight enabling them to see the hole in time.

Flood Related Deaths

January 25, 1935 Flood Event

Blamed County workers for failure to block off road.

2/1/35
B.J.

A Flood Control Plan

            Flood control talk again takes the spotlight, after the highest water seen in Skagit county in years.  A year from now, with more melting snow in the hills, we’ll probably still be talking, with nothing more accomplished.  A three-point practical control plan that would cost certainly no more than is now being spent, is here presented by The Journal as something to start from:         1. Secure co-operation in some way with the power dams up river to help regulate the volume of water in the river.  At periods of low water in winter or spring, water in these reservoirs could be lowered; during periods of heavy thawing there would be room to hold much water while the river was naturally full.           2. With the money being spent this year and next by diking districts, buy or build a Skagit River Dredge that would remain constantly in the Skagit, digging a channel deep enough to carry the water out, straightening out the stream by taking out the bends, and putting the rich silt where it will do the most good.       3. With the foregoing dredge, build strong emergency dikes equal distant from the river banks all the way down.  This would eliminate the wide places and “bottlenecks” in the present dike system, which so often causes breaks and weak spots in the dikes.

3 Point Suggestion to Flood Control

Have dams lower levels (more storage).

Buy a dredge., straighten river.

Build more dikes equal distance from the river edge (setback levees)..

2/5/35
MVDH

one million for skagit dikes to be asked – congressmen to go direct to president to present his views on flood relief in this state

Plans to carry the program of Washington state for adequate flood control of its rivers to President Roosevelt were disclosed today by Representative Wallgren (D-Wash.). . . .  In addition to the projects which Wallgren said had been classed as meritorious, he said other projects totaling $10,520,000 should be started. . . . $1,000,000 for Skagit river flood protection for delta by raising levees to 11 feet. This latter project, Wallgren said, was listed by the engineers as being justified as an unemployment relief project. The same classification was given for bank protection on the stream at an estimated cost of another $100,000.

Raise Levees To 11 Feet

The levees in 1935 were quite a bit smaller then they are today.  In fact, in 1952 the levees “varied from 5 to 10 feet high”.  (Source:  Corps of Engineers Report on Survey for Flood Control of Skagit River and Tributaries, February 21, 1952)

This proposal would have made levees uniform in protection but far below what we have today.

2/5/35
MVDH

county faces damage suit over deaths – gilbert retained by dimmick and says suit will be filed for $25,000; county is blamed

Skagit county will probably face a $25,000 damage action as a result of the accident nearly a week ago which snuffed out the lives of Mrs. Myrna Dimmick, 22, and her three-year-old son Perry. The Daily Herald obtained this information today from Attorney Warren Gilbert, who admitted he is preparing to file a claim against the county in behalf of Harry Dimmick, husband and father, who narrowly escaped the same fate as the two others. The two were killed when the auto which Dimmick was driving plunged into the water-filled gap left by flood waters on the Burlington-Sedro-Woolley combination dike and road. . . .  “We believe someone is responsible for the failure to provide a proper barricade and light to give the motorist notice of the danger ahead,” explained Gilbert. “The family realizes that money cannot compensate it for the loss of the mother, son and grandchild, but they fell that the county should pay a reasonable compensation for the loss they sustained,” the attorney added. Reports at the time of the accident were to the effect that a sawhorse with a couple of boards on it served as the only warning of the 100-foot gap in the highway ahead. Dimmick said he drove around the sawhorse and his wife exclaimed: “There’s been a little washout.” A few hours later, county officials erected a permanent barricade, making it impossible to drive within several hundred feet of the water-filled hole.

County Blamed For Flood Deaths

Woman and son were drowned when husband drove around flood barrier into river near Doc Clevelands Ranch on Lafayette Road.

This is why people shouldn’t drive around flood barricades.

2/6/35
MVDH

dike union is urged to get federal aid – burlington c.c. wants dike organization similar to union high schools; dredger also proposed

A super organization of all county diking districts, so that the county can appeal to the federal government for aid in curbing the flood waters of the Skagit and Samish rivers, was proposed at a meeting of the Burlington chamber of commerce here last night, and the group adopted a resolution asking the state legislature to pass the necessary laws to make this possible. The proposal, as outlined at last night’s meeting, does not mean that the dike districts would consolidate, which was described as virtually impossible. The idea is to organize a dike union, similar to union high schools. This would give all the dike districts an organization which could go to the federal government for aid. At present, no single district is large or strong enough to carry any weight in appealing to the government, it was pointed out. . . .  Another flood control measure was advanced at the meeting by W. D. Knipe, well known local man. He proposed an investigation to determine the feasibility of the county bounding itself to the extent of $100,000, or the amount necessary to purchase a dredger for use on the river. He said various districts which use the dredger could be assessed a certain amount for operation expenses and depreciation. The dredger would not only deepen the channel, but at the same time it would aid in strengthening the dikes. In this connection, Knipe said it would permit the building of sloping dikes to that the pressure of the river during high water would not undermine.

Proposed Formation Of Dike Union

Consolidation of dike districts “virtually impossible”. 

“Dike Union” would have allowed dike districts to go to federal government for aid.

Proposal to purchase a “dredger”.  Like the proposal to form a dike union it never happened.

2/7/35
MVDH

flood loss in skagit place at two million

The survey of the Skagit river flood damage, which has been carried on during the past few weeks under WERA funds, has found an estimated loss of more than two million. This amount was given by farmers and others as actually lost to them over a period of years and is some half a million dollars more than the figures turned in to the federal government some months ago, before the survey was made, as the Skagit flood loss. . . .  While figures given to the men making the river survey have not been given out in detail, many thousands of acres of fine Skagit farm land are reported washed down the river with many more threatened.

Damages in 1/25/35 Flood

2,000,000 loss in 1935 would equate to $27,000,000 in 2003 dollars using the Consumer Price Index inflation factor.  By comparison the November 1990 floods caused 39,800,000 in damages.  (Source:  Corps of Engineers, Letter Report, Alternatives for Compensation for Flood storage Capacity, Upper Baker Reservoir, 22 January 2003 Review Copy)

2/7/35
Argus

flood gates at dam aided high water control

Current Belief That Gates Caused Excess Water In River Refuted

Management of the gates in the Puget Sound Power and Light Company’s Baker River dam during the recent high water was a matter of much conjecture on the part of the public.  Many people had the suspension that the gates were open that critical period and consequently swelled the already threatening stream.  Statements by Harley LaPlant, Lyman Lumberman, and Fred Slipper of Hamilton made in Mt. Vernon a few days after the high water were a direct refutation of this suspicion.  They told the Argus that the contrary was true and requested that the facts be given to the people in all fairness.

A statement to the press made this week by the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. tells just how the gates were handled.  The statement follows:

“With Skagit suffering from the effects from the most disastrous flood it has experienced in recent years,  . . .  More than a week before the flood, according to Mr. Hatcher, the lake level was lowered gradually from an elevation of 435 feet to an elevation of 429 feet, thereby providing storage for part of the tremendous volume of water brought down by the rapidly melting snow.   He stated that plant records indicated that 1,247,000,000 gallons of flood water were stored on Thursday, January 24^th; 1,247,000,000 gallons on Friday January 25^th; and on Saturday January 26^th, 1,355,000,000 gallons were stored instead of being allowed to sweep over the dam and through the valley.”

All gates on the dam were closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 o’clock p.m. Saturday in order to lessen the flood at high tide, and during this period and additional surplus, estimated at 620,000,000 gallons was stored and held until the receding tide permitted its discharge.  At no time, according to Mr. Hatcher, during the entire flood period did the flow of water released at the dam equal the tremendous volume poured into Lake Shannon from above.  This clearly demonstrated, he said, the value of the dam and the lake in minimizing property damage as a result of the flood.”

Local residents blame Baker Dam for flooding.

How Baker Dam (Lake Shannon) was operated in January 25, 1935 flood event.  Lowered lake level 6 feet.  Need to break gallons down to cfs.   This analogy is bogus.  Without dam in place most of that water wouldn’t have been there to begin with. 

January 26, 1935 is day after flood crested.

Can we use this demonstration now?

2/7/35
Argus

skagit river floods cause 2 million loss

Early Estimates Fail To Cover All Damages Substained

Federal Aid Probable

Wallgren, Schwellenbach Promise Shrauger That Aid Will Be Given

The survey of the Skagit river flood damages, which has been carried on during the past few weeks under WERA funds, has found an estimated loss of more then 2 million dollars.  This amount was given by farmers and others as actually lost to them over a period of years and is some half a million dollars more than the figures turned in to the Federal government some months ago before the survey was made as the Skagit River loss.

2 million since when?  Article did not state when survey began.

2/7/35
CT

river survey shows losses

The survey of the Skagit river flood damages, which has been carried on during the past few weeks under W.E.R.A. funds, has found an estimated loss of more than two million dollars.  This amount was given by farmers and others as actually lost to them over a period of years and is some half a million dollars more than the figures turned in to the federal government some months ago, before the survey was made, as the Skagit flood loss.  . . .  While figures given to the men making the river survey have not been given out in detail, many thousands of acres of fine Skagit farm land are reported washed down the river, with many more threatened.

River Erosion

$2,000,000 worth of farmland lost.

“thousands of acres” washed down the river.

This would beg the question of how has  this impacted the previous studies of the  hydraulics of the river.

2/7/35

C.H.

baker dam aids in controlling floods

With Skagit County suffering from the effects of the most disastrous flood it has experienced in recent years and with flood control one of the principal topics of discussion throughout the state, as well as local, the following figures furnished by C. K. Hatcher, superintendent of the Baker River plant of the Puget Sound Power & Light company, are of particular interest.  More than a week before the flood, according to Mr. Hatcher, the lake level was lowered gradually from an elevation of 435 feet to an elevation of 429 feet, thereby providing storage for part of the tremendous volume of water brought down by the rapidly melting snow.  …  All gates on the dam were closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday in order to lessen the flood at high tide, and during this period an additional surplus, estimated at 620,000,000 gallons, was stored and held until the receding tide permitted its discharge.

Lower Baker Dam

2/8/35
B.J.

Power Dam Held Up Flood Waters

            With Skagit County suffering from the effects of the most disastrous flood in recent years, and with flood control one of the principal topics of discussion throughout the state, as well as locally, the following figures furnished by C.K. Katcher, superintendent at the Baker River plant of the Puget Sound Power and Light Company, are of particular interest.

            More than a week before the flood, according to Katcher, the lake level was lowered gradually from an elevation of 435 feet to an elevation of 429 feet, thereby providing storage for part of the tremendous volume of water brought down by the rapidly meting snow.

            At no time, according to Mr. Katcher, during the entire flood period, did the flow of water released at the dam equal the tremendous volume poured into Lake Shannon from above.  This clearly demonstrated, he said, the value of the dam and the lake in minimizing property damage as the result of the flood.

January 25, 1935 Flood

PSPL lowered Lake Shannon 6 feet more than a week before the flood.  This is same data given to Mt. Vernon Argus.

2/8/35
B.J.

Reader Suggests Hydraulic Dredge Instead of Dikes

            The Journal’s discussion of flood control in the Skagit valley, started last week, brought many comments and the first of a series of letters from readers.  The letter, written by a Burlington man who for the present desires to remain anonymous, is printed below.

            In our cussing and discussions on this problem of river control…there is one law that may not be violated with impunity; i.e. water in seeking its own level follows the line of least resistance.

            Formerly this river shaped its course along the line of the least resistance, occupied that course until by deposition the accumulated particles of mountain that course became untenable, then moved over to a new bed.  Hence the fairly level area extending from Blanchard south for miles.

            Then comes puny man.  Now we have no fault to find with the pioneer who diked his land with a dike a foot high, extending from spruce root to spruce root.  As a matter of expediency this was an acceptable plan.  However, since the bottom of the river at Conway has now become elevated by deposited silt until it is above the extreme high water mark of forty years ago, having added elevation at an average rate of six inches per year.  It seems reasonable to suppose that the present bed will soon become untenable, for the water is now finding its line of least resistance through and not between the dikes, and we have long since reached the limits of that method of flood control as an expedient.

            With the increased erosion to be expected with the removal of timber from the upper areas that dike in another forty years will be approximately fifty feet high.  Then when she breaks, as she surely will, LOOK OUT BELOW!  For every annual six-inch addition to the lower dikes at least an equal amount must be added to the dikes farther up.

            Why not put in some good substantial control gates in the river dikes which will permit of an ordered and orderly flow into Varney slough and such other depressions as may serve as setting basins, thus securing for our use this valuable silt deposit, thus raising the level of the land and adding fertility, permitting the excess water to pass out through the saltwater dikes through well constructed automatic flood gates of ample capacity!

Dredging

A more profound observation has never been observed in Skagit County.

Bottom of river coming up 6 inches per year.

Dikes by 1975 should have been 50 feet high if his theory was correct

Overtopping levees, flood gates and use Varney (Gages) Slough to disperse flood waters.  Much more viable than is dredging the river.

2/8/35
B.J.

Why Any River Dikes?

            People who really know the Skagit river seem to agree that the whole valley would be much better off if there were no river dikes at all, provided the bed of the stream could be kept deep enough and straight enough.  A dredge is needed to do that job.

            Not impeded by dikes, ordinary winter high water would help, not hurt, the Skagit valley.  Dredging the river and perhaps small dikes would protect the crops from spring freshets that would do harm.

            Leave the river alone and it rises at least half a foot a year at the mouth.  Under our present system, dikes must be raised, too, every year.  The dikes have never yet held the river at flood stage and when they do break, look out below.

            The whole argument points to spending dike money on a dredge and getting at the bottom of the thing.  What do you think?

NO DIKES!!

Dredging and small dikes.

Look out below!!

2/21/35
MVDH

city ownership of dikes here is again debated

Now arguments for city ownership of all dikes within Mount Vernon, in the event the dike commissioners do not order them repaired sufficiently to prevent a disastrous flood here, were heard at last night’s meeting of the city council. Thomas K. Chambers declared he was certain the dike commissioners would cooperate with the city, but if they don’t, he said he was inclined to support the attitude of Mayor C. W. Vaux, that it might be best for the city to take over the dikes and maintain them. . . .  The discussion arose after passage of an emergency ordinance whereby the city will furnish $2,313.39 on a WERA project for work on the dikes now owned by the city. The city owns and maintains the dike between Montgomery and Myrtle streets, two blocks. . . .

Mt. Vernon Wanted To Own Dikes In City Limits

City apparently owns the dike between Montgomery and Myrtle Streets.

3/14/35

C.H.

county chamber hears more on cascade highway

The regular March session of the Skagit County Chamber of Commerce was held Tuesday night in Anacortes with only a small group of members in attendance. For lack of other outstanding topics the Cascade highway again took up most of the chamber’s time.  Dave McIntyre of Sedro-Woolley reported his view on the results of the recent committee sent to Olympia to contact highway officials and others in regard to the road. The committee failed to carry out their plan of holding a banquet at which the entire group could be reached at one time, but never the less visited nearly all of the officials they wanted to see personally.  Mr. McIntyre stated that Director of State Highways Lacey Murrow was opposed to the completion of the Cascade highway and had said that it was not practicable or necessary. He also told Mr. McIntyre that many other roads in other parts of the state were to be completed before any more work would be done on the Cascade pass.

Cascade Highway

Not looked upon favorably by State officials.

4/11/35
CT

plan flood relief (editorial)

Apparently the forgotten Skagit farmer, whose valuable land has been washing downstream for years, is to be remembered.  The Puget Sound Flood Control Council was instrumental in having legislation passed to permit counties to form districts to raise funds for stooping erosion and floods, and the big federal appropriation for public works, including a huge amount for flood relief work.  . . .  Congressman Wallgren has taken the lead in flood and erosion control work at Washington, D.C. and through his efforts it is expected that $1,500,000 will be appropriated for the Skagit.  This will be the first time that much has been done to stop erosion, which goes on at low water even more than during floods.

Erosion Control Proposed

It appears that the Congressman fell short of his desired amount of $1,500,000.  See 10/31/35 CT article.

5/2/35
Argus

flood control program takes new life here

Ninety Representatives Attend Meeting at Courthouse—Immediate Action Is Advised—Investigating Engineer Praises Skagit County

B.H. Allen, special investigating engineer from the department of conservation and development . . . told the gathering that he was deeply impressed with what he had seen of Skagit County.  “I believe this is the most fertile and beautiful farm country I have ever laid eyes on; it is beyond anything I have imagined; it more than lives up to its reputation,”

Attorney James G. Smith advised immediate action looking toward the formation of a district, which would include all the dike and drainage districts and eliminate the costly method now employed.  . . .  Attorney R. V. Welts presided and put the question of organization to speakers from every district represented and received favorable replies from every one.  Not one dissenting opinion was expressed.

Consolidation of dike and drainage districts.

5/2/35
CT

flood expert here to see river farms – concrete spillway to be built south of town

Inspection of all parts of Skagit county endangered by Skagit river floods or erosion is progressing, with Mr. Allen, the federal expert, to spend the next few days in this district as the guest of County Commissioner Hugo Bauman.  He has already inspected the other two districts in the county.  Bauman will take Allen to the various places along the river, such as Utopia, Hamilton, Lyman, Sterling and wherever the river is cutting into land or threatening to do so.  . . .  Commissioner Bauman announced that a spillway will be built at once, south of Sedro-Woolley, on the fill between here and the river bridge.  . . .  The plan is to surface the roadway with concrete and also to put concrete along the sides, and for five feet along the bottom, so flood waters cannot undermine the fill.

Concrete Spillway South of Sedro-Woolley

Although no proof has been located that this “spillway” was ever constructed it is believed that the location the Commissioner was talking about was located at the end of Township Street near the current Riverside Park, and would have served to allow floodwaters to flow into Beaty slough near the Weyerhaeuser mill.

5/16/35
CT

drainage and road surveys to start here – to be first wera job bauman reports; to work on river

The big drainage district project north of Sedro-Woolley and the completion of the Arlington road survey, have been approved by the state W.E.R.A. heads and will be the first work done in this district under the new relief work project plans, according to County Commissioner Hugo Bauman, who, with the other two commissioners, spend Tuesday in Olympia, conferring with state relief heads.  Approximately $19,000 will be required for the drainage system to be developed to drain a big area north of the city.

Drainage Projects Proposed

“North of the City” at that time would have been near the bottom of the Dukes Hill area.

6/6/35
MVDH

fund is ok’d for raising skagit dikes – chairman of flood control committee confident congress will pass bill appropriating big sum

The house flood control committee today approved a bill authorizing an appropriation of #340,000,000 for flood control activities. . . .  Projects included: . . .  Skagit river and its tributaries, Washington, raising of flood protection levees on the delta to 11 feet to prevent erosion, cost $2,000,000. . . . 

Congress Okay’s Rasing Levees to 11 Feet in Delta.

See 2/5/35 MVDH article.  Cost increased to $2,000,000.

6/8/35
MVDH

flood district hearing to be held in July – sisson arranged for official hearing here; report of engineer shows need of immediate control measures

A public hearing on the formation of a flood control district in Skagit county will be held in Mount Vernon either July 1 or 2. Grant Sisson, a member of the state’s flood control commission for Skagit, disclosed today. . . .  The proposed district will embrace all of the county east of Swinomish channel. . . .  Formation of the county’s first step in compliance with rules laid down to obtain federal aid for flood control. . . .  Engineer’s Report Given B. H. Allen, flood control engineer of the state department of conservation and development, recently made a survey in this county and a copy of his report to E. F. Banker, state director of the department, has been sent to Mr. Sisson, Allen had the following to say: “About ten days was taken covering the area west of Sedro-Woolley in county district Nos. 1 and 2. A flat bottom boat was used on the South and North forks of the Skagit river and every dike and drainage district covered. There are now organized 11 drainage districts and 15 dike districts, having a combined area of 39,222 acres. Outside of these organized districts there are privately operated districts kept up by the farmers of an estimated 15,000 acres, making a grand total of 54,222 acres. The population of all this area is 25,000 (estimated). During the past 10 years there was levied upon these organized dike and drainage district the sum of $36,319 per annum, for damages arising from floods. $75,431 in 1934 “The past year, 1934, this assessment amounted to $75,431.65. The average levy for 1934 for dike and drainage districts was about 43 mills. This does not take into consideration the money spent unorganized districts by private owners. . . . What Should Be Done 1. Dredging of lower channels of river. A dredge operating in lower channels would deepen same, thereby releasing pressure upon dikes and supply the necessary material for broadening and strengthening dikes. Sloughs at the western ends of the North and South forks of the Skagit river should be cleaned out to allow free passage of water. This work should be carried out to deep water. 2. Bank Projection. Bank protection should be started as soon as possible to save existing banks and the erosion of acres of valuable bottom land now in danger of being carried away at the next stage of high water. . . .  3. Cooperation of Shannon and Diablo dams at peak of floods: This is shown by the graph compiled by the U.S.G.S. of the high water of 1932 in the flood of February 27, when the peak of 182,000 cubic second feet, a control of 61,500 cubic second feet. . . .  Nookachamps creek, running from Big Lake to the Skagit river, offers another possible storage reservoir. . . .”

Another Flood Control District Proposed

District needed in order to obtain federal aid.

54,222 acres covered by dike and drainage districts containing 25,000 people.

Average sum levied was $36,319 per year.

In 1934 that soared to $75,431.

Report recommended dredging lower channels of river (north and south forks), erosion control bank protection; Shannon and Diablo dams should be used for flood control; and use storage in the Nookachamps.

6/13/35
Argus

flood control aid sought by commissioners

Two Resolutions Mailed To Olympia This Week—Skagit, Samish Named

Receives $2,000,000

District Will Meet In July—County Chamber Discusses Subject

Resolutions were passed this week by County Commissioners which ask the Federal Government for funds with which to finance flood control projects on the Skagit and Samish Rivers.  The Commissioners signed the instruments Monday and the Auditor was instructed to forward them to the State Director of Relief at Olympia as soon as possible.  . . .  The Skagit River project as outlined in the resolution lays the river bank out in sections, giving the engineers estimate of the cost of each.  The resolution states that the County agrees to pay 5% of the cost and will furnish all the right-of-way and will assume responsibility for damages and that it will operate and maintain the work after completion.  Part of the right-of-way has already been acquired, says the resolution.  . . .

The Skagit River project calls for 2,000 feet of 1 foot rock rip-rap to cost $20,000; 12,000 feet in Avon Bend to cost $120,000; the Burlington Bend, 3,400 feet, to cost $34,000.  Other stretches of bank, totaling more than 4,000 feet are estimated at $405,250.  An appropriation of $2,000,000 for the raising of the flood protection levees on the delta of the Skagit river and its tributaries was included in the $340,000,000 House Bill at Wash. D.C., late last week . . .

A public hearing for the formation of the flood control district will be held in Mt. Vernon, either July 1^st or 2^nd, it was announced this week by Grant Sission, a member of the state Flood Contorl Commission for Skagit.  After the hearing the district will be permanently set up at an election which will be called in this district to vote on the proposal.

“This election is of vital importance to everyone in the County,” Sisson told members of the Chamber of Commerce at a meeting in Concrete Tuesday evening.  He denied that an immediate bond issue would be forced upon the people, stating that in any event County Commissioners may not exceed 2 mils for flood control purposes. . . .

E.F. Banker of Okanogan and George Moore of Seattle also spoke on the subject.  Moore spoke on the proposed Ruby dam, which, he stated, “would permanently solve the Skagit flood problem.”  Moore presented figures and data concerning the Skagit that members of the Chamber had never heard before.  Banker told that it would cost the County, state or federal gov’t 14,500,000 dollars to control the Skagit.

E.F. Banker was state director of Conservation and Development, the forerunner of the State Department of Ecology.   Must assume Moore was from Seattle City Light.  Would like to find what figures he presented.  Does Chamber of Commerce keep any archives?

7/25/35
Argus

$850,000 required for skagit work projects

Flood Control Proposals Will Use $578,000—Highway, Bridge Construction Will Require Remainder—Will Employ Many

Expenditures of more than $850,000 in Skagit County were requested this week by the board of county commissioners when approximately 35 federal emergency relief project applications were announced.  . . .$578,000 requested for 25 different river projects.  Ripraping with rock and brush constituted the improvements for the entire expenditure of $578,000.  The largest project is that of a 12,000 foot west bank on the river at the Avon Bend.

A complete flood survey reveals that the following expenditures could be made:  Mt. Vernon waterfront, 2000 feet, $20,000; river banks at Riverside bridge, 2,000 feet, $20,000; 3,400 feet southeast of Clear Lake, $34,000; 1,500 feet south side of Burlington Bend, $15,000; 2,600 feet opposite side of Burlington Bend, $26,000; 4,000 feet east of Burlington, $36,000; 3,000 feet northeast of Clear Lake, $30,000; and three projects at Lyman totaling 92,000.  Four projects for Hamilton total $88,650,; . . .

Rip-rapping and brush mat placement.

7/25/35
CT

this district to get aid in flood control -- $300,000 to be spent on river east of here, plan

Using figures prepared by the recent survey of the Skagit flood area by state experts, the county commissioners have filed a detailed description of the proposed work with the United States engineer in Seattle.  . . .  According to the report, some $160,000 would be spent on riprap work along the river at Mt. Vernon and the Riverside bend; on the Burlington bend, where the flood broke through east of that city, $75,000 is to be spent in riprap work to strengthen the banks.  In the vicinity of Sterling, some 4,000 feet of riprap at an estimated cost of $36,000 is provided for. 

Flood Control Projects Planned

$160,000 riprap Mt. Vernon

$36,000 riprap at Sterling

$130,000 riprap Skiyou[2]

$66,000 riprap Utopia

$63,000 work at Lyman

$25,000 work at Hamilton

$75,000 work at Burlington Bend

7/25/35

C.H.

flood control project to cost over half million

Pledging to pay five per cent of the cost and also furnish equipment, the county commissioners Saturday filed a detailed description of the proposed Skagit river flood control project that calls for an expenditure of $579,600. The report was filed with the U.S. district engineer at Seattle.  The largest expenditure would be the $120,000 for 12,000 one-foot rock rip rap of the Avon bend. A $20,000 expenditure is proposed for the 2,000 one foot rock rip-rap with sloping banks on the Mount Vernon waterfront.  With reference to the Avon project, the application states that less expensive construction could be used. Relief for twenty years could be obtained by a series of wing piling and the same is true of many of the other units listed.  The project as submitted listed 25 separate units from the mouth of the river on up the valley.

Flood Control

 Rip Rap and Avon By-Pass

Mt. Vernon waterfront project.  Downtown Mt. Vernon???

8/22/35
Argus

u.s. engineers recommend new river cut off

Proposal Calls For Canal From Avon Westward To Padilla Bay

Request Reservoir

Dam in Upper Skagit Country Advised By Federal Government for Flood Control

A $4,740,000 canal leading from Avon westward into Padilla Bay, augmented by power reservoirs in the upper Skagit country, has been named as the most feasible method of flood control for the Skagit river and its Tributaries.  The recommendation was made by Thomas M. Robins, colonel of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in a news release . . . The construction of the channel westward from Avon was recommended as essential and it would be started at once. 

“This report finds that the best plan for flood control on the Skagit river is to construct a by-pass, leading from the river near Avon into Padilla Bay, and to provide storage in connection with proposed power developments on the Skagit river system at the Ruby, Cascade, lower Sauk, and Baker lake dam sites.  Provision of storage cannot be undertaken at this time because the proposed power developments ar not now warranted, but the by-pass should be built as soon as practicable because this work alone will afford much needed protection.

AVON BY-PASS

With the exception of the Herzog report this is the beginning of the Avon By-Pass saga.

Even with By-Pass storage still needed behind dams.

8/29/35
Argus

$13,500,000 project for skagit river

Calling for expenditure of $13,500,000, a construction program for City Light’s Skagit project including the Ruby reservoir and dam to be financed through a government loan and sale of utility bonds was disclosed here today following a meeting yesterday in Seattle.

Clearing Ruby basin to elevation 1,600 feet, $1,250,000; constructing the Ruby dam to elevation 1,500 feet, $7,750,000; transmission line from the Gorge plant at the Skagit to the south substation in Seattle, $2,500,000; . . . houses, etc. at Gorge and Diablo, $97,940.

Ross dam constructed with federal loan.

8/29/35

C.H.

ruby dam project approved by city light department

Calling for expenditure of $13,500,000 a construction program for City Light’s Skagit project including the Ruby reservoir and dam, to be financed thru a government loan and sale of utility bonds, was disclosed yesterday to Mayor Charles L. Smith to the city council.  Called into a conference yesterday afternoon, the board of public works approved the program as proposed by Supt. J. D. Ross in a telegram from Washington D.C., and a majority of the city council agreed to concur in the plan and to wire Ross authorizing him to file a formal application with the federal PWA.

Loan Assured

Ross has been in touch with federal officials at Washington and has indicated that both the PWA loan and the utility bond sale will go through.  As outlined to the mayor by Ross the plan calls for a loan of 55 per cent of the total cost, or $7,425,000 and an outright grant of 45 per cent of $6,075,000. It is proposed to apply the grant as follows: For construction, 25 per cent, or $3,375,000; for application on bond interest payments, 20 per cent of the cost or $2,700,000.

Ross Dam

Cost $13,500,000.  Government loan for 55% of the cost.  The rest, 45% or $6,075,000 was paid for by the tax payers of America.

10/2/35
MVDH

flood control district o.k’d by plan council

Organization of a flood control district in Skagit county, embracing all the territory east of Swinomish channel, has the backing of the Skagit county planning council. The group, meeting in the office of Welts & Welts here last night, approved unanimously a motion to recommend the formation of a legally organized district. Senator W. J. Knutzen moved for approval and was seconded by Harold McFarlane.

Countywide Flood Control District

See 1/20/35 MVDH article.

10/3/35
Argus

flood district is approved at public meeting here today

Election Date Will Be Set As Soon As Necessary Field Work Is Completed, E.F. Banker Tells Group—All Of Skagit Except Islands Included

E.F. Banker, state director of conservation and development, told a gathering of about 150, mostly farmers, that as soon as the date of the election has been fixed all the data relating to Skagit river flood control will be turned over to the county commissioners, who will have complete charge of all future steps.  His department will after that have no more authority in the matter.  The district will comprise all Skagit County except the islands.  All the land within this area, both bottom and high land, would be levied upon to finance such a flood control project, as may be adopted.   A.G. Moser of Sedro-Woolley was the only objector.  He thought the drainage area in the district should include only the Skagit and Samish rivers that the Nooksack and Stillaguamish, which are separate projects and outside, ought to be eliminated.

Senator W. J. Knutzen . . . suggested Skagit County Flood Control district as the official title, and so it was written in the minutes.  . . . E.R. Pierce, representing Blodell-Donovan timber interest, asked permission to enter a protest against the inclusion of certain timber lands in the district.  . . . Mr. Banker interposed with the opinion that to exclude any special areas within the district would cause confusion and would complicate the running of the boundary lines.  He said the tax would fall lightly on timber and that there was nothing to fear by timber owners.

FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT

Why would District include Snohomish and Whatcom county?  Nooksack and Stillaguamish don’t flow into Skagit.

10/23/35
MVDH

go into court

TACOMA, Oct. 23. –(AP)– Canvassing of the returns and certifying of the results of Tuesday’s special election to determine whether or not a flood control district shall be established in the Puyallup valley, apparently overwhelmingly approved by voters of the district, was restrained by Superior Judge Ernest M. Card today on petition of the Weyerhaeuser Timber company, St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber company, Milwaukee Land company and the Northwestern Improvement company. . . .  In the meantime the ballots will be impounded by the auditor as they are received from the election boards and held pending the outcome of the injunction proceedings.

Puyallup Valley Flood Control District Challenged in Court

Weyerhaeuser filed suit to prevent formation of flood control district as they would eventually also do in Skagit County.

10/23/35
MVDH

ruling given

Flood control districts, the attorney general’s office has decided, may not properly spend money to drain lands, except to make outlets for flood waters. The opinion, written by Assistant Attorney General George C. Hannan, was given to Director E. F. Banker of the department of conservation and development yesterday. The department had asked whether the law was broad enough to include drainage.

Attorney General Rules F/C Districts Cannot Spend Money on Drainage Projects

10/24/35
Argus

flood control district will rest on voters

Special Election Will Be Called December 3 to Determine Issue

Notices Are Posted

Entire Mainland of County Is Included In Proposed District

Proposals for the organization of a flood control area in Skagit County to be known as the “Skagit County Flood Control District” will be placed before registered voters of the affected localities at a special election which will be held on Tuesday, December 3.  . . .  The order for the election was made by E. F. Banker, director of Conservation and Development for the state of Washington . . .

District received a lot of hype in local press.

10/31/35
MVDH

u.s. engineer lists projects for work here – major portion of $358,100 fund to be expended on skagit from burlington; samish river gets $104,500

An offensive on the Skagit and Samish rivers, with scores of men taking up various implements as cudgels in the fight against future floods in the county, is soon to be underway. . . .  Federal funds amounting to $358,000, obtained through the works progress administration, will be expended in building up and strengthening the existing banks of the two streams in the hope that this method will contribute immeasurably in controlling the waters of the Skagit and Samish rivers, which in the past have caused thousands of dollars of damage in their wild rampages through rich farm lands of Skagit county. Projects are outlined . . .  1. Clearing and snagging and brush revetment of the Skagit river in Township 35, in the amount of $216,600. 2. Work on the upper Skagit from Hamilton to Marblemount, with some work on the branches in the delta area below Skagit City, with the exception of the North Fork in the amount of $104,500 3. Work on the Samish river from its mouth to Friday creek, and also a limited amount on Friday creek, in the amount of $104,500. . . .  He also revealed that the projects as outlined, are the original ones planned by the corps of U.S. engineers, who have previously made an exhaustive survey of the flood situation here. . . .  At the county engineer’s office here, it was said corrective measures will undoubtedly be taken at Hamilton, Lyman, Utopia, Sterling and immediately northeast of Burlington, where the river condition was described as “serious.” . . .  Clearing and snagging of the river, as mentioned by Col. Wild, was declared here of much importance. What method will be employed in this work was not revealed. . . .  The Skagit county planning council had previously asked $2,000,000 for dredging in North Fork and South Fork and main channel of the Skagit river, and had requested $1,000,000 for sloping and riprapping banks to prevent soil erosion. The council had also petitioned for $275,000 for dredging and building adequate dikes on the Samish river. Flood control has been designated as the main objective of the planning council.

WPA Federal Projects Funded For Erosion Control Work on Skagit and Samish

Hamilton, Lyman, Utopia, Sterling, Burlington. Friday Creek, all to receive erosion control projects.

Dredging of North Fork and South Fork not included in funding.

10/31/35
CT

Big sum for skagit flood work, voted – to spend $358,000 for river control; to start soon

According to word received from Congressman Mon Wallgren … some $1,700,000 for flood control work in his district has been approved by federal works program officials and will be available in a short time.  Of this sum, $358,000 has been allocated for work in Skagit county.  . . .  A. G. Mosier, local engineer, was sent yesterday by the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce to confer with Col. H.J. Wild, United States district engineer in Seattle. . . Mosier was informed that the money would be spent at all points along the river, as recommended by the recent Skagit river survey, made for the state planning commission by government engineers. . . This report includes the Lyman and Burlington bends and other dangerous points on the upper river, and according to Mosier, these places will evidently be included in the work, rather than having all the sum expended on the lower river.

Money for Flood Control

Work proposed for Lyman and Burlington Bend area.

11/15/35
B.J.

flood control election dec. 3 vital to county

            The future of flood control in Skagit county will be decided at a special election Tuesday, Dec. 3, when voters of the county will indicate their wishes on the proposal of forming a giant, county-wide flood control district as provided by the 1935 legislature.

            Voters will mark their ballots “For” the proposition or “Against” the proposition, indicating whether or not they wish the special district formed.

            Territory included in the proposed flood control district, and in which people will vote at this election, is all of Skagit county mainland, Fidalgo Island excepted.

            The district, if approved by the voters, will not take over the present diking or drainage districts and will not support them, Kloke said. The law does state that if the big district should want the use if present ditches or dikes, paying maintenance costs, etc.

            The board of county commissioners will become directors of the new district, with the auditor as ex-office clerk. The only money-spending power they would have, would be a maximum levy of two mills on assessed valuation of property within the district. A maximum levy of five mills could be made, but only by majority vote by the people at a special election. No levy would be made, of course, until some flood control plan had been worked out with army engineers, etc., Kloke said.

Future of flood control at stake.

All of Skagit County in District.

District would not take over dike or drainage districts but also would not support them.

Unfortunate the newspaper did not finish the sentence

11/15/35
B.J.

flood control election dec. 3 vital to county

            The future of flood control in Skagit county will be decided at a special election Tuesday, Dec. 3, when voters of the county will indicate their wishes on the proposal of forming a giant, county-wide flood control district as provided by the 1935 legislature.

            Voters will mark their ballots “For” the proposition or “Against” the proposition, indicating whether or not they wish the special district formed.

            Territory included in the proposed flood control district, and in which people will vote at this election, is all of Skagit county mainland, Fidalgo Island excepted.

            The district, if approved by the voters, will not take over the present diking or drainage districts and will not support them, Kloke said. The law does state that if the big district should want the use if present ditches or dikes, paying maintenance costs, etc.

            The board of county commissioners will become directors of the new district, with the auditor as ex-office clerk. The only money-spending power they would have, would be a maximum levy of two mills on assessed valuation of property within the district. A maximum levy of five mills could be made, but only by majority vote by the people at a special election. No levy would be made, of course, until some flood control plan had been worked out with army engineers, etc., Kloke said.

Future of flood control at stake.

All of Skagit County in District.

District would not take over dike or drainage districts but also would not support them.

Unfortunate the newspaper did not finish the sentence

11/20/35
MVDH

flood control district is debated here – planning council and newspaper men confer on proposal; council to issue statement

A speedy publicity campaign to inform the public about the proposed Skagit county flood control district, on which the people of the county will vote next December 3, was agreed upon by the county planning council at a meeting in the office of Attorney R. V. Welts here last night. . . .  Carol Brider, farmer member of the council, who resides near Sedro-Woolley, reported that the people are complaining that they don’t know enough about the proposed flood control district, and that those who live on upper land won’t vote for the plan. Mr. Welts president of the planning group, explained that individual groups have been fighting floods in the county for the last fifty years and that a plan is now available where all people in the county living east of Swinomish channel can cooperate in bringing about permanent flood control. He argued that floods affect everyone, whether they live on the flats or on the upper land, since a flood on the flats, causing thousands of dollars in damage, cannot help but injure those living on hill land.

Countywide Flood Control District

Voters to have say on December 3^rd on formation of proposed district.

2 weeks before election, voters not educated on what district could do.

“Floods affect everyone.”  Even people who live on the hills.

11/20/35
MVDH

need for flood control – federal and state aid at stake in election planning council says

A statement pointing out the need for organizing a flood control district in Skagit county, upon which the eligible voters residing east of Swinomish channel will make a decision December 3, was issued today by the Skagit county planning council. [Council’s statement follows] The Planning Council believes the formation of our flood control district is the most important thing this county has attempted to do. The Skagit and Samish rivers have always presented a serious problem. Through the years, instead of growing better, the dangers have constantly increased. Something must be done or the entire valley faces disaster. In the past we have tried to work single-handed. This has failed. Can’t Succeed Alone The land in this valley has been reclaimed from overflow by rivers and salt water at tremendous cost. Fifty years ago the individual tried to dike and drain his land. In a few years he learned that he could not succeed alone. His neighbors joined with him and formed dike and drainage districts designed to protect and reclaim small isolated units. . . .  We have recently realized, through the flood of two years ago, when over 20,000 acres were under salt water and through the fact that each winter we now have floods from the Skagit and Samish rivers, that we must have help. Cities Are Menaced As we have been building our dikes, the timber has been logged from our hills. They are now bare. They no longer hold back the rainfall and melting snow. This water comes into the rivers more rapidly than before. At Hamilton, Lyman, Sterling and a hundred other places on both the Skagit and Samish rivers are each year washing away acres upon acres of land. This silt has filled up the mouths of the rivers and the river beds. The dikes cannot hold back the flood waters. Each year the condition is growing worse. . . .  At Sterling the Skagit has so changed its course and is so rapidly cutting away the river bank that it will soon force a new channel north of Burlington through the farming country to salt water. . . . Realizing that something must be done, the last legislature passed a series of laws known as the flood control legislation, which permits formation of large flood control districts practically county-wide. . . .  The federal government has recognized the fact that the problem of controlling rivers is too large even for the community or the state to handle and is entering this field and lending federal help. . . .  The federal government does not recognize and will not recognize an application of an individual for flood control aid. The existing dike and drainage units are so small and so scattered that neither the state nor the federal government will recognize them as agencies through which to work in attacking a problem involving a whole valley or a whole river. . . .  The proposed district upon which you will vote December 3, embraces all of Skagit county except Fidalgo island. To avoid the cost of setting up new machinery and a completely new set of officers, the law makes the three men elected as county commissioners, by vote of that election, the directors of the district. The law specifically limits the power of the district, when formed, to tax any land. This act leads: “Any flood control district may raise revenue by the levy of an annual tax on all taxable property within such district, . . .  Such levy not to exceed 2 mills on the dollar in any one year.”  . . .  How long would it take you to lose $2 if Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Hamilton, Lyman, Mount-Vernon were flooded by the Skagit river? . . .  In 1909, the flood in this valley did approximately $1,000,000 of damage. In 1917, the damage was at least $300,000. . . .  In 1917, the county, because of flood, spent over $100,000 in repairing bridges and highways. . . .  There has never been a flood in this valley that has not cost the county itself, for the road and bridge and highway repair, at least $25,000. . . .  No tax levy beyond 2 mills can be made by the directors under law, without submitting the matter to a vote of the district so formed. . . .  Levy Is Explained The fact that the directors have power to levy 2 mills does not mean that they must levy that much. That is the most they can levy in any one year. . . .     

Proposed Flood Control District To Include All Of Skagit County Except Fidalgo Island

Dangers from floods have increased over time.  Entire valley faces disaster.

1932 and 1933 floods showed locals they needed help from State and Federal governments.

Blamed increased flooding threat on logging of the hills, “They are now bare.”

Logging caused melting snow and rainfall to enter the river “more rapidly than before”.

Were afraid of Skagit cutting “new” channel north of Burlington to saltwater.  This is where Skagit used to flow several thousand years ago.  (Source:  Prehistoric Settlement Changes In the Southern Northwest Coast, A functional Approach, Gail Thompson, 1978)

District would have had County Commissioners as officers.  Could only levy “2 mills” maximum in any given year ($2 per 1,000 of evaluation).

(See 11/27/24 Argus article re damage figures.)

11/21/35
Argus

flood control plans presented to voters by planning council

Attorney R. V. Welts Outlines Proposition In Detail For Skagit Residents’ Study Before Special Election Which Will Be Held Tuesday, Dec. 3

The Planning Council believes the formation of our Flood Control District is the most important thing this county has attempted to do.  The Skagit and Samish Rivers have always presented a serious problem.  Through the years, instead of growing better, the dangers have constantly increased.

The land in this valley has been reclaimed from overflow by rivers and salt water at a tremendous cost.  Fifty years ago the individual tried to dike and drain his land.  In a few years he learned that he could not succeed alone.  His neighbors joined with him and formed dike and drainage districts designed to protect and reclaim small isolated units.  Neighboring farmers formed similar districts; each trying to protect its property, regardless of what happened to the adjoining district.  We now have 27 independent diking and drainage units.  Through the years they have spent over $1,000,000 of the taxpayer’s money for protection.  . . .  We have recently realized, through the flood of two years ago, when over 20,000 acres was under salt water, and through the fact that each winter we now have floods from the Skagit and Samish rivers, that we must have help.  As we have been building our dikes, the timber has been logged from our hills.  They are now bare.  They no longer hold back the rainfall and melting snow.  This water comes into the rivers more rapidly than before. 

(NOTE:  Article was continued on Page 3 and was not copied.  Must obtain.)

11/22/35
B.J.

Taxpayers to Discuss Flood Control Vote

            Tax payers of Skagit County will convene in a special meeting of the Skagit County Taxpayers association next Tuesday night, Nov. 26, in the Burlington city hall, D. W. Barclay, president announced yesterday.

            The coming flood control election Dec. 3, and reports from the state taxpayers’ association meeting this Friday and Saturday at the Washington hotel in Seattle, will be discussed.

            The regular meeting night of the association is next Thursday, and the date is advanced to Tuesday because of Thanksgiving.

11/26/35
MVDH

several more projects for skagit o.k’d

New Skagit county WPA projects amounting to $50,486 have been approved, it was announced in Seattle today... . . .  Among the projects approved, three were listed for Mount Vernon. They are $16,257 to reconstruct the Skagit river dike here, $9,729 to improve the dike here, and $384 to construct storm sewer and improve Division street. In the list was also $7,774 to improve drainage ditches at Burlington, and $12,000 to construct a school building at Burlington. Superintendent Oliver Hazen said Burlington has no school and building tennis courts, etc.

More WPA Projects Approved

Dike reconstruction, storm sewers and drainage ditches.

11/27/35
MVDH

taxpayers to study flood control plan

Following a lengthy discussion in Burlington city hall last night, members of the Skagit County taxpayers association agreed that a committee should make an investigation of the proposed flood control district in Skagit county and issue a statement on the subject prior to December 3 when residents residing east of Swinomish channel will vote on the proposal.

11/28/35
Argus

voters to consider flood control

Federal Funds Available For Flood Expenditures

The dikes cannot hold back the flood waters.  Each year this condition is growing worse.  The problem is not that of the farme5r who owns land, but the problem of every business and every man who has investment in Skagit County because the life and continued existence of the entire community is dependent upon its solution.

This article reprinted portions of the 11/21/35 article.

11/29/35
B.J.

flood control election dec. 3 vital to county; skagit voters have first chance to begin permanent river control plan; will save millions

            Most far-reaching, most important of all action ever taken toward permanent flood control in the Skagit and Samish valleys is next Tuesday’s special election at which Skagit county will decide whether or not it wishes to join hands in one organization that will be able to obtain sensible, permanent control of flood waters in the future.

            Voters will vote for or against the formation of a “Flood Control District” comprising all of Skagit County except the islands, as specified in flood control laws passed by the last legislature.  This district would be able to “talk business” for state and federal aid, where small districts and communities are not recognized.

            Advocates of the measure point to the following reasons:

1.       This is the first opportunity Skagit County has had to start a comprehensive flood control plan that will eliminate the hit and miss expensive methods now being employed by individuals and small groups.

2.       Other counties of the state have already adopted such measures overwhelmingly and Skagit County with the worst flood problem of all should do something likewise.

3.       While a new organization is set up, no new officials or overhead is allowed under this plan.  The county commissioners will become directors of the flood control district, at no extra pay.

4.       Only money-spending powers of the flood district will be in the district, which could amount to only $30,000 in the whole district if a plan is found which such money could be used.

5.       Local dike districts have had to dig up far more than $30,000 to pay for damages from one flood, and then had nothing but repaired dikes for their money.

6.       Lower district assessments will result as soon as the rivers are put under permanent control as local districts would have no more expenses.

7.       If nothing is done to control the Skagit, that stream will change its course and destroy millions of dollars in property in cities and farms.

FLOOD CONTROL ELECTION

Most far-reaching action ever taken.

Formation of Flood Control District.

First opportunity for Comprehensive Flood Control Plan.  In 2004 we now have a draft of a Comprehensive F/C Plan.

County Commissioners to control District.

11/28/35

C.H.

skagit planning council issues flood statement

The question to appear on the ballot at the municipal elections next Monday, whether or not to approve a flood control district, is one that most of the county voters know little about.  …  “The Planning Council believes the formation of our Flood Control district the most important thing this county has attempted to do.  The Skagit and Samish rivers have always presented a serious problem.  Through the years, instead of growing better, the dangers have constantly increased.  Something must be done or the entire valley faces disaster.  In the past we have tried to work single-handed.  This has failed.  …

More Flood Danger

            As we have been building our dikes, the timber has been logged from our hills.  They no longer hold back the rainfall and melting snow.  At Hamilton, Lyman, Sterling and a hundred other places on both the Skagit and Samish rivers are each year washing away acres upon acres of land.  This silt has filled up the mouths of the rivers and the river beds.  The dikes cannot hold back the flood waters.  The entire farming area and the existence of towns such as Mount Vernon, Burlington, Lyman and Hamilton is jeopardized.  At Sterling the Skagit has so changed its course and is so rapidly cutting away the river bank that it will soon force a new channel north of Burlington through the farming county to salt water.

Formation of Flood Control District

Proposed

Flood dangers increasing.  Blamed removal of timber.  Heavy erosion (what they didn’t tell you was that it was the log rafts floating down the river that was contributing to the erosion of the land).

Afraid of river changing course in Sterling.  The river was trying (and still is) to get back to its old main channel, Gages Slough and flow back to its “orphaned estuary” Padilla Bay.

12/2/35
MVDH

voters will decide issue on Tuesday – safety and prosperity of county depends on solution of flood problem, council says in statement

Declaring that the safety, the prosperity and the future development of the entire valley depends upon the solution of the flood control problem, the Skagit County Planning Council today issued a final appeal for approval of the proposed flood district in a special election to be held Tuesday of this week. “We must recognize it (flood control) as a county-wide problem and organize ourselves into a legal unit large enough to be effective and large enough to be recognized by the state and federal government,” the council’s statement said. . . .  Indications point to a big vote due to intense interest taken during the last few days in the proposal to form a district. A committee of the Skagit Taxpayers association openly opposed the plan on their belief it would give the commissioners to much taxing power. . . .  “Every possible safeguard was written into the statute to limit the taxing power of the commissioners of such a district. The statute forbids the directors to levy a tax beyond 2 mills on the dollar in any year. That means the board has no power to assess in any one year more the $2.00 on farm or other property having a valuation of $1,000. It is true that the timber interests have been outspoken in their opposition to the formation of a district. They feel that if the district is formed they will be called upon to help pay the bill which the farmers are paying today. The planning council adopting this matter of flood control as its major objective. It did so because it felt that the solution of the flood problem was the most important thing confronting this valley. It felt that we have tried for 50 years to let the farmer solve this problem alone. He has failed. He will continue to fail, because it is too big. The safety, the prosperity and the future development of the entire valley depends upon its solution. . . .  The opponents of flood control offer nothing constructive, but merely wish to leave the situation as it is. Something must be done. Do you realize that the taxpayers, instead of paying 2 mills a year on the dollar, in various localities are paying as high as 280 mills on the dollar for flood protection? Following is a list of the levies in the 20 dike districts of the county for 1935:

Dike District Levies

Mills

No. 1    15.00

No. 2    60.00

No. 3    24.90

No. 3    9.80

No. 5    30.10

No. 8    103.00

No. 12   19.83

Countywide Flood Control District

Endorsed by Skagit Planning Council.

Expected a “big vote”.

Timber interest outspoken in opposition to formation of District.

Farmers tried for 50 years to solve problem but failed because problem too big.

Some dike districts paying 280 mills per year.

A mill is one dollar per 1,000 dollars of assessed valuation.

12/3/35
MVDH

few votes are being cast on flood control

Lack of interest in today’s election to determine whether most of Skagit county shall organize itself into a flood control district was indicated this afternoon. A check of the Mount Vernon precincts showed that only 73 had turned out to make their choice up until after 1 o’clock this afternoon.

Few Voters To The Polls For Flood Control

Lack of interest in flood control district.

12/4/35
MVDH

flood control district carries – timber companies attack district in court – district wins by margin of 1,134 votes – residents of district vote 1,901 to 767 in favor of united flood control program

By a vote of nearly three to one, Skagit county residents residing east of Swinomish channel yesterday decided to carry out an organized effort to control flood waters in this section, which in recent years have caused damages running into the thousands of dollars. . . .  Only 2,688 voters out of the 12,754 citizens registered in the district, marked ballots in yesterday’s election. Points west of Swinomish channel, including Anacortes, the county’s largest city, are not included in the district, and as a result did not vote. . . .  Of the three cities, Burlington made the best showing, 300 residents of that city voting favorably, and only 42 against. In Mount Vernon, 290 voted for the district and 91 against, while at Sedro-Woolley, 170 favored the issue and 84 opposed it. . . .  La Conner, Hamilton, and Concrete backed the district by substantial margins.

Countywide Flood Control District Passes by 3 to 1 Margin, However:

Only 2,688 voters out of 12, 754 took the time to vote.  1,901 in favor, 767 against.

All cities voted in favor of District except Anacortes which was not included in District boundaries.

12/4/35
MVDH

flood control district carries – timber companies attack district in court – two companies say election is null and void – sound timber and weyerhaeuser claim banker was without authority; district not economically sound, claimed

Alleging that yesterday’s flood control district election was null and void, the Sound Timber company started an action in superior court here today in an attempt to prevent final organization of the district. . . .  The action in court here was directed at E. F. Banker, head of the state department of conservation and development, and head of the state flood control boundary commission, and Auditor C. P. Kloke, Commissioner Hugo Bauman, and Prosecutor Richard Welts, members of the county election board. . . .  The lengthy complaint filed in court here sets forth that Banker did not find that the proposed plan was economically feasible, nor adopt a comprehensive plan. It goes on to claim that “Banker acted in excess of his authority and jurisdiction in recommending that the said district be created for the stated purpose of creating an agency that may enter into contracts with the state and federal governments for funds, if available, to carry out a complete plan of development of control works for flood water protection.” Continuing their complaint, the two timber companies assert that the state flood control boundary commission found that $508,000 could be raised by assessment, whereas the cost of the proposed work would be $2,426,852. The theory was used that the state would contribute 25 per cent of the cost of the improvement and the federal government 50 per cent, the companies maintain.

Timber Companies Immediately Sue To Stop Formation Of District

Allegations against state agency was that they failed to adopt a comprehensive plan, failed to ensure that the district was economically feasible, and that agency acted in excess of his authority.

Timber companies showed that only $508,000 could be raised by District where the cost of the proposed work was $2,426,852.  Even with the state contributing 25% and the federal government 50%, the assessment would not be enough.

So no one made the suggestion to cut back the size of the project?

12/5/35
Argus

court action halts flood control work

Timber Companies Restrain Election Board From Certifying Returns to State

Voters Want District

Flood Control Plans Carry, 1891 to 767 at Tuesdays Election

Final organization of the flood control district was abruptly stopped Wednesday morning shortly after announcements had been made of the district victory when the Sound Timber company and the Weyerhaeuser Timber company took legal action in the superior court here.  . . .  The complaint holds the election null and void on the alleged grounds that E. F. Banker, director of state conservation and development, had acted in excess of his authority in recommending that a district be created.  The two companies further claim that the district is not economically feasible since the federal PWA refused to make any contribution for flood control work and that no such funds will be available. 

The cost of the improvement is estimated at $2,426,852, of which $508,000 may be raised by assessment, complainants say.  The remainder would have to come from state and federal sources.  The complaint also asserts that the district gives the commissioners power to subject the property of the two companies to double taxation in contravention to the fourteenth amendment to the U.S. constitution

No article at least through 1937 was identified which reported the outcome of this legal dispute, however, since the District was never formed and it was never mentioned again in any article, it must be assumed that the timber companies prevailed.

12/5/35

C.H.

flood control carried by big majority here

Election day, Tuesday, was very uneventful in Concrete, the only important question being the approval of the flood control district plan which carried by a majority of 68 to 31.  In East Concrete the vote was 30 for to 8 against, while in West Concrete 38 voted for and 23 against.  Unofficial returns from the entire county showed 1,901 voters in favor of the plan and only 767 against.  Only 2,663 of the 12,754 registered citizens took the trouble to vote.

To Be Contested

Immediately after the voting, the Sound Timber Company began an action in the superior court to have the election declared null and void, asking that the election board be prevented from canvassing the returns.  Judge Joiner set Dec. 28 as the date of the hearing.

Voters Approve Flood Control District

12,754 voters in Skagit County.  Only 2,663 of them voted in this election with 1,901 in favor and 767 against.

Timber companies immediately filed suit to block formation of the district.

12/5/35
CT

Flood control district wins county’s vote – entire election is now being contested by timberman

Local citizens showed their approval of flood control work in this district by a vote of 170 for the proposal and 84 against, when they visited the polls Tuesday.  The vote was light throughout the county, unofficial results showing 2,669 ballots cast out of a possible 12,754.  Because of court action being taken by the Sound Timber company and the Weyerhaeuser Timber company alleging that the election was null and void, the election board is temporarily prevented from canvassing the vote and certifying the returns to state officials.  . . .  Both companies own large tracts of timber in Skagit county which they claim are “far above a possible overflow,” yet were “arbitrarily, capriciously and fraudulently included” in the district.

Flood Control District Vote

There were 12,754 registered voters in Skagit County in 1935.  Only 2,669 of them voted in this election.

Weyerhaeuser and Sound Timber fled suit to invalidate the election and were ultimately successful in defeating the formation of the district.

12/6/35
B.J.

Flood Control Wins, Then Blocked by Injunction

Timber Companies Allege Plan Would Tax Unfairly

            By a vote of nearly three to one, Skagit County voters said “yes” to the proposition of forming a giant flood control district for permanent work on rivers and salt water problems in Skagit county. County totals were 1,901 approving and 767 against the district, giving a margin of 1,134 votes.

            Even while ballots were being counted, however, flood control organization struck a legal snag. Early Wednesday morning two timber companies obtained a temporary restraining order against county and state officials completing the organization.

            Judge Geo. A. Joiner granted the injunction until Dec. 28, when County Auditor C. P. Kloke, Prosecutor Richard Welts, Commissioner Hugo Bauman and E. F. Banker, state director of conservation and development, must appear to show cause why the injunction should not be made permanent.     

            The timber companies maintain that the proposed flood control district is discriminatory against them, because of their large holdings on the hills in the upper valley, where flood control “could not possibly benefit them, directly or indirectly.” The complaint said the district would result in unfair taxation.

VOTERS SAY YES TO FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT

Only 2,500 people voted but approval rating was 3 to 1.

TIMBER COMPANIES FILE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.  COURT INJUNCTION GRANTED UNTIL DECEMBER 28^TH.

Judge Joiner was a Skagit County Superior Court Judge.

Need to get January  3,1936 article to find out what happened.

Flood Control would not benefit timber companies. 

12/6/35
B.J.

Up to Commissioners Now

            Voters of Skagit County acted wisely in their behalf in Tuesday’s flood control election. Now, if the law and election are upheld in court, the machinery has been set up whereby Skagit County can take advantage of any opportunity for permanent constructive flood control.

            The county commissioners will do well by themselves and the public by not abusing the confidence placed in them as directors of the flood control district. The law says taxes up to two mills MAY (not must) be levied. The commissioners should not grasp this merely as another way to raise money, but instead make no flood control levy until there is a prospect of a definite flood plan where Skagit’s money will do the most good.

            As an election sidelight, Burlington voters showed they know which side of their bread is buttered. The Skagit River is Burlington’s most serious problem of the future. One guess is as good as another as to what would happen if the river is not controlled.

Flood Control District voted on and approved by voters.

1/9/36
Argus

work starts on $216,000 flood control system

Dangerous Skagit Bend At Sterling Receives First Strengthening

Ten Projects Planned

Entire Work Will Be Done Between Burlington and Hamilton

. . . Engineer Iver Nelson is now at work on a WPA project for which $216,000 has been appropriated for revetment work on dangerous portions of the river bank lying from Burlington to a point east of Hamilton.  . . .  Actual work has started at the C. Brider place at the Sterling bend near Burlington.  The banks are being sloped for placing the brush mats and revetment.  . . .  Some ten projects have been mapped out along the river between Burlington and Lyman, as the most dangerous places.  . . .  . . Both Burlington and Sedro-Woolley have been threatened by possibility of the river breaking through into slough channels, and either running through the towns or causing huge damages. 

Brush mats and willow planting.

Gages and Barney Sloughs.  (NOTE:  Article was continued on page 8 and was not copied.)

1/9/36
CT

work starts at dangerous river points – wallgrens’s $216,000 skagit river job under way

As part of Congressman Mon Wallgren’s proposed $2,000,000 flood control project on the Skagit river, Engineer Iver Nelson is now at work on a WPA project for which $216,000 has been appropriated for revetment work on dangerous portions of the river bank lying from Burlington to a point east of Hamilton.  . . .  Actual work has started at the C. Brider place at the Sterling Bend near Burlington.  The banks are being sloped for placing the brush mats and revetment..  A trestle is being built across the slough to reach the big growth of willows in the old Sterling bend channel.  Tool houses and other portable buildings are being constructed.  . . .  Some ten projects have been mapped out along the river between Burlington and Lyman . . . Both Burlington and Sedro-Woolley have been threatened by possibility of the river breaking through into slough channels, and either running through the towns or causing huge damage.  . . .  One of the worst points on the river is the Burlington Bend . . . Another project calls for a long stretch of protective work above the Sedro-Woolley bend.  Then at the danger point at Burns Bar, above Sedro-Woolley.  Another bad place is the Reese farm, where the river has cut far into a new channel . . . Then at Ross Island, near Utopia . . . The river at this point is now more than a mile from its original channel and cutting more every year.  Another bad place is near the Christ Wolfe farm, where more revetment work will be done.

Sterling Bend Revetment Work

The C. Brider place is now owned by the Leonard Halverson family.

There used to be a bridge over Harts Slough.

Sloughs the article is referencing would be Gages (Burlington) and Beatey (Sedro-Woolley).

1/10/36
B.J.

River Control; Wallgren Secures Appropriations; Work Being Done At Sterling Bend

            As part of Congressman Mon Wallgren’s proposed $2,000,000 flood control project on the Skagit river, Engineer Iver Nelson is now at work on a WPA project for which $216,000 has been appropriated for revetment work on dangerous portions of the river bank lying from Burlington to a point east of Hamilton. Nelson hopes to have 120 men working before long and now has approximately 50 men on the job. This is just the start of the flood control and erosion relief program which Congressman Wallgren plans for the Skagit River, to extend from far up the river to its mouth.

            Actual work has started at the C. Brider place at the Sterling bend near Burlington. The banks are being sloped for placing the brush mats and revetment. A trestle is being built across the slough to reach the big growth of willows in the old Sterling bend channel. Tool houses and other portable buildings are being constructed.

            Concrete blocks will also be made, to be placed on top of the brush mats, all of which will be fastened by cables, with mats and fascines extending well underwater to prevent erosion. Engineer Nelson estimates that the work as outlined will take about a year with a full crew of 122 men.

WPA Work

There is a great picture in the Corps files which shows log rafts floating down the river which destroyed all this work being done.

1/22/36
MVDH

flood control tax plan is hit by decision

Superior Judge H. G. Sutton of Kitsap county established a precedent for the state’s lower courts here yesterday when he ruled lands to be taxed under flood control districts must receive benefit before they can be legally assessed. Judge Sutton commented that “neither the legislature nor any municipal corporation created by it has the power to tax property for the purpose of specially benefiting and improving other private property without some degree of benefit accruing to the property taxed. . . .  The decision is in the case of the Simpson Logging company vs. E. F. Banker, director of the department of conservation and development. It overrules the defendant’s demurrer to the complaint and continues a temporary injunction granted by Superior Judge D. F. Wright of Mason county against inclusion of certain of the company lands either heavily wooded or lying on steep hillsides arbitrarily included in the boundaries of the taxing district. The decision is directly opposite to a similar court decision in Pierce county, he said, and his department will ask the supreme court to decide the issue. . . .  No official canvass of the Skagit vote on flood control has yet been made, and none is scheduled until after the supreme court rulings are handed down. Skagit voters approved a county flood control district by a vote of 1,891 to 767.

Timber Companies Win Court Ruling

Flood Control Districts must provide benefit to those being taxed.  This was the beginning of the end for the Countywide Skagit Flood Control District.

1/23/36

C.H.

city light warns of danger of flood

Officials of the City Light are considering the possibility of another flood in the Skagit valley like the one in 1918.  Conditions at present are just right, they say.  One of the reasons assigned for greater flood risk is the diking system which has been built, confining the water to a “trough”.  If another flood like that of 1918 should come Hamilton, Lyman and Burlington would be flooded, together with the lower parts of Mt. Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Concrete.  The last flood was in 1932 when eleven inches of rain fell in four days.  Ten inches in thirty-four hours would bring a flood now with the ground saturated as it is, say the City Light people.

Warning of Big Flood That Didn’t Happen

11 inches of rain in four days created the 1932 flood.

10 inches in 34 hours would create flood like 1918 (should have read 1815 – See 1/30/36 CT)  See also 3/5/1936 C.H. for real cause of 1815 (1820) flood.

1/29/36
MVDH

river boat history recalled; many old timers are coming

The old Mississippi river will have nothing on the Skagit river Saturday afternoon, when river boats will converge on this city and bring an array of old and new river captains, mates and engineers, the like of which Mount Vernon has never witnessed. . . .  It is believed that Captain Victor Pinkerton, who resides here, and is captain of the Skagit Chief, is the oldest living river captain still operating on the river. He first arrived on the old stern wheeler Mame 44 years ago as a deckhand, and all he could see of Mount Vernon was a few buildings along the river bank, almost hidden by tall cedar trees. However, the captain states that boats ran up the river with passengers over 50 years ago; the first paddle wheelers being the Zephyr and the Josephine, commanded by Capt. Dan Benson. . . .  Other boats operating on the river will be remembered as the T. C. Reed, . . .  And the Lilly, Glide, Monroe. . . .  Thousands of passengers used these boats as the only means of transportation to and from this city, and many are the stories told of the trips taken during floods and storms, as well as when a boat load of passengers was held up for hours, stuck on the tide flats. . . .  Old river men are beginning to lift the veil of years, as they prepare for Saturday’s festivities on the river, when they honor on of their old timers, 70-year-old Capt. F. A. Siegel, who has been on the river for 43 years, pulling out dangerous snags, and straightening the channel, as well as dredging out shallow bars. . . .  Seattle will send Col. H. J. Wild, in charge of dredging operations of the rivers of the Sound, . . . 

Stern Wheeler’s Ran on Skagit in 1886

They went by the names of Mame, Zephyr, Josephine, Lilly, Glide, and the Monroe.

1/30/36
CT

local expert says not much chance of bad skagit flood

In a recent article in the Seattle Star, James A. Stewart[4], hydraulic expert with the government, who worked for Skagit county after the big flood in 1932[5], states that ten inches of precipitation in 34 hours on the Skagit would cause a major catastrophe.  The 1932 flood had 11 inches of rainfall but was spread over four days.  Experts say this section is due for another major flood catastrophe like the flood of 1815, and that it should come within a century, which makes it 21 years overdue.  The Star article says:  “Today a condition known as a ‘trough’ exists on the Skagit—a section of the country which is as much be-dyked as Holland ever thought of being.  The trough, say City Light engineers, has resulted from a three-month deficiency in precipitation with a corresponding level in water run-off for the period.  “The condition is such that should an extremely heavy precipitation come, a flood would be almost inevitable.  And if a flood should come, Stewart’s report indicates that the communities of Hamilton, Lyman and Burlington would have to be vacated and the lower parts of Concrete, Sedro-Woolley and Mt. Vernon likewise.  “Now that we have the flood all figured out, all we have to do is discover what the possibilities are of getting 10 inches of rainfall in 34 hours.  “How can I tell?  How can anybody tell?’ demands Lawrence P. Fisher, head of Seattle’s U.S. weather bureau.  ‘Experts are continually studying weather conditions and causes, but to say exactly what will happen in the future, is going a bit too far.’”  Harry Devin, Sedro-Woolley official government weather observer for some 40 years, had the following comments to make on the prospects for the weather said to be necessary for this disastrous flood:  “As ten inches of rainfall is nearly double the average per month for the wet months at Sedro-Woolley for the last 40 years, the probability of having that amount in 34 hours, instead of two months, seems rather remote; unless our climate is to become tropical.  . . .  There never has been a major flood in the Skagit river caused by rain.  It has always required heavy snowfall in the mountains and a hot wind to melt it.  Skagit Jim asked the preacher who delivered a sermon on the flood, “All rain?  No Chinook?”  The preacher replied, ‘Yes, it does not say there was any Chinook.’  ‘Heap lie,’ said Jim, and walked off.  “Some data as to the floods of 1615 and 1715 would also be of interest in relation to the hundred-year flood cycles.”

Rain and Floods

It appears that Mr. Stewart returned to the employ of USGS after he quit in 1923 to work for a power company back east.  (Source:  Stewart “Forward” or “Introduction” section to his 1923 Report, 1/27/43)  “Worked for Skagit County.”  Further suggest Skagit owns his study, not USGS.

“10 inches of rain in 34 hours would cause major catastrophe.”  In 1990 15.5 inches of rain fell at Reflector Bar (Diablo) in 4 days.  In 1921 10.2 inches fell at Reflector Bar.  (Sources:  Flood Summary Report, Nooksack, Skagit and Snohomish River Basins, November 1990 Events, Corps of Engineers, 7/18/91; (Stewart/Bodhaine Report, Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1527, 1961)

Harry Devin, Sedro-Woolley official government weather observer.

10 inches in 34 hours rather remote.

It has now been proven that several floods on the Skagit have been caused by just rain.  Most recent October 2003.

1/31/36
MVDH

skagit observer not fearful of disastrous flood

Harry Devin, well known government weather observer here, does not share the belief of engineering experts of Seattle City Light that there may be a recurrence of the disastrous Skagit river flood of 1915. James A. Stewart, hydraulic expert in connection with the United States geodetic survey department, who worked for Skagit county after the big flood in 1932, said if it should happen that Skagit county experiences 10 inches of rainfall within 34 hours, there’s be a flood of the 1915 proportions. After reading an article, which appeared in a Seattle paper, Devin said that he doubted if there’d ever be 10 inches of rain in 34 hours, thereby causing a disastrous flood. The 1932 flood in Skagit had 11 inches of rainfall but was spread over four days. The Seattle newspaper article stated: “Today a condition known as “trough” exists on the Skagit- a section of the country which is as much be-diked as Holland ever thought of being. The trough, say City Light engineers, has resulted from a three-months deficiency in precipitation with a corresponding level in water run-off for the period. . . .  Devin had the following comments to make on the prospects for the weather said to be necessary for this disastrous flood. “As 10 inches of rainfall is nearly double the average per month for the wet months at Sedro-Woolley for the last 40 years the probability of having that amount in 34 hours, instead of two months, seems rather remote; unless our climate is to become tropical. Such downpours occur in the Philippines and other tropical islands, and while the folks along the river are preparing their arks for the flood they should also lay in a supply of sun helmets and other tropical clothing. “There never has been a major flood in the Skagit river caused by rain. It has always required heavy snowfall in the mountains and a hot wind to melt it. Skagit Jim asked the preacher who delivered a sermon on the flood, ‘All rain? No Chinook?’ The preacher replied, ‘Yes, it does not say there was any Chinook.’ ‘Heap lie,’ said Jim, and walked off. Some data as to the floods of 1615 and 1715 would also be of interest in relation to the hundred year flood cycles.”

Chance Of 1815 Flood Remote

This article is full of typos and mis-information.  “The disastrous Skagit River Flood of 1915” should read 1815.  Stewart worked for Skagit County in 1923 not 1932.

Devin doubts we could get 10 inches of rain in 34 hours.

10 inches of rain is nearly double the average rainfall in a normal winter month.  However, more then ten inches of rain has fallen over a 4 day period on several large flood occurrences (1990, 1995 and 2003).

“There has never been a major flood caused by rain.”  Mr. Devin should have told that to the people of Hamilton in 2003 which was entirely caused by rain.

2/19/36
MVDH

skagit river hits new low

The Skagit river hit a new low this week when the river gauge at Mount Vernon registered the lowest in years. According to the local fire department journal which was begun in 1931, Monday’s river reading was the lowest yet entered. It was at the 3 7/10  foot level on the gauge. Compared to that are the readings in January 1931 when the river climbed from the seven foot mark on January 20 to 16 feet January 23, and reached a peak January 26, when it topped 27 feet. . . .  The cause of the lowering of the river is the severe temperatures experienced in this region when the mercury hovered around the zero point and snow in the mountains was kept from melting.

Attributes Low River To Zero Degree Temperatures Not Allowing Snow To Melt

See 10/24/25 MVDH article.

2/29/36
MVDH

flood hit island four years ago

Another Leap Year day has rolled around and it is a different one from that experienced by one Skagit county community four years ago. Two hundred people in one community, on Feb. 29, 1932, were so anxious and busy that they didn’t have time even to consider the odd quadrennial date. The Skagit river was on a rampage and had not quite reached its peak in the early hours of Feb. 28, when it broke through the dike on Fir Island at the Iverson farms and completely submerged hundreds of acres and caused much damage, especially to the property of I. Iverson and his son Phil Iverson. . . .  That day saw all danger to other diking systems along the river apparently over, and the break at the Iverson place became the Mecca for hundreds of sightseers.

Recounts Fir Island 1932 Flood

3/5/36

C.H.

true tales of the upper skagit

The Story Of Mox Tatlem[3]

By Dick Buller

This tale of Mox Tatlem, who lived 125 years ago and his son, George, who lived at a later date was interpreted to me by an Indian medicine man named Hiyu Tillicum.  Any slight inaccuracies should be laid to my inability to understand Hiyu’s English instead of any desire on my part to exaggerate.  It was about one hundred and twenty-five years ago when Mox Tatlem first saw the light of day.  The first few months of Mox’s life were not very eventful.  About the first thing he could remember was his mother preparing salmon to smoke.  She would split the salmon down the back, removing the head, backbone and tail and then small cedar splints were used to keep the fish spread apart until dried.  When little Mox would look up in the roof of their rancheree he could see tons and tons of salmon being smoked, laying by food for a rainy day when there would be no salmon in the river.  …  It is small wonder that Mox, growing up under these social conditions, should remain savage like his ancestors.  The next few years of Mox’s life were uneventful, he learned to hunt, fish and run a canoe to keep his life from becoming monotonous.  He became especially proficient in setting snares for catching small game.  This hobby for catching wildlife was the means of saving his life.  When Mox was ten years old there came a winter of great snow December, January and into February.  Then came warm rains and floods.  A great slide filled Diablo Canyon full, damming the river.  When this broke a great flood raced down the river – ice, logs, and debris—a solid wall of death forty feet high.  As all the Indian villages were on the lowlands bordering on the river but few escaped.

March 12, 1936

It so happened that Mox had got up early and went to look at his snares.  When the huge wall of water and debris swept by, carrying death to all his relatives, you can imagine the feelings of a ten year old boy looking out over this scene of desolation.  Recovering a few pieces of dried salmon from the ruins of the village, he made his way to the Sauk River where he had some relatives and with them grew to early manhood.

Cause of 1815 (1820) Flood Event

I interviewed the daughter of the man who wrote this article.  She remembers her father talking about the interview with the Indian.  She has no recollection of her father ever talking about Mr. Stewart or reviewing his estimates on the Skagit River.

“About 125 years ago” would have meant Mox was born in either 1810 or 1811.  Ten years old would have put him in 1820 or when Stewart first said the “great flood” happened.

“A great slide filled Diablo Canyon full damming the river.”  Wall of water 40 feet high at Rockport.  Diablo Canyon is exactly where Mr. Stewart found his “drift bark” in the canyon wall. 

See the following:  James E. Stewart Reflector Bar Notes;  1918 Stewart Report; 1923 James E. Stewart Report.

3/6/36
MVDH

flood control program not in danger, banker says

The state’s flood control program is not in danger because of the failure of congress to provide matching funds, E. F. Banker, director of conservation and development, said today. The program contemplates 50 per cent federal aid, with the state and local districts each contributing 35 per cent. The state’s share would be raised by a $15,000,000 bond issue to be voted upon at the November general election. . . .  Four timber companies, which are attacking the legality of the 1935 flood law, contended the program hinges on federal and state funds which may not be received. . . .  

Feds Fail To Provide Matching Funds

Bolsters timber companies complaint against state law allowing formation of countywide flood control districts.

3/6/36
MVDH

county board hears appeal for support  – members of planning council want workers from less important projects on flood control

Fighting for more relief workers to carry out the flood control projects in Skagit county, members of the Skagit county planning commission appeared before the board of county commissioners yesterday afternoon and requested that the more important projects in the county be given priority. They asked the commissioners to make a review of the existing projects, weed out the less important ones and assign these men to the flood control project. The commissioners to the plea under consideration and announced they would try to work out the best possible arrangement for all projects. . . .  Mr. Welts presented a detailed list of the projects in the county, showing the men needed on them and the men actually working. This table of project appears elsewhere on this page. He explained that the Skagit river flood control project is not set up under the WPA, but is handled directly by the U.S. army engineering department. It calls for the use of 200 men, but it has been undermanned from the start, the number varying from 20 to the present employment of 100. . . .  A large delegation of farmers residing south of Mount Vernon was present at the hearing and urged that every consideration be given the south ditch project. Ninety men will be needed on this project, it was said. . . .  Commisioner John Mason said definitely that he was going to see the ditch project through “if they hang me for it.” . . .  

More Workers Needed for Flood Control Projects

Corps of Engineers handling flood projects.

Projects undermanned from the start.

“South Ditch Project” assumed to be the same as the current “Hill Ditch Project”.

3/9/36
MVDH

flood control law at stake

The constitutionality of the state’s flood control program was at stake in a suit being heard by the state supreme court today. The case is on appeal from Pierce county, where the Weyerhaeuser Timber company, St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber company, Milwaukee Land company and Northwestern Improvement company brought a restraining action to prevent canvass of the vote to determine whether the Puyallup valley flood district should be formed. . . .  The case hinges on whether a district can tax property bordering land affected directly by floods for the purpose of specially benefiting and improving other property, without some degree of benefit accruing to the property taxed. . . .  A precedent was established on January 22 in Shelton, when Superior Judge H. G. Sutton of Kitsap county, ruled that lands “must receive benefit from the flood control before they can be legally assessed.” The decision of the supreme court in the present case probably will rule in similar suits now in lower courts against . . .  The Stillaguamish and south Snohomish districts in Snohomish county, and the Skagit county district.

Washington Supreme Court Hears Flood District Case

Because the residents derived no benefit, it was error to include their lands.   Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. v. Banker, 186 Wash. 332 (Wash., 1936)
By the terms "benefits" and "to be benefited," it is meant that the landowner has received, or will receive, by reason of the improvement, an increase in the market value of his property. Union Trust Co. v. Carnhope Irr. Dist., 132 Wash. 538, 232 P. 341, 234 P. 277; Butte v. School Dist. No. 1, 29 Mont. 336, 74 P. 869.

3/11/36
MVDH

skagit c. of c. to fight for river project – aid of seattle chamber’s  -- representative at national capital will be sought; present rule hit

A campaign for a larger share of WPA funds allotted to this state was launched by the Skagit county chamber of commerce at a meeting in the banquet room of the President hotel here last night, after two speakers had maintained that this county is not receiving its “just share.” It was pointed out that the county’s flood control project will end in almost a total failure unless more workers are assigned to it. H. B. Averill, publisher of the Daily Herald, stated that Skagit was either fortunate, or unfortunate, because of its very low relief load during the period which the WPA is using as a basis for work relief now. He pointed out, however, that “when the showdown comes, every county will pay its share of the WPA program and Skagit county will lose in the long run if it does not get its proper allotment.” Mr Averill added that “we must fight for the funds justly due us.” . . .  

County Not Getting Fair Share Of WPA Funds

Needed more workers.  Flood control work could end in total failure.

3/12/36

C.H.

county chamber fears loss of wpa money

Skagit County’s Chamber of Commerce went on record Tuesday night in favor of a campaign for a larger share of WPA funds allotted to this state.  This decision was reached at the regular meeting in Mount Vernon where speakers pointed out that this county was not receiving a fair apportionment of funds being passed out.  Through lack of men on relief the $358,000 flood control project is considerably hampered and A. G. Mosier, Sedro-Woolley engineer, told the members that at the present rate the project will be only 25 per cent completed.  Five hundred more men could be given employment on this job, except for WPA rulings restricting use of any that were not on relief between May and November last year.

Erosion Control Projects in Danger

Lack of workers blamed for project not being completed.

3/12/36

C.H.

fishermen get break on season this year

The 1936 season, extending from the first Sunday in April through the last day of October, was set at the last meeting of the state commission and will remain the regular trout season until further changed by the commissioners.  Bag limits on game fish will be the same as last year, anglers being allowed to catch or have in possession not more than 20 whitefish fish and one game fish.  An exception lists the whitefish limit as 20 whitefish or 15 pounds and one fish.

Fish Issue

Article confirms earlier suspicion that fishing season was between April 1 and October 31^st.  Evidently they used to eat whitefish.  Also appears the limit on salmon was one fish.

3/12/36

C.H.

wpa project for fish hatchery is approved

Among the twenty-three WPA projects approved in thirteen of Washington counties last week is listed a project for general repair and improvement of the Birdsview hatchery grounds.  The improvements will include repairing the foundations on the twelve buildings and construction of additions to the senior and junior apprentice cottages.

Fish Issue

Birdsview fish hatchery to receive repair and improvement. 

3/18/36
MVDH

the new skagit river bridge which was officially opened yesterday

Picture of New Bridge

4/9/36
CT

Grocery Store ads

Coffee 25 cents a pound

4/9/36
CT

wallgren reports congress more interested in floods

(By Hon. Mon C. Wallgren)

Last year the national flood control bill, which includes Washington state projects, was attached in the senate by Eastern members.  This year many of the same members, now recognizing the need for curtailing floods, want the first steps taken where the most recent floods have already occurred.  . . .  Floods should have taught these men that high waters can never be foretold and immediate need on other rivers may be evidenced at almost any time.  “It is my belief that we should work out a plan where the Federal government would match money in a cooperative effort with the individual states.  A plan similar to the one now in effect with our road building program.”

U.S. Congress Interested in Flood Control

Amazing that when disaster strikes close to home how important a solution is.

No women in the congress at this time.

Matching funds proposed.

6/4/36
CT

skagit gets huge river work fund

Congressman Mon Wallgren reported this week that he had been instrumental in obtaining an appropriation of $3,150,000 for building a spillway from Avon to Padilla Bay as a flood control project for Skagit county.  The bill now awaits the signature of President Roosevelt.  To get this money, it is stated that this county will have to contribute a big sum for right-of-way and damage to property.

Avon By-Pass Funding

A “big sum” would have been over a million dollars.

4/30/36

C.H.

former fisheries commissioner dies

Death closed the long and active career of Henry O’Malley, former United States fisheries commissioner, Friday when he passed away at his home in Seattle from heart disease, O’Mulley was well known in this district, having established the government fish hatchery at Baker Lake many years ago and continuing in charge of the station for about five years after it was built.  From this beginning he worked up through the department to become head of all state and then all coast stations.

Fish Issue

O’Malley built the U.S. Government fish hatchery on Baker Lake.  Later became U.S. Fish Commissioner. 

6/8/36

MVDH

flood district hearing to be held in July – sisson arranged for official hearing here; report of engineer shows need of immediate control measures

A public hearing on the formation of a flood control district in Skagit county will be held in Mount Vernon either July 1 or 2. Grant Sisson, a member of the state’s flood control commission for Skagit, disclosed today. . . .  The proposed district will embrace all of the county east of Swinomish channel. . . .  Formation of the county’s first step in compliance with rules laid down to obtain federal aid for flood control. . . .  Engineer’s Report Given B. H. Allen, flood control engineer of the state department of conservation and development, recently made a survey in this county and a copy of his report to E. F. Banker, state director of the department, has been sent to Mr. Sisson, Allen had the following to say: “About ten days was taken covering the area west of Sedro-Woolley in county district Nos. 1 and 2. A flat bottom boat was used on the South and North forks of the Skagit river and every dike and drainage district covered. There are now organized 11 drainage districts and 15 dike districts, having a combined area of 39,222 acres. Outside of these organized districts there are privately operated districts kept up by the farmers of an estimated 15,000 acres, making a grand total of 54,222 acres. The population of all this area is 25,000 (estimated). During the past 10 years there was levied upon these organized dike and drainage district the sum of $36,319 per annum, for damages arising from floods. $75,431 in 1934 “The past year, 1934, this assessment amounted to $75,431.65. The average levy for 1934 for dike and drainage districts was about 43 mills. This does not take into consideration the money spent unorganized districts by private owners. . . . What Should Be Done 1. Dredging of lower channels of river. A dredge operating in lower channels would deepen same, thereby releasing pressure upon dikes and supply the necessary material for broadening and strengthening dikes. Sloughs at the western ends of the North and South forks of the Skagit river should be cleaned out to allow free passage of water. This work should be carried out to deep water. 2. Bank Projection. Bank protection should be started as soon as possible to save existing banks and the erosion of acres of valuable bottom land now in danger of being carried away at the next stage of high water. . . .  3. Cooperation of Shannon and Diablo dams at peak of floods: This is shown by the graph compiled by the U.S.G.S. of the high water of 1932 in the flood of February 27, when the peak of 182,000 cubic second feet, a control of 61,500 cubic second feet. . . .  Nookachamps creek, running from Big Lake to the Skagit river, offers another possible storage reservoir. . . .”

Another Flood Control District Proposed

District needed in order to obtain federal aid.

54,222 acres covered by dike and drainage districts containing 25,000 people.

Average sum levied was $36,319 per year.

In 1934 that sored to $75,431.

Report recommended dredging lower channels of river (north and south forks), erosion control bank protection; Shannon and Diablo dams should be used for flood control; and use storage in the Nookachamps.

6/11/36
CT

huge sums available here for flood control projects

(By Congressman Mon C. Wallgren)

A bill that provided $5,386,000 for second congressional district flood control projects when it passed the House, came back from the senate with the allotment reduced to $3,411,000 for two projects instead of five million for five projects.  . . .  The bill allots $3,150,100 for the construction of the Avon-Padilla Bay cut-off on the Skagit river and $261,000 for channel and bank work on the Stillaguamish.  . . .  The 17 projects in five counties being carried out under the direction of the Corps of Engineers and WPA represent a real start toward meeting flood and erosion threats.  . . .  The needs for flood control are being recognized. 

Avon By-Pass Funding

Federal funds to build the Avon By-Pass were authorized by Congress.  What the Congressman didn’t say was that local cost would have been over $1,000,000 in local funding which ultimately killed the project. (See 6/4/36 Argus article.)

6/12/36
B.J.

Wallgren Happy over Flood Bill

            A bill that provided $5,386,000 for second congressional district flood control projects when it passed the House, came back from the Senate with the allotment reduced the $3,411,000 for two projects instead of five million for five projects, according to Congressman Mon Wallgren in a communication to The Journal this week.

            “Despite the reduction, the measure represents a real advance for our district as it is the first direct recognition by law of a flood control project in the district,” the Congressman wrote. “I had hoped for definite projects on four rivers but, for this session at least, will have to be content with the two on the Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers.”

No indication as to what projects the money was to be spent on.

9/10/36
CT

work on river is progressing

Erosion prevention work on the Skagit River is progressing rapidly now, after some trouble with quicksand, Iner Nelson, engineer in charge, reports.  He now has a crew of 175 men at work on project #12, the big Burlington bend, and expects to be finished before the Burlington bend job was started, is in fine condition, with the willow trees growing all along the bank and making a strong protection.  . . .  The work encountered a lot of trouble a short time ago when the men struck a large quantity of quicksand.  Several hundred cords of brush and several hundred yards of material slid into the river. 

River Erosion Projects Progressing

Large amounts of “quicksand” found.  Sounds like they were digging into the volcanic lahar that underlies Burlington.

10/29/36
CT

two big river bank projects are completed – big crew of men moves to utopia; seen other jobs

The largest of the ten revetment jobs on the Skagit river, under the direction of the United States Engineers office and sponsored by Skagit county, will be completed this week.  This is the second job on the project finished this year, making a total of 7,900 feet of river bank protection.  The high banks on both the Sterling and Burlington bends required a greater expenditure of material and labor than is ordinarily found on river improvement projects.  The length of the Burlington bend job is 5,800 feet, built in a great semi-circle, and the sight, with the river at a low stage, is very impressive.  The brush mat extends a distance of approximately 80 feet from the top of the bank out into the river.  For those interested in river improvement, a trip to see the Sterling and Burlington job shows a very good growth of willows which were planted last spring.  The Burlington job is now being planted, much of the value of the revetment depending on the growth of the willows.  Operations have been transferred to Utopia, where the construction of a 4,200 foot job is in progress.

River Erosion Projects Completed

Ten revetment jobs. 

Sterling and Burlington Bends.

One has to wonder if they had to get permits to extend a rock revetment “80 feet from the top of the bank out into the river” and how hard would it be to get them today.

11/5/36
MVDH

flood control channel held most feasible – army engineers speak at monthly luncheon of chamber of commerce; directors nominated

Two U.S. army engineers from the office of Col H. J. Wild, in charge of the district, today told the Mount Vernon chamber of commerce that $4,982,000 flood control channel from Avon to Padilla bay is the most feasible procedure to eliminate flood danger in the lower part of Skagit county. . . .  “The Skagit river has been studied from many different angles.” Maj. Baker stated, and after naming several stated that the most effective means visualized was by the diversion of the channel at Avon.” . . .  When questioned as how he had arrived at the cost of the benefits, Maj. Baker stated that damages from all the past floods had been totaled and the average annual loss computed with the construction costs. The proposed channel is to start at Avon but preliminary work would have to start east of the Great Northern railroad bridge. The proposed channel is to be 1,500 feet wide at the bottom. It will be used strictly as a flood control measure and will not carry water except during flood conditions. Maj Baker reviewed the history of floods on the Skagit during the past 26 years for which records have been kept. The highest flow of water at Sedro-Woolley during that time has been 220,000 feet per second. The present river below Mount Vernon can accommodate a flow of about 120,000 feet per second. The proposed channel is to carry any in access of 100,000 feet per second, Baker stated. The channel’s capacity is 120,000 feet per second. We have had larger floods, the speaker stated.  In 1815 it is known that a flood with 450,000 cubic feet per second was seen. In 1853 there was a flow of 350,000. The building of power dams on the Ruby, at Diablo, on the Baker and Cascade rivers will all tend to help the flood control situation and although the channel itself is not capable of handling flood waters to such extremes as has been mentioned, with the aid of these other factors it should be adequate. Many questions and suggestions were raised by the people present. Suggestions by Wm. Hayton, Albert Mosier and Gene Dunlap that rip-rapping the cut banks of the river from Mount Vernon to the Sauk and dredging the mouth of the river were heard. The guest speaker stated that such was a good policy but that its cost would far exceed that of the channel proposal. He estimated the costs of such a system at eleven million. Dredging at the mouth of the river met opposition from the speaker. Dredging will have no effect on high tides, he stated. And high tides are always higher during flood periods. It is the high tide that will tend to hold your river up, he added.

AVON BY-PASS

By-Pass “most feasible” flood project.

Average annual benefits computed by adding all damages from past floods and dividing by cost of project.  Is this how it is done today?

Channel of river could only carry 120,000 cfs. In 1936. 

Dredging the mouth of the river would have no effect on high tides.  “It is the high tide that will tend to hold your river up.”

11/5/36
Argus

chamber hears discussion on flood control

Army Engineers Present Proposed Plans For Consideration

“The Skagit River has been studied from many different angles,” stated Major Baker.  “The estimated cost of this project (Bypass) is $4,982,000 of which the local sponsor would have to allocate $1,832,000.”  . . .  The building of power dams on the Ruby, at Diablo, on the Baker and Cascade rivers will all tend to help the flood control situation and although the channel itself is not capable of handling flood waters to such extremes s has been mentioned, with the aid of these other factors, it should be adequate.  . . .  Dredging at the mouth of the river met opposition from the speaker.  Dredging will have no effect on high tides, he stated.  And high tides are always higher during flood periods.  It is the high tide that will tend to hold your river up, he added. (Major Baker)

Here’s an understatement if there ever was one.

Dams alone won’t stop it from flooding.

Dredging mouth won’t stop high tides.

11/26/36
CT

No water for power; river is lowest in many years

This section is having the driest season it has known for many years.  H.L. Devin, official weather statistician, says that the Skagit river is the lowest he has ever seen it in the month of November for the past 47 years.  The water as low now as it ordinarily is most Februarys, when everything is frozen in the mountains.  The water in the Baker river dam at Concrete, which generates electricity for Sedro-Woolley, is 75 feet low, and for the last six weeks it has been necessary for Sedro-Woolley to get power from the Shuffleton plant on Lake Washington.  . . .  There has been only one-fifth as much rainfall as usual for this month.  Precipitation from November 1 to 24, inclusive, has been 1.34 inches, while the normal precipitation for this period is 6.74 inches.  October also was a dry month.  The rainfall was 1.06 inches as compared to the normal of 4.80 inches.  For the past month and three-quarters there has been only 2.4 inches of rainfall, while the normal for the same period would be 10.2 inches.

Drought Conditions

H.L. Devin—official weather statistician.

Water behind Lower Baker dam 75 feet low.

Normal November rain 6.74 inches.  Normal October rainfall 4.8 inches.

12/17/36

C.H.

work to start on ruby dam within three months

Reports from Seattle are that the first money has been appropriated for work on the new Ruby dam and that operation will start within three months.  A crew of engineers is now being hired to handle the preliminary work and it is expected that the job will be well under way before the close of 1937.

Ross Dam

Work to start in March 1937.

2/12/37
MVDH

bills filed in state house pass 500 mark – creation of flood control districts authorized under new bill filed in house

. . .  Chief among proposals offered in 30 bills, two memorials and one resolution were: 1– Creating of flood control districts . . .  The committee on flood control introduced the bill authorizing the creation and maintenance of flood control districts. The measure would permit the director of conservation and development to call a special election on petition of 50 per cent of the landowners in a district, and if approved by 60 per cent of the majority of votes cast, he would appoint a commission of three to supervise flood control. The commission would have the power to set boundaries, fix a levy of assessments, issue bonds and enter into contracts with the United States government for flood control money. 

New Flood Control District Legislation

50% of landowners within proposed district had to petition state agency and 60% of the majority of votes cast required for district approval.

2/18/37
MVDH

flood control hearing will be held here – two u.s. departments to hear flood facts at session called for march 2 at city hall

. . .  Congress has directed a preliminary examination of the Skagit river and its tributaries, with the view to control of their floods. . . .

New Study Of Skagit River

P/E led to 3/29/37 recommendation to study river.

2/18/37
Argus

flood control hearing will be held here

U.S. War Dept. Announces Public Meeting for March 2 At City Hall

Information Desired

Oral Evidence Will Be Heard; Arguments Asked To Be Submitted In Writing For Records

Congress has directed a preliminary examination of the Skagit river and its tributaries, with the view to control of their floods.  . . .  Six copies of all letters, papers, maps and photographs submitted are desired

Another study.

3/11/37
CT

At last week’s conference on Skagit flood control problems held with U.S. army engineers, A. G. Mosier, prominent local civil engineer, submitted a report advising the construction of a reservoir at the Sauk river, rather than a huge spillway plan, which army men had recommended. “Having an experience of 47 years with the actions of the Skagit river, it is my belief that channel control, or bank erosion control, is the most important element of the situation,” said Mosier. “The relief for surface drainage is also urgent. That flood control begins at the source and not at the mouth of a stream is common sense. Now that the Seattle project insures the building of the Ruby Creek dam, which insure 26 percent control of most floods, and with the enforcement of the operation of the Baker River dam for a reserve reservoir to handle emergency run off from that region, my contention that all floods could be controlled if a flood reservoir were built on the Sauk river. The estimate for such a dam given out by the U.S. engineer’s office, is $5,700,000, only about one million more than the Avon Cut Off, which, in my opinion, would be entirely unnecessary were this reservoir dam built.

Sauk River Dam Proposal

“Common sense” proposal. 

“…and with the enforcement of the operation of the Baker River dam for a reserve reservoir to handle emergency run off from that region…”

“All floods could be controlled if dam on Sauk allowed. “  This is the same river that carried 3 volcanic lahars to the lower valley from Glacier Peak.  There will never be a dam built on the Sauk.

4/12/37
MVDH

avon-padilla channel gets committee o.k. – flood diversion channel is recommended for immediate construction; drain district, sauk project also listed.

. . .  Of the 190 projects in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, 113 projects, cost $189,984,00 to construct or complete, were listed for immediate construction. Among these projects in Washington state were . . .  The proposed $4,798,000 cutoff in the Skagit river; . . .  Fifty projects, costing $219,374,000 and recommended for deferred construction, included dredging the Columbia river from Vancouver to the Bonneville dam at a cost of $2,380,000; . . . Among 22 projects, costing $111,510,000 and listed after the deferred group, were the $25,532,000 Ruby dam project on the Skagit river; the $14,612,000 Sauk river project; . . .  Among local projects recommended for deferred construction were . . .  Skagit county drainage district 17, flood control, $107,000; Sauk river channel, river channel, revetments, $53,000; . . . 

Avon By-Pass

Cost $4,798,000.

$25,532,000 for Ross Dam placed on back burner.

5/6/37
MVDH

u.s. engineers not favorable to dredging

A letter written by U.S.  Senator Homer T. Bone last April 26, and received here by Mrs. W. F. McCormick, secretary of Skagit Pomona Grange, revealed that the chief of engineers, U.S. war department, considers the dredging of the lower Skagit as “inadvisable” at the present time. The letter from Bone, and several others, was read at last night’s Pomona meeting. . . .  Major Gen. E. M. Markham, chief of army engineers, wrote to Bone as follows on the subject: “I have recently had a report from the division engineer, north Pacific division, advising me that three of the subsidiary sloughs were closed by the construction of dams or dikes at their heads in 1910 and 1911. These dikes have been reinforced and reconstructed from time to time. Their purpose was to confine the discharge to one channel and thus increase the navigable capacity of the south fork of the river. “If the sloughs were opened, the water would be divided between the sloughs and the main channel, and the existing navigation channel would be destroyed. This channel is used by tugboats towing logs from Tom Moore slough and from points up the river to Utsaladdy where they are taken in tow by deep water tugboats.

Corps Says No To Dredging Lower Skagit

“three of the subsidiary sloughs were closed by the construction of dams or dikes at their heads in 1910 and 1911.”

5/13/37
Argus

skagit dredge given special consideraton

Army Head Approves Bill For Special Survey Of North, South Forks

Indications that Skagit county’s proposed river dredge for Puget Sound rivers willl receive favorable consideration from the federal government were apparent this week . . .  Senate bills authorizing the war department to make a survey of the Skagit have been introduced by Senator Schwellenbach, it was reported.  . . .  “General Pillsbury, who is familiar with the Skagit problem, expressed the opinion that this project as outlined was feasible.  The result of this conference with the War Department was the introduction of a bill for an immediate survey of the North and South fork of the Skagit river for the purpose of determining the cost in order to present a bill to dredge.

Dredging project for North and South Forks proposed.

5/13/37
CT

$23,000 ditch here, finished by wpa work – drains 3,200 acres north of this city; big help to local farmers

This week brings to completion of the Sedro-Woolley ditch project, reports zone engineer A. E. Hoopes to Leslie A. Lechner, Works Progress administrator of District No. 3. This project was made necessary due to the fact that the banks of the Skagit river are higher than the adjoining land, and water standing in the fields until late in the season makes early spring planting impossible one more than 3,200 acres of farm land.  . . .  The drainage project, sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, cost approximately $23,000 to complete and includes six and one-half miles of ditches. The drainage system starts at a point northeast of town and about a quarter of a mile from the Northern State hospital property and extends west and south, finally having its outlet in the Skagit river, two and a half miles west of Sedro-Woolley, near Sterling.

3,200 Acre Drainage Project

6 ½  miles of ditches.

Sounds like the ditches ended up in Brickyard Creek.

5/15/37
MVDH

flood control policies will be determined – program for annual conference here next Thursday is given; many leaders will attend

. . .  At the present time, nineteen streams have been designated for preliminary surveys, but no funds have been made available for this work. A total of $50,000,000 in the flood control work is outlined for Washington but under the flood control act of 1936, much additional preliminary study must be given the work. . . . 

Puget Flood Control Council Meets In Mt. Vernon

Feds need preliminary “studies” before work can start.

5/20/37
MVDH

skagit flood danger told at conference – seventy attend annual conference in this city; speakers stress need for equalized tax

. . .  Mayor C. W. Vaux welcomed the visitors, representing five northwest counties, to the city, and a short response was given by Charles M. Dial of Seattle, representative of the chamber of commerce of that city.  . . .  Col. Hanson feels that the state should equalize the cost of flood control throughout the various counties of the state, and should assume the burden of the costs of lands and damages to property in constriction work relative to flood control. “The individual counties can then make adequate plans to bear the cost of maintenance of flood control works,” Col. Hanson stressed.  . . .  Mr. Smith touched briefly upon the floods of 1932, 1921, 1917, 1909, and 1856, but the last really big flood, he stated, was in 1815, nearly 120 years ago. In 1923, James Stewart of the U.S. Geological survey set out to make a study of floods of the Skagit river, and with such information as he gathered he discovered that in 1815 a flood occurred in this valley which left layers of river silt in the inner bark of cedar trees on the Skagit flats fifteen feet above the level of the surrounding country. The survey was carried from the mouth of the Skagit river to Ruby Creek, and Mr. Stewart found evidences of big floods all the way. In the Diablo canyon in the upper Skagit are well marked evidences of water having raised to more than a hundred feet above the normal stream elevation. “I suppose we could work out by the theory of probabilities just how often such a big flood might occur. It may be once every hundred years, or every four hundred,” said Mr. Smith, but the only condition necessary is to get ten inches of rain over the watershed in a period of 34 hours with the temperature above 50 degrees. In 1932 we had 11½ inches of rain but it was spread over a period of 72 hours. In 1932 conditions were all in order for a flood in the proportions of that if 1815, but the rain broke one day early.” If such a flood should occur, all of Sedro-Woolley, Burlington, Hamilton and La Conner would be under water, and most of Mount Vernon. Every farmhouse on the Skagit flats would stand in 7 to 15 feet of water, explained Mr. Smith. In the report of the survey made in 1923, Mr. Smith further commented, Mr. Stewart recommended that should the Skagit valley area every get six inches of rain or more in one day, the whole valley would be abandoned without attempting to take any possessions along. He also recommended that dikes twelve feet high be built around the entire city of Burlington. In his second point, Mr. Smith showed by a series of charts how the City Light project on the Skagit river has materially lessened the danger from floods by its huge reservoir at Diablo. The Baker river reservoir at Concrete also is instrumental in lessening flood danger. The city of Seattle has spent $25,000,000 on the Skagit power project, and receives 85 per cent of its current therefrom. Thus, the city of Seattle is deeply interested in flood control work in the Skagit valley.

Speaker Quotes From Stewart Report

Speaker was Glen Smith engineer with Seattle City Light.  Confirms that City Light had copy of Stewart Report.  Smith felt 1815 flood could be 100 to 400 year event.  Quoting Stewart, “only condition necessary is to get ten inches of rain over the watershed in a period of 34 hours.”  1932 had 11.5 inches of rain but spread over 3 days.

Stewart recommended dikes 12 feet high be built around Burlington.

Diablo reservoir lessens flood damage.  Baker dam also instrumental in lessening flood danger.

City of Seattle deeply interested in flood control in Skagit County.

5/20/37
Argus

ruby dam will aid in skagit flood control

Statewide Tax for Control Is Advocated At Meeting

Leaders Gather Here

Interesting Facts On Skagit River Told By City Light Engineer

Construction of Ruby dam as a vital factor in bringing about an effective flood control for the Skagit river was strongly recommended by Glen H. Smith, outside construction engineer for City Light, at the annual conference of the Puget Sound Flood Control Council which is in session in Mt. Vernon today.  Smith spoke briefly shortly before noon today, outlining the history of the Skagit river floods and emphasizing the assistance already realized through the Baker river and the Diablo dams.  The Ruby dam with the assistance of the proposed Avon cut-off will eliminate flood danger for the Skagit Valley, he concluded.

The Skagit problem was then presented by Mr. Smith.  “This rich fertile valley is in danger of a flood such as the white man has never seen, “ he reported.  “A survey made by James L. Stewart in 1923 revealed that the flood of 1815 swept down on the Indians without warning, covering the lower Skagit flats to a depth of 10 to 15 feet.  Evidence of the flood has been found in cedar trees in the lower flats, where river silt has been found in some 15 feet above the ground.  In Diablo and Ruby canyons the water marks show levels more than 100 feet above the normal stage.  Geological surveys in the upper canyons have revealed that the Skagit in times past has gone on dozens of such rampages and that such is possible today.  (NOTE:  Article was continued on page 4 and was not copied.)

Committee was critical that California got $486,000,000 for flood control and Oregon got $102,000,000 but that Washington only got $52,000,000.

Ruby dam and By-Pass will stop it from flooding.

Seattle City Light has Stewart Report by this date.

100 feet??  Where did he get this data?  Not in Stewart report.

5/21/37
MVDH

state tax for flood control also favored – puget sound council adopts resolution asking solution to skagit problem, which is one of most serious in entire state

Skagit county’s need for a solution to its flood problem gained a new convert yesterday when the Puget Sound Flood Control Council, in annual session here, unanimously adopted a resolution asking the responsible authorities to take immediate action. . . .  The resolution stressed that the federal government had allocated money for a spillway between Avon and Padilla bay but that the county could not take advantage of the allocation since Skagit residents have no means of raising a million dollars, which is mandatory before the project is undertaken. . . .  Earlier in the day, Glen H. Smith, engineer for City Light, Seattle, had told the 70 in attendance at the conference that the Skagit valley is in danger of a flood “such as the white man has never seen.”

Avon By-Pass Dead

Skagit County has no means to raise a million dollars for local share.  PSFCC recommended statewide tax for flood control.  Recognized Skagit’s flood problem as “one of the most serious in the entire state.”

5/21/37
MVDH

house committee o.k’s 31 millions for rivers, harbors

The house rivers and harbors committee today reported favorably, by a unanimous vote, a $31,720,000 omnibus bill authorizing construction of 119 rivers and harbors projects.

Feds Allocate Money For Flood Control

5/24/37
MVDH

engineers to rule soon on river survey – wallgren says army engineers will decide within ten days on whether to survey lower skagit

Decision on the necessity for a detailed survey of the Skagit river, including the north and south forks, for navigation and flood control will be made by the board of rivers and harbors engineers in the next 10 days, Congressman Mon C. Wallgren has been informed by official of that board. . . .  If action is taken under the report of the local engineers, it will be the result of the inclusion of an authorization to conduct a preliminary survey of the Skagit which Congressman Wallgren succeeded in having placed in the flood control act of 1936. The report of the local engineers recommends a detailed survey of the Skagit. . . .  “The division engineer, north Pacific division, has now submitted a report on preliminary examination, recommending the undertaking of a detailed survey. . . .”

Corps Considering Doing Study On Skagit River

Examination & survey of Skagit River authorized by Congress on 8/28/37.  (Source: Corps letter dated 9/25/47).

6/3/37
Argus

war department kills bill for skagit survey

Existing Flood Control Act Covers Local River, Secretary of War Rules

Senator Homer T. Bone Advises That Delegate Be Sent To Portland To Present Local Cause

Failure to receive the approval of the Secretary of War, the Washington delegation’s senate bill authorizing a preliminary examination and survey of the North and South forks of the Skagit has been recommended to be killed.

6/5/37
MVDH

dredging one step nearer by u.s. action – congressman wallgren sends telegram to shrauger telling of action in fight for dredging project

Congressman Mon Wallgren today notified Postmaster C. F. Shrauger of this city by telegram that U.S. army engineers in Washington, D.C., had approved plans for a complete survey of the north and south forks of the Skagit river from the bay as far as Mount Vernon. “This means that we are one step nearer in our campaign to have the lower Skagit dredged for the benefit of flood control, drainage and navigation,” declared Shrauger.   . . .  Officials of the Skagit dredging association expressed much concern over a report sent to Washington, D.C., that the association was advocating a government owned dredge. While this might be desired the association did not think it advisable to ask for other than the dredging of the river, Mason declared. He commented that today’s action by the army engineers shows that the congressman and the two Untied States senators have fully presented the Skagit problem to the war department.

Skagit Dredging Association

Corps approved plans for “survey” of Skagit from mouth to Mt. Vernon.

Local association wanted to dredge lower river.  Felt survey was first step to accomplishing that.

6/10/37
Argus

skagit river survey okayed at washington

Engineers Approve Plan; Dredging Action on Results of Survey; Local Boosters Are Pleased

Plans for a complete survey of the north and south forks of the Skagit river from the bay to Mt. Vernon received the official approval of U.S. Army engineers in Washington, D.C., . . .  “This means that we are one step nearer in our campaign to have the lower Skagit dredged for the benefit of flood control, drainage and navigation,” Shrauger told a press representative.  . . .  Congressman Wallgren has filed a bill calling for the dredging of the north and south forks of the Skagit.  The future of the bill depends on the findings of the U.S. engineers in their survey, it has been pointed out.

Dredging.

7/8/37
CT

skagit flood work will continue – project assured for five months more, nelson says

Work on the big Skagit river flood control project will not be stopped, according to Iner C. Nelson, engineer in charge of this important work. He has received word from WPA headquarters that the project can continue at least four or five weeks, with the county commissioners paying their promised share of five per cent of the cost. When the original project was set up, on an appropriation of $216,000, largely through the efforts of Congressman Mon Wallgren, the county commissioners pledged themselves five per cent of the total cost. Up to the present time they have paid in some $5,000 on emergency appropriations, leaving about $5,800 of the original pledge still unpaid.  . . .  A crew of one hundred men is at work near Burns bar near Sedro-Woolley and is preparing to start work at Lyman in the near future.

Erosion Control Project To Continue

County still owed over $5,000.

10/21/37
CT

skagit flood control work is unfinished – up river projects need additional funds for completion

. . .  Those in charge of the $216,000 project estimate that to complete the original plans will take at least $100,000 more. As explained previously, the shortage in funds is not due to unit costs being greater than the original estimates, but that changing conditions of the river, made each job of the project cover a longer stretch of river bank than the original plans called for. Immediate action obtaining the additional funds is most desirable at this time as the present appropriation will be used up by February with a large part of the originally planned work unfinished. Engineers recommend trying to get a supplemental WPA project, which can be approved in a few weeks. Contribution of some funds by the county is necessary. Of the original project some 50,000 square yards of the brush mat revetment work remains to be done between Mount Vernon and Hamilton.

Erosion Control Projects Finished

Another $100,000 needed.  Changing river conditions to blame for cost overrun. 

County still owes money.

10/28/37
CT

harry devin gives sketch of sedro-woolley history – editorial

I have been asked to sketch briefly, for the younger members, why the city was located here, the origin of its name, what supported it in its early days, now, and the prospect for the future. Several factors contributed to its location at this point, but the principal one was the bitter fight between Seattle and Tacoma over the location of the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railway.  . . .  Kelly believed that where the railroad crossed the Skagit river would be a good location for a town, as at the time the Skagit river was the only means of transportation for a large portion of the county.  . . .  Choose “Sedro” As Name As a name for his town he took Sedro, the name of a post office already established on the bank of the Skagit, half a mile from Jameson’s land. The post office had been located by Mortimer Cook, some three years before. Cook was a typical frontiersman who had had a varied and adventurous career; a Mexican war veteran, he joined the rush to California when discharged, mined, tried stock raising, storekeeping, and organized the first bank in Southern California, opening the First National Bank of Santa Barbara in 1871 and being its first president.  . . .  In 1884 he came to Skagit county with a modest stake and believing that the completion of the Northern Pacific railroad would open a market for Puget Sound lumber in the prairie states he bought considerable timber land on the Skagit, and 34 acres on the bank for a landing, at the upper end of Batey’s Slough, where the city dump is now located.  . . .  In 1886 he wanted a post office and applied for one, asking that it be named Cedra, the Spanish word for cedar, but the department refused the name, having several Cedras already, so Cook changed the first and last letters, making Sedro, which the department accepted and appointed Cook postmaster.  . . .  Woolley Plats Town In 1890, P. A. Woolley platted 80 acres adjoining the plat of Sedro on the north and called it “Woolley, the Hub of Skagit County.” All three lines of railroad were being rushed to completion at the same time and Sedro was the supply point and pay station for them all, giving the town a flying start.  . . .  There was bitter rivalry between the two towns of Sedro and Woolley for several years, and in 1896 the Twin City Business League was organized to try to get the business men of the two towns to work together for the common good. It was successful, and after a couple of years the two towns united under the compound name of Sedro-Woolley, neither being willing to give up its name, and the Twin City Business became the “Commercial Club,” later changing to the Chamber of Commerce.  

Sedro-Woolley History

Two towns.  Sedro was name of post office which was changed from requested name of Cedra, Spanish for Cedar. 

Woolley was named after P.A. Woollley who first platted town.  Known as “The Hub of Skagit County”.  Clearly, Burlington stole this label.  

10/28/37
CT

wallgren praises skagit river work – congressman , honored guest at dinner of lions rotarians and chamber of commerce; favors flood control; fine meeting

. . .  Wallgren told the meeting that he was much pleased with the flood control and river bank erosion work being carried on along the upper Skagit river under the $216,000 WPA project, and favored enlarging the project to complete needed bank protection, before any money is spent in dredging the mouth of the river. He said he could see no sense in spending a huge sum dredging the lower part of the river so long as land and silt is washed down in huge quantities to fill the lower river as rapidly as it is dredged. When the river banks are all protected, is the time to talk about a big appropriation for dredging the mouth of river, he said. The river bank protection, clearing the river of snags, diking and dredging should all be part of the task of making the Skagit river safe from flood and land destruction.

Congressman Wanted To Enlarge Erosion Control Projects

Favored river erosion control work before any dredging of the mouth of the river.

10/28/37
CT

need more wpa funds in skagit river erosion work

The work of protecting the Skagit river banks from erosion will stop before it is much more than half completed, unless additional WPA funds are obtained, Iner Nelson, U.S. engineer in charge of this huge project for the past two years, told Congressman Mon Wallgren and some eighty Sedro-Woolley men at the Wallgren dinner here Tuesday evening. 

3½  Miles of river bank have been protected from Burlington to Utopia.

11/4/37
CT

river work passes high water test – engineers pleased with failure of flood to damage

The brush mat revetments along the Skagit river bank had their first real test last week, when the river rose fourteen and one half feet in less than twenty-four hours, after a night and a day of hard rain and warm winds in the hills. Iner Nelson, U.S. Army engineer in charge of the river bank protection projects, reported that all completed jobs were undamaged. The river at the N.P. bridge here rose twelve feet in twelve hours during the night of October 26 and the day of October 27, rising to a point within six feet of the 1935 spring flood stage. At present the river is back to within four feet of extreme low.  . . .  Below Sterling and above Burlington, for the first time, there was no land washed away, due to the perfect protection afforded by the thousand of feet of brush and concrete pavements.  . . .  Engineers estimate that without the work already done, at least 200,000 cubic yards of Skagit county land would have been washed into the river, from the points now protected. 

OCTOBER 28, 1937 FLOOD

USGS 89,600 cfs Concrete (32.16), no figures for lower river.  This would have been comparable to the February 9, 1996 flood which produced 81,800 cfs at Mt. Vernon or 29.27 ft on the gage.

Flood was about 1 foot over flood stage.  Very small flood to be judging the effectiveness of the erosion control projects.

12/23/37
Argus

river, slough projects await federal action

$100,000 Earmarked For Swinomish Channel Protection Dike

Report River Findings

Earmarking of $100,000 for the construction of a dike to protect the recently constructed Swinomish slough channel against the Skagit river silt, insuring an early start on this work, was announced in Washington, D.C., this morning by Congressman Mon C. Wallgren . . . A second project dealing with the completion of a survey of the Skagit river and a report of findings to the board of engineers for rivers and harbors before its January meeting, is also well underway, Wallgren announces.

$100,000 for dike construction to protect Swinomish slough from Skagit River silt.  (Hole in the wall?)

3/24/38
CT

plan new $200,000 skagit flood work --county board confers with u.s. engineer; agrees to sponsor project; john mason heads new flood control group

Promise of a new $200,000 Skagit flood control program to supplement the river bank revetment work, for which funds are now exhausted, was given by the Skagit county commissioners this week after a conference with Captain Trudeau, U.S. army engineer in charge of flood control work in this district.  Details of the new program will be worked out through the new Skagit Flood Control Association of which Chairman John Mason of the county commissioners is president.  According to tentative plans for the new Skagit flood control project to be sponsored by the county, all parts of the river will be included, with a couple of projects for the Day Creek district, the big project at Conway, one at Sterling, at Hamilton, Utopia and other danger spots on the river, which the crew of men under the present appropriation, were unable to complete.

New Flood Control Committee

Chairman of new committee was County Commissioner.  Dredging and snag work proposed.  Upriver and downriver farmers to work together.

3/24/38
CT

editorial – new flood control work

With the Skagit county commissioners agreeing to sponsor a new flood control program for the Skagit river to supplement the work already done, and the organization of a new county association to coordinate all bank protection, dredging and snag work in one flood control program, some real progress was made this week.  John Mason, chairman of the board of county commissioners, is president of the new flood control group, and deserves much credit for forming the new organization.  All the upper river communities have joined and will work to help get the lower river dredged, as part of the flood control program, which will be presented by Mason, in detail at a meeting to be held soon.

Editor Approves of New Committee

Everyone will work together.

4/12/38
CT

editorial – skagit flood work

Under the direction of John Mason, chairman of the county commissioners, plans are progressing for a comprehensive program for the Skagit river to include completion of river bank protection work, dredging and snagging, and other work needed to make the Skagit less dangerous both as a source of damaging floods and as a constant menace to farmland by erosion.  United States army engineers are preparing a detailed project to include the entire river, and it will not be long before a river project larger than the former one will be set up, with government funds, backed by the county, to complete the bank protection work at Utopia, Day Creek, Conway and other dangerous points left unfinished when the funds were exhausted this month, and work was transferred to the Samish river.  The county officials deserve the thanks of the entire county for agreeing to carry on this most important work, which will be of untold value to the entire county, and is the first constructive work done in this district to try to save the huge loss to rich Skagit farmlands, and to make the lower part of the Skagit deeper for navigation.

Flood Control Progressing

Relying on Corps for a new study.

8/18/38
CT

log rafts do much damage to revetment -- action must be taken to protect bush bank work

Damage estimated at $10,000 has already been done to the revetment work along the Skagit river by the log rafts which are being towed down the river.  The rafts have already ripped out some three hundred feet of revetment at Utopia, which if not repaired before the next freshet, will cause a lot more damage.  . . .  Carr said today that something must be done to stop this, or huge damage would be caused to the revetment.  His idea is to drive dolphins at each of the sharp curves where the log rafts threaten to swing into the river bank, and to fasten sheer booms to these dolphins, to keep the rafts from striking the revetment.  The first question to determine is whether the state, county, federal government or loggers should pay for the considerable expense which will be incurred in installing these booms.  Carr hopes to work out this problem in the near future, because immediate action is necessary if many more thousands of dollars’ damage is not caused.

Log Rafts Damaging River Banks

Rafts ripped out 300 feet of revetment at Utopia.

Needed to determine if state, county, federal government or loggers should pay for damage and new protective works.

10/7/38
CT

river gouging more land east of city – farmer reports acres of woodland, soil eroded by skagit

. . .  W. H. Merchant, who owns 117 acres along the river, said the river is eroding his property at a rapid rate. He lost about 50 acres during the last year, the farmer declared. At present the river’s erosion has slowed down, he said, but that the sudden change in the course of the river has produced a condition similar to that near Burlington Bend.  . . .  Merchant related that the river now turns northward opposite a log dump on the south side of the river. The river is cutting its way toward Skiyou slough and eventually could reach Hansen Creek which is too small to handle them. The farmer said that the logging firm which owns land adjacent to his has lost many acres of timberland by the river’s sudden change of course. He surmised that the river is being forced to take an unnatural channel. Merchant has not yet contacted the transportation tugboat firm operation at the log dump opposite the turn in the river.

Erosion Problems

River changing course near Skiyou Slough and could reach Hansen Creek.  Log dump on Southside of river blamed as cause.

11/3/38
CT

new $400,000 skagit flood project, o.k.  --  president approves big appropriation for this county

A federal allotment of $334,425 for a new Skagit river flood control project, was approved yesterday by President Roosevelt and now goes to the state WPA administrator for final approval.  With the county’s share of some $60,000, this means an additional $400,000 will be spent on river bank revetment work on the Skagit River, between Rockport and mouth of the river.  Already approximately $250,000 has been spent on the Skagit and the new appropriation should make it possible to strengthen the banks along the entire river, according to Iner Nelson, who has been general superintendent of the work since its start.

President Roosevelt Approves Grant For Flood Control

$60,000 matching funds needed by County.  Cost would ultimately prove downfall of project.

12/2/38
MVDH

much damage is reported

Thousands of dollars worth of land in the Sedro-Woolley district is threatened anew by the Skagit river because of damage done to revetment work, it is claimed here. Nearly one quarter of a million dollars have been spent in protecting the river banks, and a new project calling for the expenditure of more than $400,000, to start this month, has been authorized by the WPA. . . .  Log-towers claim they cannot help causing the damage unless booms are placed to protect the worst places at the sharpest curves. Some of the farmers have complained to the county commissioners about the matter, but the board of commissioners claims it has no funds to repair the damage. On the other hand, WPA authorities state that once the work is done it is up to the county to maintain the revetments.

Revetment Work Damaged By Log Rafts

Log towers claim they cannot avoid the damage caused by their log rafts.

$250,000 already spent.  $400,000 will ultimately be left on the table due to no maintenance policy of the County Commissioners.

12/8/38
CT

Commencement of $420,000 Skagit Flood Work, Delayed

The Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce is making every effort to speed up the starting of the new $420,000 Skagit river flood control project, which has been postponed by the WPA, due to failure of the county commissioners to purchase the new dragline which was promised the U.S. war department engineers in charge of the project.  . . .  The county commissioners state that the Utopia project should never have been left by the engineers without construction of a wing dam to protect it from the logs.  They say the logging companies were willing to furnish the logs for the piling and the booms to be used to protect the work, as it is protected below Sterling and at other dangerous points in the river.  The board members state that it is difficult to find money with which to buy the new dragline.

Flood Control Work Postponed

County couldn’t afford purchase of new dragline.

12/14/38
MVDH

committee to inquire about river project

The Skagit County Chamber of Commerce, meeting at Burlington last night, authorized appointment of a committee to confer with the board of county commissioners relative to two phases of the Skagit river revetment program. Action was taken after Attorney Arthur Ward of Sedro-Woolley informed the group that much damage has been done to the revetment recently by log booms, and that a new $400,000 project on the river is being held up by WPA officials until the county furnishes a dragline outfit. . . .  Ward pointed out that $250,000 had already been expended on the river and maintained the investment should be protected. In its application for the first project, the county agreed to maintain the project, he stated. Up until recently, before funds were exhausted, the government engineer saw that the project was maintained. No funds are available for the purpose now. . . .  A. G. Mosier of Sedro-Woolley said piles should be driven to protect the revetment work. He thought farmers whose land is washed away might have recourse against the county. L. R. White, president of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, said if the river changes its course there is danger to Sedro-Woolley. He said water pipe lines running into Sedro-Woolley are also threatened unless the river is kept in its present channel. He advised watching the river above Sedro-Woolley at high water stages, saying “you can’t tell what will happen.” Jack Davis, Burlington banker, said the $250,000 already spent would be wasted unless the project is maintained.

Skagit County Chamber Of Commerce Forms Flood Committee

Committee was formed to help County Commissioners deal with river erosion problems and damage to revetments by log rafts.

12/15/38
MVDH

dike project is finished

Work on the government dike south of La Conner has been completed. . . .  Work started May 16, 1938. The purpose of the jetty was to deflect the North Fork of the Skagit river to stop silting Swinomish Slough channel. During the work on this project 80,000 tons of rock taken from the government quarry on Coat island was used, and 2,900 cords of brush used in building mat placed under rock. The length of the dike was 5,800 feet. Winston Bros. company were contractors, J.G. Montgomery, superintendent. The work was done under the general supervision of Col. H. J. Wild, Seattle, district engineer, and Frank S. Greely was chief inspector on the job.

Corps Of Engineers “Dike” Project At Hole In The Wall

12/15/38
CT