MASTER INDEX TO HISTORICAL NEWSPAPER FLOOD ARTICLE RESEARCH Researched, assembled and organized by: Dan Berentson, Josef and Larry Kunzler Index prepared by Larry Kunzler, 12/15/2005
DATE/ PAPER	ARTICLE	COMMENTS
10/21/1895 The Skagit News (“TSN”)[1]	memorial to the senate and house of representatives             The undersigned citizens of Skagit County, State of Washington, believe that a fair consideration of the conditions surrounding the Skagit River and tributary country will induce such liberal action on the part of Congress as will meet the requirements of our present environments and prevent any disaster in the future such as we have suffered in the past.  . . .  The surveys already made, and the map attached hereto sustains the statement that there are tributary to Skagit River about forty Townships, or over fourteen hundred square miles of land.  A large proportion of this country is now, and all of it, when developed, must be largely dependent for its commerce on this important River.  It is navigable for light draft Steamers from its mouth to Sauk City, a distance of about seventy miles, and at some seasons to Marblemount, fifteen miles above Sauk City.  . . .  A system of dikes extends on both sides of the River from its mouth to and above the village of Avon, about fifteen miles; and connecting with the main system, are other dikes, running across the level country toward LaConner and other points to the North and South of the River.  This diking system has been rendered necessary by the filling in of the bed and mouths of the River, from causes which will be explained, and ought to be remedied.  The system, already constructed and maintained, embraces one hundred and fifty-eight miles of dikes, and has cost in money and labor expended in construction, the large sum of three hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars.  All of this has been expended by owners of land in the Skagit valley, including the residents of towns liable to inundation.  . . .  Before the mouth of the river began to be obstructed, the accumulating waters of the greatest freshets did not overflow the banks.  A channel varying in depth from twelve to twenty feet was a sufficient outlet for all the water that passed in swift torrents from the mountains and highlands of the North and East.  . . .  The main channel or mouth of the River is now closed from an accumulation of logs, driftwood and sediment.  Where a few years ago Steamers could safely navigate in fifteen feet of water persons can now walk from one bank of the River to the other on logs, or other obstruction.  The only entrance from the Sound into the Skagit is by way of a small Slough, narrow and unsafe, and through which Steamers at high tide can find only about six feet of water.  The North fork of the River, through which navigation was formerly maintained, is now practically closed, and no boat can traverse its waters.  The South fork is only navigable from Fir, where it flows through and becomes a part of Steamboat Slough, heretofore mentioned.  Various reasons may be assigned for the obstruction and closing of the two mouths of the River, but until Boom Companies were permitted to place obstructions in the River and to locate their booms and appliances near the mouths, there was no trouble about overflows.             We call your attention to the fact that since November, 1892, the floods in the Skagit have four times swept over the banks, broken the dikes and inundated the surrounding country.  The destruction of property by the overflow in November, 1892, and January, 1895, was not very great, but the overflow in May, 1894, and June of that year entailed a direct loss on the people of the Skagit Valley as shown by estimates attached hereto, approximating one-half million of dollars.  The town of Mount Vernon was entirely flooded, small boats and rafts navigated the streets and the people were driven from their homes for safety to the hills.  The damage to public and private property was great, and the suffering from exposure and sickness was distressing.	Unfortunately the newspaper did not publish the names or who wrote this Memorial. The first documented “investigation” of the Skagit River was done by the Corps of Engineers in 1890.  On October 13, 1890 Capt. E.H. Jefferson wrote:  “There are several sloughs and channels through which the river finds its way to salt water.  Steamboat Slough is the principal one, and used by the Steamers.  The others are inferior and operated by the log-boom companies.”  158 miles of dikes.  Cost $335,000. These paragraphs strongly suggest that before the log boom companies came that the river did not flood.  This of course was not true. The 1897 Corps survey map shows that the “Old Main Channel” was completely obstructed with log jams.  One has to wonder how much of this log jam was created by the removal of the log jams further upriver at Mt. Vernon. Previously it has been believed that the only time downtown Mt. Vernon went underwater was in the flood of 1897. (See Skagit Argus article 12/15/21.)  Clearly this Memorial contradicts that statement.  It is also the first time that a summer flood was documented as having hit the valley.  Why didn’t Stewart find any evidence of this flood event or for that matter even mention it?
11/16/1896 TSN	The Highest Water Known The highest water in the Skagit River known to white men occurred last night.  On last Thursday a Chinook wind commenced to blow which was accompanied by a warm rain.  This rapidly cut away the snow which for several weeks had been creeping down the mountain sides.  The wind continued over Friday when the river commenced to rise rapidly.  By Saturday afternoon the river was booming and many thought it had reached its highest stage.  This however, was not the case as it continued to creep upward during yesterday, and until last night.  As the water gradually rose on the levees it became apparent that unless strenuous efforts were made to raise them, the town would be flooded.  The experience of former occasion was enough to induce all parties to lend a hand, so that when the fire bell rang out the alarm, not for fire gut water, an army of men turned out with shovels and commenced to build a dike on top of the levee, commending at the hill and working clear down through the city.  This work saved the town, and but for it, from ten to eighteen inches of water would have swept over the levees and through the city.  . . . Six hundred feet of the Great Northern railroad track between the bridge and Burlington were washed out, . . . The protection pier at the Great Northern bridge was knocked out and that structure was in great danger of being washed away.  . . . Two big breaks in the levee on the west side occurred.  One near F.C. Ward’s place, the other at D. Storr’s place.  The whole west side including West Mt. Vernon, is a lake.	NOVEMBER 16, 1896 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) says 185,000 cfs  at Sedro-Woolley.  No figure for Concrete. “The experience of former occasion was enough to induce all parties to lend a hand…”  This statement confirms that downtown Mt. Vernon had indeed gone under before. According to COE reports there were 3 floods in 1896.  January, June & November.  The COE Taylor Report 12/11/1897 stated that “River reportedly was 24 ft on Great Northern Railroad Bridge 6 miles above Mt. Vernon.”, which was 2 ft and 4 ft above the January and June floods respectively.  Burlington levees broke.  Westside Mt. Vernon levees broke. Clearly damage not as great as 1917.
11/16/1896 TSN	Protecting the banks One of the most important questions for the consideration of the settlers of the Skagit Valley is an adequate protection to the rivers banks from wash during high water.  It is possible to build a levee of sufficient height to prevent overflow, but it is impossible to build a levee that shall withstand the slow undermining of the river at its base.  So far, several methods have been tried but none of them are entirely satisfactory.  The New Orleans Picayune of Aug. 16 has a description of a system which has been tried along the banks of the Mississippi, with the most satisfactory results.  The following extract from the article will explain the system: The system was invented by Messers. R.H.F. and N. H. Sewall.  The former gentlemen being interviewed stated that their system of dikes is nothing new to the engineers and citizens at large who are interested in such work.  . . .  The plan is to construct spur dikes of timber at intervals along the caving banks.  These dikes project upstream at an angle of about 25 degrees.  They are constructed of piling driven 80 to 85 feet into the river bottom; the water will fall into the angle formed by the dike and the bank, and be held there, forming a motionless body of water on both sides of the dike, which leaves no pressure against same.  The deposit of the silt laden waters of the Mississippi will b stopped by the dike and will gradually settle, forming an accretion which will eventually create a batture.[2]	New Kind of Dikes The Sewall’s might have taken credit for this design but it is very similar to what a hydraulic engineer professor in the early 1500’s taught to his class.  That engineer was Leonardo daVinci.
11/19/1896 SCT	The great flood -- The Skagit on a big tear -- The Skagit Valley From The Baker Valley To The LaConner Flats Washed By The Ruinous Flood—Stock And Improvements Carried Away On Wednesday of last week, the wind began to blow from southeast and, before evening had developed into a chinook gale. Unfortunately for the river bottom settlers of the Skagit valley, the warm wind continued until about 4 p.m. Sunday.  On Friday the Skagit began to rise quite rapidly and continued rising at an average rate of three inches an hour until Sunday morning when it began to abate. In the afternoon of that day, the river had risen until all previous highwater marks at Sedro was one foot seven inches under water.  The whole valley east of Sedro was a floating wilderness.  Hamilton was totally inundated; one brick building having caved in and several frame ones torn from their foundations.  The county bridges recently constructed wee destroyed and the improved roads that had become the pride of the upper valley became an easy prey to the devastating waters.  Lower Sedro suffered heavily.  A large number of cattle and small stock perished and buildings ruthlessly torn from their foundations were cast hap-hazard amid the heaps of debris.  Mortimer Cook’s store that has weathered the floods and storms of fifteen years, rose with the eddying waters and turned half way round before lodging against some trees and stumps. . . . South Burlington sustained great damage.  Houses and barns were undermined and toppled to the ground and the winter’s supply which they contained scattered on the tide.  The fencing of years yielded to the flood and the clearings that represented the toil of a decade were covered with the debris of the surrounding forest.  . . .  West Mount Vernon is next in line of progress and received no favor from the impartial flood.  The water, rising from one to two feet above the first floor of the dwellings, swept fences and everything movable before it.  . . .  In the year 1878 Joseph Hart, our well known fellow citizen, came to Puget Sound and two years latter came to the Skagit valley, just prior to the great flood of 1880.  Since the flood of that year there have been three freshets that have equaled it in height, and the one we chronicle this week surpassed it by eighteen inches.  . . .  In speaking of the floods and their causes, Mr. Hart said:  “At the time of my coming to the valley there had been no freshets of note for many years, and the one that came in 1880 was a damper to the enthusiasm of the dwellers on the marsh lands; but, as several years rolled by without a repetition of the catastrophe and a system of dikes was inaugurated, contentment banished fear.  Shortly after the memorable high water of that year, I had a talk with an old Indian and his squaw, who used to live on Skiyou Island but have since died of small-pox.  These worthies took me to a tree near by and directed my attention to a water mark at least six feet higher than the highest point reached by the recent freshet and said that when they were children the great flood swept down the valley carrying death and destruction everywhere.  He said:  ‘The lodges of my people were carried with their canoes and winters food out to the great waters, and they were left to suffer the horrors of starvation and death from exposure to the inclement elements.  The snows of winter fell to an unusual depth and the animals upon which we were wont to subsist, greatly reduced in numbers by drowning and driven into the mountain fastnesses by the raging torrent, were hard to get and very poor.  The fish we had prepared for winter use were destroyed by the angry waters and we were made to suffer the wrath of the Great Spirit.’ ” Continuing Mr. Hart said:  “Judging from the apparent age of the Indians at that time I should place the time of that greatest of the great freshets at about the beginning of the present century, and was caused according to the story of these Indians, by heavy snows coming early in the fall, which were immediately succeeded by a very warm Chinook wind which blew for many days.  As to this being the only and real cause of the unprecedented high water, however, I have my doubts.  Our fellow townsman, Mr. H.L. Devin, was some years ago engaged in surveying in the upper valley in the vicinity of Baker Lake.  Being detained over night in an Indian camp, he was told the history of a great flood.  They said that about 60 years ago a great slide had choked up the narrow outlet of the Baker Valley and that the water accumulated in the basin thus formed until the whole valley was an immense lake, full 80 feet deep.  By this time the imprisoned waters had burst through the dam and in a few hours this great volume of water was precipitated into the Skagit flooding the whole valley.  The water marks still plainly visible high up the sides of the Baker Valley and the great variation in those upon the trees as you come down the Skagit would indicate that this was the real cause of that terrible disaster.	NOVEMBER 16, 1896 FLOOD 3 inches an hour for approximately 48 hours would be 144 inches or only 12 feet.  This would not be a very large flood by todays standards even if we assume the river was at 20 feet when it started to rise.  This could explain why the COE stated the BNSF RR bridge only reached 24 feet (See TSN entry 11/16/1898).  Burlington at that time was not protected by levees and the water must have flowed down Gages Slough. Cook’s store was located on the edge of the river. South Burlington would have been the Gages Slough area.  No references to downtown Burlington. West Mt. Vernon water one to two feet deep. Water only a foot and a half more then three previous floods since 1880.  This would have included the 1884 flood that inundated downtown Mt. Vernon.  (See 1895 article above.) This would have been the 1815 flood Stewart talked about.  Stewart later recanted this by saying The old Indian who told Hart and others at Sedro Woolley in 1879 that the flood was when he was a boy either referred to another flood or they did not understand him.” (Source:  Transcription of Stewart “flood notes” on 9/16/22 by USGS 6/30/23 re Reflector Bar near Marblemount) The narrow outlet in the Baker Valley would be where Upper Baker Dam is now.  Baker River before the dam ran on the east side of Baker Valley. Water marks up the sides of the Baker Valley and on trees down the Skagit.  USGS now says this flood never happened because they can’t find any evidence.
1/4/1897 TSN	Dikes And Fisheries Upon the call of Representative J. E. Nelson quite a large number of Skagit county people who are interested in the subjects of dikes and fisheries gathered in the court house in Mount Vernon last Tuesday and a thorough discussion was had of the needs of the county in relation to the above subjects.  In the matter of improving the diking system it was the universal opinion that the first and most important steps to be taken is to secure the removal of the “boom works” from the mouth of the river so that the water will carry its load of debris out to sea instead of depositing it in the river channels where it forms a dam to the free outlet.  Old settlers related that in the early days before the erection of the “boom works” there were three clear channels out to deep water with a depth of from 16 to 18 feet of water, but immediately following the construction of the “boom works” the channels began to fill up with drift until now there is but one navigable channel and that has only a depth of about 6 or 8 feet in a most tortuous channel.  . . .  In regard to the fishing interests it was the general opinion that laws should be passed prohibiting the erection of traps in or near the mouth of any river or in any “fish runway.”  And further that the state would foster the fishing industry by the establishment of an additional number of hatcheries.	River used to have “3 clear channels”.  The one they are talking about in this article is Steamboat Slough. North and South Forks used to be 16 to 18 feet deep. Steamboat Slough 6-8 feet deep. No “fish traps” in or near the mouth of river or in any “fish runways”.  Should build fish hatcheries.
11/22/1897 The Skagit News Herald (“TSN-H”)	Disastrous Flood -- Mt. Vernon Is A Heavy Sufferer Levees Overflowed and Sidewalks Washed Out.  A Torrent of Water Pours Through The City.  Several Houses Wrecked and One or Two Narrow Escapes. On Wednesday morning a very warm Chinook wind commended to blow which increased in force until evening, when it was almost a gale.  This hot wind blowing directly on the snow which had been creeping down the hills for the last few weeks, cut it away with the rapidity of fire, and resulted in a raging torrent rushing down the valley of the Skagit on its way to the sea.   The rise did not commence until Wednesday evening, as it usually takes from twelve to fourteen hours for the effects of a Chinook to make their appearance, and the same time to cease.  By Thursday the river was still raising but still within the banks.  During the night, however the water came with increased force, and early on Friday morning the alarm was whistled from the electric light plant which called for help only to find the water pouring over the levees in all directions.  Some efforts were made to raise the levees and keep ahead of the water, but it came so fast that they were useless.  . . .  In the southern part of the city, the very lowest quarter, a great break occurred in the levee, caused by the water pouring over the top, which swept everything before it with irresistible force.  . . .  After the flood Kincaid Street presented a sight that was dismal in the extreme, being washed out and lined with debris from one end to the other.  All other parts of the city were in nearly as bad condition.  . . .  From Conway to salt water, the flood poured over the top of the levee the entire distance on the east side of the river. On the west side of the river several small breaks occurred letting through large volumes of water.  But little damage was caused however.  . . .  At one time the bridge across the river at this point was in real danger.  A jam had formed on one of the piers which gradually increased in size until it reached almost across the river.  By good work and the liberal use of giant powder, the jam was finally broken, and the bridge cleared.  It is badly damaged however, and cannot be used by teams until repaired.  The protection pier on the next span east of the draw was knocked completely out, and the full force of the jam came against the main pier, springing it fully 18 inches out of plumb.  . . .  At the mouth of the river, steamboat slough, the only channel that can be used by steamboats, is completely blockaded.  . . .  The Great Northern coast line was overflowed as usual, but not so badly damaged as it was last year.  The first train from the south came in today.  A jam formed against the bridge at the Davis place, and came near taking it out.  As it was the protection piers were knocked out, and the rails on the bridge were sprung fully 18 inches.	NOVEMBER 18, 1897 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) says 275,000 cfs at Concrete, 190,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley. 12-14 hours is still what it takes for flood waters to get from Concrete to Mt. Vernon. Water pouring “over” the levees.  This is the first time we have seen evidence of water over the levees. Downtown Mt. Vernon flooded. Kincaid Street washed out. Conway levees overtopped.  Fir Island levees broke. Log jam on Riverside bridge. Steamboat Slough blocked with log jam.  No channel open to the sound. Great Northern (BNSF) bridge damaged by log jam.
11/22/04 Skagit County Times[3] (“SCT”)	the sterling cut-off Meeting at Commercial Club Last Tuesday – some opposition met with by property owners in that locality             The meeting held on Tuesday afternoon at the Commercial Club rooms to consider the matter of securing the right-of-way for the Sterling Bend Cut-off in the Skagit river was largely attended by the owners of property adjacent to the proposed cut-off, and the owners of property which is being damaged by the present erratic course of the river.  The urgent necessity for action in securing an appropriation as soon as possible in order to prevent the  great amount of further damage threatened, seemed to be thoroughly appreciated by all who have seen the effects of the high floods during a long residence along the river, but it developed that parties who have recently settled on the river and have not had any experience of extreme high waters were unable to appreciate the possible consequences to their property should the cut-off fail to be secured.	Sterling Cut-Off It is believed that they were talking about cutting off the Sterling Bend as at that time the Skagit used to flow around Hart’s Island and during times of flooding the river would flow across Highway 20 (the “Old Dollar Road”) into Gages Slough (Varney Slough). In 1911 during a very small flood event the local farmers took dynamite and blew up a log jam causing the river to change channel. (Source:  1923 Stewart Report)
4/20/05 SCT	The ferry The above illustration of the ferry across the Skagit river at the foot of Third Street is from a negative made by G. C. White.  It is a spot visited by many during the pleasant weather, the beauties of the Skagit river being presented in a charming manner to those who take a trip across.  At this point the river is nearly a thousand feet across.  The Skagit river bears the distinction of being the largest water course in the state, after the Columbia.  The scenery along the banks is varied, increasing in beauty in its upward course.  Several of these ferry’s are in operation at different points along the river.	Skagit River Ferries This is a great picture of how local residents would cross the river in “the early days.”
9/4/06 TSN-H	Developing The Country  --  Railway Activity Is Skagit County The Great Northern is Planning Much Improvement for Next Year Within the next year Skagit county will be developed more than has been the case since the county has been in existence.  This is made possible from the fact that Mr. James J. Hill, who deserves the title of Father of the Northwest, is planning many valuable improvements on such a nature as will bring into the county hundreds of people who will settle upon the rich lands and improve and develop the many resources.  . . .  For a number of years the mining men of Skagit Pass, of Ruby and State creek have cried out for roads and transportation facilities, but have been unable to get them.  . . .  That Skagit county has paying mineral deposits there is but the slightest question.  She has not only gold and silver but iron and copper and cement rock and other valuable minerals.  . . .  But the mineral is not Mr. Hills only object, there are great forests of timber to be moved and there are fertile acres to be developed in the future.	Railroad Development There’s gold in them thar hills. And a few trees and good farmland too.
9/10/06 TSN-H	Our Resources Are Many -- A Splendid Poor Man’s Country Work is Plentiful at All Times and Wages are Always Good What Skagit county needs is more people to develop the great rich fields which spread off every hand.  There is not a country on earth where so many rich stores await the hand of toil and there is not a land extant where the poor man can so nicely get along and soon be in easy circumstances.  Skagit county is one vast field of richness, producing the greatest hay, grain, vegetables and fruits to be found anywhere and once this becomes known to the eastern man who is seeking a home, it will be only the matter of a very few years until this whole country will be alive with industrious men, building homes and developing the great resources which surround them.  Our county needs advertising we must place before the people that which we have for sale.  . . .  Let the eastern people know that we have a land of perfect health, that we have no heat or cold to the extreme, just an even, pleasant climate where health is catching and nature has a bountifully blessed the country with scenic mountains, sapphire seas, fantastic forest, green islands, and crystal lakes.  Let this be known and Skagit county will not be long in claiming her own.	The Selling of Skagit County “What Skagit County needs is more people . . . . “  Perhaps today this statement would not be so true. Interesting in this article is that it doesn’t mention floods.
11/16/06 The Journal (“TJ”)	Skagit River Out Of Its Banks Water In Valley Highest Known for Years—Burlington High and Dry—Very Little Damage On Thursday evening the Skagit river was the highest known for years.  Some damage was done at various points on the river.  West Mt, Vernon was flooded, but with very light damage.  The west span of the bridge at that place was swept away.  The draw on the railroad bridge was slightly damaged by a heavy drift but will soon be repaired.  No water came within the corporate limits of Burlington except in the slough in the east part of town, and no damage was done.	NOVEMBER 16, 1906 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) says 180,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley.  No figure for Concrete. “highest known for years”  Should have read highest since 1897 which according to USGS was 275,000 cfs at Concrete and 190,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley.   Burlington had no water in 1906 according to this article.
11/19/06 TSN-H	Highest Water In Many Years – Skagit River Goes On Big Rampage All Bridges are Damaged and Dikes Broken in a Number of Places Along the River While no great amount of damage resulted, it is never the less a fact that the old timer does not remember when the Skagit river contained as much water as it did Thursday night and Friday, and only prompt action on the part of the city officials and citizens saved the town from being inundated.  The dikes here were very secure and did not break but the torrents of water poured over them and it was only by prompt action on the part of the citizens, who labored like Trojans filling sacks of sand and placing them in the low places, that saved the city from another baptism worse than that of 1897, as the water was at least eight inches higher than it was during that memorable freshet.   . . .  The greatest damage done is to the numerous bridges along the river. The railway bridge between this city and Burlington has been greatly damaged and one span of the Mt. Vernon bridge was swept away which leaves the city practically cut away from all communications.  . . . The bridge at this place will never lament with safety, one span carried away, the others injured. A ferry will be established and sustained here until such time as a new bridge can be constructed.  . . . . These floods are fraught with no great danger and throughout the country where the dikes gave way there has been no loss of life and but little damage to property and the farmers are not at all discouraged or alarmed about the future. The dikes in the main remained secure and when the damaged dikes are repaired they will be made sufficiently strong to withstand all future floods. Any home seeker or investor when contemplating coming to Skagit Valley should not hesitate to do so for in truth these floods are of no great consequence except what damage is done to bridges. They really benefit the land, but there is no doubt but in future years the dikes will be so strengthen as to withstand these floods and the country back of them will always remain dry.	Reported Flood Levels do not Support Stewart “no great damage”. Mt. Vernon levees did not break. This begs the question how did they end up with 8 inches higher water with 5,000 cfs less water. Bridges damaged. “No great danger from floods.”  In a few years they will regret making that statement. Floods “really benefit the land.”
11/19/06 TSN-H	There should not be too much blame laid at the door of the dike commissioners because of the dikes breaking.  Those dikes wee built under many difficulties and considering the newness of the country they have held in pretty good shape.  The majority of dikes withstood the floods and in a majority of cases the commissioners are to be commended upon their excellent work.  Where logs or stumps were left in the dikes it is to be regretted, but remember that at this time floods extended almost from coast to coast.	Dike Commissioners Not The Blame
11/19/06 TSN-H	Freaks Of The Big Freshet -- Many Curious Turns Are Suddenly Taken Great Excavations are Made Showing the Wonderful Depth of Skagit County Soil Although no great killing damage was done by the deed of last week, still at certain places the waters cut many curious capers, especially on the ferry road above the city where the greatest amount of damage was done to fences, walks, houses and barns.  In places great excavations 400 feet in length and several feet deep were made.  . . . Great stumps were washed out by the roots leaving the deep excavations all the way from 12 to 20 feet in depth.  Old logs which had been buried no doubt for a century were exhumed by the playful waters leaving great trenches washed deep into the soil.  Below the city in the vicinity of Cedardale, the dykes gave way because of stumps being unintentionally left in them.  These stumps were several feet below the surface and unknown to the dike commissioners.  The waters however entered a rat hole, found their way and the stumps came to the surface by following the crevices made by the stumps at last passing through and soon soaked the dike until it gave way.  The waters then lifted the great roots from hiding places of great years and tumbled them into the great torrents which rushed through the dikes.  . . .  The report published in the P.I. that the dykes at Avon had broken is false, as there is not a break in the dyke within a mile of that town. . . .  The dykes at Mt. Vernon did not break, all stood secure until the city limits were passed.  Just above the city the dyke gave way and the water backed into West Mt. Vernon, making quite a serious time for their inhabitants of that side of the river, but all escaped unharmed, no less save a few chickens.  . . .  The citizens take the freaks of the river in a philosophical manner and are not in the least discouraged.	Dikes Blew Because of “Rat Holes & Stumps” Great excavations 400 ft in length and several feet deep.  Old logs buried for 100 years. Avon levees did not break.  City of Mt. Vernon levees did not break.  Just above city levees broke and backed into West Mt. Vernon. Floods not a big deal??
11/19/06 TSN-H	True flood report We have done a little wading and done a little swimming, And we hit for good tall timber when the river got to raging, But we didn’t lose our horses, our cattle, nor our women, Though the water was rather wet and quite above its staging.  . . . So here’s to good ole Mt. Vernon and the fertile Skagit valley, We don’t care for the river if she does go on a spree, Let her fill her banks and gurgle, and boil, and foam, and sally, It’s the land of milk and honey she is kissing, don’t you see?	Poem Poem downplays the impacts of the flood.
11/22/06 SCT	Raging Waters – That Came and have gone and the harm done. Skagit County Suffers Little in Comparison with other sections of the State—Useless Fears of Future. So far as can be learned the recent flare-up of the Skagit river and its tributaries concentrated its damaging effects against bridges and railroads.  No loss of Human life, except that of Mr. H. Peterson at Mt. Vernon, was caused by it.  The case of Mr. Peterson was the result of a self inflicted accident caused by coming in contact with the iron crank used in opening and closing the draw on the county bridge at Mt. Vernon.  A blast to loosen a jam of debris in the river was about to be fired, and in running in the darkness to a place of safety the unfortunate man collided with the iron and injured himself internally, from which he died the day after.  . . .  At Mr. Vernon, while the water over-flowed low places on the dike, by vigilance and hard work the citizens prevented the water making dangerous inroads.  West Mt. Vernon was less fortunate and the town was flooded to a considerable extent but without serious loss.  The dikes both above and below Mt. Vernon broke, but the overflow is, in most cases, looked upon as a benefit rather than an injury to the land covered.  . . .  The railroad bridge between Burlington and Mt. Vernon was put out of commission for several days by drift striking and throwing the draw out of line.  . . .  The water in Big Lake, it is said, was backed up into the basements of several houses.  North of the river the water backs in west of the railroad tracks for a considerable distance toward town, while the water in the slough between the town and river made things look serious for a time, and a rise of a few more inches would have put Sedro-Woolley into the flooded district. . . . The rapid succession of rises and overflows is the subject of much conjecture and comparison with old time occurrences of a like nature.  High water marks of former days are contrasted with those being made, and imagination lures the possibilities of the future.  In this relation it should be remembered that, with the obstruction made by the dense forests and under-growths of years ago, the water which has recently ran out of the mountains and hills would have been backed up to the highest marks made by the flood anywhere in the past.  Whatever may happen in the future it has been fairly demonstrated that Skagit County is not in danger of a widely disastrous overflow.  The greatest danger that threatens is to those who might be affected by a change of the river’s course, which even now is demonstrated to be not unlikely.  The removal of timber quite likely has something to do with climatic changes that are said to be notable in this country.  The same thing lessens resistance to any change of base crowding water will cause the river to make.  It is possible that an extreme was reached in the last rise and that the worst that can occur has been demonstrated and has passed.  If that is true the lesson taught should prepare everyone for any future occurrence.	NOVEMBER 16, 1906 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) says 180,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley.  No figure for Concrete. Death of Mr. Peterson. Log jams “blasted” off of bridges. Levees overtopped. Floods and levee breaks in most cases looked upon as a benefit rather than an injury to the land. Levees broke above and below Mt. Vernon. GNRR (BNSF) bridge between Mt. Vernon and Burlington damaged. Big Lake backs up. Attributes past high water marks to dense forest. “Skagit County is not in danger of a widely disastrous overflow.”  Really? Sounds like they are describing “global warming.” As will be demonstrated later the extreme was not reached in the 1906 flood event as the 1909, 1917 and 1921 floods were higher.
11/23/06 The Journal	Refugee Notes from East Burlington The Skagit river has again risen in her majesty, and outdone its previous efforts for some years back.  Everybody at Sterling south of the railroad track was compelled to move, some not getting their household goods high enough, as the water kept raising were obliged to move again.  . . .  Buzz Jewell suffered the greatest financial loss of anyone, as the river raised so that it covered most of his forty acres, and poured over the county roads in such volumes as to cut a chasm thirty feet wide and fifteen feet deep, the roaring of which could be heard half a mile away.  Jeffery Grimbly and wife moved out in season to escape being rescued by a raft this time, “I think the women all bore in mind the instance of one lady during the last flood, being carried out and deposited upon a raft outside the front gate, and determined to get out while the traveling was good.”  . . .  In the dwellings of Messers. Grimbly, Chappeau, and Raymont the water came up to the door knobs.  . . .  The flood did no damage to Wm. Crotchett except to fill all the holes in and about his barn yard.  It poured a wide stream of water over the county road and ran over the road into the slough.  . . .  The bridge over the slough by Wm. Miller’s place is impassable, having been built on logs, which were jarred loose lifting the bridge about three feet into space at one end.	East and South Burlington Damage Sterling damaged. Water at least 3 feet deep in houses. Floodwaters found their way to Gages Slough.
11/26/06 TSN-H	What we have. Come this way Mr. Traveler, and never be afraid, The floods have all subsided; we no longer have to wade, Trout are in the river we catch them at our ease, The weather’s moderated, no danger of a freeze, The winds are blowing milder, we feel a sort of charm, And the waters which were raging have ceased from doing harm, . . . Come out here Mr. Eastern man and settle down with us, Land’s so poor back yonder you can scarcely raise a fuss.  But here’s the land of plenty, the land of perfect ease, And the milk and honey’s flowing from the cows and honey bees.	POEM Another poem by Charlie Gant downplaying the impact of floods.
11/26/06 TSN-H	Bond County For Bridges --Taxpayers Should Vote Sufficient Bonds County Must Progress and Many New Bridges Are an Absolute Necessity The News-Herald believes only in bonds when bonds are an absolute necessity, and it would seem that at this time such is the case.  There never was a time in the history of this county when bridges were such an absolute necessity.  The county at the present is maintaining eleven ferries at a cost of $3,036, this is for ferry tenders alone, not speaking of the expense of the repairs.  If we had three of four new bridges the county could save $996 per year on hire alone, but this is not the point at issue.  In maintaining these ferries the county will eventually pay out money enough to have built a steel bridge wherever needed and will not have a thing to show for it aside from a few cables and a few worthless old scows.  . . .  Ferries are dangerous, especially the weaklings which are constructed along the Skagit river.  There has been loss of life and property on these ferries.  They are only temporary, while steel bridges properly constructed are good for a lifetime, and once they are constructed the taxpayers feel secure, knowing that the expense is almost at an end.  At the present time the county is paying out annually enough to pay the interest on the amount necessary to construct these bridges, and why not do it?	New Bridges Needed County needed steel bridges over the Skagit River.  Editor wanted to do away with the 11 ferries being operated at the County taxpayer expense.
12/3/06 TSN-H	Bridge Ready For Service--Repairs Are Now In Good Order Excellent Work on the Part of Our County Commissioners and the Citizens of Mt. Vernon The span in the bridge which was washed away during the flood has been replaced by a new one and the farmers can now cross with their teams.  The new span which rests upon large new piling is perfectly secure in every respect and will answer admirably until such time when the county is in shape to put in a new bridge, or at least until the next freshet.	Riverside Bridge Repaired Span washed away in flood had been replaced.  Article states they did not think it would withstand another freshet.
2/15/09 TSN-H	Ask $100,000 For The Improvement Of The Skagit River U.S. Engineers Report – Favorably on the Proposition to Improve Navigation on Skagit River. Will Confine Water to Main Channel … some details of Maj. Chittenden’s plan, recommends a modified plan to cost $100,000, through following to a considerable extent the plan outlined by Maj. Chittenden.  The chief obstacles to navigation in the Skagit as seen by Maj. Chittenden in his report are “the shoals at the mouth of the stream, the bad bars or shoals which interfere with low water navigation and the great quantity of driftwood and snags in the river.”  “Beginning with the junction of the north and the south forks in the delta of the river, the energy of the current is greatly dissipated by numerous channels and on the tide flats by a general dispersion of the current in all directions.”  The report favored the partial closing of the north channel to increase the current energy in the main channel by way of the south fork.  For this work Maj. Chittenden estimated a cost of $95,250.  . . .  In a previous report, April 15, 1907, he had pointed out that the total commerce on the river for 1906 reached 188,283½ tons, valued at $1,766,452.  . . .  As a result of a personal examination of the Skagit river from Sedro-Woolley to its mouth, including both north and south forks, the conclusion has been reached that the only means of securing a reliable channel or entrance to this river that will benefit existing commerce is by the construction of a dike at the mouth of the south fork, following generally the line laid down in the report of Maj. Chittenden, and by cutting off or regulating the flow through the other channels.  . . .  “The estimate is as follows:  16,000 feet of retaining dike, at $80,000; regulating dikes and mattress sill at head of north fork, $6,000; cutting off subsidiary channels at the delta, $5,000; superintendence and contingencies, 10 percent, $9,000, total $100,000.	Corps of Engineers Plan For Improving Navigation Several times this report recommends cutting off the flow of river water through the subsidiary channels.  The work that was carried out was further described in COE Cavanaugh Report 12/6/12 & COE Woodruff Report 10/10/19 and COE Butler Report 2/8/28.  What this strongly suggests is that it was not the farmers at least on Fir Island that blocked off the estuary flows but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Clearly this had a tremendous impact on fish.
12/3/09 The Journal	High Water On Skagit River Break All Past Records Fairhaven Avenue Flooded With a Foot and a Half of Water River Raises Twenty-four Feet Above Low Water Mark -- Mark—Above all Past Records [4]Some among the oldest settlers of Skagit County are found to make the statement that never before have they seen the river rise to the marks reached during the flood, which came during the first part of the present week.  . . . At about 10 o’clock Monday night, W.H. Joyce who lives just east of town, gave the alarm by phone, announcing that the water had broken over the county road east of the Jewell place and was running down the big slough towards the east part of town which is quite timely settled.  . . .  Down at the east end of Fairhaven avenue the current was very swift and the bridge went out . . . leaving some forty people shut out in this lowest land and in a swift current of water.  . . .  Thursday was a great day in Burlington and many talked of camping on the heights Tuesday night, but the change came about noon, the water went down rapidly and Burlington has perhaps received less damage then any other town on the Skagit.  . . .  While the East Mt. Vernon dyke held good, a snapshot from the auction building on the hill at Mt. Vernon shows a sea of water from Mt. Vernon to LaConner.  Much damage was done in West Mt. Vernon and the hundreds shut in.  LaConner was underwater as well as the entire flats from LaConner to Bayview and Mt. Vernon.	NOVEMBER 30, 1909 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) says flood 260,000 cfs at Concrete, 220,000 at Sedro-Woolley. This article is in extremely poor condition and very hard to read.  Portions are completely unreadable. Important to remember is that during this time period the Burlington levees were 4,000 feet west of their current location. Water went down rapidly.  Burlington received less damage then any other town in Skagit County.  Downtown Mt. Vernon dry, everything from West Mt. Vernon to and including LaConner to Bayview underwater.
12/3/09 B.J.	Reveille Exaggerates High Water (Dead in flood Skagit waters collect their toll of human life.)  The above headlines, printed in red, were the attractive features of the front page of Wednesday morning Reveille, and is perhaps of the most disgraceful lies that that paper ever published.  Following those headlines the reporter says that no dead have been reported.  He also says that Burlington is buried under from five to ten feet of water.  This is also untrue.  They also say that Burlington is sadly in need of relief and mercy work.  We hope that the Reveille will be generous enough to correct these false statements.  In the first place there is no dead in the flood, so far we have not received the report of one dead from any place along the Skagit.  Burlington had about one foot of water in some of the streets, and there were many buildings over the town that were not even surrounded by water.  Neither the railroad bridge south of town, or the steel bridge at Mt. Vernon is washed away.  The amount published in the Reveille on Wednesday was simply a piece of Yellow Journalism.	1909 Flood Doesn’t sound like all of Burlington was covered in flood water in 1909 and the parts that were only had 1 foot of water in streets.  Appears 1921 flood was a larger event.
12/10/09 The Journal	Should Build Span On Bridge The high grade and close trestle bridge of the Great Northern Railroad South of town is in a great measure accountable for the extreme high water in the town during the recent flood.  A great drift of wood and logs, at the trestle bridge across the big slough, held the water and caused it to back up and overflow a greater part of the town.  For the safety of the town as well as for the railroad company, a long bridge span should be built at this point so as to give the drift wood and logs a chance to pass through.  If the railroad company does not do this of their own accord, the city authorities should force them to do so.  Many citizens had their homes flooded and were compelled to move out, all on account of this back up water from the above mentioned trestle bridge.  This water may seem of little importance to some, but those who have had some experience in this line think it of great importance to them.  Railroads are very necessary to our town and should always be treated courteously, but there is no reason that they should be permitted to jeopardize the lives, and comforts of our citizens.	Bridge Over Gages Slough Caused Flooding in Burlington This article is extremely significant because it documents the tremendous amount of water and drift that used to travel through Gages Slough during flood events.
11/24/10 SCT	The River – Gives People of Valley another scare – Big Chinook Starts Things Doing but quits with but little damage done. There may have been a time when a Chinook wind was not an unwelcome thing in this country, but that was a long time before November 1909.  Since then when a Chinook blows every gentleman holds his breath.  . . .  Sunday afternoon the water began to rise at the rate of about 5 inches an hour and by midnight had increased to 8 inches or more an hour.  . . .  Sunday night up valley train was stopped at Concrete on account of the bridge over Jackson creek, near Van Horn, being washed out.  . . .  In Sterling Bend where last year the G.N. tracks were moved back from the river bank, and where subsequent rises have washed away the river bonks right up to the tracks, and rock fills were made, the waters of this rise came right up and again dallied with Jim Hill’s iron.	NOVEMBER 21, 1910 FLOOD USGS reports 114,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley.  No figure for Concrete. This would have been a flood comparable to the 1979 and 1980 flood events. Article states there were 16 daily trains in Sedro-Woolley.
4/5/17 SCT	Dam building does not look too good Several years ago The Times quit building newspaper railroads.  This was after it had learned good and well that when railroad officials got mixed up in an interview and “divulged” a lot of plans for the future, that the statement was either an explosion of overworked imagination, or was just the reverse of any real intention.  Hence, The Times is skeptical of the big dam story about what Stone & Webster are going to do on Baker river this year and immediately following.  . . .  Under the most favorable conditions the building of the Baker river dam is going to cost lots of money, and just why the Stone & Webster should begin construction work while the price of every factor to construction is abnormally high and still ascending and transportation precarious, is a mystery.	Rumors of Baker Dam Newspaper didn’t believe Baker dam would be built.
12/20/17 MVH	Heavy Rains Cause A Raging Skagit The heavy rains of the past two weeks have caused considerable inconvenience to people living along the Skagit river.  It seemed that the high point of the raging Skagit had been reached Sunday morning when the debris dam and the Mount Vernon bridge went out, carrying a portion of the temporary trestles away.  Part of the trestle went out on Saturday, thus putting the bridge out of commission and causing those who wished to get to Mount Vernon to go around by the Avon road and come in from the north.  . . .  The river dropped Sunday and Monday, but the heavy rains of Monday night brought the river up again.  Heavy rains in the hills kept the stream up to a dangerous point and in many places the water covered the low lands.  . . .  The heavy rains of Tuesday brought raging torrents of water down the old Skagit and for the first tie in nine years the danger line was reached on Wednesday morning when a little over twenty-one feet of water was registered.  The dike broke south of town and considerable land was flooded.  However, the standstill came about noon and by Thursday morning the water had fallen to the seventeen foot mark.	UNDOCUMENTED 1917 FLOOD This flood does not show up in USGS or Corps records probably because it was only 1 ft. over flood stage at the current gage.  HOWEVER, it is the first time that we have documented that the infamous December 30, 1917 flood was a “double pump” flood event.  Just like the 1990, 1995 and 2003 flood events.  As we all know, the 2^nd flood is always larger, and it was.  Overbank storage would have been minimal at best. Dike broke “south of town” on this minor event.  Although subsequent articles do not mention this levee break it is highly probable that the levee was not repaired in just 10 days.
1/3/18 MVH	Skagit River Throws Mantle Of Flood Waters Over Ranches And Homes The dear old Skagit Valley, the one green spot in the northwest, has been given a drenching which wrought much damage and caused considerable inconvenience to all persons, ranchers and townspeople alike.  An almost unprecedented rainfall and a Chinook wind starting last Friday in the upper part of the county caused the old timers to open their weather eyes and soon the alarm was given that a “big river” was expected.  The river began raising last Saturday morning and continued to raise all day.  Saturday night the stream was nearing the danger point.  Dikes in all parts of the valley were being taxed to their capacity and in many places efforts were being made to strengthen them.   . . .  LaConner received a full blow of the rushing waters, but aside from the loss of the bridge, some bad washouts, the little town stood up under the blow very strongly.  Mount Vernon’s business section and residence section was spared.  . . .  The Great Northern and the Interurban roads are badly hit.  For miles and miles, both north and south, the Great Northern tracks are hanging here and there like a great trestle.  In some places the road bed is washed out to a depth of six and seven feet.  The interurban tracks are badly damaged and it is not believed that traffic will be resumed between Mount Vernon and Bellingham for a least a month.  . . .  The first intimation of danger was when advices up river were received to the effect that the water was higher on Saturday morning than it had been during the flood of 1909 and people began to prepare for a wet season.  By midnight it had reached the high point at the hospital and was still rising.  A small dike was thrown across the street with the hope of holding it, but under the strenuous protest of the property owners who would be submerged at the expense of the north end of the town the idea of keeping it back was abandoned and it was allowed to run down the main street to the Great Northern railway tracks where a breach was made and the waters allowed to spill out over the Olympia Marsh.  . . .  The loss in stock also promises to be comparatively light for the reason that the valley is so flat that a sudden rise sufficient to endanger life is almost impossible.  . . .  The Howard Fredman place has suffered the most severely of any in the immediate neighborhood of the big break.  Here the river ran mad, undermining the house and barns and plowing deep channels through the fields.  Deep holes are to be seen everywhere and across the Varney road where once were stumps there are now excavations that look like cellars.  The little station at Varney has been undermined and leans over on its sides in a decidedly disreputable manner.  The damage in the Interurban lines at this point will take weeks in repair. . . . Sedro-Woolley has not suffered very severely except in the vicinity of the water plant.  At Sterling the damage will be considerable from the cutting up of the farms and the J.H. Hutchins place is said to be pretty badly wrecked.  Dr. Cleveland’s new home on which he has spent so much time and money is also much the worse for its experience as well as those of many others.	DECEMBER 30, 1917 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) reports that flood carried 220,000 cfs at Concrete and 195,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley. This is the most comprehensive article describing the impacts of a large flood on Skagit Valley. LaConner floods, Mt. Vernon stays dry. Railroads badly damaged. If the water was higher upriver then in 1909 it means 1917 was larger flood. Water diverted to Olympia Marsh would explain why flood water did not reach downtown Burlington business district.  See BJ 1/4/18 article describing this flood. “a sudden rise sufficient to endanger life is almost impossible.”  This statement, given the tremendous development in South Burlington since 1917, would undoubtedly be false today. Varney is what they used to call Gages Slough.  The train station used to be across the street from the Cascade Mall. Sedro-Woolley little damage.  Sterling hard hit.
1/3/18 MVH	Clear Lake At 1:30 the water started to come in the west part of town, and the people living in that part received the greater part of the water.  The water entered the mill and also the engine room where the electric dynamo is and rose so high that the mills and town was put out of order and the town was submerged in darkness until Wednesday evening.  The greatest damage done by the water in town was the washing away of sidewalks and fences.  The flood was rather mild here compared to what it would have been had not the Sterling Bend dike broke.  Although the citizens of Clear Lake sympathize with those of Burlington and vicinity they are thankful that it was not worse here.	This article unequivocally shows the impacts the levees have had on the Clear Lake area.  1917 was one of if not the most damaging flood in the 20^th century, yet Clear Lake suffered only “mild” damage unlike what they suffered in the 1990 and 1995 flood events.
1/3/18 MVH	Boat upsets boy drowns Little John Gruber of Clear Lake, lost his life in the flood waters of the Skagit Wednesday evening when, in company with his brother, Joe Gruber, they attempted to make their way over the waters to the ranch.  The accident happened about 6 o’clock in the evening.  Little John had come down from Clear Lake and had waited near the Clear Lake yards, close to the broken dike for his brother, who was coming in a boat from the Loveless place, where he lives with his family.	Death in 1917 Flood Not counting the Mt. Vernon bridge tender who died from internal injuries after hitting a portion of the bridge, this makes 3 people who have been identified that died in Skagit River flood events.
1/4/18 Argus	River Becomes Unmanageable Dikes Break in a Number of Places and Let Water in Over a Large Area of Low Lands – Some Stock Is Lost; Damage Much Less Than Anticipated; Water Reaches High Mark at Mount Vernon Wharf Saturday Night at Twenty-three and One-half Feet – No Rail Communication With Outside World for Several Days – Boat Does Big Business Four weeks of rains and Chinooks finally resulted in a freshet Saturday night that for a time threatened to inundate the entire valley.  The warm winds from the south melted the snows, it is said, up to the 6000-foot level and brought the combined waters of the Upper Skagit, the Sauk, Baker and numerous tributary streams down to the lower valley in greater and more continuous volume than has ever been recorded in the history of the country. . . . Loss Not Great As Expected The heaviest individual losers are those individuals that were in the path of the dike breaks.  The break at Sterling Bend and that at Stevens slough immediately north of the Great Northern bridge wrought the greatest damage.  At Stevens slough a home belonging to M. Freeman was tilted over into a hole.  Dikes, county roads and railroads probably suffered the most from the recent freshet. . . . At Avon there was a sudden dramatic moment Sunday morning when a portion of the dike went out carrying into the swirl six men who were at work with dozens of others reinforcing the dike at this point.  Hadn’t been for an old secondary dike the Skagit would have gone through here and every foot of the flats would have been under water.  . . . A break at Magnus Anderson’s farm let the water in over a section of country about Conway.  . . . Burlington and La Conner and Edison reported water in the streets; Sedro-Woolley reported water in the neighborhood of Jamison avenue, which is some distance from the business section.  The Nookachamps low lands also were visited by the water.  Mount Vernon, on both sides of the river, was dry throughout the freshet.  The water from Sterling bend went over the Olympia marsh and the Samish.  Edison also reported a couple of feet of water.	DECEMBER 1917 FLOOD This article describes the December 28/29, 1917 flood event. Four weeks of rains.  No wonder flood was flood of “long duration”.  Overbank storage must have been non-existent. Snow level only went up to 6,000-feet???  Flood definitely would have been caused by rain alone. Dike Breaks Sterling, Stevens Slough, Avon, Conway.  Burlington, LaConner, and Edison underwater.  Mt. Vernon stayed dry. Was water in Edison from Samish or Skagit??
1/4/18 Argus	Str. Swinomish Sinks in Riverside Bend The snag boat Swinomish sank in the Skagit river in the bend below the Interurban bridge Friday after grazing the bridge pier.  Captain Fred Siegel said that in passing through the draw the boat touched the pier slightly.  The men on the main deck reported no damage; but in a few minutes it was noticed that the boat was taking water.  The pumps were immediately put to work but to no avail and the boat hit bottom with the upper works well out of water.	Friday would have been December 28, 1917 the day before the river crest.  “The upper works well out of water.”  How big was this boat?  Could be used to determine how deep river was.  Doesn’t sound like river was any deeper then than now.
1/4/18 B.J.	mid-winter flood greatest in memory of oldest inhabitant Valley Dikes Break in Dozen Places – Skagit Inundates lowlands – No Lives Lost – Only Few Head of Stock Drowned – Considerable Property Damaged – River Channel and Dikes Inadequate to Carry Away Surplus Water – Spillways Needed to Relieve River Channel During Flood Periods – Railroad and Interurban Communications Restored from North – Delayed Mails Received Today One of the worst and doubtless most destructive floods known in the Skagit delta occurred last Saturday night (December 29, 1917), the river dikes giving way in eight or more places, the overflowing water covering the entire delta from Mt. Vernon to LaConner, and south from Mt. Vernon to Conway.  The island delta west of Fir escaping flood waters (Fir Island).  The McLean highway district west of Mt. Vernon was not flooded. The tragical results were caused by the failure of a crude, imperfect, ununiform diking system that never has nor never will retain the torrents of water when a Chinook zephyr loosens the flood gates of the Cascades.  From five o’clock Saturday night, when the river was bank full, it steadily rose a foot an hour until midnight.  The water then had reached the top practically of all the dikes, and a break was inevitable somewhere or the mighty volume of water was certain to pour over the dikes, causing doubtless even greater damage in loss of property and loss of life than resulted through breaks in the dikes.  At about midnight the expected break in the dike came.  In fact there were at least ten serious washouts.  Four occurred in the Riverside bend, three across the river in the Avon district, at North Riverside, one at Freeman’s old place on the Baker River logging railway right-of-way, southeast of Burlington, one south of Mt. Vernon, and another at the Clear Lake wood yards, north of Mt. Vernon.  These artificial spillways naturally afforded an immediate outlet for the surplus water to pour through, and the river immediately began to fall, and all danger from further flood damages was past. Building a series of ununiform dikes to protect districts here and there through the lowlands utterly fails as a solution, meaning only future disaster when the river runs riot during flood periods.  During flood periods when the river reaches the point that dikes are not adequate to control it, it overflows its banks unless other artificial means are provided to carry off the surplus water.  Government engineers, who have studied Skagit river flood problems with the view of affording relief to districts subject to overflow, declare that concrete spillways should be built to take care of the surplus water.  Improvements of this character should be maintained by the government, state and county. Because Mt. Vernon’s big dikes kept it dry, or Burlington is so fortunately situated that it does not require a system of dikes to protect it from floods is mighty poor consolation to the people of the delta districts threatened with overflow and devastation every recurring flood,. . .	December 29, 1917 Flood Event Fir Island didn’t flood in the 1917 flood? Diking system not uniform. Ten dike breaks after midnight.  Dikes should be uniform and have spillways built into them.  (Overtopping Levees) Burlington doesn’t need dikes?  Probably because at that time Burlington city limits was at least 1 mile north of Gages Slough.    Did Mt. Vernon raise its dikes after 1909 flood?
1/4/18 B.J.	Flood Notes             The Howard Freeman farm at Varney station was quite seriously damaged by the overflow caused by the break in the river dike on the old Freeman farm east of Varney.  Mr. Freeman’s fine new home and barn were damaged in some-extent.  The break in the river at the old Freeman farm, which was probably 800 feet in width, caused serious damage to the farms in the path of the overflow.  The break occurred when the river was at the highest point, the water stretched over a territory of about 2500 feet in width, carrying away the Great Northern and interurban highways, undermining the dwelling and carrying away the barn on the old Freeman farm, and covering the land with piles of drift wood.  The water found an outlet in the bay near Whitney.             During the height of the flood Sunday morning a foot of water from the overflow of the river from the east covered a small portion of the residence and business districts of Burlington, the water flowing out that night when the river fell.  On account of poor drainage and inadequate sewerage, there is still some water in the low places in some of the districts, which will soon all pass into the drains.             The loss of property on the Higginbottom farm south of Burlington (the old Freman place) was serious.  When the dike broke the house was undermined, the barn and sheds carried away, and the land covered with large-quantities of logs.  The owner had only one cow which was saved.             The Mussor, Wakley and Lamphier farms were all in the path of the Higginbottom break and the owners were serious losers.             The Mt. Vernon Herald says the breaking of the dike at Higginbottom’s saved Burlington.  What an idiotic untruth.  Why not Mt. Vernon?  Burlington is protected by no diking system.  It is so fortunately situated that it does not need dikes to protect it from river overflow.  The truth is, and why not be honest, that the diking system maintained on the Skagit river was inadequate to control the Skagit river, a break somewhere was inevitable, and shortly after midnight it came down at a dozen different places.  Undoubtedly these breaks saved the dikes from giving away at other places.  The water had reached the top of practically every dike in Skagit county when the breaks occurred.  Flood damages were generally distributed throughout the lowlands.  Unfortunately neither the districts directly to Mt. Vernon, Burlington nor any other Skagit County town escaped inconvenience or losses.  Burlington had mail, daily newspapers, telegraph and telephone communications from the north and telephone communications from the south at all times.  The editor of the Mt. Vernon Herald should confine himself to fact and truth.  Why not give his readers the interesting story of the need of a gasoline engine to pump water out of the basement of the county courthouse.  At least this is better than lying about a neighboring town.	Varney Station was located next to Gages Slough on Old 99 (Burlington Blvd.) Eastern Fairhaven covered with one foot of water.  Water gone that night. Must locate where Higginbottom farm was. Burlington has no diking system!  They must mean Burlington proper.  Dike on Fairhaven must have been outside city limits. Water reached the top of the dikes. Burlington “is so fortunately situated that it does not need dikes to protect it from river overflow.”  Really?  While this statement is clearly not appropriate today it is strongly suggestive that flood waters from the 1909 and 1917 floods did not reach downtown Burlington west of the BNSF railroad tracks. Doesn’t look like Burlington Journal editor and Mt. Vernon Herald liked each other.
1/10/18 MVH	Flood waters are receding The flood waters of the Skagit valley are gradually receding and in a short time, the rancher will be able to walk upon that which he calls ground and view the results of a vicious Skagit river.             Individuals are now counting up their losses.  Estimates of the aggregate loss to farmers, householders, the county and state in roads and bridges, and to the public service corporations are largely guesswork.  The real loss will never be computed.  It is large, probably larger than that caused by the freshet of eight years ago.  . . .  Reports from all points of the valley show that more or less water and damage was the result of the freshet.  Roads everywhere are in bad shape and will require a good deal of money to put them all back in a passable condition.  The county is badly hit and the commissioners in session this week decided to review the county roads and put them in shape at the earliest possible date.	Flood damages more than 1909 flood.  Again, this strongly suggest that the 1917 flood was the larger then the flood of 1909.
1/10/18 MVH	Are the dikes a failure? Are the dikes a failure?  If so, what is the remedy?  These two questions have agitated the minds of hundreds of ranchers in the Skagit Valley during the past week since the old Skagit river ran amuck again.  In the end, when the enormous flood waters of the river come down upon the community, dikes are found to be weak, and the result is as shown by the flood of last week.  What is the remedy?  Much money has been spent in making dikes and in the end, practically nothing has been gained.  . . .  The remedy is believed to be found in the construction of spillways.  Several plans and suggestions have been made during the week, but this matter, being of such enormous proportions, will require more than talk to get something started.  . . .  It has been nine years since a flood came.  It may be nine years again and it may be next year.  Don’t wait until it comes again.  There is too much valuable land in this valley to wait until a disastrous flood has overtaken it again and again.  Now is the time to plan the remedy.	Recommended “spillways” or over-topping levees. “Now is the time to plan the remedy.”
6/13/18 CT	River Floods Roads and Farms; Latest Reports Receding The warm wind last Sunday filled the river with melted snow from the mountains and caused it to overflow its banks in several places.  The road between Sedro-Woolley and Hamilton was under water in several places, many autos getting stuck when trying to ford.  The river was so high that the Lyman and Skiyou ferries have not been running for several days.  A number of farms near Hamilton were flooded, and the creek along the road is bank-high and washing away its banks.  It is thought that the main channel has been somewhat filled, and that unless something is done the creek will continue to carry more water.  The water was not high enough to damage crops.	UNDOCUMENTED FLOOD First documentation of a summer flood.  Based on the damage reported it appears to be in the neighborhood of the January 12, 1928 flood.

1/17/20 C.H.	berry growing is given big boost in skagit county The berry-growing industry in Skagit County will be given a big boost as the result of an arrangement made by the Q.A.Q. Warehouse Company of Mount Vernon with one of the largest canning companies in the state. The Mount Vernon company is authorized to enter into contracts for the planting of 500 acres of land in Skagit County to berries of various sorts, and to contract for the crop of berries for five years at a minimum price that will net the grower from $250 to $500 per acre, the price to be subject to increase whenever justified by market conditions. … The land in the Skagit Valley is said to be particularly suitable for the growing of berries and small fruits, and the nation-wide market that has been built up during the past few years confers upon this valley an opportunity that at present is realized by very few people.	Agricultural History Berry growing finds its roots in Skagit County.
1/17/20 C.H.	fish hatchery at baker lake stops work for winter Foreman Joe Kemmerick of the Baker Lake fish hatchery came into town Thursday with the news that work at the hatchery had been stopped for the winter and all extra men laid off. Only enough men will be retained at the fisheries station to look after the eggs in the hatchery building and care for to property at the lake. … These men will keep things moving until the weather moderates in the spring, when the full crew will again be put to work running the station and rebuilding the plant destroyed by fire last summer. During the severe cold last month Baker Lake was frozen over and work at the sawmill stopped because logs could not be towed across the lake to operate the mill. … The men now at the hatchery will have a considerable job on their hands in about a month, when about two and a half million eggs now being eyed at the lake will have to be carried out and shipped to the Birdsview hatchery, where they will be hatched. These will have to be packed out on horses, with the trail at its worst. … It will require about eight trips with the pack train to carry out all the eggs to be sent to Birdsview.	Fish Issue Fish hatchery on Baker Lake. Began construction in 1898. Was operated by the federal government. Carried out the sockeye and steelhead fry by horseback.
3/20/20 C.H.	seattle to build state hatchery on upper river C.F. Uhden, engineer in charge of the Seattle power project on the upper Skagit, has notified the state fish commissioner that the city will construct a state fish hatchery on the Skagit. The city is required to build fishways over all its power dams to permit salmon to reach spawning grounds or build a hatchery. As there will be five large power dams in the completed unity the city has decided to build the hatchery. … It is believed that a site near the first dam will be selected. The hatchery will cost between $10,000 and $15,000, and will be the thirty-ninth in the state, which gives this state the largest number of any state in the United States.	Fish Issue Seattle City Light was supposed to build a state ran fish hatchery on the Upper Skagit. This is further evidence which strongly suggest that the fish made it past Newhalem. 38 fish hatchery’s existed in the State of Washington in 1920.
5/1/20 C.H.	money available for improvement of skagit river Letters received in Mount Vernon this week from Congressman Lin H. Hadley carry the information that the war department engineers have approved the proposed improvement work on the lower Skagit River, and that the appropriation of $30,000 made by congress last year for this work is immediately available. … The war department also requires the filing of a bond protecting the government against claims for damages on account of the work done, which is now being prepared, and as soon as this is filed the work of improving the river will be started. … The work to be taken up under the appropriation calls for the dredging of the channel from the mouth of the river to Mount Vernon, or further is required, and the building of retaining walls where needed. … There has been no money spent on the Skagit River for several years, and it is reported that parts of the lower river are almost closed to navigation. The work to be undertaken at this time will re-open the river and make it navigable for small steamers the year round.	Flood Control – Dredging Needed bond to protect government from damages due to flood control work. No evidence the work was ever done. No money spent on flood control for “several years”.
5/6/20 Argus	will improve river at once Commercial Club Hears Officially of Government’s $30,000 Appropriation for Work . . . $30,000 was available for the improvement of the lower Skagit river.  This appropriation was made by congress last year.  According to a letter received by John Kill, chairman of the club’s river committee from Congressmen Lin H. Hadley, the federal engineers have approved the work.  . . .  The work to be taken up under the appropriation calls for the dredging of the Skagit channel from the mouth up the Skagit channel from the mouth up at least as far as Mount Vernon and the building of retaining walls where needed.	Corps waiting on release from damages from lower valley farmers. Approved dredging river from mouth to Mt. Vernon.  Cost was $45,000 to $60,000.
5/15/20 C.H.	filings made on new power sites in upper valley Further development of the power resources of the upper Skagit Valley was indicated this week by the filing of two new locations of water rights on the upper river. … The filings this week were made by Chas. Freeman, who made the original locations on the Seattle project. He has not stated what interests he is representing, but said definitely that development work on the new locations would be started within a comparatively short time. … One of the water right locations is on the Cascade River, in the Washington national forest, about five miles from Marblemount. This is capable of developing about 10,000 horsepower. The other site is one the Skagit River some distance below the Seattle power plant, being only about two miles from Marblemount, and it is estimated that at least 20,000 horsepower can be developed at this point.	Dam Building Proposed Dams at the Faber site and the Cascade River being looked at.
5/15/20 C.H.	filings made on new power sites in upper valley Further development of the power resources of the upper Skagit Valley was indicated this week by the filing of two new locations of water rights on the upper river. … The filings this week were made by Chas. Freeman, who made the original locations on the Seattle project. He has not stated what interests he is representing, but said definitely that development work on the new locations would be started within a comparatively short time. … One of the water right locations is on the Cascade River, in the Washington national forest, about five miles from Marblemount. This is capable of developing about 10,000 horsepower. The other site is one the Skagit River some distance below the Seattle power plant, being only about two miles from Marblemount, and it is estimated that at least 20,000 horsepower can be developed at this point.	Dam Building Proposed Dams at the Faber site and the Cascade River being looked at.
5/22/20 C.H.	new camp at faber is ready to begin shipping out logs The new logging camp at Faber, recently opened by the Faber Logging Company, with Robt. Nestos of this city as manager has practically completed all preliminary work and everything is now lined up to begin shopping logs within the next few days. … The biggest job to be done, before logging could be started was the building of a railroad track three quarters of a mile in length from Faber spur to the timber. … The main camp near Faber station is becoming quite a settlement, the camp buildings are still of a temporary character, but these will all be replaced by substantial frame structures before winter.	Logging History It would be interesting to try and find this logging camp today.
6/5/20 C.H.	mayor of seattle makes first visit to skagit project Mayor Hugh M. Caldwell of Seattle passed through here Thursday on his way to the upper Skagit Valley for his first visit to the site of the city of Seattle’s hydro-electric power plant on the upper river. … He was accompanied by A.H. Dimock, city engineer; C.F. Uhden, special engineer in charge of the project, and J.D. Ross, superintendent of the Seattle light department. The inspection trip will include not only the work already done on the initial development at Gorge Creek, for which an appropriation of $5,500,000 has been made by the Seattle City council, but also the proposed development at Ruby Creek, said by engineers to be the key to the entire project, if the water power resources of the upper Skagit are to be utilized to the limit of their possibilities. A survey of the Ruby Creek section is soon to be made to determine the feasibility of the proposed construction and its probable cost. Estimates on tentative plans give the approximate cost of the completed project as $55,000,000.	Gorge Dam Mayor of Seattle looked at Gorge Dam construction and proposed site of Ross Dam.
6/12/20 C.H.	seattle mayor is pleased by visit to skagit project The mayor expressed himself as greatly impressed with the magnitude of the Skagit project and the wonderful possibilities for greater development, particularly mentioning the splendid sites for power dams at Diablo Canyon and Ruby Creek, where natural conditions apparently make it possible to construct great dams on foundations of solid rock in narrow gorges. He stated that one of the questions under consideration by the engineers has to do with the type of dam to be constructed at Gorge Creek. It has been found possible to construct a low diversion dam at Gorge Creek and a high impounding dam a half mile farther down the stream. The diversion dam would be less expensive, but the impounding dam would develop greater power. So far the only actual construction work has been done at Gorge Creek, where a sawmill has been erected and material is being assembled for the erection of the plant. Test borings are also being made at the Diablo and Ruby sites.	Diablo and Ross Dam Ruby Creek Dam was later named Ross Dam. Only “test borings” had been done at Diablo and Ross.
6/12/20 C.H.	big cannery plant at burlington is ready to operate The first unit of Burlington’s $50,000 modern canning plant is practically completed and ready for the opening of the canning season. The main building was completed some time ago, and the finishing touches are now being put on the brick structure to be used as an engine and boiler room. The interior woodwork has been painted during the past week, and all the machinery for the plant is on the ground and is being rapidly installed. The plant is modern in every respect, and is so built that it can be conveniently enlarged as its business increases. The company backing the plant has contracted sufficient acreage of fruit and vegetables to practically assure steady operation throughout the season. … New canning plants are also being constructed in Sedro-Woolley and Mount Vernon, and it is expected that both will be completed in time for operation during the 1920 season. The canning plants of the lower valley will undoubtedly prove a large factor towards stimulating the fruit and berry growing industry in this county, as they assure a steady and sure market for prospective growers.	Agricultural History New cannery in Burlington to process fruits and vegetables. Canneries also planned for Mt. Vernon and Sedro-Woolley.
6/26/20 C.H.	tide land acreage near anacortes to be reclaimed To change twelve thousand acres of overflowed tide lands into tillable farms is the aim of a number of Anacortes business men who recently formed a company known as the Padilla Bay Development company. This company has purchased from the state of Washington about 12,000 acres of tidelands in the Padilla bay district, near Anacortes, the lands lying between Samish and the mouth of the Swinomish slough, and including Saddlebag and Hat islands. The diking and draining of this tract will be one of the biggest reclamation projects ever undertaken in this part of the state, but the plan is said to be simple and entirely feasible. Surveys and plans are now being made, and the reclamation dikes will be under construct within a few weeks. When the reclamation work is completed the company expects to subdivide the tract into small farms, which will be sold to actual settlers.	Padilla Bay Development Tidelands to be developed into small farms.
10/9/20 C.H.	record rainfall does great damage in county The heavy rains which have been almost continuous from September 10 until Thursday this week have broken all rainfall records for the county for this season of the year, and have caused great damage to crops in Skagit and Whatcom counties. It is estimated that the damage to oats, potatoes and late fruits in the two counties will exceed half a million dollars. … The Skagit River has been at almost flood stage for several weeks, but no direct damage from the high water has been reported. Near Mount Vernon some of the dikes were threatened for a few days the first of the week when several small breaks occurred, but the dikes were repaired before any damage was done.	Rain For Almost 30 Days. Fails to produce large flood although Skagit stayed just below flood stage for several weeks.
11/20/20 C.H.	work is rushed on temporary plant on upper skagit The city of Seattle voted Monday to appropriate an additional $175,000 for the hydro-electric power project on the upper Skagit River, and it is stated that the major part of the appropriation will be used for the completion of the temporary power plant which is now being built near the mouth of Newhalem creek. With the completion of the temporary electric plant, all the preliminary work will be about, completed, and everything will be ready to being actual construct work on the main project, and it is expected the work on the huge dam will be started by early summer. Although it takes considerable time to make much of a showing on a project of the magnitude of that undertaken on the upper Skagit, the progress made so far is very satisfactory, and it is likely that by this time next year the big dams and the main power plant will be well underway. But even at the present rate of progress it will be several years before the first unit is ready for use.	Gorge Dam Temporary power plant at Newhalem. Diablo and Ross not yet under construction.
2/3/21 CT	I. pacific highway is said to be flooded High water has broken the dike at Milltown and flooded the Pacific highway so that for some days automobiles have been unable to pass at high tide. At other times a Ford helps to pull the cars through.  . . .  The new Nookachamps bridge on the inland highway will be completed in about ten days and the new approach on the south side of the Riverside bridge will be complete in about two weeks, according to County Engineer Frank Gilkey. The traffic, at present is going to Mt. Vernon by way of Clear Lake, while this bridge is closed.	UNDOCUMENTED FLOOD Highwater broke the dike at Milltown and cars unable to use road at high tide.  This is the only article describing this event.  Not listed on USGS or Corps flood list. Bridge over Nookachamps just about done.
4/2/21 C.H.	contract let for track extension by city of seattle The board of public works of the city of Seattle last week awarded the contract for the construction of a railroad track from the Newhalem camp, on the old Dohne homestead, to the Gorge creek dam site, a distance of 2.65 miles, to the Grant Smith Company on its bid of $94,923.25. … With the transportation line about completed, the board of public works took the first steps towards furnishing the rolling stock needed to operate the city’s railway system.	Railroad Construction Newhalem to Gorge Creek dam site.
4/2/21 C.H.	skagit bay diking project shown up by state engineer The Skagit Bay diking project, which has been extensively advertised, and under which it was proposed to reclaim 9,300 acres of land at Skagit Bay near the mouth of the Skagit River, was inspected recently by E. M. Chandler, chief engineer of the Washington State Reclamation service and Prof. S. J. Sievers of the Washington State College. These men made a personal survey of the entire district, and in a report, filed with the state board say that, the plan is impracticable and infeasible. It is shown that the location of the lands and the character of the tides would require exceptionally high and strong dikes, and that the cost would be more than $260 per acre for diking, with the engineers believing that in several parts of the district successful diking would be impossible. Owing to the character of the land, expensive pumping plants would be needed to keep off seepage, and this expense would add much to the cost per acre.	Padilla Bay Development Kyboshed Plan to “recover” 9,300 acres of tidelands called impracticable and infeasible. Successful diking of the Bay called “impossible”.
4/30/21 C.H.	anacortes has a reminder of the johnstown flood A little trickle at first, a runlet, a break, a roaring torrent, and then a wall of water rolled down from Cranberry lake to the Sound, when a portion of the dam gave way and a million tons of water swept down the half mile from the dam to tidewater, carrying dirt, gravel, boulders and logs with it, cutting great gashes in the hillside, destroying roads and burying the railway tracks and foreshore beneath thousands of tons of debris. The break began early Monday evening, and at 8 o’clock 500 yards of Oakes avenue, Anacortes, below the lake was under a deep flood - a veritable Niagara was falling with terrific force and noise down the final drop of a hundred feet over the bluff to the beach below. One home, almost in the path of the flood, was abandoned, the owner with his life and baby taking to the sea in a skiff, Watchmen in the fisheries plants were imprisoned in the buildings; others attempted to keep the water out of their homes. In a few hours the flood crest had passed, but still thousands of tons of water was tumbling down the heights as the lake emptied itself, and it was not until Tuesday morning that stock could be taken of the damage. … Cranberry lake was originally a pond of a few acres in extent and many years ago furnished much of the water supply for Anacortes, when a small wooden dam was built across the outlet. Later this dam was made higher, but it was not until about 20 years ago that any serious attempt was made to utilize the waters of the pond, and for emergency purposes only, and on but few occasions was the water ever turned into the city system. This was usually in big salmon years when the canneries were using millions of gallons of water monthly right in the dry season.	Anacortes Flood Cranberry Lake dam fails and floods Oakes Avenue. Cranberry Lake furnished water supply to City of Anacortes around turn of the 20^th century.
6/25/21 C.H.	seattle officials inspect work at skagit power site A party of Seattle city officials passed through this city Tuesday on their way to the site of the city of Seattle’s power project on the upper Skagit River. … The Seattle power project has been under fire in that city for several weeks, claims being made that all plans so far are indefinite and that the plant will cost more than it will be worth to the city. An organized effort is being made to get the council to drop the project entirely, or at least suspend operations until conditions are more favorable for construction work. There also appears to be a wide difference of opinion as to the character of dam to be built, and in regard to the size of the first unit. The city has already spent approximately $5,000,000 in building a railroad from Rockport to the site of the project at this stage would result in the total loss of practically all the money already spent, it is not likely that work will be discontinued.	City of Seattle Having Doubts About Dam Projects Alleged that power projects would cost more then they would be worth. Imagine how different our states history would have been if those “doubts” would have prevailed.
6/25/21 C.H.	drainage project in lower valley is biggest in county After being four years in process of formation, the biggest drainage projects ever planned in the Skagit County, and one of the biggest on the Pacific coast is now rapidly taking shape, and the first hearing on the project will be held before the board of the county commissioners early in July. More than 15,000 acres of rich farm land are included in the area to be drained, and the work of constructing the main and lateral ditches, building dams and out flow gates, with the necessary machinery, will require and expenditure of more than $750,000. … The main ditch will start west of Burlington, near the hill on the Knutzen farm, and run southerly through the lands of the Conner Land company to North Avon. From there it runs westerly through the low lands near Fredonia and on to empty into the slough at Whitney. When completed thousands of acres of what is now practically waste land will be reclaimed and made highly productive. It is estimated that it will take several years to finish the work.	Drainage Project This project is still visible and the argument could certainly be made that it enabled “thousands of acres of wasteland” to become highly productive farmland.
8/6/21 C.H.	county may take steps to protect baker river banks At the regular meeting of the board of county commissioners held in Mount Vernon this week a petition was presented signed by a large number of residents of this city and vicinity, asking that the county take steps to protect the banks of the Baker river adjacent to this city to prevent the washing away of valuable land. It was shown to the commissioners that large areas of land had been washed away on both banks of the river within the past few years, and that along the west bank the loss has already been extremely heavy, and that there is danger of another heavy cut whenever a freshet occurs. … The plan generally proposed for the protection of the west bank calls for the construction of a wing dam just below the shingle bolt pocket of the Baker River Lumber company, of sufficient length to turn the current of the river back into the old channel. The river now makes a sharp turn to the west just below the pocket and it is believed that a wing dam of sufficient power to turn the stream back can be built at comparatively small cost. The opening of the old channel of the river will also relieve the east bank of the stream and it is believed that the wing dam on the west bank will also stop all cutting along the east side.	Baker River Bank Protection Large areas of land washed away on both the right and left banks of the Baker River. This article strongly suggest that the “mouth” of the Baker might have been relocated to its present location from where it was in 1921.
8/18/21 CT	big meeting to be held to plan drainage district – land owners to discuss draining problems – thousands of acres to be drained, if plans are carried out; to meet at commercial club . . .  The Sedro-Woolley Commercial club extends an invitation to all people interested in this drainage scheme to attend the meeting which will be held at the club rooms on Metcalf street. At this meeting the boundaries if the drainage district will be decided. The district, it is planned, will embrace all of the territory from Minkler creek to Austin, and from the Skagit river to the foot of the hill on the north.  . . .	Drainage District Planned Minkler Creek to Austin and from Skagit River to foot of Dukes Hill.
8/20/21 C.H.	temporary plant on upper skagit is now completed According to a statement issued by C. F. Uhden, engineer in charge of the construction of the power plant for the city of Seattle on the upper Skagit, the temporary plant was built on Newhalem creek, several miles below the main plant, and is now being used to light the houses and streets of Newhalem, the new town in the upper valley. Later it will be used to furnish power and lighting for the construction of the huge dam at Gorge creek and the first unit of the plant two miles below the dam site, as well as for the 11,000 foot tunnel connecting these two parts of the development. … The work of building the extension of the railroad from Newhalem to Gorge creek, a distance of four miles, is going ahead rapidly, and the first two miles of the extension is now about completed. The end of the road is now at Devil’s Elbow, where a bridge will be built across the Skagit River; work on the bridge being now well underway.	Newhalem Gets Electricity Temporary power plant completed. It is believed that the “Devils Elbow” reference actually referred to the “Devils Bend” area as no bridge was built at Devils Elbow until the 1950’s. Devils Bend being located Near Newhalem and Devils Elbow being located at Concrete.
12/15/21 MVH	Skagit River Causes Flood Skagit valley has been in the grip of a flood for the past week.  Torrential rains and strong southerly winds, amounting to gales at times, preceded the onrush of waters from the melting snow of the Cascade mountains, that came pouring down the Skagit river in a volume that almost equaled that of the memorable flood of 1909, when the river rose to 26 feet 4 inches, just 1½ inches higher than the present flood measured.  . . .  The first break occurred at McKay’s place, Burlington.  The low lying land was soon covered with water.  On Tuesday morning the scene north of the city was one broad expanse of water, with dwelling houses, barns, hay stacks, fences and trees standing in it.  From 3 to 6 feet of water was recorded in this section of the flood area, the lower floors of the houses being flooded, and the inhabitants taking to the second story.  The flood waters reached as far west as Avon.  At the North Fork near Conway the next break was reported.  This break caused the flooding of Conway, Milltown, Stanwood and the Skagit delta.  The whole region from Mount Vernon to Sylvana is all under flood waters.  The highway both north and south of the city is impassable for anything but boats.  . . .  A number of houses between here and Burlington were reported to have been lifted from their foundations and otherwise damaged by the flood.    The most serious reported damage was to the home of Lee Davis whose home floated off its foundation and broke in two.  . . .  The Great Northern railway has been out of service since Monday evening, but the company expects to have trains running again in a day or so.  . . .  The Interurban weathered the storm and flood pretty well.  While regular service was interrupted, they managed to get one or more cars through every day.  By today (Thursday) they expect to be running all trains on time table schedule, and have stages to Everett running Friday.  Travel was interrupted by the washing out of a bridge just out of the city limits and damage to the bridge over Varney slough.  . . .  The dikes held fine and had not the water risen to such a high point, there would have been little or no damage.  Below town, the dikes were patrolled by hundreds of men and it was only after the water had risen to an overflow, that the men deserted their posts and hastened to notify their neighbors that the water was coming.  Burlington was the first place to get wet, a break in the dike causing the water to invade the “Hub City.”  An heroic effort was made to prevent the break.  . . .  While the losses are many, yet they are mostly small.  The main losses are where lands were cut into, stored products damaged, and some losses of livestock.  It is believed, however, that the total losses will aggregate around $50,000, which with the lumber company losses, will approximate a hundred thousand or maybe more for this section of Skagit county.	DECEMBER 12, 1921 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) 240,000 cfs Concrete, 210,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley. At Mt. Vernon 1½  inches lower than 1909.  26.4 feet would be 34.4 feet at current gage.  3 feet lower than 1990 and 1995. 1^st break in levees at Burlington but floodwaters only reached as far west as Avon. Bridge over Gages Slough washed out.  Again showing tremendous amounts of water that flow in this area. Losses expected to only be around $100,000.
12/15/21 Argus	Skagit River Floods Valley When Dikes Go--Much Damage To Farms And Some Stock Lost-- Dikes Gave Way Early Tuesday At 24 Ft 10 Inches Once more after 4 years of somewhat peaceful action the Skagit River late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, broke its bounds and inundated a large part of its fertile valley, with a heavy loss to the farmers, an estimate of which is impossible at this time. No fatalities have been reported but some very narrow escapes from the flood waters occurred.  . . .         Three days of heavy rains and warm rains beginning their work Friday, melted the snows in the upper Skagit region and as a result, the Skagit River began its rise with startling rapidity, reaching a point Sunday night which caused alarm to be spread over the valley and the residents of the lower lands prepared to move.  . . .  The river continued to rise until it reached a mark of 24 feet 10 inches, or two inches below that set in 1909.  This was late Monday night.  Then came reports of a break in the dike in Burlington and soon after the dike at Conway south of here broke.  Both these town were flooded.  About 4:30 Tuesday morning, the dike near Charles Wiles place, a short distance west from Riverside Bridge and on the south bank of the river went through.  Within a few hours the flats between the bridge and Mt. Vernon were covered with several feet of water.  Other breaks occurred at intervals south of Mt. Vernon at Pritchard’s, two below the Sheriffs place and two on the north fork.  With the breaking of the dikes the river began to drop slightly.  . . .  Pioneers recall that only once have the flood waters of the Skagit reached the downtown streets of Mt. Vernon and this was in 1897.  Other floods have occurred in 1906, 1909, 1911, and January, 1918.[5]	12/12/21 Flood Event Three days of heavy rains. 24 ft 10 inches would be approx. 32 ft 10 inches at the current gage.  Two inches below 1909 flood.  USGS says 141,000 cfs at Mt. Vernon for 1921.  No figure for 1909. Only time downtown Mt. Vernon went underwater was 1897? Also went underwater in 1894.
12/15/21 Argus	Urges Action to Stop Floods C.F. Williams of Big Seed Company Calls for Positive Prevention I think, in fact know, and there are few who do not think as I do, that it is a pitiable shame and an unnecessary condition, for the good people of this section of Washington to be called upon to look forward to flood waters about every so often; a sort of periodical threat to wipe out many homes, destroy farms and livestock. . . . From what I can learn, folks who buy here after an investigation of climate, resources and local peculiarities, are not surprised when a flood is predicted; they do not get overly excited when a warning is sent forth that the dike here, or the dike there is in a weakened condition and likely to break.  They take it as a matter of course, and even smile while it may mean, and in dozens of cases does mean almost total loss to them of this world’s goods.  I admire their spirit and their nerve, but I do not understand or admire their patience. This periodic inundation of soil and destruction of property, to say nothing about the uneasiness of mind and loss to merchants and others, is unnecessary, and ought not to be tolerated any longer than it is required to find a solution and put it into execution! Mr. Meehan has his idea of how the water may be controlled.  On the map he pointed it out to us.  Whether it is feasible, possible or the best thing to do I am not prepared to say – but this I do truly believe: If there is no way to control this condition which prevails when a warm wind and much rain hits soft snow in the foothills and lower mountain regions, it will be one of the very few problems the Yankee mind has failed to solve!	Great letter to the editor.  Should be reprinted and made required reading for all public officials and citizens. Meehan was the County Engineer.  Although his plan is not identified here it is believed that “his plan” would have been the Avon Bypass as by this time he would have been talking to Herzog who worked for the GNRR who published his report in 1922.
12/15/21 Argus	Auto Traffic Halted Burlington cannot be reached by machine at this time, reports state, even the Avon detour being impassable.	Burlington was underwater during the 1921 flood due to levee breaks.
12/16/21 B.J.	big flood inundates skagit valley The Skagit lowland region is passing through another memorable flood period.  In consequence of which thousands of dollars of property have been destroyed in the path of the flood.  Six weeks of excessive rains, followed last Sunday night till Monday noon by compelling Chinook breezes at the beginning of which the Skagit River was ban full, opened the flood gates in the foothills, and mountains of water poured out to the sea, inundating the greater portion of the valley of the Skagit.  The last crushing flood disaster, which inundated the valley of the Skagit occurred January 1, 1918.[6]  The widespread destruction wrought then, if estimated in dollar losses, doubtless greater than that caused by the flood of last Tuesday. The present diking system, so faultily constructed, useless and inadequate, never has nor could control flood waters when built on the banks of the river.  . . .  Doubtless a diked in basin a mile wide could function, safeguarding the delta region when flood waters pour to the sea. Monday night, December 12, the dikes east and southeast of Burlington broke.  Tuesday morning at six o’clock the flood water covered Fairhaven Avenue, and in part the residence districts of the city.  At this time the entire lowlands lying east, west, south and in part northwest of Burlington were inundated.  The depth of water is on relative, the lamentable fact being that the area of low lands covered with water was wide-spread.  That certain spots escaped water, neither lessons the flood evil nor removes its threatening menace as the destruction wrought during the last three recurring flood periods of 1909, 1917 and 1921 encompass a wide area of lowlands, some districts suffering greater damages than others, the river in its flood course to the sea, evidently changing or seeking an outlet wherever river dikes could first be swept away.  . . .  While flood damages in Burlington have been large, the flood waters disappeared from the principal business and residence streets within 12 hours following the overflow. The damage to the Great Northern and interurban right-of-ways was not nearly as great as that caused by the flood of 1918[7], yet the main line of the Great Northern will not be repaired until late next week.  The main line of the interurban and the Sedro-Woolley branch are in operation and the Great Northern Sedro-Woolley Rockport branch of the Great Northern will be in operation by Saturday.	12/12/21 Flood Event Six weeks of excessive rains.  Skagit Argus reported 1917 flood was caused by 4 weeks of excessive rains.  Most interesting.  1917 flood caused more damage than 1921 flood.  Stewart said 1921 flood was larger.  No doubt both flood events impacted by major portions of overbank storage being used up before flood started. Suggested channel be widened to a mile wide. According to statement at end of article this must have been the most eastern section of Fairhaven as it states “flood waters disappeared from the principal business and residence streets within 12 hours following the overflow.” Further evidence 1921 flood not as bad as 1917 flood.
12/17/21 C.H.	heavy damage was caused by floods in lower valley Reports reaching here from Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, Burlington and other points in the western end of the county are to the effect that the flood damage in that section will mount to several million dollars. Dikes along the lower Skagit, from Burlington west, broke in many places and thousands of acres of farm lands were flooded. Many dwelling houses and barns were swept from their foundations and hundreds of head of livestock drowned. Many of the residents of the flooded districts had narrow escapes when the dikes gave way, but so far as known no lives were lost. At Hamilton the entire town was covered with water to a depth of from three to seven feet, the water entering every business house in town. Sidewalks were washed away and considerable inconvenience and small damage caused the residents, but no heavy losses are reported. Lyman and Sedro-Woolley were above the flood mark, but many losses are reported from the adjacent farming communities. … Breaking of dikes near Riverside flooded the entire flats from Mount Vernon to Edison and LaConner, and it is in this district that the greatest loss was caused. The communities of Conway and Stanwood also suffered heavily from the high waters when dikes near Stanwood gave way. … Several farm residences near Burlington were swept away, the occupants being reached by rowboats.	December 12, 1921 Flood Event Hamilton covered with water from three to seven feet. Very much like it was in 2003.
12/17/21 C.H.	rockport Mr. And Mrs. Perry Harding, of Sauk, have taken up their residence in the Janson cottage here, coming here after the flood waters of the Sauk and Skagit rivers drove them to spend a day and night in box cars on the Great Northern track. The waters of the Sauk completely covered the track to a depth of several inches, having risen to the greatest height ever known at that place.	December 12, 1921 Flood Event Sauk River Flood Waters Flood waters at “greatest height ever known”.
12/17/21 C.H.	skagit river goes on wild rampage; light damage here After being on its good behavior for four years, the Skagit River went on a rampage again Monday, and when the flood reached its crest at midnight Monday night it was found that the highest mark in the history of Concrete had been reached. The steady rain of Saturday and Sunday brought the river to flood stage Sunday night, and it was then feared that the river would go over its banks before midnight. The weather turned colder in the evening, and by midnight the river was at a standstill, and by morning had fallen about 18 inches. Early Monday forenoon the rain started again, accompanied by a Chinook wind, and the Skagit soon began to rise rapidly again, reaching its greatest height about midnight. … In Crofoot addition only three residences remained above the high water mark, the water being to a depth of an inch to 14 inches in the others. … The damage caused in this vicinity and throughout the upper valley was considerably less than during the flood of four years ago, except at Sauk, although the water was almost two feet higher than in 1917. … At Sauk the water was from four to six feet deep in the store and residences, and the total loss is heavy. … There is some argument as to whether this flood was higher than that of 1909, but the general opinion seems to be that it was just as high or a few inches higher than the mark reached that year.	December 12, 1921 Flood Event Double-pump event with floods only being two days apart. Crofoot addition water was one to 14 inches deep with only three residences remaining above flood waters. Floodwaters as deep or a little higher then 1909 flood.
12/22/21 Argus	Cold Adds to Flood Damage County Commissioner J.Z. Nelson Says Loss More Than Half Million Following close on the heels of the high water which last Tuesday flooded a large area of the fertile Skagit Valley, has come a week of extremely cold weather at least for this country. J.Z. Nelson, member of the board of county commissioners, said yesterday that at first he had placed the amount of damage done to the ranchers, county property, and railroads at about a half million dollars… East Burlington perhaps shows the most damage from the high water where the river overflowed Fairhaven avenue.  W.H. Walker’s house on the south side of the avenue was overturned and split into two.  Mr. Walker was in the house at the time.  The force of the concussion turned his bed over, throwing him into about three feet of water.  He was rescued in a boat after several hours waiting and calling for help.  … Train service over the Great Northern was resumed last night and the mail and freight will be received with somewhat more regularity.  … No action has been taken yet by the various diking districts toward repairing the dikes, nor have any meetings been called to discuss future work.  Many farmers are talking of calling mass meetings to talk over the question of proper protection from floods and many different theories as to what should be done are being talked about on the street corners.  Many favor the building of a spillway from the Avon bend to salt water in Padilla bay, while others say that to straighten the river at the Avon bend by cutting a channel through from south of Burlington to a point at Mount Vernon.  Others declare that the Skagit river must be dredged from its mouth up to a point above Burlington, and still others say that the Seattle dam at Ruby creek will offer much protection, although when this project will be completed is doubtful. Many declare that to secure prompt and efficient action regarding flood protection, all drainage and diking districts should be consolidated into one county-wide district with responsible men at the head of it.	1921 Flood Last Tuesday would have been December 20, 1921.  Flood crested Tuesday, December 13, 1921.  Must have meant last Tuesday a week ago. At this time the levees were 4,000 feet back from their current location.  He must have been living near the dike break. This would be the current BNSF tracks. Means R/R repaired the tracks in just 9 days. Avon By-Pass, “straighten the river” build dams and dredging. Consolidate the dike districts.
12/22/21 CT	skagit county flood loss estimated at half million dollars minimum -- more stories of damage up-river; roads wiped out; ferries and bridges destroyed; work of repairing flood damage starts; no report of drowning in entire skagit flood district; flood worst in skagit history While the loss to property in Skagit county, due to the flood, is estimated by the county commissioners at more than half a million dollars, only a small portion of this amount was incurred by the farmers of the county.  In fact, most of the flooded land where the current was not swift, was benefited by the flooded land where the current was not swift, was benefited by the flooding and deposits of silt.  . . .  Abe Young, who lives near Sauk, was a heavy loser.  His house and a barn filled with hay and about fifteen acres of fine orchard land were washed down the river.  For a mile at the lower end of the Sauk river, is a continuous jam of logs and debris.  Above the White place, the whole mountain slid in, carrying road and all.  Several Indians lost their houses and their little farms.  The water was 52 inches high in the Sauk store and did some damage to the bottom layer of goods piled on benches and showcases.  . . .  Miles of the road up the Sauk river was washed out.  Mr. Thompson is doubtful if the old route will ever be used again.  At present a new trail is being cut.  When a new road is built, it will probably be constructed along the hill, out of danger of the river.  . . .  The damage in the southern part of the county and on the flats cannot be estimated yet as the land is still under water.  It is thought that salt water dikes on the flats have broken recently.  When these are repaired, it is probably that the water will have to be pumped out.  . . .  The farm of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Hamburg on the river bank south of town, was hard hit by the flood.  Mr. and Mrs. Hamburg lived for two days in fear of their lives.  The flood either washed out or covered with logs practically all of their five acres.  They lost their horse and wagon, about 100 chickens, their ducks and geese, and their big garden patch was totally destroyed.  The house is filled with mud.  Where the chicken yard used to be is a hole 15 feet deep and the entire place is a mass of wreckage.  Most of their fruit trees and berry bushes are ruined.	DECEMBER 12, 1921 FLOOD USGS (Stewart) 240,000 cfs Concrete (47.6), 210,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, Corps 140,000 cfs Mt. Vernon. Most of flooded land benefited from the flood!! Lower end of Sauk River a continuous jam of logs and debris. Sauk River road washed out. Salt water dikes broken. Hamburg farm hard hit.  House filled with mud.
12/22/21 CT	Biggest flood in skagit history say old-timers The flood of 1921 is the biggest flood in the history of the Skagit, according to old timers, who recall the floods of 1879, 1888, 1897 and on up to the big flood of 1909 and the 1917 freshet. Mrs. Dreyer, who lives west of town, tells of the big flood of 1888, when in some places the river backed up higher than this year. She says that not so much damage was done then because there were practically no dikes and the water spread over the lowlands more gradually. Measurements at the Dalles, near Concrete, show that the flood water this year reached a point two feet higher than at any previous time in the memory of the oldest settler. Charley Moses says that it was the biggest flood, with the biggest volume of water ever carried in the Skagit. At Van Horn the water was 14½ inches higher than it had ever been. In 1909 the river in the upper valley was only about two-thirds as wide as it is now. Hundreds of acres of land are being washed away every year, by both Skagit and Sauk rivers. W. A. Ellison says he has been on the upper river for 21 years and this is the biggest flood he has seen or heard old timers tell about.	BIGGEST FLOOD IN HISTORY DALLES TWO FEET HIGHER THAN 1909. Charley Moses lived in valley through 1906, 1911, 1917 and 1921 events.  He observed the height of the river in The Dalles in 1921.
12/22/21 CT	flood will not hurt grain fields Very little damage has been done by the flood to the berry and grain fields, says County Horticulturist E. D. Hunter. In fact, Mr. Hunter states, the silt deposits was beneficial. Only where there was a strong current or where there was a strong current or where stands for a week or longer, there will be a possibility of loss.  . . .	Berry Crops Not Hurt In 1921 Flood Silt deposits beneficial.
12/22/21 CT	Huge Spillway For Skagit River Proposed To Prevent Flooding Closely following the recent flood, naturally comes the discussion as to whether such destructive inundations cannot be prevented and what means could be used to accomplish their prevention.  Comes now County Commissioner Zig Nelson with a suggestion, which deserves serious consideration, in the opinion of many.  Mr. Nelson points out the fact that Sedro-Woolley is protected on account of the Sterling cut-off, which opens a straight course for flood waters past Sedro-Woolley, thus minimizing the danger to this community.  Below the cut-off, the waters reaching the big bend in the river this side of Burlington, break out of the banks and continue on the straightest course, as the deep channel east of Burlington clearly shows.  Nelson’s plan is to construct an immense spillway starting at the Sterling bend and continuing in as straight a course as possible to deep salt water, which he says is seven miles in a straight line from the bend, while the river meanders some twenty-one miles before emptying in to the Sound.	1^st Avon By-Pass Proposal Commissioner Zig Nelson.  The overflow channel he is describing would have been in the Strawberry Bar area of the Burlington Bend (a/k/a Sterling Bend).  The deep channel he refers to is Gages Slough.
12/24/21 C.H.	hamilton reports much damage by last week’s flood Almost universal housecleaning has been the rule in Hamilton this week. Only a few houses in the main part of town escaped the muddy waters of the flood, which reached its highest point about midnight Monday. At one o’clock Tuesday morning the waters began to recede, and by nine o’clock all houses except a few on the exceptionally low ground were clear of water, but the mud remained. … Old residents here tell of three former big floods in the history of the town, in 1897, 1909, and 1917, and it is said that this flood was one of the highest, though probably not quite as high as that of 1897. … The Van Horn Shingle Company at Van Horn lost heavily. The shingle sheds were ruined, the filing room of the mill was carried away, and two dry kilns collapsed and the shingles which they contained floated away on the flood. Residents of the houses by the mill, including Mr. And Mrs. W.A. Ellison, took refuge in the mill, putting a stove in the filing room, stove and all, but the main part of the mill remained standing. Mr. Ellison telephoned to Hamilton every hour, giving reports on the rise of the water until the telephone line to his station across the river went out, then Mr. Shields reported from the Van Horn side of the river until the water rose to the telephone and it had to be taken from the wall. These reports enabled the Hamilton people to estimate the rise here and to prepare for it.	December 12, 1921 Flood Event Flood in Hamilton one of the highest although probably not as high as 1897.
12/24/21 C.H.	skagit valley is recovering from effects of flood The Skagit valley is slowly recovering from the effects of the big flood of last week, and as far as Concrete is concerned, conditions are now about back to normal again. During the first part of the week only a small part of the mail came through and that very irregularly, as the railroad was closed and the county roads were in such condition that stages could not operate on a regular schedule. The freezing weather helped the roads and by Wednesday the stages were making their regular trips. The railroad was opened between this city and Burlington Wednesday and the passenger train made its first run over the road, and in the evening brought to Concrete about two tons of mail that had accumulated in Sedro-Woolley and Burlington.	December 12, 1921 Flood Event Stage coaches were making regular trips within one week of big flood.
12/31/21 C.H.	flood was highest in skagit county history Old timers in the Skagit valley, who have seen all the floods in the Skagit valley since the early 80’s say that the recent flood carried a greater volume of water than any previous flood since the county was settled, surpassing even the famous high water of 1897. The fact that the river did not reach marks set in former years at some points in the upper valley is accounted for by the widening of the river since that time. In all places where the banks of the river have remained unchanged the 1921 mark is considerably above that of any previous flood known to settlers.	December 12, 1921 Flood Event Highest flood in the history of the county. See 12/22/21 CT article.
1/5/22  Argus	Fire First Gun in Flood Fight Permanent Organization To Be Formed “To Improve Skagit River.” The first gun in the flood fight against flood waters in the Skagit valley was fired Tuesday evening at a mass meeting of Skagit county citizens held in the court house at Mount Vernon.  More than 250 gathered within the court room, the doors were locked and as many more were turned away. . . . Charles Nelson, pioneer and strong dike worker, was the first to be called on by the chairman for his views on what course should be taken for flood prevention.  He states it would be useless to build more dikes but that to build jetties at the mouth of the river, dredge the outlets and straighten the channel would be his solution of the problem. Peter Samuelson urged the consolidation of the diking districts, stating that to do so would save enough money to buy a dredge for the county and to keep it in use. John Kill also urged that the diking districts be put under one head for more efficient work and to save the taxpayers more money.  It was shown that there are now seventeen such districts in the county.  He also said efforts should be made to secure the assistance of the federal government. That the people of the county should take the burden of providing adequate protection on their own shoulders, was the opinion of H.L. Willis, who cited the accomplishment of the city of Gaveston [Galveston, TX], which built its mammoth sea wall by bonding its own citizens without any outside assistance.  He urged the adoption of organized effort as soon as possible and concluded with, “Let’s do the job ourselves.” Alfred Polson spoke briefly in favor of dredging the channel of the river.  He was followed by Captain Siegel who said he had no solution but offered the information that in some twenty odd years the river bed has risen eighteen feet. A tangible plan was shown by W. H. Franklin, who proposed that the channel should be straightened from Sedro-Woolley to its mouth.  He had maps and drawings of this project and figures as to its probable cost.  He declared that the Skagit would dredge itself if straightened.  His estimated cost of the project was more than three and a half million. O.J. Whitmarsh voiced his approval of going after federal aid as the Skagit was a navigable stream.  Its channel should be straightened, he added. H.A. McLean was finally prevailed upon to give his opinion and stated at the outset that he was first in favor of securing a practical engineer to handle the proposition. … O. Rudene spoke at some length urging that the county should procure a dredger and clean out the channel.  Brian Dillon also spoke in favor of dredging the river and also suggested that the height of the dikes be lowered.  He said it was better to get a little water more frequently than a whole lot at one time.	Community Meeting People turned away after 250 flooded courtroom. No more dikes.  Build jetties at mouth, dredge outlets and straighten channel. Consolidate dike districts and buy a dredge. Consolidate dike districts, get help from Feds. “Do it ourselves.” Dredge it.  River “raised 18 feet in 20 years”?  If that process continued that would put the level of the river about 92 feet above current location. Straighten river, and it would dredge itself. Straighten and get Fed help. Hire an engineer. Dredging.  Overtopping levees.
1/7/22 C.H.	flood damage to roads was less than in 1917 According to a statement issued by Frank Gilkey, county engineer, the damage to county roads caused by the flood of last month is not so great as that of the flood of 1917, and had many of these roads not been paved they would have been washed out. The damage to bridges was also much less than was expected. The force from the current is shown on the Fir-Island road where three slabs of pavement, each weighing about twenty tons, were washed into a field 150 feet from the road. The five-ton limit on trucks will remain in force until next Saturday, January 14.	Roads were paved sometime between 1917 and 1921.
1/7/22 C.H.	meeting held to plan way to prevent floods A mass meeting was held in the county court room in Mount Vernon Tuesday to discuss ways and means of eliminating the flood danger in the lower Skagit Valley. The meeting was attended by about 250 farmers and other residents of the valley, and plans for curbing the flood waters of the Skagit ranged from the building of a huge spillway from Mount Vernon to Puget Sound, changing the bed of the river, to the reforestation of the logged-off areas on the upper river. A plan that met general favor was to consolidate all the diking districts to provide funds for buying a dredge to keep the channel of the river open the year round. The only definite action taken was the appointment of a committee to make a thorough investigation of the matter.	Flood Control Meeting Buy a dredge boat was suggested as way to curb flooding.
1/12/22 Argus	Nelson Names the Committee Seven Men Will Investigate the Problem of Flood Protection In Skagit County …H.L. Willis, Mount Vernon, chairman; John Finstad, Conway; Charles A. Nelson, LaConner; Augustus Brawley, Mount Vernon; Hiram Stump, Edison; Charles Callahan, Burlington, and Will Knutzen, North Avon…	FIRST FLOOD CONTROL COMMITTEE
1/12/22 Argus	Ruby Creek Dam As Skagit Aid Seattle Engineer Would Show Pictures Here of Project County Engineer Frank Gilkey is in receipt of a communication from C. F. Uhden, engineer in charge of the Ruby creek dam feature of the Skagit project now under construction by the city of Seattle, expressing appreciation of the interest being taken by Mount Vernon people in the project as it effects the flood situation of the Skagit river. Mr. Uhden also expresses a willingness to come here in person and demonstrate the Ruby creek project to Skagit county residents through the medium of a lantern slide lecture and explain in what ways this dam may assist in controlling flood waters of the Skagit.	Ross Dam impacts flood control.
1/12/22 Argus	City Club Into Flood Problem Commercial Organization Will Confer With Seattle Engineer on Plans The president appointed Frank Gilkey, county engineer, and Mayor Moody to confer with C.F. Uhden, who is the engineer in charge of the Ruby creek feature of the Skagit project, relative to the effect this dam will have on Skagit river floods.  This appointment was made at the suggestion of H.L. Willis, chairman of the committee formed by County Commissioner Nelson to investigate the diking situation.	Chamber of Commerce gets active.  Endorsed building of Ross Dam.
1/19/22 CT	big crowd listens to seattle experts discuss flood plan – dam said to be sure cure for skagit valley floods – engineers uhden and dimock of seattle, explain plans for huge dam:  sedro woolley interested A large crowd gathered in the Rex theater in Mt. Vernon Tuesday evening to listen to the plans for a possible means of stopping floods by damming the water at its source.  About three hundred were present.  . . .  Mr. Uhden, the engineer in charge of the big Seattle project on the Skagit river, told all about his work, illustrating with lantern slides.  He said that Seattle is planning a dam 480 feet high, on Ruby creek, which will take ten years to build, according to present plans.  If Skagit county men wish to raise money to pay for the work, a flood gate dam will be built instead of a solid crest dam as at present planned.  He showed the possibilities of stopping flood which this dam would have.  He said that the Skagit river had 100,000 cfs through Sedro-Woolley, while the flow through Ruby creek was 30,000 cfs.  The last 20 feet of the dam will take care of one-half of this volume of water for three days, during a flood, and an additional 10 feet would take care of the remainder for six days.  The engineers are agreed that this dam is the only logical solution of the flood problem.  Mr. Gilkey said that his idea was to get federal aid to help build the dam with flood gates.  It was stated that if the people of Skagit county wished to go in on the dam, and have Seattle change its plans, the work could be speeded up to take only five instead of ten years.  Another statement made was that the damage in Skagit county for the last two floods was a million and a half dollars.	Ross Dam Flood control not in original plans.  Seattle wanted Skagit County to get funding for flood gates. Estimates of flood flows were obviously too low. Damage in 1917 and 1921 floods only 1.5 million?  That would convert to 15,463,917 2003 dollars.  Of course with today’s development in the floodplain that figure would be increased several times over.  (Source:  Consumer Price Index)
1/22/22 C.H.	plan to control floods in skagit at ruby creek dam That the waters of the Skagit River can be controlled, in time of flood, by the huge dam that the city of Seattle proposes to build at the mouth of Ruby creek, in connection with its power project on the upper Skagit, was the argument advanced by C. E. Uhden, chief engineer on the project, at a mass meeting held in the Rex theatre in Mount Vernon Tuesday night. He stated that the plans for the dam, as drawn for the power project, would have to be modified if it was also to be used as a means for flood control, but that the additional cost could be financed through state or county aid. … He claims that the dam would hold the full normal flow the Skagit river for three or four days, and that during times of flood the waters from the upper river could be held back for at least 24 hours, giving the flood waters from the streams of the lower valley time to run off, then the water held at Ruby creek could be gradually released. By modifying the construction of the dam it would be so built that it would hold a larger raise without any danger of flooding the lower valley when the spillways are opened.	Ruby Creek (Ross) Dam Seattle City Light says Ross Dam could be used for flood control HOWEVER, would require funding from county or state.
1/26/22 Argus	Work For Large Flood District Committee and Dike and Drainage Commissioners Plan Permanent Body That an enlarged improvement district must be organized before any definite steps can be taken for protection against the high water of the Skagit river, was the opinion expressed at a meeting held here Thursday of the diking and drainage commissioners and the committee recently named to investigate means to prevent future floods.  A vote of all present showed that this opinion was nearly unanimous. … Through discussion it was found that it would be necessary for the community to secure some outside assistance and that before this could be done some sort of permanent organization must be formed.  …. Such an improvement district as has been suggested can be formed but it would be allowed only a small levy for its work which was shown would not be enough to do any great amount of flood prevention. … Allen R. Moore, Mr. Willis stated, is to appear before the committee tonight with his theory for the prevention of floods in the Skagit valley.	This was the beginning of the River Improvement Fund.  “Nearly unanimous.” Get help from Feds. River Improvement Fund not enough to do it alone. Still don’t know what Moore wanted to do.
2/14/22 C.H.	commissioners inspect flood damage in valley County Commissioners J. Z. Nelson, E. Van Buren and Richard Thompson spent several days in the upper Skagit valley the first of the week, inspecting the county roads and river banks to ascertain how much damage had been caused by the flood of last month. They found several ferries missing; a few bridges washed out and some damage to the roads, but not so much as had been anticipated. At Rockport and on up the river they were accompanied by C. F. Uhden, construction engineer of Seattle’s power project.	Flood Damage Ferries missing and a few bridges washed out.
3/4/22 C.H.	flood control of the skagit river to be discussed A meeting of taxpayers owning land, which is subject to overflow, along the Skagit River has been called by H. L. Willis, chairman of the Skagit river improvement committee. … The main plan of the committee is to organize a river improvement district under a law enacted by the legislature in 1911. This law allows such a district to buy or condemn land for straightening the channel of a river, to build dikes, locks and floodgates, and take any other action that may be necessary to control the flow of water. As the Skagit River is navigable, the acts of the district will be subject to the approval of the war department of the United States. The estimated acreage of the proposed district is around 70,000, and the cost of any improvement undertaken will be assessed against the land in the district in a similar manner to assessments in diking or drainage districts.	Flood Control Meeting Wanted to form flood control district for whole county.
3/10/22 C.H.	beet sugar plant may be located in the skagit valley The raising of sugar beets will become one of the leading industries of the Skagit valley if plans now being worked out by the Sedro-Woolley commercial club and farmers of the valley are successful. … Mr. Horne stated that if the farmers of Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties would plant at least 5,000 acres of sugar beets, that his company would build a $1,250,000 factory at some central point in the district to handle the crop, and would agree to purchase all beets raised at prices ranging from $5.50 to $18 per ton, according to the price of sugar. … The company agrees to sell seed to the farmers at 15 cents per pound, ten pounds being enough to plant an acre. The company will also furnish a drill and plant the seed at 75 cents an acre. It is estimated that it will take the price of ten tons to pay all the expenses of raising and marketing the beets, leaving about $110 an acre profit to the growers.	Agricultural History Beet sugar plant proposed for area. Sugar beets going from $5.50 to $18 per ton. Beet seed 15¢ per pound.
3/18/22 C.H.	promoter is found guilty of fraud in selling tidelands Oliver M. Sparks, charged jointly with C. A. Sparks, Geo E. Dye and E. C. Hart with the use of the mails to defraud and conspiracy in connection with the sale of tidelands in the Skagit delta district, was found guilty on both charges by a jury in the federal court in Seattle Tuesday. His trial lasted for two weeks, many prominent Skagit county residents being called as witnesses as to the location and value of the lands sold by the promoters. The defendants were alleged to have sold about 12,000 acres of land under tidewater lying between the north and south forks of the Skagit River, on their assertions that this land could be reclaimed as reasonable cost. The government contended that the land was worthless, and soil and drainage experts called as witnesses during the course of the trial testified that the cost of diking the lands would be prohibitive, and further that the land could not be used for agricultural purposes if drained, as it was practically all sand. It is claimed that the lands sold brought in $30,000, nearly all from people who were anxious to secure a small tract of land for a home and a small farm.	Tidelands Bust Scheme to sell Skagit tidelands thwarted.
4/1/22 C.H.	forest service to survey road from here to baker lake According to an announcement made this week by George H. Cecil, district forester of the Portland office of the forestry service, the government will survey a route for a wagon road from this city to the Baker Lake fish hatchery this summer, and that the road will be built next year. It is reported that the money for the construction of the road is available, as $100,000 of the funds appropriated for road building within forest reserves has been set aside for this project. There are two routes to the Baker Lake hatchery from this city, one on each side of the Baker River, and so far there has been no information given out as to which route will be used by the forestry service, but it is the general opinion that the road will be on the west side of the river.	Baker Lake Road Wagon trail to be built to Baker Lake Hatchery.
5/13/22 C.H.	o’malley is appointed as fish commissioner Henry O’Malley of Seattle was appointed Wednesday by President Harding to the office of commissioner of the bureau of fisheries, to succeed Dr. Hugh M Smith, who resigned some months ago. … Mr. O’Malley entered the fisheries service 20 years ago as apprentice fish culturist at St. Johnsburg, Vt. In 1898 he was transferred to the Pacific coast and placed in charge of the government hatchery at Baker Lake, near this city, and made his headquarters here for several years, later serving in the Columbia river district and in Alaska before he was placed in charge of all coast hatcheries four years ago.	Baker Lake Fish Hatchery Man who built Baker Lake hatchery appointed to run federal fish agency by President Harding. According to this article it was the federal government not the state government who built the Baker Lake fish hatchery in 1898.
9/28/22 Argus	Hadley Working on River Control Congressman Seeks Federal Aid to Curb Skagit; Asks for Data I was not quite certain, but thought it might be possible to have the survey provided for in the River and Harbor Bill extended to include an examination and report by the engineers on the question of flood control.  I therefore took that question up with General Taylor of the Board of Engineers of Rivers and Harbors who states it is his view that the examination and report as to flood control could not be made without authorization through the Flood Control Committee of the House, as contemplated in the bill which I have introduced and which is now pending before that committee. … …My own idea is that a showing should be made by persons personally cognizant of the facts covering the periodical floods, their frequency, the nature and extent of the same, the nature and extent of the damage sustained in floods of recent years, the conditions which make their recurrence probable, the extent of the area and some idea of the population affected by the floods, the measures heretofore taken by local citizens or authorities to afford protection against the floods and generally any facts which will support the necessity and reasonableness of the end sought by the bill. Very truly yours, Lin. H. Hadley	Congressman Hadley letter to Mt. Vernon Commercial Club. Congressman’s efforts led to 1925 Corps of Engineers Report.   SKAGIT RIVER, WASH., PE by Col. W.J. Barden, Corps of Engineers  {published as House Document #125, 69^th Congress, 1^st Session}
10/12/22 Argus	Promise $35,000 For The Skagit Government Would Ask Waivers For Any Possible Damages “When the farmers residing south of Mount Vernon all sign a waiver of damages, stating that they will not hold the United States government liable nor responsible for damages which might arise from high water or other unexpected causes, the government officials will agree to the expenditure of $35,000 available for river improvement,” was the statement of Colonel Schultz, United States district engineer for the Pacific Coast, who was here on an inspection trip with assistant engineer H.J.E. Baker early this week. The snagboat, Swinomish, was used for this special inspection tour which included the Great Northern bridge, North Fork dam and Skagit River bar. The hope was expressed by the party that the matter of river improvement might be settled at once as it has been prolonged over a considerable period of time and is attracting much attention now particularly in view of the river and harbors appropriation bill introduced by Congressman Lin H. Hadley.	No indication what the Corps was going to do.  Later articles suggest that they wanted to dredge North and South Forks.
10/14/22 C.H.	concrete men are awarded contract on upper skagit William Jennings and Robert Nestos of this city have been awarded a contract by the city of Seattle for clearing fifteen miles of the right of way for the transmission line to run from the city’s power project at Newhalem to Seattle. The clearing unit awarded to the local men runs from the camp at Newhalem to Rocky creek, and this contract is the first to be let on this work, but other contracts for clearing along the transmission line are to be let soon. The bid of the Concrete men amounted to approximately $59,000, their bid being the lowest of four submitted, the other bidders being Seattle firms. … The right of way for the transmission line will follow the Skagit River to the vicinity of Rockport, were it will cross the Skagit and follow the Sauk river valley to Darrington, from where it will make a direct line to Seattle. For the greater part of this distance the right of way will be cleared to a width of 300 feet.	Seattle City Light Electric Transmission Line Construction Locals awarded contract to clear land for transmission line from Newhalem. Newhalem to Rockport, cross Skagit and follow Sauk River to Darrington, then to Seattle.
10/19/22 Argus	Will Get Data On Skagit River U.S. Engineer Asks Senator Poindexter to Secure Information United States Senator Miles Poindexter has been asked by Col. Edward H. Schulz, United States engineer in charge of river and harbor work in the Northwest, for all available information regarding plans for the improvement of the Skagit river, according to word from Seattle.… When he returns to western Washington next week, Senator Poindexter will assemble data to show the locations to be improved, depths required and other facts and as soon as possible will confer with Skagit county people.  On a recent visit to Skagit county Senator Poindexter inquired into the possibilities of flood control and protection of the mouth of the river, stating he believed the federal government should as rapidly as possible control the waters of the Skagit and prevent future damage by floods.	This was the beginning of the Preliminary Examination published by the Corps January 31, 1925.  Amazing, back then the Corps could do a prelim study in a little over 2 years.  Today we call it a Recon Study and it took the Corps the same amount of time.
11/9/22 Argus	Begin a Survey of Skagit River Data on Flood Conditions Will Be Gathered – Report To Commissioners Steps are being taken by the Skagit River Committee toward getting a survey made of flood conditions.  Yesterday the committee met with the Board of County Commissioners offering a report and suggesting ways and means of securing a survey.     . . . While there they conferred with Mr. Parker, head of the United States Geological Survey for this district.  He emphasized the necessity of securing data as to the volume of water coming down the Skagit especially during the flood period. He also stated that he had a man in his office who is an expert on this kind of work and he offered this man’s services to the county.  He also could secure the data required, especially the volume of flood water, during last December.  Many flood marks have been obliterated but this material should be gathered as soon as possible …The data on the Skagit river which in past years has been collected by the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads, the War Department and Geological Survey will be assembled as the first step in making a survey of the river.  H.L. Willis is chairman of the committee.	Report must have been verbal as no hard copy was located in the State Archives of the County Commissioners meeting.  The next day the Commissioners passed Resolution #1131 which stated: WHEREAS, G.L. Parker has been recommended for this survey.  NOW THEREFORE, It is hereby ordered that the County Engineer employ G.L. Parker at a salary not to exceed $250.00 per month to make such survey.  All work to be done under the supervision of the County Engineer and payment for same made by warrants drawn on the River Improvement Fund. No mention of hiring USGS, just Parker.  Other then this resolution no agreement between USGS and Skagit County was located.  Interesting also is that article was published Thursday, November 9, 1922 and resolution was signed Friday, November 10, 1922.
11/11/22 C.H.	begin a survey of flood conditions on skagit river Steps have been taken by the Skagit river committee towards getting a survey made of flood conditions, preparatory to making plans for the ultimate control of floods on the river. The committee met with the board of county commissioners Wednesday and made a report of what it had accomplished up to this time and offering suggestions as to ways and means of securing a comprehensive survey. Some weeks ago the committee went to Tacoma and inspected the improvement work on the Puyallup River, and while there conferred with Mr. Parker, head of the United States geological survey, for this district. Mr. Parker emphasized the necessity of securing data as to the volume of water coming down the Skagit, especially during the flood period. He also stated that he had a man with the survey who is an expert on work of this kind and tendered this man’s services to the county. The data relative to the flood of last December could also be secured. Many flood marks have been obliterated, but many are still available and the material should be gathered as soon as possible. The committee recommended that the county commissioners take steps to arrange with the geological survey for the services of this expert, and that he be put to work at once. The commissioners expressed a belief that this would be a good move and will endeavor to have the survey made at once. Considerable data on the Skagit River has been assembled in past years by the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific railroads by the war department and the geological survey, and all this data will be assembled and made available for use during the survey.	Flood Survey The man Mr. Parker was talking about was James E. Stewart. His services were “tendered” to the County. “Considerable data on the Skagit River has been assembled in past years by the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific railroads by the war department and the geological survey, and all this data will be assembled and made available for use during the survey.” Part of this “data” had to include Mr. Stewarts work in 1918 which was never mentioned in his final “preliminary report” in 1923. (See Stewart Report, Stewart Report Appendix; James E. Stewart Reflector Bar Notes) See also 11/9/22 Argus.
11/23/22 Argus	To Investigate River Control Large Party Will Go to Tacoma From Here December 1st and 2nd. A large delegation of Skagit County citizens will go to Tacoma Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2 to inspect the control work of the Puyallup River there.  …Mr. [W.J.] Roberts is chief engineer of the project.  His letter follows: “Your question, ‘How much of the work on this small stream would be applicable to our very much larger river?’  My answer would be: All of it.  That is, the three features which we most particularly emphasize, river clearing, channel dredging and bank protection, would apply with the same emphasis to the Skagit river as they apply to the White and Puyallup rivers.”	We actually had a flood control committee that was involved.  See 12/7/22 article on the “large delegation” that went.
11/23/22 CT	engineer is hired for river survey The county commissioners this week employed Mr. Stewart, a government engineer, to make a survey of the Skagit river.  Mr. Stewart’s salary is $250 a month, which will be paid out of the money to be raised by the 1 mill levy for river improvement.  The new engineer is from the government office in Seattle, and is working under government orders.  His work here will be under the supervision of the county engineer’s office.  He is already at work testing the river and tributary streams for their flow and volume of water carried, and other data needed to determine flood remedies.	James E. Stewart Skagit County paid Mr. Stewart directly therefore the County technically owns his work product. See 11/20/22 Argus article.
11/30/22 Argus	Are You Going to Make Trip? H.L. Willis Urges Skagit County to Learn of Flood Control. We in Skagit county are facing a similar but larger problem.  For the past ten days the county has had an engineer from the U.S. Geological Survey at work on the upper Skagit near Concrete assembling data on the volume of last December’s flood.  The object is to determine how much water came down upon us last December.  For it is evident that we could make no adequate plans for taking care of any flood unless we knew about how much water was to be taken care of.  When this new data of our recent flood is secured, all the other data on the flow and flood of the Skagit River will be assembled from their various sources.  The general plan then seems to be to place all this data in the hands of a competent engineer and ask him to submit a comprehensive plan for the control of our river.  If it seems necessary, this plan could be submitted to consulting engineers for their approval or rejection.  When we get this far it will be up to the people of the county or the flooded area to determine what next shall be done.  Then we shall have an authoritative, comprehensive plan under which not only we local people can work but which we can present with effect to the state or the U.S. government when we go to them for help.  But let us never forget that we will get no help worth while from any source until we show that we are worthy of some help by beginning to help ourselves. Every man or woman in Skagit county who is interested in the control of our Skagit river floods is not only invited but urged to go with this Skagit county delegation to Tacoma next Friday, December 1.  …  Let everyone remember that the only credentials he or she needs to become a delegate to this convention is an interest in the control of the Skagit river.  Come, and get ready to give the old Skagit a wallop before he wallops us once too many. H.R. Willis, Chairman River Committee	Stewart’s field notes did not start until November 24, 1922.  Skagit County paid Stewart directly, not USGS.  According to Commissioners Journal, December 4, 1922 Skagit paid Stewart $91.67 for his salary, and $291.85 for expenses from the River Improvement Fund. Skagit paid Stewart again on February 5, 1923, $250 for his salary and $60.03 for expenses.  Referred to him as the “River Engineer”. On March 5, 1923 Skagit paid Stewart $1.46 for expenses. Since Skagit County paid Stewart directly and had no formal contract with USGS, and all his work to be done under the supervision of the County Engineer, this technically makes him an employee of Skagit County not USGS.  Skagit should own his work product.
12/7/22 Argus	Learn More of Flood Control Skagit County Delegation Visits Puyallup River Project in Tacoma On Saturday the party viewed the actual work on the Puyallup river under the direction of Mr. Roberts and Mr. Phillips, the engineers.  It was shown that the cost of this project has already reached a million dollars.	23 men went on the trip.  Most from Mt. Vernon, 5 from Burlington, 1 from LaConner and one from Allen.
12/7/22 Argus	Litigation Over Drainage Ends The litigation over the formation of Drainage district No. 19 which has extended over a period of six years has been ended.  …  District No. 19 takes in more than 6500 acres.	6 years to form a Drainage District.
12/14/22 Argus	Hadley Asks For River Data Committee in Congress Will Hear About Skagit Floods From Statistics Saturday, W.R. Fowler, president of the commercial club, J.W. Collins, secretary, Freed Ornes and H.L. Willis sent what available data there was ready concerning the amount of damage that that had been done in past years by the high water.  These men are now compiling statistics concerning the commercial use of the river from years ago.  These are being brought up to date and will be forwarded to Mr. Hadley.
12/21/22 Argus	Send Flood Data to Cong. Hadley Figures Show Enormous Loss in Damage and Cost of Protection Against the River J.W. Collins on Saturday mailed to Congressman Lin H. Hadley available data on flood damage from the Skagit river.  This data although not as complete as was desired, gives some convincing figures of the amount of water that has come down the Skagit in flood periods.  Mr. Collins secured information from J.E. Stewart, an engineer who has been working for the past week or so collecting figures on past floods and their damage.  He is working under the direction of the board of county commissioners.  . . .  Other information was secured from H.A. Herzog, chief engineer of the Great Northern; J.M. Clapp, of general engineering practice; H.L. Willis, chairman of the citizens’ committees; Capt. F.A. Siegel, of the U.S. snagboat, Swinomish; Frank Gilkey, county engineer; Judge Augustus Brawley, Auditor Walter Barrow and Assessor W.H. Whitney. The report to Mr. Hadley first gives figures of flood periods as shown by the government station near Sedro-Woolley from 1908 and 1918, exclusive of 1909 and 1917.  The station was discontinued in 1918.  This shows four freshets came in November, two in June, one in January, one in April. Mr. Stewart has obtained proof that this valley was visited by a flood in 1861 and there are figures for the fall freshet of 1894, 1896, 1897, 1906 and on up to 1921.  The flood of 1909 was the largest flood of recent time. … As to the probable recurrence, the report states, “Engineers who are familiar with river control problems state that a history of any stream for a period of eighty to a hundred years will give reasonable data as to the probable events of the succeeding hundred year period. The report shows that the twenty-one diking districts which take in approximately forty thousand acres of land.  “There has been,” it states, an expenditure up to and including the year 1921, of $1,087,779 by the organized districts for flood control.  There has also been expended by individuals and co-operative individuals not regularly incorporated an additional $900,000 bring the total expenditures for the flood protection by the residents of the Skagit Delta to the staggering total of $1,987,799. The report tells of filling up of the Skagit at the mouth, which it says will force the abandonment of the diking system for protection.  It states the South fork channel has filled 16 feet in twenty-nine years.	Would be interesting to secure this “report”.  Appears that Stewart gave him some figures.  The fact that “He is working under the direction of the board of county commissioners” further substantiates that Skagit owns his work product. This confirms that Skagit County had the Herzog report recommending the Avon By-Pass.  Somewhere in the archives there must be a copy of what Willis submitted.  We have to obtain this.  It will show what Stewart submitted. Stewart wrote the following in his field notes about the 1861 flood:  “all these lead to the assumption that the great flood was that of December 4, 1861.  The old Indian who told Hart and others at Sedro Woolley in 1879 that the flood was when he was a boy either referred to another flood or they did not understand him.” (Source:  Transcription of Stewart “flood notes” on 9/16/22 by USGS 6/30/23 re Reflector Bar near Marblemount)  This was the only time the “1861” flood was ever mentioned. This means Dike Districts spent 2 million in 26 years.  Local cost of Avon By-Pass in 1936 was only 1 million. 16 feet in 29 years??  South Fork used to be pretty deep.  Wonder where all that sand goes now.
12/23/22 C.H.	congress takes up flood control of the skagit river Congressman Lin H. Hadley has written the Mt. Vernon Commercial club that the proper committee of congress would take up the consideration of flood control of the Skagit River within the next few days. The committee now has under consideration problems of similar kind affecting the Mississippi river and its tributaries, and as soon as study of these streams is concluded, the Skagit will be next in order. Comprehensive data regarding the river and flood conditions in the valley have already been filed with Congressman Hadley and will be presented by him at the hearings before the committee.	Flood Control Skagit playing second fiddle to Mississippi. One has to wonder what “comprehensive data” was presented since Mr. Stewart had just began his survey 4 weeks before this article was printed.
1/5/23 MVDH	Committee Has Skagit River Flood Data             Following is a letter received by J. W. Collins, secretary of the Mount Vernon Commercial Club in reply to the Skagit flood data sent to Congressman Lindley H. Hadley recently:            I have received your letter of the 17^th instant enclosing separate communication furnishing requested data in the matter of the Skagit River flood control.  . . .  I appeared personally before the Flood Control Committee on December 14^th in support of my bill, H. R. 12609.  . . .  When I appeared before the committee, one member of long experience in Congress suggested that I get in touch with General Taylor of the War Department on the question of the probable cost of the survey, as sought by the bill…	Congressman Seeks Study of Skagit River
1/11/23 Argus	Flood Control Data Presented Congressman Hadley Gives Skagit River Figures to Committee I took the data you enclosed to the office of the Flood Control committee this morning and presented it to the chairman.	Perhaps the Federal Archives will have the Willis report Congressman Hadley received.
1/11/23 Argus	River Hearing In Seattle Jan. 22 War Department Asks for Information on Puget Sound Waterways “Information is especially desired as to the improvements proposed by local interests; the amount of present and prospective commerce; and the draft and tonnage of vessels using these rivers.”	Corps wanted more information from locals.
1/11/23 Argus	Steelheads Are Plentiful Word has been received at the game warden’s office that 20,000,000 sockeye eggs have been placed in the streams of Puget Sound.  This has been done in recent weeks in an attempt to re-stock local waters with this fish.  The regular game fishing season in Skagit waters opens April 15, and closes November 30.	Article didn’t say how many were planted in the Skagit.  Interesting that Skagit fishing season was only April through November.
1/18/23 CT	river problems to be discussed soon at seattle meeting  -- federal engineer to hold hearing jan. 22 -- skagit county river committee meets; will make recommendations to legislators at once The problem of taming the Skagit river is too big a proposition for Skagit county or for the State of Washington, the county river committee decided last week.  Consequently the committee passed a resolution urging the Skagit members of the state legislature to memorialize congress for help in controlling the Skagit river.  . . .  The Skagit river committee urged the employment of an engineer of national reputation on river data and to suggest a feasible plan to control the river.  The federal field engineer is busily at work collecting data but has not made his official report.	River Problems Too Big For Locals Engineer the article is talking about is James E. Stewart.
1/23/23 C.H.	flood problems of skagit river will come up at seattle The committee which has had charge of the investigation of plans for controlling floods in the Skagit River has found that the problem is too large for Skagit county, or even the state, to tackle alone. Consequently the committee passed a resolution at a meeting held this week urging the legislature to memorialize congress for federal aid in solving the Skagit River flood proposition. … The Skagit River committee urged the employment of an engineer of national reputation on river data to suggest a feasible plan to control the river and eliminate the annual danger of heavy damages in the valley from floods. The federal field engineer has been busily at work securing data but has not made any official report yet.	Flood Control Flood problem too big for Skagit County. County wanted to hire engineer of “national reputation” to control and eliminate the annual danger of flood damages.
1/25/23 Argus	Show Tonnage at River Meet Skagit Citizens Ready with Figures for U.S. War Department The problems of the Skagit river were given a hearing Monday afternoon in the Seattle Chamber of Commerce before Col. Edward H. Schultz, representing the War Department of the United States.  …  H.L. Willis presented the report which had been prepared to show the tonnage figures on the Skagit river and also gave other valuable information.  He stated that the farm products originating in this county could be estimated annually at 50,000 tons of oats, 30,000 tons of hay, 12,000 tons of potatoes, 18,000 tons of straw, and 10,000 tons of general farm products. He declared that if the Skagit river was cleared of all obstructions an increased amount of tonnage could be handled each year.  …  J.W. Collins, secretary of the Mt. Vernon Commercial Club, pointed out various phases in the written report given Colonel Schultz and spoke on the matter of dredging the lower end of the river. Capt. H.H. McDonald, pioneer of Skagit river navigation, gave some interesting figures relative to the filling up of the channel from the mouth of the river.  He stated that he had built several boats during the past years and each one had been constructed with a more shallow draft than the one previous in order that it might get up the river from the Sound.  He stated that he had now reached the limit on this form of construction.  … Those who attended the hearing from this county included H.L. Willis, J.W. Collins, J.O. Rudene, W.E. Moss, B.D. Moody, J.B. Hayton, George B. Reay, W.H. Franklin, Swan Swanson, Charles Nelson, Charles Elde.  C.C. Callahan, of Burlington, also attended the hearing.	Interesting farm history. Appears that dredging was primary recommendation.
2/24/23 C.H.	fish hatchery man has exciting trip to lake Seth Meadows, who is employed at the Baker lake fish hatchery, made the trip to the lake last Friday, just following the snow storm, and had an exciting time before he reached his destination. He left Concrete in the forenoon on a saddle horse and leading two pack horses. He made the trip easily until some distance beyond the ranger station on the Baker River, when he found the trail filled by snow slides and traveling difficult. When he reached the 15-mile board he was compelled to unpack and leave his pack horses and continue with his saddle horse, alternately riding and walking. When he had gone a short distance farther he ran into a heavy slide and in digging a trail through the horse broke away and in some way went over the bank into the canyon. As it was quite dark at that time, he could not see what became of the horse, but naturally concluded that it had been killed, so went on foot until he reached a forestry service cabin, where he camped for the night, walking on in to the lake Saturday morning. Meanwhile his non-arrival caused uneasiness among the crew at the lake, and after several telephone messages along the line, searching parties were formed and covered a part of the trail. After a good rest Meadows was none the worse for his trip; the horse presumed killed managed to get back on the trail and was found Saturday, unhurt, so no damage was done. However, Meadows is not anxious to make the trip again after a heavy fall of snow.	Baker Lake Fish Hatchery Travel by horseback to fish hatchery was very dangerous.
3/10/23 C.H.	frank gilkey resigns as skagit county engineer Frank Gilkey, engineer of Skagit County, handed in his resignation to the county commissioners Wednesday. The resignation was accepted and the board immediately appointed Robert E. Knapp, chief deputy under Mr. Gilkey, as engineer to serve out the unexpired term. Mr. Gilkey has just completed one term as engineer and was elected last November for another four year term. He will enter the towing business with his brothers and will have charge of the Vancouver, B. C., office of the firm. Mr. Knapp is an Anacortes man and has been chief deputy for the past two years. He is a competent engineer and is qualified to handle the work of the office to the satisfaction of all concerned. He does not expect to make any changes in the office staff at this time.	County Engineer Resigns See Robert E.L. Knapp, Skagit County Engineer, Testimony for 11/26/1924 Hearing.
3/29/23 Argus	Flood Control Bill is Drawn Skagit River Included in Congressional Committee’s Report The bill contains an appropriation of $4,000.  … A BILL Authorizing preliminary examinations and surveys of sundry streams with a view to the control of their floods.	Congressman’s efforts led to 1925 Corps of Engineers Report.   SKAGIT RIVER, WASH., PE by Col. W.J. Barden, Corps of Engineers  {published as House Document #125, 69^th Congress, 1^st Session}  which resulted in a recommendation of “national benefits are insufficient to justify the U.S. in undertaking such work (flood improvements) either alone or in conjunction with local interests, but are sufficient to justify cooperation by U.S. to the extent of securing the necessary data” (i.e. study it).  First study dealing just with floods.
6/16/23 C.H.	preliminary work on baker lake road started this week There will be a passable road from Concrete to Baker Lake before the end of this year, according to plans of the government forestry service. … It is understood that the terminus of the road to be built this year is near the hot springs, across the lake from the fish hatchery. … The present plan is to build a passable road nine feet wide, with turnouts at convenient points, the road to be widened and otherwise improved later when more funds are available and more data at hand as to amount of the traffic the road will have to stand. … It will be necessary for Skagit county to build about two miles of road from the end of the present road at Bear creek to the boundary of the forest reserve, and plans are now being made to open up this piece of road, so as to have it ready for use by the time the highway in forest reserve is under construction.	Baker Lake Road Fish Hatchery located across the lake from the hot springs.
9/27/23 MVDH	Survey Work On River To Be Continued             The Skagit River Improvement committee, H.L. Willis, chairman, called upon the board of county commissioner’s yesterday afternoon and urged a one-mill levy to cover the costs of a survey of the Skagit river.  The purpose of this levy would be to procure data to submit in an effort to secure federal aid.  . . .  James E. Stewart, expert engineer from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, has just completed a survey of the volume of water which went down the river in the flood of 1921.  The river committee is now planning to have an expert engineer make a survey and present his findings to the government, in the hope of securing federal aid.  This expense will be carried by drawing on the $20,000 fund.  It is likely that it may require all of this amount to meet the expense of the survey.	Flood Committee Wants Study of Skagit River This is further indication that James E. Stewarts work product was unsatisfactory.  See testimony of public hearing 11/26/24. See also Argus and Courier Times articles on this subject.
9/27/23 Argus	Discuss River Problems Here Two Committees Meet With The Board Of County Commissioners The delegations asked that the board again include in the budget a 1-mil levy for river protection purposes, but were told that it was too late to include this in the budget for 1924. … E. Van Buren, chairman of the board, said that the board had discussed the Skagit River question when the budget was being prepared but as there was still about $20,000 in the fund created, the board decided there was no further action to be taken, as they had received no report of the survey work made by an engineer named Stewart.  The commissioners hired Stewart when the fund was created by the 1-mil levy.	HAD NOT RECEIVED REPORT FROM STEWART.
9/27/23 CT	county board leaves levy for river work out of new budget  --  river committee and mt. vernon citizens protest omission of mill levy in budget for 1924; budget to be adopted at hearing monday of next week; current expense fund levy is less than last year The county commissioners in adopting a preliminary budget for county expenses omitted the mill levy raised last year about $22,000 to be used for river survey work and preliminary work toward solving the problem of flood protection on the Skagit river.  The county river committee, of which H.L. Willis acted as spokesman, together with a delegation from the Mt. Vernon Commercial club, waited on the commissioners on Wednesday and made an effort to get a mill levy included in the budget, before it comes up for final hearing and passage on Monday of next week, October 1.  . . .  Mr. Van Buren stated that the commissioners felt that with $20,000 from the amount levied last year, still available, that there was no need for an additional mill levy this year, to add more money to the fund.  He said that about $2,000 was spent last year for the federal government engineer who made a flood survey of the river some time ago, after the big flood.  Mr. Stewart, the engineer has not yet submitted his detailed report to the commissioners.  The reason for this, it was explained, was that he resigned from government service soon after finishing his work on the Skagit river, and had been employed by a private firm in the east.  He has been making out his report as rapidly as he could under the circumstances.  Mr. Willis asked the commissioners to employ a competent engineer to prepare detailed plans for the best way of handling a flood control scheme.  The county, when it has a definite plan to submit, will then be in a position to ask for federal aid, he said.  . . .  The commissioners took no action in the river matter, except to say that they could not include an additional one mill levy at this time.	Commissioners Leave Flood Control Out of Budget No report from Stewart was given as justification. Based on documents obtained from NARA it is believed that Skagit County received Stewarts report in October, 1923.  It is known that the CT had his report in December 1923. See 12/20/23 CT article.
9/29/23 C.H.	flood survey work in skagit valley will be continued The Skagit River Improvement committee, of which H. L. Willis is chairman, met with the county commissioners Wednesday and urged that the one mill levy for flood control survey on the Skagit River be continued. … James E. Stewart, an expert government engineer, has just completed a survey of the volume of water that went down the river in the big flood of 1921, and the committee is now planning on securing an expert river engineer to make a survey to determine how this water could best be controlled and present his findings to the government in hopes of securing federal aid. … The movement for planning some way to control the flood waters of the Skagit river was started immediately after the flood of 1921, and judging by the progress made on the work since that time, it is likely that there will be several more big floods during the years that will pass before any work is started on the main project..	Flood Control Survey Stewart had completed his work however the County as of the printing of this article still did not have it. See 9/27/23 Argus.
11/20/23 MVDH	Engineering Department Announces River Hearing In Mount Vernon, Nov. 30             The War Department of the United States engineering office, through W. J. Barden, colonel of the engineering corps, located at Seattle, has issued a notice of public hearing to be held in Mount Vernon, at the Commercial Club rooms, on Friday, November 30, at seven o’clock in the forenoon, at which time the Skagit river project will come up for discussion in all its phases.  . . .  The information especially desired by the engineering department, as combined in the special notice, calls for the following particular data and facts: Character of improvements desired Names of vessels now using the waterway with draft and tonnage of each Amount and character of present commerce.  . . .	Corps of Engineers Public Hearing
11/22/23 Argus	River Hearing Friday, Nov. 30 War Department Seeks Information on Improvement of Skagit A public hearing will be held in the Mount Vernon Commercial Club rooms at 11 o’clock Friday forenoon, November 30, for the purpose of obtaining the views of interested parties in regard to the preliminary examination of the Skagit river.  This announcement was made through the Argus today by the War Department of the United States.	Corps wanted all comments to be submitted in writing.
11/20/23 MVDH	Engineering Department Announces River Hearing In Mount Vernon, Nov. 30             The War Department of the United States engineering office, through W. J. Barden, colonel of the engineering corps, located at Seattle, has issued a notice of public hearing to be held in Mount Vernon, at the Commercial Club rooms, on Friday, November 30, at seven o’clock in the forenoon, at which time the Skagit river project will come up for discussion in all its phases.  . . .  The information especially desired by the engineering department, as combined in the special notice, calls for the following particular data and facts: Character of improvements desired Names of vessels now using the waterway with draft and tonnage of each Amount and character of present commerce.  . . .	Corps of Engineers Public Hearing
11/30/23 MVDH	Skagit River Hearing Today             Over one hundred citizens and farmers gathered at the Commercial Club rooms today in attendance at the river hearing under the direction of the United States war department.  . . .  No time was lost in getting the hearing underway.  H. L. Willis represented the local river committees.  He spoke at length regarding the need of immediate and permanent river improvement.  . . .  At the conclusion of the hearing, Col. Barden reviewed the situation, touching upon past floods, going back as far as 1815.  He stated that the government does not consider the matter of river floods, but considers matters of this kind, from a strictly navigation standpoint.	Corps Concerned With River Navigation Only Proof that the Corps had Stewarts report by November 1923.  See 11/26/24 minutes as to what Colonel Barden thought about Stewart Report a year after this meeting.
12/4/23 MVDH	Need of River Improvement For Deep River Navigation Becomes Growing Necessity             As to the character of the improvement desired, we may say in general that we want free and impeded access to the sea, in order that our rapidly increasing commerce may fully enjoy the advantages which our location very near salt water should give us.  . . .  We are a community of farmers and have not the skill or knowledge of hydraulic engineers.  What we suggest therefore, in the absence of expert determination, is a result of our experience with the Skagit River for the past twenty-five years.  The stoppage to navigation is caused by the formation of bars and the lodging of snags either at the mouth of the stream or along its source higher up.  These same causes raise the bed of the stream and dam up the water during flood, increasing the high water menace.  It seems to us therefore, that a free and open channel to the sea as well as the lessening of flood danger would both be accomplished by the prosecution of three general lines of work.  First, beginning at deep salt water, two rock jetties should be built to the mouth of the river.  . . .  The second line of work must consist of removing the accumulations which now obstruct navigation.  . . .  The third line of work should be directed toward lessening the burden of silt and drift carried by the river.  . . .  To date all improvements have been with the idea of flood control alone.  Thus there has been expended up to the year 1922, but not including that year, the sum of $1,987,799.10 for dikes and drainage ditches.  These dikes have not attained the object for which they were built as during each flood of any magnitude they fall to confine the stream and are broken in numerous places.  Since the 1921 flood there has been some attempt made to take up this river problem along comprehensive lines covering both phases.  There is at present a considerable sentiment among the residents and tax-payers of Skagit County in favor of forming an improvement district covering all the territory threatened by the river and adopting some plan for dredging and widening the channel…  . . .  A very conservative estimate of farm production over a period of years indicates that approximately 50,000 tons of oats, 30,000 tons of hay, 12,000 tons of potatoes, 18,000 tons of straw, and 10,000 tons of general farm products originate in this valley annually.  . . .  Timber Shipments  The annual timber shipments approach the imposing figure at 300,000,000 feet.  . . .  Navigation Now Difficult  It is a matter of common knowledge that the Skagit is one of the great commercial waterways of the Northwest.  . . .  But it is also a fact and a matter common knowledge that the entrance to this waterway is rapidly becoming blocked by bars and obstructions so that at the present rate of filling a very few more years will see the South Fork of the river entirely closed to navigation.  Capt.  F. A. Siegel of the U.S. Snagboat “Swinomish” has filed a statement with the Board of Commissioners of Skagit County in which he alleges that twenty-nine years ago when he started to navigate the river it was difficult to find bottom with a pike pole at any point in the South Fork between Mount Vernon and Puget Sound.  The bottom of the river has now filled to such an extent that at low tide only small boats or skiffs can travel the channel.  There has apparently been a filling in for almost the entire length of the South Fork of some 16 to 18 feet.  This condition can only be remedied by dredging.	Testimony At Corps Public Hearing Navigation hindered by formation of bars and lodging of snags.  Free and open channel to the sea desired. Recommended two rock jetties be built at mouth of river. Dike and drainage districts spent $1,987,799.10 up to and including 1921. Dikes did not obtain purpose for which they were built. Wanted to dredge and widen channel. 29 years ago (1894) couldn’t find bottom of Skagit with a “pike pole” in the South Fork.  Bottom of river now filled 16 to 18 feet. Levees did not start being built along the forks of the Skagit River until 1883.  (See J.O. Rundene Testimony, 11/26/24.)  Clearly the argument could be made that the sediment being deposited in the channel was a result of the levees being placed on the edge of the river as the sediment used to flow out onto the floodplain.
12/4/23 MVDH	Editorial:  Need of River Improvement For Deep River Navigation Becomes Growing Necessity             At the hearing held by the United States engineering staff at the Commercial Club rooms last Friday, much data was submitted showing why the Skagit river should be improved.  . . .  Past experiences have shown exclusively that it takes a long time to get that little ball of red tape unwound, and then when it is unwound, so much of the financial aid which is supposed to mean so much is generally spent in minor red tape details, that the actual amount is reduced to such an extent that it is of little or no particular use; at any rate it becomes so reduced that the amount left is of little or no consequence.  . . .  The Daily Herald herewith reproduces extracts from the volume of data submitted at the hearing last Friday.  It is important information and shows conclusively that the improvement of the Skagit River is an absolute necessity.	Improvement Of Skagit River Is Absolute Necessity
12/6/23 Argus	Get Figures At River Hearing Skagit County Men Show Need of Improving the Skagit River Col. W.J. Barden, of the United States Engineer’s office in Seattle, was chairman of the hearing.  A report prepared by the Skagit County River committee, and signed by H.L. Willis, of the committee,… George B. Reah, county commissioner, emphasized the need for protecting the farmer from high water stating that the last high water had cost the county $100,000.  C.C. Nelson also stated that this high water had cost Diking District No. 3, $24,000.  Other talks on the need of flood protection were made by J.O. Rudene and W.J. Knutzen.  … Mr. Willis declared there were 120,000 tons or 8,000 car loads of farm products shipped by boat from this valley each year and that the dairy products alone were valued at more than two million dollars while the products of the seed growers would reach $200,000.  J.M. Humphrey stated the dairymen’s plants shipped 8600 tons by boat in the first 11 months this year and that the dairy products shipped during 1923 would easily reach two and a half million dollars. Captain McDonald said he planned to put on a larger boat and give daily service between Skagit points and Seattle.  James O’Hearne, who said no represented the Tom Moore Booming company, gave 96 million feet of logs as the tonnage of his company last year.  He urged the clearing of the South Fork of the river at the shingle mills to the south needed an outlet badly.  … In closing Col. Barden stated that the proposed dredging at the mouth of the river would be expensive and that this work would have to be kept up from year to year.  He stated the high water in the past had been caused by the contraction of the river at the bridges and that the present system of dikes had also caused more contraction of the stream.  The colonel also stated that the federal government at present was making no provision for flood control except on the Mississippi and the Sacramento rivers, and that the engineer’s office was confined entirely to navigation problems and that the hearing here would be considered only from that standpoint.  …  The opinion seemed to prevail that if protection against high water in the Skagit river was to be secured it must come from the county and state and not from the federal government. The committee urged the building of jetties at the mouth of the river and the dredging of the river.	Willis report was located and is published in its entirety.  (See 11/26/24) Farming history. Logging history. Dredging mouth of river. Bridge corridor needed widening. Levee needed to be setback. Navigational problems only concern of Corps. This is what final study in 1925 stated.  Think their minds were made up before study was done? Jetties and dredging.
12/13/23 C.H.	seattle plant at newhalem not to be ready this year Although the contract for the construction of the huge power project for the city of Seattle on the upper Skagit river provides that the plant shall be ready for operation by January 1, 1924, present indications are that the project will not be completed before next summer, and it may be even later before electric current can be transmitted to Seattle. It is reported that delays have occurred in all parts of the work, and there is considerable controversy between the contractors and the engineers for the city as to who is responsible for the delay. … The tunnel for the Gorge creek plant was to have been completed, according to the contract, about two months ago, but it will be at least a month yet before this job is finished, and other parts of the work are at about the stage. Practically all the machinery for the huge power plant is now on the ground and is being installed as rapidly as buildings and foundations are ready. It was planned to transmit current from the new plant to Seattle by New Year’s Day, but all hopes of this have been abandoned and about the best that is expected now is to have the plant in operation by June 1.	Gorge Dam
12/13/23 C.H.	much timber cut in national forest during past year According to a report filed by Robt. L. Campbell, forest supervisor, the total sales of timber from the Washington national forest, located in Skagit and Whatcom counties, during the past year were 68,118,000 board feet, valued at $117,589. The reports show that there is over 10 billion feet of timber left in the forest, consisting principally of fir, cedar and hemlock. … The Newby & Mitchell bolt camp, located on the extreme upper Skagit River, has been closed down after cutting 900 cords the past season. A D. Long has cut about 350 cords of cedar bolts, the timber of which was killed in the forest fire of 1922. … The prices on these different sales depend on the quality and location of the timber, ranging from 50 cents a cord for jam and drift cedar to $4 a thousand for cedar logs. It is also stated that 25 per cent of the proceeds of all timber sold from the reserve goes to the county road and school funds of the counties in which timber is located. During the past five years Whatcom County has received $20,000 and Skagit county $12,000 from these sales..	Logging History 61 million board feet valued at $117,589. 10 billion board feet still left in forest. Forest fire in 1922. Skagit County had received $12,000 in last 5 years for road and school funds.
12/20/23 CT	report of engineer gives a history of skagit river flood James E. Stewart, government hydraulic engineer employed about two years ago by Skagit county to investigate flood conditions along the Skagit valley, has just submitted a report on his findings of the “stage and volume of past floods in Skagit valley and advisable protective measures prior to the construction of permanent flood controlling works.”  The report is as comprehensive as possible going back to the floods told of by the Indians in 1815.  It is too long to publish in detail, but this article will give some of the main ideas embodied in Mr. Stewarts findings.  “Since the arrival of the first white people about 1869,” says Mr. Stewart, “there have been six Skagit river floods whose discharge has exceeded 175,000 second feet at Sedro-Woolley.  All of these floods have occurred since Nov. 15, 1896.  The number of floods that exceeded 175,000 second-feet at Sedro-Woolley prior to 1869 is unknown, but the occurrence of two great floods has been discovered.  The exact dates of these early floods are not known, but their stages and volumes have been accurately determined.  . . .  Then follows data on the floods, taken at various places along the river.  The data shows that the floods of 1921 was the second largest since 1856, in Sedro-Woolley, the 1909 flood reaching 26.5 feet on the gage and 1921 flood, 24.3 feet.  . . .  In the light of knowledge of past floods it seems likely, says Mr. Stewart that floods like those of 1917 and 1921 may occur within the next five or six years.  . . .  The writer will make several suggestions as to inexpensive measures that should be carried out in the near future.  They may be briefly outlined ass follows; install a flood warning system, delay diking off the Nookachamps district; protect certain danger zones removing drift from river channel below Hamilton and possibly near Lyman, and build protective dikes at Burlington and possibly Mt. Vernon; obtain additional hydrographic data; form a conservancy district.”  Mr. Stewart gives data showing that rainfall for the two largest floods since data has been kept is much the same.  At the Skagit power camp in 1909 for Nov. 28 and 29, the rainfall for the two days was 7.85 inches.  At the Davis ranch on Dec. 11 and 12, 1921, the rainfall was 7.62 inches, while the maximum temperature in both cases was about 52 degrees.  . . .  Mr. Stewart recommends a delay in diking the Nookachamps district, as at present it acts as a storage reservoir during floods and has prevented much damage.  . . .  Burlington, he says is in danger from any size flood, and should be encircled by a dike, as a correctly built dike around Burlington would protect it against all floods.  . . .  Mr. Stewarts report contains a mass of data collected at various places along the river, and urges that many more of these stations be established.  He says the matter needs further study before any large flood prevention project is undertaken, but that there is always a danger of a repetition of floods.	James E. Stewart Mr. Stewart was hired in Nov. 1922.  See 11/23/22 CT article. “6 floods exceeded 175,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley since 1896.” Clearly Mr. Stewart was using a different datum then is being used today.  USGS has subsequently added 21.06 ft to Stewarts computations at S-W and 12.7 ft to Concrete.  The reported magnitude of these floods has not reoccurred for the past 80 years. During the November 21 through 25, 1990 flood event 6 inches of rain fell at Marblemount, 15.5 inches of rain fell at Reflector Bar, 11 inches of rain fell at Glacier on the Baker River side and 11.3 inches of rain fell at Darrington on the Sauk River.  The regulated peaks of 146,000 cfs and 152,000 cfs at Concrete and Mount Vernon respectively would have been 182,000 cfs and 180,000 cfs if left unregulated.   One has to ask that if Stewart and USGS computations of the 1921 flood are to be believed, how did we end up with only 180,000 cfs unregulated flow with 15.5 inches of rain at Reflector Bar, and Stewart and USGS end up with 240,000 cfs and 225,000 cfs respectfully with only 10.21 inches of rain falling at Reflector Bar (Davis Ranch 7.6)?  (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)
12/27/23 C.H.	engineer’s report gives history of floods on skagit James E. Stewart, government hydraulic engineer, who was employed nearly two years ago by Skagit county to make a survey of flood conditions along the Skagit River, has just submitted a report on his findings on the stage and volume of past floods in the Skagit Valley and advisable protective measures to be undertaken prior to the construction of permanent flood controlling works. The report is comprehensive and goes back to floods told of by Indians dating back as far as 1815. The report as a whole is interesting to the people of the valley but is too long to publish in full. “Since the arrival of the first white people in the valley, about 1869,” says Mr. Stewart, “there have been six Skagit river floods whose discharge has exceeded 175,000 second feet at Sedro-Woolley. All of these floods have occurred since November 15, 1896. The number of floods that exceeded 175,000 second feet prior to 1869 is unknown, but the occurrence of two great floods has been discovered, but their stages and volume have been accurately determined. The maximum floods which have occurred in the past have had about twice the discharge of the flood of 1921.” Then follows data on the floods taken at various places along the river. This data shows that the flood of 1921 was the second largest since 1869, being exceeded by that of 1909. Data shows that heavy floods have occurred in 1896, 1897, 1906, 1909, 1917 and 1921. The problem of climatic conditions is being studied in hopes that the study will throw some light on the frequency of certain sized floods in the past and future. Judging from past floods, Mr. Stewart says that floods like those of 1917 and 1921 may be expected within the next five or six years. … He suggested as inexpensive measures that would prove beneficial the diking of the Nookachamps district, the removal of drift from the river channel below Hamilton and near Lyman and protective dikes at Burlington and possibly at Mt. Vernon.	James E. Stewart Report See 12/20/23 CT. This article is fraught with misleading statements: Stewart was hired in November 1922, (See 11/11/1922 C.H.) worked in Skagit County until March 1923 when he left for work at a power company in Pennsylvania. Stewart had 1897 as being larger then 1909. He suggested “delaying” the diking off of the Nookachamps which was done by the County engineer in 1924. (See 11/26/24 Knapp Testimony)
1/17/24 C.H.	permit to divert baker river asked by power company Further indications of the intention of the Stone & Webster interests to immediately start the development of the power resources of the Baker river valley were the application last week by the company for a permit from the state to divert the waters of the river, and the further fact that about 15 engineers and surveyors arrived in town last Thursday and left the next day for the upper Baker to start preliminary work on the huge project. … The application states that 65,000 horsepower of electricity is expected to be developed in the project. Work on the development, which will be known as the Baker River Power Development, Eden site, will be started about September 30, 1926, if the permit is granted, according to the application. It is generally understood that the Eden site is at the head of the Baker river canyon, about a half mile north of town, and the application indicates that what is known as to be lower dam is to be built first. If the dam is built on this site, the power plant will likely be located in this city, with a steel or concrete pipe line from the dam to the power plant.	Lower Baker River Dam Surveyors and engineers began arriving in Concrete. Upper Baker Dam was not scheduled to begin construction until September 30, 1926.
1/17/24 C.H.	start work soon on diking project in skagit county Plans have recently been announced for the Padilla bay diking project for the reclamation of about 9,000 rich land that is now covered by water at high tide. The project is said to be the biggest of the kind ever undertaken on the Pacific coast. It is estimated that it will cost approximately $1,300,000 and will require two years’ time to complete. The plans and specifications for the project have been approved by government engineers and by the state department of conservation and reclamation. Under the plans drawn, it is proposed to build an enclosing dike eight miles long, from five to 29 feet high, and 335 feet wide at the base, forming a sloping wall of earth and brush from the south end of Hat Island, east of Anacortes, northerly to Samish Island. The plans also call for an inside dike about half the length of the outer dike, extending from the east end of Samish Island along the low-lying mainland to the Leary slough, to protect the enclosed area from the danger of flooding and streams. There will also be a drainage basin running parallel to the outer dike and just inside the wall. … Padilla bay is declared by geologists to have been the mouth of the Skagit river generations ago. When the channel changed, the old outlet was filled with alluvial mud. The land to be reclaimed is covered with sea grass and is practically dry at low tide for a distance of about three miles from the mainland.	Padilla Bay Diking Project This is pretty amazing in lieu of the 4/2/1921 C.H. article cited above. Dike would have been 29 feet high and 335 feet wide. Geologist declared that Padilla Bay used to be the mouth of the river.
1/31/24 C.H.	power officials confirm news that dam will be built The news that work is to start at once on the construction of the huge power project on the Baker River by the Puget Sound Power & Light Co., a subsidiary of the Stone-Webster Corporation, was confirmed last week by A. W. Leonard, president of the Puget Sound Company. The Seattle Times of last Sunday carried a long article in regard to the proposed dam, giving many interesting details regarding its construction, and in the course of the article Pres. Leonard is quoted as follows: “We are pleased to announce the beginning of construction on this important unit of power development. We expect to be developing 30,000 horsepower of electrical energy at the Baker river plant by the end of next year, and will install an additional turbine to bring the full capacity up to 48,000 horsepower.” … The Puget Sound Power & Light company operates a large number of power plants in the western part of this state, and the Baker river power plant will the second in point of capacity, being exceeded only by the White river plant, which is now producing 61,662 horsepower. However, the power company also has in contemplation a second dam on the Baker River, to be located at Sulphur canyon, on the upper river, and when this is constructed; it will develop nearly as much power as the main dam here. … The big dam will be located below the Superior railroad bridge across the Baker and as it will be 225 feet high, it will put the railroad out of commission.	Lower Baker River Dam Work to begin at once. Dam to be built 225 feet high. Actual construction did not start until April 1, 1924. Construction expected to be done by end of 1925.
2/14/24 CT	high water floods many parts of district; railroad stopped After several days of rain and Chinooks, the river in all parts of the district, went over their banks in many places on Tuesday.  A stretch of some 150 feet of the Great Northern near Hamilton was washed out, and the town of Hamilton was cut off from everything but telephone communication Tuesday morning.  The bridge over the slough at Hamilton was washed out, and the bridge to the Lyman ferry at Lyman went down stream Tuesday.  At the unprotected places on the river near the town of Hamilton and Lyman, big areas of land and trees were washed bodily into the river.  In the Sterling district, families started moving out of danger Tuesday afternoon.  The old road to Burlington was covered, and lowlands between Sedro-Woolley and the river were under water Tuesday afternoon.  . . .  Big areas of land in the Burlington and Sterling districts were under water Tuesday, and also in the upper valley.  All sloughs along the Skagit river are covering the adjacent land, and the river is filled with drifting trees and debris.  The river rose five feet Monday night.  Tuesday night the river rose several feet more, covering the road between the trestle and the river bridge south of this city, and large areas of land.  By Wednesday morning the flood had reached its crest and had receded from the road this side of the river.  The Clear Lake Road near the Eldred place was under some four feet of water and impassable.	UNDOCUMENTED FEBRUARY 12, 1924 FLOOD Neither the Corps of Engineers or USGS reported this flood event. Flood was serious event in Hamilton and Sterling. Levees broke in Conway and Burlington.  (See 2/14/24 Argus article)
2/4/24 MVDH	$6,000,000 in Giant Baker River Electrical Development             Water power development of the Pacific northwest will receive great impetus in the announcement of the Puget Sound Power & Light company that it will immediately begin the construction of a 45,000 horsepower hydro-electric plant on the Baker River in Skagit County, representing an investment of $6,000,000.  Foundations and approximately a depth of 50 feet of the dam are scheduled for completion this year and the entire work will be finished in 1925 – regarded by engineers as remarkable speed for the construction of such an important hydro-electric unit.  . . .  The Baker River is looked upon as one of the most interesting electric generating installations in all the northwest, so rich in water powers.  . . .  As it falls out of Baker Lake it passes through Sulphur canyon where there is a splendid potential development that will come as soon as needful following the completion of the present installation at Eden canyon, twelve miles below Sulphur canyon.  Water from the impounding dam in these canyons will create a lake approximately eight miles long and reaching almost to the upper canyon.  This lake will be 1600 acres in extent, storing 50,000 acre feet of water.  . . .  Next on the program of the Puget Sound Power & Light company after the announced development on Baker river probably will be the installation of a hydro-electric plant at Sulphur canyon almost as large as that near Concrete.  The waters of the Baker river will then be utilized in two steps, the Sulphur canyon site having not quite the same amount of water available due to the fact that two or three tributaries flow into the Baker river between the two.	Lower Baker Dam Amount would be approximately $64,000,000 in 2003 dollars according to Consumer Price Index adjusting for inflation.
2/14/24 MVDH	High Water Hits Lyman -- Ten Families Are Marooned             As an aftermath of the high water of the last few days, the upper Skagit people are experiencing much anxiety from possible danger of landslides.  This is particularly true of a small group of ten families, who are marooned on a small island across the river from Lyman, caused by the washing out of three bridges across the Skagit near Lyman, or their approaches.  . . .  The Lyman bridge extending from that city to Day Creek, was carried away Tuesday night, while the two bridges across Alder creek are rendered useless for the present, owing to their approaches having been swept away.  . . .  Several of the smaller homes within ten to twelve feet of the river have been moved.  Men are hauling spruce trees and laying them along the river to prevent caving in of the land near the school building, and steps to prevent loss are being taken by residents of Lyman.	UNDOCUMENTED FLOOD See 2/14/24 CT and Argus articles.  First documented February flood.
2/14/24 Argus	Water Reaches Rim of Skagit River The stream nearly reached the flood stage of 23 feet in 1921.  A break in the dike on Fisher’s slough south of Conway caused the water to back up toward that town and over the Pacific highway.  Traffic however, was not impeded.  Another break at Dry Slough caused the water to start over Fir Island… but not to any depth. The outer dike near Burlington broke early yesterday morning and would have gone through the secondary dike but for the quick action of the residents in that neighborhood near Dr. Cleveland’s farm.  Reports from Hamilton state that 400 feet of the Sedro-Woolley–Rockport highway and the Great Northern railway right-of-way had been carried away into the Skagit river by a landslide west of Sauk.  … This is the first time, according to old residents of Mount Vernon that the flood stage has been reached by the Skagit in the month of February.	Amazing.  This flood is not on anybody’s radar.  Not reported by USGS or Corps yet according to this article almost as serious as 1921 at least in Mt. Vernon. Dikes break in Conway and Burlington.  Burlington has “secondary dike”?  They must have been talking about the railroad grade. First February flood.
2/14/24 C.H.	light damage done by flood waters in skagit valley The residents of Concrete and other points in the upper Skagit valley were surprised Tuesday morning to find the Skagit and Baker rivers running bank full and the waters still rising, and in many instances preparations were quickly made for meeting flood conditions of 1917 and 1921. However, the rise in the Skagit ceased about noon Tuesday and the waters have gone down rapidly and the rivers in the upper valley are now almost down to normal. … The Skagit at this point was bank full and the low ground in East Concrete was overflowed, but Crofoot’s addition on the west side of the Baker escaped the flood by two feet. Here the river lacked from eight to 10 feet of being up to the flood mark of 1921, but near Mt. Vernon and at other points in the lower valley, it is reported that the river came within two feet of reaching the 1921 mark. .. At Hamilton a considerable portion of the town was overflowed but no great damage caused. Between Hamilton and Lyman several bridges on the road went out and about 200 feet of track on the Great Northern line was washed out. … In the lower valley there were no serious breaks in the dikes and the damage from the flood was light.	UNDOCUMENTED FLOOD See 2/14/24 MVDH, 2/14/24 Argus, on this flood. River at Concrete was 8 to 10 feet less than 1921 flood.
3/6/24 C.H.	all work stopped on power project until board meets All the men employed on construction of camp buildings and other preliminary work on the Baker river dam project for the Stone & Webster Co., except a small engineering crew, were laid off yesterday until after the meeting of the board of directors of the corporation, which will be held in Boston about March 15. No reason has been given out here for the orders to stop work, as it was generally understood that the preliminary work under way would be completed regardless of the action taken by the directors on the actual construction of the dam and power plant this year. … W. D. Shannon, general superintendent of construction for the company, who has had personal supervision of the work here, is now on his way to Boston to present his data on the project to the directors at their meeting this month. The people of Concrete are anxiously awaiting word of the action taken at the Boston session, and if the report is favorable, Concrete will be a lively town for the next few years.	Lower Baker Dam Construction of only the “camps” had started at this point. No work on the actual dam had begun.
3/20/24 Argus	Writes About Flood Control John Finstad of Conway Offers Material for Citizens’ Consideration In recent years there has been some agitation for the purposes of controlling the floodwaters of the Skagit river, but as time passes on after a disastrous flood, the people of the valley easily forget that they ever had a flood, until another comes along.  Then they will have meetings for some time figuring on dredging and straightening the channel, but in the end nothings come out of it. Not considering the disastrous summer freshet in 1894 we have had six or seven fast winter freshets during the past 30 years.  The highest one of these was the one of November 30, 1909, when about eight inches of rain fell in two days at upriver points.  This flood measured about 220,000 second feet at Sedro-Woolley.  Competent engineers claim that only about 150,000 second feet can pass through at the Riverside Great Northern bridge.  Consequently about 70,000 second feet had to seek an outlet somewhere else.  The February flood of this year was not considered dangerous but still it destroyed half a dozen homesteads at the Sauk delta and broke dikes at the Skagit delta to the value of at least $20,000, besides destroying several bridges at upriver points. We have back in the mountains numerous large basins and deep gulches and valleys.  Undoubtedly places can be found where a dam can be built equaling for storage purposes at least half a cube mile.  The Ruby dam of the Seattle hydroelectric project is to be 480 feet high creating a lake about 25 miles long and five miles wide in most places  Back of this dam the Skagit has a shed of about 1200 square miles or a little more than one third of the whole basin of the Skagit and its tributaries.  Actual measurements at this dam site by U.S.G.S. shows the minimum flow to be 800 second feet and the maximum 50,000 second feet during 12 years of observation up to 1923.  Supposing the upper 20 feet of this dam was reserved for flood control it would take care of the maximum flow of 50,000 for at least twelve days. Stone & Webster are going to build a dam across the Baker canyon back of Concrete in the near future.  Here another lake will be created up to six or seven miles long.  If 20 feet was reserved for flood control at this dam, Baker river would be eliminated from any flood danger from that source.	Tremendous letter to newspaper.  Should be required reading for entire valley. Hits nail right on the head. These are Stewart’s figures.  Eight inches of rain would not produce 220,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley. Flow figures are same as ones used by Corps and FEMA in 1979. February flood “not serious: but yet destroyed bridges and broke dikes.  No record of this flood in federal files. Recognized dam storage at Ross.  What USGS measurements at dam site? Recognized dam storage at Lower Baker.  Needed top 20 feet to be used for flood control.
3/27/24 C.H.	power company to continue work on baker river plant The Stone & Webster Corporation has definitely decided to proceed with the development of the Baker River project, and the latest reports are that actual work towards building the huge dam and power plant will be started next week. The men in charge of the preliminary work at the camp and at the dam site have been notified to have everything in readiness for a crew of 150 men by April 1, and the buildings are being rushed, provisions, and supplies hauled in and other work hurried to completion in order that the camp will be ready for the new men. … Dennis Winn of the United States Bureau of Fisheries has filed a protest with the state against granting a permit for the dam, claiming that it will put the Baker lake fish hatchery out of commission. The Baker lake hatchery is the only hatchery in the country handling sockeye salmon, and if the fish are stopped from coming up the Baker river, the plant will be unable to secure eggs for hatching. It is believed that this matter will be adjusted at the hearing before the state board next month.	Lower Baker Dam Baker Fish Hatchery Work to start on dam by April 1^st. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service filed protest to building of dam due to impacts on salmon runs and fish hatchery. Baker Lake hatchery only one handling sockeye salmon.
5/15/24 C.H.	power company is rushing work on new project here The preliminary work on the huge power project being constructed just north of town by the Stone & Webster company has been going ahead rapidly for the past few weeks, and it seems certain that actual construction work on the big dam and power plant will be under way in the near future. At the main camp on the hill a large number of carpenters and other workmen have been steadily employed and there are now about 40 buildings at the camp of various sizes, occupied as bunk houses, dwellings, offices of various kinds, and other buildings needed to care for a large crew. A large warehouse has been built near the site of the old Washington steam plant, and a part of the steam plant has been enclosed for use as additional storage space for supplies and equipment. … The largest job under way at this time is the construction of a railroad along the east bank of the Baker River from the old Washington plant northerly to the site of the power plant just north of the camp. The railroad follows the bank of the stream a few feet above the water level and passes under the Baker river bridge near the east end between the pier and the bank. There is considerable rock work along the right of way and it will probably require some weeks yet before the track can be laid. A number of new spur tracks have also been built near the Washington plant.	Lower Baker Dam This article makes it sound like they completely changed the shoreline of Baker River.
7/24/24 C.H.	many men engaged on construction of power project The Baker river canyon presents a wonderful scene of activity these days and each day new changes may be noted in the area adjacent to the site of the Stone & Webster power project on the river. The field of operations extends from the railroad spur in East Concrete, up the Baker river valley on both sides of the river to the high railroad bridge across the river at the head of the canyon. At all points men are busy transporting materials, building roads, erecting buildings, clearing ground, blasting out rock, and a thousand other things preliminary to actual construction work on the project. The camp on the bluff east of the town is a small city in itself, and all along the river are tents and cabins occupied by employees of the Stone & Webster concern. There are now over 900 men employed on the works, and the crews are readily being increased rapidly as conditions are ready for the new men. … The foundations of the dam will be about 200 feet in width and will be sunk 35 feet into the solid rock. The main dam will be 230 feet high, and the walls will have a gradual slope towards the top, which will have a width of about 25 feet. It will be built of reinforced concrete throughout, and will be sunk into the solid rock on each side of the canyon.	Lower Baker Dam 900 men employed. Foundation of dam 200 feet wide. Slopes upward until width 25 feet across.
7/31/24 Argus	will get data on skagit river County To Establish Hydrographic Station at the Dalles Near Concrete Work was started yesterday on the construction of a hydrographic station at the Dalles of the Skagit River near Concrete.  The plans and specifications for the station were prepared by the county engineer’s office and were approved by the board of county commissioners at the regular meeting on Friday.  . . . The station will provide means of measuring the water of the Skagit river for its volume and velocity and will be of great value in giving records in the future fight to control the floods of the river.  During past years there has been no accurate record kept of the river and engineers have no data upon which to base control measures.  For this reason the board of County commissioners approved the plans of the county engineer.	The county installed the gage at the Dalles. Robert E. L. Knapp was the county engineer. He lived at 105 Snoqualmie in Mount Vernon with his wife Irene. Retired by 1948 and died in 1977.  He is buried in Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes. The Kerns Funeral home handled matters. “has been no accurate record kept of the river and engineers have no data upon which to base control measures.”  They didn’t trust the Stewart Report.
7/31/24 C.H.	county will build station to gauge flow of river here At a meeting of the board of county commissioners held last Friday it was decided to immediately install a hydrographic station a The Dalles of the Skagit River, near Grasmere, to record the height and flow of water in the river during flood stage. As the river is now at its lowest stage, and as this work must be done while the river is low, it was decided to save the time it would take to call for bids for the installation and to have the work done under the supervision of the county engineer, and Deputy Engineer Wright will be in personal charge of the erection of the station. While the details of the station are too technical for a layman to understand, the work will consist of a concrete well from a point about two feet under low water to a point above extreme high water mark, in which will be installed instruments to automatically record the height of the water, and a cable will be strung across the river on which will be suspended instruments to gauge the flow of the stream. The work of installing the station will start at once and will be completed within 30 days. The estimated cost of the completed station is about $1,800, of which the greater part is for the instruments to be used. The cost of the station will be paid out of the special river improvement fund. In addition to providing a permanent record of the river during flood stages, the station can also be used as a warning to the residents of the lower valley, as the record of the height of the flood here will give the people on the lower river a change to prepare for the crest of the flood in that locality, as an accurate record of the height of the water here will give them the data on which to base the likely height below. In the event of extreme high water, much property can be saved, and possibly lives, by having advance knowledge of the flood stage for which preparation should be made.	Dalles River Gage Gage built and installed by County. James E. Stewart recommended this gage as his work was only estimates. See 7/31/24 Argus, 11/26/24 Knapp Testimony.
8/7/24 C.H.	steelhead trout are planted in grandy lake George Gallagher, deputy county game warden, made a trip to Grandy Lake yesterday, forenoon with 50,000 steelhead trout fry from the government fish hatchery at Birdsview and liberated the little fishes in the lake for the benefit of fishermen in years to come. The county game commission has received over 400,000 trout fry from the hatchery, which have been planted in various lakes and streams in the county.	Fish Issue 50,000 Steelhead planted in Grandy Lake.
8/14/24 C.H.	stone & webster building railroad to cupples ranch The Stone & Webster Company has found that another railroad will be required for the building of the huge dam and power plant on the Baker River and the second road is now well under way. It will run from near the site of the old Washington Portland Cement company’s crusher building to the Cupples farm on the other side of the Baker River. From the top of the hill to the Baker River is a steep incline, and then a bridge has been built across the Baker and nearly a mile up the valley on the other side. The road will be used for hauling the gravel and sand to be used in the construction of the dam and plant buildings, an enormous quantity of each being required. The sand and gravel will be secured from a bar on the farm, where there is a plentiful supply of the material and of just the right quantity required for the work. The work of building the incline railroad is progressing rapidly, and it will be ready for use by the time construction work is started on the dam. The Baker River is now at its lowest stage, and it is expected that the work of building the foundations for the dam will be started within the next few weeks. The diversion tunnel, which will carry the waters of the river while the foundations are being built, has been completed, and as soon as the gates are in place the river will be diverted into the tunnel.	Lower Baker Dam Second railroad needed to build dam. Diversion tunnel completed. River soon to be diverted.
8/28/24 C.H.	baker river is turned into diversion tunnel The Stone & Webster Company diverted the waters of the Baker River from the river bed into the diversion tunnel the latter part of last week and the site of the huge dam is now dry ground. A crib dam is being used to keep the water from overflowing during a raise in the river. A large crew of men is now busy in the river bed in getting the ground ready for the building of the foundations of the dam. This work will be rushed with all speed possible so as to have the foundations in place before the river reaches flood stage next fall. The river bed is now being excavated to bedrock for the full width of the dam, and as soon as this is finished forms will be set and the pouring of concrete started.	Lower Baker Dam Baker River turned into diversion channel. Riverbed being excavated down to bedrock.
9/25/24 C.H.	power project is badly damaged by heavy rainstorm While the heavy rainstorms of Sunday and Monday were greatly appreciated in many communities in Western Washington for putting an end to the fire menace that was threatening heavy damage in many places, the Stone & Webster company is not giving any thanks for the rain. The Baker river power project suffered a monetary loss that will run into thousands of dollars, and the work of several weeks was entirely wiped out. But even more serious is the delay caused by the unexpected rise in the river. The power company has been working against time, using every effort to get the foundations of the huge dam in place before the danger of real floods in the river, and the freshet this week has set the work back from two weeks to a month and makes it that much more difficult to complete the required task this fall. … The Stone & Webster Company had considerable heavy machinery between the two cofferdams, used in excavating for the foundations of the main dam, including a steam shovel and three large suction pumps, with the operating motors and other equipment. These were all covered by water and sand and will have to be overhauled before they can again be used. The dam foundation between the two cofferdams was made into a lake and was filled to a considerable depth with sand, and much of the trestle work and other structures on the dam site were washed out. Before the company will be back to the point of its operations it had reached Saturday the water between the cofferdams will have to be drained off, the machinery and equipment dried out and overhauled, and the sand and gravel deposited by the river excavated. It is estimated that this will require more than two weeks.	Lower Baker Dam Heavy equipment lost during unexpected freshet. Appears diversion channel didn’t handle all the flow.
10/2/24 Argus	Would Restrain Net Fishermen State Orders 167 Skagit County People Into Court on October 14 Notice of a restraining order and order to show cause, with summons and complaint are being served this week upon 167 fishermen who have been charged with operating in the protected area at the mouth of the Skagit river.  The restraining order was obtained in the superior court here Friday and states that the fishermen were violating Order No. 8 made in June 1924 by the State Board of Fisheries.  These fishermen are alleged to have used gill or drift nets.	Were not allowed to fish within a distance of 3 miles from the mouth of river.
10/2/24 C.H.	stone & webster work again delayed by flood Just after getting the dam site between the cofferdams cleared of water and sand and getting down to excavating again, the Stone & Webster was again given a touch of high water. The steady rain of this week raised the waters of the Baker River to a point where the diversion tunnel would not carry the low, and the cofferdams again overflowed, forming another lake to be pumped out. The Baker is now falling again, and unless it takes a notion to make another rise, the lake will be pumped out and excavation work started again by the end of the week. The job of excavating the dam site is now almost done, and unless delayed by more high water, the company will be ready to pour cement for the foundation within the next week or ten days.	Lower Baker Dam Another freshet sets back construction. Cement expected to be poured within one week to ten days.
10/4/24 MVDH	senator dill and black for river control . . .  Both Senator Dill and Mr. Black dwelt upon flood control here and pledged themselves to the task of securing government aid in this huge undertaking. Senator Dill reiterated his stand in regard to river control when interviewed in this city today. He said that the valley needs protection from floods and that he would do all in his power to bring about relief. In this connection, Mr. Black also promised to produce results.	Congressman Commits To Flood Control
10/9/24 C.H.	pouring of cement for big power dam starts tomorrow The Stone & Webster Company has now completed all its preliminary preparations for building the huge power dam in the Baker River canyon, and according to present plans the first cement for the foundations of the dam will be poured tomorrow. The excavating of the site to bed rock has been completed and the first forms are now being set in place. The massive bunkers for the storage of sand and gravel have been built and are already partially filled for the first run, and the battery of huge cement mixers have been set up and are ready for operation, and chutes have been placed from the mixers to the dam site to carry the concrete from the mixers to the dam. The mixers have a capacity of more than 3,000 cubic yards of concrete a day, and it is planned to operate them to as near full capacity as possible. … The progress of the work up to the present time indicates that the dam and plant will be completed and in operation by the time first fixed by the company, November 1, 1925, and if this is done it will likely set a record that will stand for some years to come. The work being done here is more extensive than the construction of the Seattle project on the upper Skagit, and that plant has been under construction for a number of years and, as now completed, will not have the capacity of the plant being built here.	Lower Baker Dam Cement ready to be poured. Completion date set for November 1925. Puget Power would build this dam in less time and would produce more power then the Seattle City Light project at Gorge Dam.
10/23/24 MVDH	fish case awaits high court ruling Continuance of the LaConner fish case until after the supreme court of the state has given a decision on a similar case, now pending in the higher court, has been announced. . . .  167 FISHERMAN CHARGED Notice of a restraining order and an order to show cause, with summons and complaint were served the first week in October on 167 fishermen, charging them with operating within the closed area at the mouth of the Skagit river. The fishermen were alleged to have used gill nets.	Fish Lawsuit 167 commercial fisherman charged with using gill nets in mouth of Skagit River.
10/23/24 C.H.	stone & webster stops all work on account of strike Last Friday the I. W. W. called a general strike on the works of the Stone & Webster company here, over 500 men being called off the work on the power dam during Friday and Saturday. It is estimated that around 150 men stayed on the job, but these were not enough to keep the work going, and as it appeared impossible to get a new crew, the work of the dam and power plant was yesterday closed down indefinitely, and all the men on the work were paid off. All the men remaining at the camp now are care takers and watchmen and the necessary clerical force. While the strike seems to have been under consideration for some time, it came as a surprise to the people of the city. The strikers, nearly all of whom are members of the I. W. W. demanded a 25 per cent increase in wages, more and better food, clean linen once a week, no overtime, safer working conditions, boycott of California products and release of all class prisoners, although it is not shown how the Stone & Webster company could comply with the last demand. The demands of the strikers were refused by the company and the strike was immediately called.	Lower Baker Dam If its not freshets it’s the Union strike that shuts down work. Strike demands included 25% pay increase, more food, clean linen once a week and no overtime. Company told them to take a hike and so they did.
10/25/24 MVDH	skagit river up 14 feet Rising rapidly, the Skagit river is fourteen and one-half feet higher today than it was at 9:30 last night. The Skagit began rising last night, due to warm winds of Thursday. Before it started to rise, the river was one-half foot below sea level; the lowest it has been this season. Boats on the river had difficulty in docking. The heavy rains of last night have had no effect thus far. It is not expected that there will be any flood danger.
10/30/24 C.H.	strike called on power project is about petered out The general strike called about a week ago by the I. W. W. against the Stone & Webster power project here seems to be petering out for lack of opposition. The closing down of all work on the dam and power plant by the Stone & Webster Company was a severe blow to the strikers, as there cannot be any great enthusiasm maintained in a strike where there is no opposition. The closing down of the work releases all the men who did not go out and the strikers had no further change to quarrel with them, and as no new men are being employed there was no further change to keep up interest by stopping strikebreakers, so while the strike is still on, there is very little enthusiasm shown and a majority of the strikers are reported to have left town. Where the streets were filled with strikers a week ago, now one is seldom seen, except for the few now on picket duty. … Owing to flood conditions in the Baker River there is very little chance that the Stone & Webster Company will resume work before spring, even if the strike is called off. For the next few months there will be intermittent high water in the river, and the work is at a stage now where it cannot be continued during high water, and each flood is likely to wash out much of the work done since the preceding one. At the present time watchmen and the necessary clerical force is employed, and it is not likely that the crew will be increased for several months.	Lower Baker Dam Strikers losing interest. Flood conditions also stopped work.
11/6/24 C.H.	the strike situation is now getting serious The strike called by the I. W. W. against the Stone & Webster work here, which has been on for some weeks, has reached a point where trouble is likely to occur at any time, and conditions are more serious than appears on the surface. The pickets maintained by the I. W. W. are gradually becoming more troublesome and people in cars and on foot are being stopped and interfered with, even though they have no connection whatever with the strike. The few men in this city who are still working at the camp have to be escorted through the picket lines by officers, and even then there have been several narrow escapes from a clash that might lead to bloodshed.	Lower Baker Dam Strikers turning violent.
11/20/24 CT	river flood report to be made A public hearing will be held in the Commercial Club at Mt. Vernon, Washington at 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, in connection with a report on preliminary examination of Skagit River with reference to its floods which was directed by the Act of Congress of May 31, 1924.  . . .  While for accuracy of record all important facts and arguments should be submitted in writing, oral evidence will be heard.	Corps of Engineers Public Hearing This was one of the most important meetings in Skagit County history.  Copies of the minutes and testimony submitted have been obtained and are published in this index.
11/26/24 MVDH	flood menace is told here Flood control of the Skagit river was urged this afternoon at a meeting which was held in the Commercial club rooms, this city. Col. W. J. Barden, Seattle , government representative, and his aides were in attendance at the meeting and heard the reports of the local committees in which the need for flood control was stressed. . . .  Data gathered by the committee for the last three years was submitted to Col. Barden and his aides, which they took under advisement. A long report, prepared by H. L. Willis, chairman of the river committee, was submitted. The full report will be found on page three of today’s issue of the Daily Herald. In his report, Mr. Willis went as far back as 1894 when the damage caused by a flood here amounted to $1,500,000. A review of the floods since that time was made in the report, details of which are presented on page three, this issue. The report showed that floods here have cost the citizens thousands upon thousands of dollars.	Corps of Engineers Public Meeting The minutes of this most important meeting were obtained from the NARA in Sandpoint Naval Air Station.  Because of the importance of what was stated at this meeting, the minutes, Mr. Willis’s testimony, as well as the testimony of the County Engineer and farmer J. O. Rundene are included in this index.
11/26/24 MVDH	Curb of Flood Waters Urged By Local Committee; Damage Estimates Are High             Data gathered by several Skagit County committees over a period of several years was today presented to Col. W. J. Barden, Seattle, who was there for the river hearing.  All the data asked for is included in a lengthy report submitted by H. L. Willis, chairman of the river improvement committee and which was turned over to Col. Barden.  The complete report follows:	See 11/26/24 H.L. Willis Testimony The MVDH published the entire Willis presentation.  We obtained the actual copy of Mr. Willis’s presentation in the archives of the NARA in Sandpoint and it is reproduced electronically below.
11/26/24 Minutes	minutes of corps of engineers public meeting “I would like to emphasize the point that Mr. Knapp brought out in his paper, that before any really scientific plan can be prepared for the protection of this valley from floods, it is necessary to have more authoritative information then we now have as to the amount of water carried by the river in time of floods.  . . .  The information that was collected by Mr. Stewart and given in his report to the committee was excellent so far as the data that he had to work upon permitted, but that data was necessarily more or less inaccurate.	Colonel Barden Statement re Accuracy of Stewart Report Stewarts “data was necessarily more or less inaccurate”.  USGS and the Corps are still using the Stewart data in computing 100 year flood flows on the Skagit.
11/26/24 Willis Testimony	Testimony of H.L. Willis “As to the frequency, duration, and height of floods in the Skagit River, we refer you for greater details to the comprehensive report submitted to the Skagit County Commissioners by Mr. J. E. Stewart in 1922.  A copy of this report was also filed with the U.S. Beological Survey.”	Skagit County Received Copy of Stewart Report Mr. Willis’s report contained a couple of typo’s.  The county received the Stewart Report in 1923 and was filed with the US Geological Survey department.
11/26/24 Knapp Testimony	testimony of county engineer robert e.l. knapp “In accordance with the wishes of this Citizens Committee above mentioned, a hydraulic engineer of wide reputation, Mr. James E. Stewart, was employed and in the fall of 1922 and the winter of 1923, he made a thorough preliminary examination of the valley and river system, and his exhaustive report is now on file in my office.  “He has recommended, first that a flood warning system be installed; second, that the diking off of the Nookachamps be delayed; third, that certain danger spots be protected; fourth, obtain additional hydrographic data; and fifth, form a conservancy district.”  “The first recommendation has not as yet been carried out.  Chiefly because of the limited funds at hand.  The second recommendation has been carried out.  The third recommendation has to some extent been carried out.  Drift barriers have been built near Lyman, and a jetty built some little distance below Lyman.  The fourth recommendation we have been very active in fulfilling because it is in direct line with the original wishes of the Citizens Committee on flood control.”  . . .  “I will give you a brief outline of such work as we have done in gathering additional hydrographic data.  Because of the limited funds available in time past, such technical data as has been gathered in this vicinity, has been very meager and calculations of stream flow are at best only an estimate and accurate to within only 10 to 20%.  The technical data so far gathered, has been done entirely by the USGS Department of Water Resources, and they have had to rely upon intermittent gage readings, observations and recollections of residents, and more or less disconnected precipitation records.”  . . .  “Consequently, in order to secure definite and accurate stream flow records, it is necessary to install good reliable equipment and take measurements in a systematic manner.  For this purpose and acting upon the recommendation of Mr. Stewart, the Board of County Commissioners in the spring of 1924 instructed the county engineer to proceed with the construction of a suitable installation for the purpose of gathering accurate stream flow records.	County Engineer Needs More Accurate Data In Which To Gage Flood Heights County Engineer had Stewart Report. County delayed diking off Nookachamps. Stewart calculations were “only an estimate”.  Relied upon intermittent gage readings, observations and recollections of residents, and more or less disconnected precipitation records. Needed gage in Dalles in order to secure “accurate stream flow records.”
11/26/24 Rundene Testimony	j.o. rundene testimony . . .I have lived in Skagit County forty-nine years and am familiar with the flood conditions, experienced in the Skagit Valley and particularly the LaConner flats, so called, during that period of time; that the first freshet and flood from the Skagit River that I recall, occurred the last of May in 1882.  At that time there were no dikes on the Skagit River, but the land bordering on the same extending upward to the foothills and the foothills themselves were all covered with a heavy growth of fir, cedar and spruce.  The water at that time covered the LaConner flats and stood on my farm three feet deep for a period of about two weeks, the depth of the water varying during that period of time.  . . .  In 1883 I commenced to build dikes along the North Fork of the Skagit River.  These dikes were gradually increased and work was done on them continuously until 1895, when I retired as Commissioner, and at that time it appeared to me and I thought the dikes were sufficiently high to protect the land against extreme high water at all seasons and during all flood conditions.  . . .  As this condition has increased the size of the dikes have also been greatly increased, until at the present time the dikes are at least three times as large as they were in 1895, when they were considered sufficient for all possible purposes.  There were other freshet of lesser consequences during the intervening years, but the next time at which the entire country was covered with water, as I recall it, was in 1909.  At that time the dikes broke at various points on the Skagit River and North fork flooding the entire country between Mt. Vernon and LaConner and between Burlington and the mouth of the Samish River at Edison, being territory about ten miles square, to a depth of from two to eight feet of water.  There was water in the vicinity of my place, about six feet deep, for a period of two weeks or longer, the water standing on the land for a period of a month or more.  The next large freshet was in 1917, occurring in December and the entire country above referred to was again covered with water to a depth of from two to six feet, the water remaining on the land until after Christmas time.  The next large freshet was in 1921 on New year’s day.  The entire country was again covered to a depth of from two to six feet and the water remaining on the land over a period of two weeks.  . . .	Local Farmer Tells of Flood History Lived in Skagit since 1875.  In 1882 there were no levees. Began building levees in 1883 along the North Fork of Skagit River. He blamed logging for increasing the amount of run-off in floods. 1909 flood broke North Fork levees and flooded everything from Mt. Vernon to LaConner.  1909, 1917 and 1921 floods all deposited 2 to 6 feet of water on his farm.
11/27/24 Argus	Tell of Skagit Flood Damage Citizens Appear Before War Department Engineer With Much Data Citizens of Skagit county appeared before Col. W.J. Bardon, District United States Engineer of the War Department yesterday in the Mount Vernon Commercial club rooms and presented evidence of past damage by Skagit river floods.  The hearing was called by the War Department officer “in connection with a report on preliminary examination of the river as directed by an act of Congress of May 31, 1924.” The Skagit river improvement committee composed of representative men of this county with H.L. Willis as chairman, prepared data which was presented at the hearing, calling attention to the report filed with the county commissioners by J.E. Stewart in 1922, a copy of which also was filed with the U.S. Biological Survey. The report states the “cost of dikes already constructed together with repairs and enlargements has, to date, exceeded 1 1-4 million dollars.”  … “The era of power development for electrical purposes into which we are now entering seems to give hope along a practical line for flood relief.  There is at present one large dam on Baker river in process of construction.  Another is projected in the Skagit at Ruby creek.  Still another on the Sauk river has been discussed.  If arrangements could be made with any or all the builders of these dams to hold always available the upper ten feet of the dam for flood storage the greater part of our flood menace would seem to be gone.  Such storage for 48 hours would hold back the crest of the flood and give time for run-off.  It is the crest of the flood that breaks the dikes and does the damage.” The reported quoted in detail from the report made two years ago by J.W. Collins, secretary of the Commercial club which stated that the flood of 1894 damaged crops in the valley approximately 1 1-2 million dollars.  The flood of 1897 also did great property damage and in 1906 the loss was estimated at $250,000 while that of 1909 was placed at 1 1-2 millions.  The flood caused estimated damage at $500,000 in 1917, according to Mr. Collin’s report. After the 1921 flood H.L. Devin of Sedro-Woolley prepared a detailed report with the following figures: Public road and bridges………………………$ 75,000 Buildings………………………………….........   30,000 Loss of logs and bolts………………………… 105,000 Merchandise and personal property…………  45,000 Dikes, ditches and drain tile…………………. 100,000 Crops, harvested and unharvested …………  30,000 Live stock………………………………………. 55,000 Drainage land and future crops………………100,000 Loss of wages………………………………….  15,000 TOTAL                                                          $505,000 “There are also intangible losses.  Among these are many thousands of dollars of trade and merchants either through the sudden cutting off of the transportation or through the crippling of the customer’s ability to buy. “The total losses from all floods in the past fifty years have been enormous; yet as the valley becomes more highly developed each succeeding flood is likely to be more disastrous than the last.  The damage to the present valley of such a flood as that of 1820 which was 40 per cent, greater than that of 1909, can hardly be conceived.  While we yet have some property to protect it behooves us to seek out some practical method to curb this flood menace which is already lurking in the mountain ready to burst upon us.” Several citizens gave oral testimony as to the damage caused in past years by the overflowing the Skagit river and Robert E.L. Knapp county engineer appeared before the engineer and gave further technical testimony concerning the floods of the river.  He also told of the county’s work in establishing a hydrographic station on the upper river by means of which accurate data of the flow of the river and its rise and fall may be kept.	This means that they published Preliminary Report (Recon Report) in just  7 months from the time they got authorization. Note date of report.  1922.  This is a typo.  Report was actually given to County sometime after September 1923.  In any event destroys USGS argument that early reports were just drafts. Lower Baker not completed yet.  Recognized impact of dam storage on flood control.  Upper ten feet should be used for storage. Also need to find Collins report. Flood damages. Statement had to come from Stewart.
12/12/24 MVDH	High Winds and Heavy Rain Cause Skagit River to Rise             Continued heavy rains and Chinook winds during the last twenty-four hours have caused the Skagit river to rise rapidly and today the high water conditions have assumed a serious aspect.  Since yesterday noon the river here has risen about six feet and observers today claim that the water is rising about three inches an hour.  At one o’clock the river was nearing the eighteen-foot mark.  . . .  Several of the old timers say the conditions are just about right for flood.  Crest of the high waters has not been reached, they declare.  . . .  Telephone reports received by the Daily Herald this afternoon from Lyman were that the road between that place and Hamilton was under water.  . . .  Late reports received by the Daily Herald were that part of Hamilton is under water.  School was dismissed and the desks and other equipment are being moved from the building, it was reported.	DECEMBER 12, 1924 FLOOD Flood would have been on December 12^th and 13^th, 1924.  USGS and Corps reported flood carried 92,500 cfs and reached 32.44 feet at Concrete.  No figures for Mt. Vernon. Part of Hamilton underwater.  Dikes broke at Dry Slough on Fir Island. (See 12/18/24 Argus article.)
12/13/24 MVDH	Weakened Dike Is Washed Out             Seventy-five feet of diking were washed out near Skagit City this morning and as a result several hundred acres of lowlands are flooded.  The break was in the same place as that of the last big flood.  Late reports received here were that the water had not yet reached the road, but that unless the river goes down, the highway will be covered.  Weak construction of the dike is believed to have caused the washout  since the river was four feet from the top.  . . .  Hamilton reports the river dropping and it is said the water is now off the road between Hamilton and Concrete.	Skagit City Dike Washed Out
12/18/24 Argus	High Water In Skagit County Heavy Rains and Warm Winds Again Send Stream to the Flood Stage Heavy rains and warm winds caused the Skagit to rise rapidly Friday and Saturday, the stream reaching the 20-foot mark at the old gauge across the river from the Mission theatre.  With the sudden drop in temperature however, the stream began to go down.  Dry Slough southwest of Mount Vernon was unable to hold the flood and the water soon covered the farming district of Fir Island with from one to two feet of water.  Water also backed across the pavement between Mount Vernon and Conway and south of Milltown.  Traffic, however, was not interrupted.	Flood would have been on December 12^th and 13^th, 1924.  USGS and Corps reported flood carried 92,500 cfs and reached 32.44 feet at Concrete. Dikes broke at Dry Slough on Fir Island.
2/12/25 CT	farmers consider plans for new drainage district here A meeting of farmers of this district to consider a new drainage project will be held in the Sedro-Woolley Commercial club rooms on Saturday afternoon of this week at 2 o’clock. County Agent Bergstrom is in charge of the meeting and is developing plans for the proposed district. This matter was brought up in 1922 and is being considered again because certain farmers have asked for relief from the excess water in this district.  . . .  The proposed drainage district extends about to Cokedale on the east, including the Northern State hospital lands; goes up to Duke’s hill on the north, to the edge of town on the west and as far south toward the river as drainage is needed.  . . .  Those who oppose the drainage district because they say their land does not need drainage, will not be included in the proposed district, if drainage will not benefit them, Mr. Bergstrom said today. He estimates that the district will include between 4500 and 5000 acres in this district, and believes that enough of the farm owners in the district feel the need of drainage, to make the organization possible.	New Drainage Project 5,000 acre drainage district boundaries were Cokedale on the East including Northern State, Dukes Hill on the North, Sedro-Woolley to the west and south to the Skagit River.
2/26/25 CT	river is washing land away rapidly; threatens highway During the past month or two, more than an acre of land has been washed into the river, from the farm just west of the Northern Pacific railroad bridge south of town.  . . .  Besides the washing away of this good farm land, the most serious menace is the dry bed of an old slough, which has been partially filled in, and is now exposed, or soon will be, to the full current of the river at high water. If the river is permitted to wash much more land away, the backwater will go up this slough at high water, and flood the pavement even worse than it is now at high water.  . . .	Erosion Near Sedro-Woolley Acre of ground washed into the Skagit just west of NPRR bridge south of Sedro-Woolley (adjacent to Highway 9 bridge).
5/21/25 Argus	county’s “big snake” officially measured The mighty Skagit had itself officially measured, Monday, by the county engineer’s office, at the county gauging and measuring station, at Concrete.  The county, the City of Seattle and Stone & Webster all keep a wary eye on the writhing monster, and its changes in mood are reported to Colonel Barden, district engineer of the U.S. War Department and G. H. Parker, district engineer of the U.S.G.S., in the form of cryptic, tabulated statistics.  . . . The most menacing period on record was in 1921, when the snake lashed its tail and ran amuck, and a wide area was flooded.  That time 240,000 second feet of water raced by the observation station.	This article strongly suggests that although gage was installed on 7/31/24 it was not operative until sometime in 1925. This was directly from Stewart.  Gage didn’t go in until 1924.
7/29/25 C.H.	fish expert here to study problem of saving salmon Dr. Henry B. Ward, professor of zoology at the University of Illinois and who is known as the leading authority in the United States on the sockeye salmon is spending several weeks in this city and at Baker lake is trying to study out some feasible means of getting the salmon past the power dam of the Stone & Webster company on the Baker river to the spawning grounds at Baker lake, and of getting the small salmon fry from the government hatchery at the lake down the Baker on their way to salt water. Dr. Ward was here ten years ago and made an investigation and collected data at the Baker Lake hatchery and on this trip is also checking up the results of his investigation at that time. Dr. Ward says that on account of the damming of the streams in various parts of the country for power projects, million of salmon are prevented from getting to their spawning grounds, and the small fish are prevented from going down stream, and that careful and scientific study must be given the problem of getting the fish over the dam. He believes that a solution is possible, but is not ready to announce what it may be. According to Dr. Ward, the Baker river sockeyes are the best in the country, and the Baker Lake hatchery has been doing excellent work, but that the salmon in the river will be practically exterminated unless some means is devised to get the fish past the dam. In some places experiments have been made to get the small fish down the river by having them go through the turbines, but the pressure is so great that nearly all the fish were killed.	Lower Baker Dam Fish Issue Professor at University of Illinois employed to study how to save the sockeye from dam construction. He also studied the Baker River fish hatchery in 1915. Around the country dams have prevented millions of salmon from getting to their spawning streams.
9/3/25 Argus	skagit county leads nation in soil test Seven Year Government Probe Brings District Handsome Tribute From Gunderson Farm First Seven and Last Two Out of Twelve Won Locally; Gunderson Farm 100 Per Cent The United States government has just admitted that Skagit county is the finest farming community in the nation, bar none.  In a series of soil tests extending over the past seven years, . . . Skagit county soil won nine out of 12 points.  An assay of soil taken from the Gunderson estate, south of Clear Lake, was found to be 100 per cent perfect for general agricultural purposes.  It was the only soil given a perfect rating.	This would be Nookachamps soil.
9/17/25 CT	hearing on Padilla bay dike districts A hearing was held before a jury in superior court Wednesday, on the proposed Padilla Bay diking district. The jury returned a directed verdict assessing damages and benefits of the proposed project. The estimated benefit to owners of lands in the territory which it is proposed to drain was $1,900,000. There were 126 property owners involved. The estimated benefits were about $200 an acre, and the nominal estimate damage, $1 an acre. It is said that there are over 10,000 acres now under water, that will be drained for cultivation. It is proposed to drain Padilla Bay, which means that the water between the Samish Camp Fire grounds and Hat island will be drained, laving the camp’s point of land, with water only on one side. Bay View will be left miles from any water, if the plans are carried out.  . . .	Padilla Bay Dike District Proposal included draining Padilla Bay.
9/17/25 C.H.	stone & webster will have big dam finished by nov. 1 The huge power project of the Stone & Webster Company in the Baker river canyon is now nearing completion, and another month or so will see the big plant in operation. The work has gone ahead rapidly for the past few months, and the monster job is now getting down to finishing touches in many places. The crew of 1,000 or more men, that has been kept busy on construction work for twenty-four hours a day through the summer, is now being gradually reduced, and as each phase of the job is finished more men will be let out. It is generally believed that by the end of the next thirty days there will be only a few hundred men left on the job, and in about sixty days there will be no one left except the operating crews and a crew to clean up the odds and ends of the project. The huge dam, which is the largest part of the construction of the local project, is rapidly nearing completion. On the west side of the Baker the dam is almost finished. Cement has been poured to the full height of the structure and practically all work on this end of the dam is done. The gate piers have been placed, and on the east end of the dam there are several sections to be poured yet. The work on this end has been delayed on account of rotten rock on the surface, requiring considerable blasting and excavation work to get down to a solid foundation for the east wall. … The huge dam, which is the largest part of the construction of the local project, is rapidly nearing completion. On the west side of the Baker the dam is almost finished. Cement has been poured to the full height of the structure and practically all work on this end of the dam is done. The gate piers have been placed, and on the east end of the dam there are several sections to be poured yet. The work on this end has been delayed on account of rotten rock on the surface, requiring considerable blasting and excavation work to get down to a solid foundation for the east wall. It is expected that all the construction work on the dam will be finished by October 15, and then the spillways will be sealed and the big dam filled with water.	Lower Baker Dam Dam nearing completion. Encountered “rotten rock” on east end of dam.
10/15/25 CT	great baker river power plant nearing completion – lake shannon newly created 7-mile lake Washington’s newest hydro-electric project, the great Baker River plant, is rapidly nearing completion.  . . .  In honor to William D. Shannon, the man who has had entire charge of construction, the lake formed by the dam thrown across the Baker river will be known as “Shannon Lake.”  The lake will be more than seven miles long and will contain sufficient water to cover 70,000 acres one foot deep … The surface area of the lake will be 1,780 acres and it will be 405 feet above sea level.  Baker River rises among the glaciers on the south slopes of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, in Whatcom county.  Near the foot of these peaks a glacial moraine backs up the river to form beautiful Baker Lake, the elevation of which is 664 feet above sea level.  . . .  It (the dam) contains more than 220,000 cubic yards of concrete masonry.  Back of this gigantic dam will be Shannon Lake, the reservoir that will store the flood waters of the river which will develop eventually 80,000 horsepower for use throughout western and central Washington.  . . . Construction was started April 1, 1924.	Baker Dam Just About Completed Shannon Lake named for William D. Shannon, dam engineer and project manager. Glacial moraine formed Baker Lake.  Need to determine how much water was in Baker Lake before Upper Baker dam was built. Lake Shannon reservoir “will store the flood waters of the river”.  They built a dam in 18 months.
10/15/25 C.H.	great baker river power plant nearing completion Washington’s newest hydro-electric project, the great Baker river plant is rapidly nearing completion. It will ultimately become the largest hydro-electric power plant of the Puget Sound Power & Light Company. In honor of William D. Shannon, the man who has had entire charge of construction, the lake formed by the dam thrown across the Baker River will be known as “Shannon Lake.” The lake will be more than seven miles long and will contain sufficient water to cover 70,000 acres one foot deep, ample to supply the power plant with the necessary flow every day throughout the year. The surface area of the lake will be 1780 acres, and it will be 405 feet above sea level. Baker River rises among the glaciers on the south slopes of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan in Whatcom County. Near the foot of these peaks a glacial moraine backs up the river to form beautiful Baker Lake, the elevation of which is 664 feet above sea level. From the lake the stream flows down mountain gorges and through a valley 15 miles to its confluence with the Skagit River, near Concrete. Just before reaching the Skagit the Baker flows through deep Eden gorge, across which the power project dam has been built 245 feet high and 180 feet thick at the base. It contains more than 220,000 cubic yards of concrete masonry. Back of this gigantic dam will be Shannon Lake, the reservoir that will store the flood waters of the river which will develop eventually 80,000 horsepower for use throughout Western and Central Washington wherever the Puget Sound Power & Light company’s transmission lines extend. … The cost of this great undertaking, with a 13,000 kilowatt substation at Sedro-Woolley, is exceeding $8,000,000. Under the supervision of Mr. Shannon, a world’s record is being made in the construction of this project. As far as known no other plant of equal power will have been constructed in as short a time, or at a smaller relative outlay, and this despite the fact that last winter proved one of the worst on record. Construction was started April 1, 1924.	Picture available Lower Baker Dam Lake behind dam named after project manager William D. Shannon. Lake seven miles long. Glacial moraine backs up Baker River to form Baker Lake. It would be interesting to determine if it was a glacial moraine or a volcanic mudflow. It was 15 miles from Baker Lake down the Baker River to the Skagit River. Reservoir to “store flood waters”.
10/22/25 CT	drainage expert to visit skagit A.B. Crane, drainage specialist, will pay Skagit county a five day visit from October 23 to 28 inclusive, and all farmers in the district desiring advice on their farm drainage problems should apply at once, . . .  he has spent 36 days assisting individual farmers in working out their farm drainage problems.  57 of the farmers applying for this work have been given personal assistance in planning their drainage systems, these 57 farmers represent a total acreage of 2,729 acres.	Drainage 57 farmers represented 2,729 acres.  That would be an average of 48 acres per farm.  Farms were a lot smaller back then.
10/24/25 MVDH	Huge Artificial Lake Is Formed             Forming of the huge artificial lake to be known as Shannon lake at the Baker River project was started this week when the Baker river was turned against the power dam at Concrete.  During the first day that the course of the river was turned to the lake, the lake rose eleven feet.  The huge artificially constructed lake is eight miles in length with a maximum width of about a mile.  Its depth approximates 200 feet.  The dam is 245 feet high from bedrock to the top of the flood gates, and is 450 feet ling.  . . .  Construction of the dam started about eighteen months ago, on April 1, 1924.	Lake Shannon Begins To Fill First day lake rose 11 feet.
10/24/25 MVDH	Skagit Lowest In 30 Years, U.S. Men Busy             The Skagit River is now at the lowest stage of flow that it has been for almost thirty years.  This startling fact was revealed today by a group of eight field engineers of the United States geological survey who have been obtaining measure on the river discharge measurements.  . . .  Reports from the Upper Skagit district state that the river in that district shows less channel depth this month than at any time during the past twenty-seven years.  In places the waters are so low that it is possible to cross the river, hopping from boulder to boulder without getting one’s feet wet, according to C.H. Park, supervisor of the Mount Baker National forest, whose office is in Bellingham.  The situation in the Skagit river has reached a most serious condition.  It was brought out in the investigation which is being conducted by geological surveyors that the river bed in many places has raised twenty feet between here and the mouth of the river.  This condition alone is cause for alarm.	Skagit River Very Low One has to wonder how much the filling of Lake Shannon had to do with the low levels in the Skagit.  Previous 10/24/25 article states Baker River rose 11 feet in one day.
10/29/25 Argus	huge lake is now forming behind dam Reservoir of Water 250 Feet Deep and Eight Miles Long Is Filling Power Plant is Ready Massive Concrete Wall Is Anchored Into Solid Rock of Canyon Above Concrete Mt. Vernon will have light and power from the new Baker River power plant of the Puget Sound Power & Light Co., for a Christmas present.  . . .  lake eight miles long and 250 feet deep.	Lower Baker Dam Completed. Expected to take 6 weeks to fill up.
10/29/25 C.H.	baker river power plant will start early next week The new 40,000 h.p. power plant of the Puget Sound Power & Light company on the Baker river will start operations early next week according to a statement made today by W. D. Shannon, general manager for the Stone & Webster company for the Pacific coast. The huge dam has been filling up rapidly since the heavy rains of the past week and present indications are that the water for starting the turbines in the power plant will be available by the middle of next week. … On account of the low water in the river the dam filled very slowly for the first week but the heavy rains have caused a small freshet in the Baker river and the lake has been rising quite rapidly since the first of the week. This morning the water had about forty feet to rise before it would be high enough to start the wheels turning in the power plant, and at the present stage of water it will take about five days to bring the dam up to the necessary level. The water had been coming up almost ten feet a day for the past few days, but from now on every foot of raise will mean a much larger area to cover, so the height of the water will increase more slowly. … Present indications are that the new power plant will be in operation before the end of next week, and that soon afterwards Concrete will be using Baker river power for lights and power. As the service has not been very satisfactory for the past month, it is hoped that there will be a change for the better when the local plant is in regular operation.	Lower Baker Dam Water supposed to be high enough behind the dam to run turbines first week in November.
11/6/25 C.H.	low water delays starting of new power plant here Last week, with rain every day and a small freshet in the Baker River, it seemed certain that Lake Shannon, the big lake formed by the filling of the dam across the Baker River, would be filled within another week or ten days. However, the rain stopped in a few days and the weather turned cold, and the river quickly dropped to the extreme low level of a few weeks ago. As a consequence the lake is filling very slowly, and unless another heavy rain comes to give relief, it appears as if it will be another month or six weeks before there will be water enough to start the turbines turning in the power plant. The lake has now reached a height where every inch of raise is spread over hundreds of acres in area, and as it rises from now every foot of raise will mean a greater area to cover and therefore the raise will be slower. For the 24 hours ending yesterday evening the lake rose just 12 inches. The water at that time was 31 feet below the tunnel and the water level must be 10 feet above the intake before the plant can be started. This means that the water still has 41 feet to rise before operations can be started. At the rate of a foot or less a day, the present rate of progress, it will bring the starting time quite close to Christmas. The Puget Sound Power & Light company has promised Baker River power as a Christmas present to its customers in the lower valley and it now seems that there is little danger that the present will be delivered ahead of time.	Lower Baker Dam Water didn’t raise high enough to turn on the power plants. Could be another month to six weeks before water raised to sufficient level. Every inch of raise is spread over hundreds of acres in area. Water level came up 12 inches in 24 hours. Water still had 41 feet to go.
11/19/25 CT	power from baker river plant ready for use here this week Marking a new era for electric light and power in this part of the state, the current generated at the new Baker river power project, recently completed by Stone & Webster, will be turned into the Sedro-Woolley sub-station this week.  The water of the river, back of the recently finished dam has risen 160 ft. on the dam to the intake, and the power turbines in the power house have been turned over and tested, so everything is in readiness to start operations.	Baker River Dam Goes On-Line Water rose 160 feet behind dam.
11/19/25 C.H.	first power from baker river plant turned out today The first electric power generated at the Baker river plant of the Puget Sound Power & Light company was carried over the transmission lines from the plant to the substation at Sedro-Woolley today. Unit No. 1 is now in actual operation and is working as smoothly-as an old and tested machine. … The water in Lake Shannon reached the intake of the tunnel last Saturday and then the water was turned into the tunnel and the machinery turned over for the first time Sunday afternoon. The first few days of the week were spent in making final adjustments and it was not until today that everything was ready to start manufacturing power. The water in the dam is still steadily rising and it is now within about 35 feet of the top. The water is now spreading over such a large area that it only rises a few inches a day, even through the heavy rains of the past week have raised the water in the river. With the plant in operation and using the water, the dam will fill more slowly and it is not likely that the water will flow over the top for some months, unless there is a real flood in the river.	Lower Baker Dam Compare this article to the CH 11/6/25 article. Somehow it seems that the river came up awfully fast. One of these articles is inaccurate. It does say though that there were “heavy rains”. No record of any flood event during that time in 1925.
11/26/25 CT	more “puget power” Baker River is harnessed to add its age-old strength to the upbuilding of the Pacific Northwest.  The surge of 40,000 horsepower today augments the surging might vibrating in our transmission lines and serving 350 cities, towns and communities in Washington.  The investment of over eight thousand citizens of Western Washington in our securities has aided in making this plant possible.  . . .  Concrete dam 245 feet high.  Impounding 70,000 acre-feet of water.  Creating “Lake Shannon”, 8 miles long.	Advertisement By Puget Power 245 feet high??  See 5/5/27 CT article.  It says dam was 260 ft high.
11/26/25 C.H.	great new baker river plant completed in record time Following less than nineteen months elapsed time since the beginning of construction, President A. W. Leonard of the Puget Sound Power & Light company last week pressed the button that marked the official opening of Washington’s newest hydro-electric power development on the Baker River, and which increased the company’s power output by 40,000 horsepower. Begun April 1, 1924, delayed by a strike and hampered by one of the most severe winters on record in that part of the country, when the flooding waters of the river erased progress time after time, the completion of this plant under the direction of W. D. Shannon, engineer in charge of construction, is regarded as one of the outstanding feats of engineering hitherto accomplished on the Pacific coast and had it not been for an unusual fall through, which materially delayed the filling of the reservoir, it is probable that the lapse of time between the actual commencement of construction and the delivery of power would have been still further reduced. The dam, which is one of the main features of this plant, is 245 feet high from bedrock to the top of the floodgates-many feet higher than any building in the Northwest, with the single exception of the Smith building tower-and contains enough concrete to construct five hotels similar in size and type of that of the new Olympic in Seattle. Draining a watershed of 270 square miles, including snow-capped Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, a reservoir of 1850 acres in extent and of a maximum depth of 200 feet will be formed behind the dam. From the intake at the dam to the penstock a tunnel 900 feet in length and 22 feet in diameter, inside the concrete lining has been constructed.	Picture available Lower Baker Dam Dam completed in record time. Just 19 months. Amazing what you can do without public hearings and environmental impact statements. Drains watershed of 270 sq miles, reservoir 1850 acres, and maximum depth 200 feet.
5/4/26 C.H.	power company is granted permit to raise local dam A permit was issued the first of this week to the Puget Sound Power & Light Company by R. K. Tiffany, state supervisor of hydraulics, for the raising of the Baker River dam by 30 feet. The report published is that the permit provides for the starting of the work before June 3, 1926, and final completion before October 15, 1929. This raise will make the dam 275 feet in height and will raise the waters in Lake Shannon by 30 feet. As every foot of raise now means a much larger area for the water to spread over, the 30 foot raise will mean an increase of water storage capacity of 140,000 acre feet, as compared with the present capacity of about 70,000 acre feet. The estimated cost of the improvement is given as $100,000, and this expenditure will give the company a water storage of more than double the capacity of the present dam. The purpose of increasing the height of the dam is to make certain that there will be plenty of water to keep the power plant in operation during the months of extreme low water in the Baker River. It is also likely that the local power plant will be doubled in size and capacity within a few years by the installation of two more units, in which case the additional water will be needed during the months of extreme low water in the Baker River. It is also likely that the local power plant will be doubled in size and capacity during the months while the river is at a low stage.	Lower Baker Dam In less than 6 months from completion PSP&L granted permit to raise dam by 30 feet.
2/16/27 C.H.	men are arriving to start raising baker river dam It now appears that the job of raising the Baker river dam an additional thirty feet will be started some months sooner than expected. It had been generally believed that this work would not be started until late in the spring, but indications of the past week are that construction work will be under way next month. While the work will be rushed as rapidly as possible, it is understood that it will require five or six months to finish all the work contemplated at this time. … There are now about fifty men on the job, and it is understood that the crews will be increased as the work progresses to a maximum of about 300 men.	Lower Baker Dam Fifty men already on the job of raising Baker Dam.
2/23/27 C.H.	new diablo dam is great project for upper valley The construction of the new Diablo dam for the city of Seattle about 13 miles above Newhalem is a big project, according to E. C. Forner, an engineer for the Superior company, who visited the works last Sunday and looked over the works from an engineering standpoint, rather than from the usual scenic point of view. He brought back some interesting figures in regard to the new dam, which are used in this article. The dam is located at the southerly end of the noted Diablo canyon, and when completed will be 570 feet wide at the top and 340 feet high, figuring from the ordinary water level of the Skagit river. Winston Bros. have the contract for the construction of the dam and diversion tunnel and at the present time have a crew of over 400 men at work. The diversion tunnel is now about 70 per cent completed. It will be about 600 feet long and 24 feet square and will be used to carry the water of the Skagit river while the dam is under construction, and will possibly be used later to carry water from the dam to a new power plant. Actual work on the Diablo dam is expected to start within the next three months, with the actual pouring of concrete started within that time.	Diablo Dam Will be 340 feet high. Construction supposed to start by May 1927.
3/21/27 C.H.	fishing season in skagit county to open next friday There are some real fishermen in Concrete and also some would-be fishermen and all of them are getting ready for the official opening of the Skagit county fishing season, which is set for next Friday, April 1. The old rod and reel, which has been cached away since last November, have been dug out and are being oiled up and rigged up with new lines, hooks and sinkers, so as to be ready for action at daybreak on the opening day. … Grandy lake is one of the most popular fishing resorts in the state, and there will be several hundred fishermen on the shores of the lake early Friday morning and even on Thursday night. Seattle will be well represented and every town or city north of Seattle will have its quota. There are plenty of fish in the lake and early in the season they are usually easy to catch and are of fine size and quality.	Fish Issue Appears from this article that fishing season was from April 1 to October 31. Grandy Lake used to be a very popular fishing spot.
5/5/27 MVDH	$200,000 Being Spent To Raise Baker River Dam             This enlargement of capacity is being accomplished by increasing the height of the Baker River dam by 33 feet from its present 260 feet to a total of 293 feet, and making it one of the highest concrete structures of the kind in the world.	Dam Gets Height Extension
5/5/27 Argus	skagit valley warned to prepare for flood! flood danger here seen in big snowfall Warm Rain Or Chinook Is Feared – Late Spring Swells Danger Bridge Weakens Dike Great Northern Structure Acts as Partial Dam, Mt. Vernon Engineer Points Out Judge Crookston urged that the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. be requested to lower the level of the water in Lake Shannon, behind the Baker River dam, so the lake could absorb the surplus which will come down when the warm weather sets in.  He said that conditions now are similar to those in the spring of 1894, when the Skagit Valley was flooded.  The difference now, he added is that the forests on the hills which formerly retarded the rush of melted snow have been removed; therefore the danger is more acute.    . . .   I do not wish to assume the role of a harbinger of disaster,” said Mr. Moore today, “but those citizens of the Skagit Valley whose homes and live stock are protected from floods by dikes, should understand that the stage is partly set for a more than ordinary flood.  The mountainous district to our east has as heavy a snowfall as I have seen in 15 years, with much of it recent or new snow, which is rapidly melted by a warm rain or Chinook wind, and as the spring is far advanced we can expect a sudden change. “Lake Shannon, the result of the dam at Concrete, will be of benefit during a flood, although the Baker river only represents one fifth of the total water in the Skagit river.  Such a lake retards the water to some extent, lengthens the time of passing and thereby lowers the peak of the flood. “One of the unfortunate conditions permitted by the government engineers is the diagonal position and oversize substructure with riprap, which carries the Great Northern railroad bridge, north of this city.  This substructure obstructs one-sixth of the waterway at or near a sharp bend in the river, which causes repeated failure of the dikes above the aforesaid bridge.”	This is only the second mention of the Spring flood of 1894 I have seen.  The other was as follows: “The Winter floods previous to the Spring flood of 1894 was about 2 feet higher, but they were never as high or no indications of them being so, excepting the one big flood the Indians tell about.  The Winter Floods since that time (1894) were always higher.  The more they diked the river close to it, the higher the floods have been.” (Source:  Letter to Stewart from Joe Hart, 6/21/23) Storage in Lake Shannon.  Logging contributes to flooding. Most snow since 1912?  If correct would tend to support theory 1917 and 1921 floods were caused more by rain then snow. Value of storage. Interesting.  Very interesting.  Not the log jams impeding the flow but the rip rap around the piers.  Impedes one sixth of the flow.  Now here’s an argument that we haven’t heard before.
5/5/27 CT	height of big baker river dam to be increased 33 ft. The Puget Sound Power & Light Company is expending $200,000 according to announcement just made by President A. W. Leonard, to practically double the water storage capacity behind the great Baker River concrete dam at Concrete in Skagit County.  . . .  This enlargement of capacity is being accomplished by increasing the height of the Baker River dam by 33 feet from its present 260 ft. to a total of 293 feet, making it one of he highest concrete structures of the kind in the world.  Water storage in Shannon Lake created by the building of the Baker River Dam two years ago, is now 10,000 acre-feet but will be increased to 130,000 acre-feet by the heightening of the dam.  . . .  The Baker River sockeye salmon have a reputation far and wide as among the most toothsome of the salmon tribe.  But for the construction of this salmon ladder and railway for the salmon they could not have survived the installation of this mighty dam.  A force of some 200 men is at work on these improvements at Baker river.	Lower Baker Dam Raised Dam completed in 1925 at a height of 260 feet.  Added another 33 feet. 10,000 acre-feet is a typo.  Should be 70,000 acre-feet.  (See 11/26/25 CT article.) Baker River Sockeye was a much sought after fish.
5/11/27 MVDH	Wants Upper Skagit River Bed Cleaned -- River Not Navigable Except During High Water Season             A committee will also be selected to confer with officials of the power company with reference to the use of the Baker river dam for flood control of the Skagit river.  President John Brisky of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce read a letter which he received from Hugo Bauman of Rockport with reference to the condition of the Skagit river during low water.  Bauman said it was impossible to navigate the river between Sedro-Woolley and Rockport during low water because of snags in the bed of the river.  He urged that the matter be taken up with the government and that a snag boat be put to work, claiming that if the river is navigable the year round, the Rockport community would benefit as well as the county as large.	Lower Baker Flood Control Sought River impossible to navigate during low water between Sedro-Woolley and Rockport.  Wanted snag-boat to work upriver.
5/12/27 Argus	danger of skagit flood believed to be averted Judge J. M. Shields recalled that Indians used to point to a bald spot on the hills back of Big Lake as a flood barometer, declaring that when it was covered with snow at this time of year, it was time for dwellers of the flats to caulk the seams in their row boats, but that when the snow disappeared, the flood danger would be past.  Judge Shields said this morning the snow was almost gone. It was announced that the Puget Sound Power and Light Co. expects to lower the level of Lake Shannon, behind the Baker River dam, within a few days.  With the lake down it will act as a safety valve should sudden hot weather bring down the snow water.  However, it is believed that the gradual rise in temperature the past week has had the effect of melting a considerable amount of loose snow and thus removing some of the danger.	Need to see if this landmark is still there. Lake Shannon to be lowered in May.  Too late but lowered anyway.
5/19/27 C.H.	new construction on baker river dam doubles capacity A few months ago the Puget Sound Power & Light company started work on raising the height of the big power dam on the Baker River, just north of town, and this work is now nearing completion. The dam has been raised 33 feet from the former level and is now 293 feet high from the bottom of the river. While the new work is only a small proportion of the total height of the dam, it just about doubles the water storage capacity of the dam, the total being increased from 70,000 acre-feet to 130,000 acre feet and so makes it one of the highest concrete structures of its kind in the world. … The new construction on the dam was finished just in time to avoid the spring freshet on the Baker River, the employees just having time to pour the last of the cement and remove the tools before the water started flowing over the dam, with the additional 33 feet in place. There is now about eighteen inches of water falling over the dam, and the waterfall is one of the most beautiful in the state. The construction work here has been delayed by the high water, but some of the incidental work is now being completed, and as soon as the freshet is over, the balance of the work will be finished, including the apron in front of the dam which is intended to spread the fall of the water and avoid all danger of having the dam undermined. The apron is also expected to greatly lessen the loss of salmon fry from the Baker Lake hatchery, a considerable percentage of which is now killed in passing over the dam. While the number of fish killed has been comparatively low, considering the millions of fry passing over the dam, it is reported that the construction of the apron will reduce the loss by more than half. … The Baker River salmon ranks as one of the best fish in the world for table use, and but for the construction of the new plan of ladder and fishway they could not have survived the construction of the dam.	Baker River Dam Dam height raised 33 feet to new height of 293 feet high. Almost doubled water storage capacity from 70,000 to 130,000 acre feet. They built a new discharge apron because they were worried about having the dam undermined from the fall of the water.
1/3/28 C.H.	construction of new diablo dam is going ahead fast Reports from the city of Seattle power project on the upper Skagit $3,000,000 dam at Diablo canyon progressing more rapidly than was expected. The light snowfall this winter and the generally good weather has been in favor of the contractors, Winston Bros., who have rushed the work in every way possible to get the dam to a point where no great damage could be done by high water. During the past week the foundations of the dam were finished to the level of the bed of the river, so that the only damage that could be done now by a sudden rise in the river would be the work of removing the machinery and equipment above high water, and the delay necessary until the water recedes. … It is expected that the work will be completed during 1929, unless something out of the ordinary construction hazards happens to retard the work.	Diablo Dam Diablo Dam cost $3,000,000. Foundation of the dam completed. Dam completion date expected sometime in 1929.
1/5/28 CT	stone-webster will spend over $2,000,000 near here – over a million and a quarter will be spent at concrete and almost another million dollars on transmission lines; new projects announced officially; big crew working out of sedro woolley Insuring a large additional payroll for Sedro-Woolley, during the next few months, the Stone-Webster ‘Co. announced today its plans for improvements in the Baker River power plant at Concrete, and the transmission lines through Sedro-Woolley, amounting to an expenditure of more than $2,000,000.  . . .  During the year 1927 the height of the Baker River dam was increased about 33 feet enlarging the storage capacity at that point from 70,000 acre feet to 130,000 acre feet, while the generating capacity was increased at the same time from 40,215 horsepower to 53,620 horsepower.	More Improvements to Lower Baker New transmission lines and improvements to power plant.
1/12/28 CT	high water in skagit streams causes damage Warm winds and rain Wednesday following several days of warmer weather caused the Skagit river and its tributary streams to overflow in several places east of this city, blocking the road west of Hamilton and undermining the Great Northern track between Lyman and Sedro-Woolley.  Other damage all along the river between here and Marblemount was reported, but so far the main river had not flooded any territory.  Backwater and high water in the creeks was responsible for most of the damage, together with slides along the road.  . . .  Grandy creek is a foot higher than it has been in years, and washed out the dam at the fish hatchery at Birdsview.	JANUARY 12, 1928 FLOOD USGS 95,500 cfs at Concrete (32.9), no figure given for Mt. Vernon or Sedro-Woolley.  Very small flood event.
1/19/28 CT	seattle chamber to help get Skagit river relief The Seattle Chamber of Commerce, answering appeals from C. E. Bingham of this city, and Sibert Eaton, local farmer, is making an effort to get federal aid in the fight against the Skagit river. C. C. Finn, prominent Seattle businessman, was in the city this week, investigating conditions of the Skagit river near here, on behalf of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce river and harbor committee, and will make an effort to obtain a federal survey of the river.  . . .  He was much impressed with the fact that hundreds of acres of fine farmland are being washed down the river, and that the banks need protecting and the channel needs straightening. The recent high water did much damage. The big barn built by Henry Cooper at Lyman many years ago, was washed into the river yesterday. The barn stood originally on a farm of forty-five acres and only three acres are left now. County roads are being undermined my the river, and the channel near Burns’ bar, east of this city, is threatening hundreds of acres, and if permitted to continue, may finally threaten the city of Sedro-Woolley.	Seattle To Help Study Skagit Seattle Chamber of Commerce to help get federal aid to “study” Skagit River. Barn at Lyman fell into the river.  Used to sit on 45 acre farm.  Only three acres left.
1/26/28 CT	h.m. eakin consulted by congress on flood help H.M. Eakin of this city, who is recognized as a national authority on river flood relief methods, has during the past few weeks been consulted frequently by Congressmen, on his plan for stopping floods in the Mississippi river basin.  . . .  Eakin, who as a United States geologist, had many years of practical experience in river affairs and is the author of textbooks and encyclopedia articles on the subject, had had a recent article of his in the Thrift magazine, quoted in over 150 daily papers of the United States.  . . .  “Nearly everyone knows something of the levee method of controlling flooded streams, but not so many know of the science of river morphology, which aims at so regulating the force of waters that the river could not overflow its banks.”   . . .  He views the construction of higher and higher levees as useless, because in time the river will deposit between them sufficient silt to raise the level of the water as high as they can be built.  . . .  “The dynamic method of control involves the management of stream energies to regulate erosion.  We have in the river itself a powerful engine of construction and destruction, the natural activities of which are largely adverse.”	A Real Local Expert One has to wonder why local forces didn’t spend more time with Mr. Eakin.  We had a real expert in river morphology living in Sedro-Woolley and his name doesn’t ever appear on any flood related document yet reviewed.  Skagit County missed a golden opportunity.
3/7/28 MVDH	Flood Control Action Taken by Skagit C.C. -- Resolution Asking Federal Aid is Passed Unanimously             Renewed activity in an effort to obtain federal aid for flood control of the Skagit river took the form of a resolution, which was unanimously adopted at the monthly meeting of the Skagit County Chamber of Commerce held at the Rexville grange hall last night.  The resolution was present by H. M. Eakin, Sedro-Woolley, who is recognized as a national authority on flood control.  . . .  A portion of the resolution follows:  . . .  “Whereas, particularly in the case of the Skagit river, business and property of extraordinary value per square mile over an area of large extent have repeatedly been subjected to disastrous overflow.  Whereas the major floods of the Skagit, although the river is only a hundred miles long, may equal in volume an eighth or more of the total volume of a major flood on the Mississippi.  . . .  Whereas the drainage capacity and regiment of the Skagit is deteriorating seriously from causes entirely unrelated to the activities and responsibilities of the people occupying and using the lands so menaced.  Whereas, taxation to support protection work has fallen heavily and is a serious burden upon such individuals and communities.  . . . Therefore, be it resolved that a memorial of these facts be presented to our congressmen and senator in Washington, D.C. to assist them in enlisting federal support of flood control works on the Skagit river.”	Skagit County Chamber Of Commerce Chamber was trying to help County obtain federal aid for flood control. Chamber felt drainage capacity of river had decreased.
3/17/28 MVDH	Fraud Charged In Election of Dike District -- McBee Contests Election of F.N. Haley in Padilla District             The action which was filed by Attorney Henderhon, alleges that Haley was elected through unlawful and fraudulent means.  At the election in question, Haley received 33 votes for commissioner, while Mr. McBee, who is still serving as a commissioner, was given five votes.  McBee complains that Haley deeded a small portion of land to each of 31 persons, in exchange for their votes.  . . .  All 31 people voted for Haley, but they were not qualified to do so, according to McBee, for the reason that they were not property owners.  He claims that Haley actually owned the property and that since, the 31 people held their small portions in trust for Haley’s use.  According to McBee’s complaint, there were only five qualified to vote.  Two of these were Mr. and Mrs. Haley and McBee was a third.  Had the election been legal, according to McBee, he would have received three votes to Haley’s two.  . . .  The Padilla project was formed for the purpose of reclaiming 10,000 acres of tide lands.  A million-dollar program was in prospect, according to McBeen.	Dike District Fraud Only 5 people lived in District.  38 people voted.
9/27/28 CT	crew at work on river protection; plan new bridges Under the direction of Skagit county engineer’s office, a crew of men have been doing river bank protection work east of Utopia. Piles are being driven in the slough at the bend in the river and rip-rap work is being done as an added protection.  . . .  Possible methods of straightening the Nookachamps bridge on the Clear Lake road are being considered in the county engineer’s office. Several plans have been presented, but no decision as to which one will be adopted has been made.	County Crews Working In Utopia Skagit County crew working in Utopia to prevent further bank erosion.
10/11/28 Argus	raging skagit rips out boom Machinery Arrives At Newhalem For Third Unit Of Gorge Power Plant The Skagit river which has been raising steadily the past week, reached almost flood stage Monday night.  During the night the water rose eighteen inches which is almost unprecedented for early fall.  The great wall of water at the Diablo dam site washed away three lengths of boom and did damage estimated at several thousand dollars to equipment.	Flood reached 74,300 cfs at Concrete at level 29.94.
10/11/28 CT	Plan new jetty for ross slough to stop flooding One of the greatest menaces to farm land in the upper river valley, the washing away of land by Ross slough, in the Utopia district, may be eliminated if the present plans of the county commissioners are carried out. After a survey by County Engineer Knapp, the county board this week, voted an emergency appropriation of at least $5,000 to be expended at once in the construction of a jetty across the head of Ross slough.  . . .  The board voted to take the money for this work, from the river improvement fund of some $9,000 which has been idle in the bank for several years since its appropriation.	Ross Slough Jetty County Engineer Knapp recommends jetty across Ross Slough.  Commissioners vote emergency appropriation of $5,000.
10/11/28 C.H.	seattle dam on skagit damaged by high water The warm rains this week brought the Skagit to almost flood stage, but all the damage reported is from the Skagit dam in Diablo canyon, above Newhalem, where the cofferdam was washed out. Two large pumps, worth about $800 a-piece, were taken out, and a car load of timbers was washed away. No damage was done to the work on the main dam, and the work is already going ahead as usual.	October 9, 1928 Flood Event Diablo Dam 74, 300 cfs, 29.94 ft. at Concrete. Cofferdam washed out at Diablo.
1/3/29 C.H.	another big power project in skagit valley is planned That another huge power project is to be started in the Skagit valley was indicated Monday when application was made to the state supervisor of hydraulics for a permit to divert the waters of the Sauk River for power purposes. At the same time preliminary plans were announced by Lars Langloe, president of the Pacific Development company of Olympia, and R. K. Tiffany, consulting engineer and former supervisor of hydraulics. These plants provide for the development of a $3,000,000 hydro-electric project on the Sauk River, to be located about five miles up the river from the old town of Sauk. Langloe and Tiffany said they were acting on behalf of a company whose identity they were not at liberty to disclose at this time. An application was filed for a permit to impound 375,000 acre feet of storage, water behind a dam 210 feet high and 1,000 feet long. The project will develop power for industrial purposes only. The company’s application requests authority to divert 1,000 cubic second feet of water daily from the Sauk River, a tributary of the Skagit. The preliminary plans call for a 20,000 horsepower plant, with provisions for additional units to be added later.	Sauk River Dam Proposal Dam location to be 5 miles above town of Sauk. Dam was to be 210 feet high and 1,000 feet long and would have impounded 375,000 acre feet of storage. This is the same river that has carried at least three volcanic lahars down the Sauk and into the Skagit in the last 12,000 years.
1/10/29 C.H.	new fish hatchery near concrete is planned for year The budget of the Puget Sound Power and Light company for 1929, which has been awaited by local people who were anxious to learn what improvements, if any, were planned for this vicinity, was released this week. According to Mr. Sewell, manager of the Northern district, the budget for 1929 is the largest in the history of the company and covers the most ambitious program of power development and service extension and improvement ever undertaken in a single year. … The budget for this year does not include any appropriation for any new dam or a new unit in connection with the Baker river project. An appropriation is made for the construction of a new fish hatchery on the Baker river to obviate the necessity of transporting salmon over the dam and to replace the government hatchery on the Baker river to obviate the necessity of transporting salmon over the dam and to replace the government hatchery which has heretofore been operated at Baker lake. It is expected the new hatchery will be built before the dam, and will probably be somewhere in east Concrete. No information has been received as to when construction work would start or in regard to the size of the hatchery. This item is included in an appropriation of $300,000 for betterments and improvements to existing plants, and it is probably that some other work will be done here during the year, in addition to the usual routine of operating the plant.	Fish Issue New fish hatchery to replace the Baker Lake hatchery. Hatchery was planned to be in east Concrete.
10/17/29 C.H.	flood surveyors locate power site near faber ferry A report just released by the U.S. Geological Survey has attracted statewide attention to a possible site for a huge power project on the Skagit River near the Faber ferry, about four miles east of this city. Two proposed dam sites were examined at this point in September, 1926, by J. T. Pardee, a geologist of the Geological Survey, whose report indicated that the dam sites were of doubtful value. At each site one end of the dam would be built on land of un-cemented silt and the depth to a solid foundation might be so great as to make the cost prohibitive. However, this could only be determined by thorough tests. The recent flood control survey of the Skagit River again called attention to the immense amount of power that would be available if a dam 250 to 300 feet high were built at this point. It is estimated that such a dam would create sufficient storage capacity to control the combined flood waters of the Skagit and Sauk rivers and probably produce all the power needed in this section of the country for many years to come. … The development of a power project at Faber would be a big boost for the entire Skagit valley and the construction of the dam would eliminate all danger of any further destructive floods in the Skagit River.	Faber Dam Proposal USGS report looked at site for Faber Dam four miles upstream of Concrete. Dam sites of “doubtful value”. Would have to be built on “un-cemented silt” and depth to bedrock might be so great as to make the cost prohibitive. These “un-cemented silt” soils are no doubt volcanic soils from Glacier Peak. We should try and find this report.

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.
1/15/31 CT	Skagit is mecca of many anglers	Fish
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.
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.
1/29/31 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”.
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[8], 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 then 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 todays 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[9] $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.
1/23/36 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.
3/5/36 C.H.	true tales of the upper skagit The Story Of Mox Tatlem[10] 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.
3/12/36 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.
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.
6/12/36 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.
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.
1/29/36 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[11], hydraulic expert with the government, who worked for Skagit county after the big flood in 1932[12], 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
3/6/36 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.
3/18/36 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.
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.)
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	III. Advises Sauk River Control 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	Editorial – The River Situation The federal government has already spent more than a quarter million dollars on revetment work on the river banks to protect them from erosion, and save valuable farmland from being washed down the river, and is prepared to spend another $420,000 in the same work.  But unless something is done to hold the log towing companies responsible for damage done to this work, a large part of it will be wasted.  At Utopia, some five hundred feet of the revetment has been eaten away because tows of logs were allowed to swing into the river bank, breaking the steel cables that held the brush mats in place.  The farmers who thought they had finally obtained protection, are now threatened with destruction of their farms.  . . .  The county officials should take a little more interest in maintaining this quarter of a million dollars work on danger spots on the river, and should delay no longer in the purchase of a $10,000 dragline which will automatically result in another $420,000 in WPA funds being spent immediately in Skagit river bank work.	Log Towing Companies Must Be Held Responsible 500 feet of revetment work at Utopia destroyed by log rafts. County should maintain the $250,000 investment and purchase $10,000 dragline.
12/16/38 B.J.	Damaged River Banks             Farmers east of Sedro-Woolley are busy in a campaign to stop destruction of river revetments by log booms.  According to reports, tug boats, pulling logs have become snagged in the revetments, pulling out at least 500 feet near Utopia.  More damage has been done at Sterling.              As a government project a year or two ago, this work cost much money, and so far has apparently been useful.  But as the new revetments are ruined, great chunks of farmer’s land are dropping into the river again.  Losses already are estimated at $10,000.  . . .              Sedro-Woolley farmers have gone to bat on the proposition, with the aid of business and civic leaders.  Burlington had better get busy too, for if log booms have caused such trouble up river, the same thing can and probably will happen along the river banks just east of Burlington.  Local leaders, in a spirit of self-preservation, should join hands with the up-river boys both to stop the cause of the trouble, and to see that damage already done is repaired.	Log Booms Destroy River Banks See 1/10/36 article.
12/30/38 MVDH	county hopes for start on river project – commissioner mason sees end of difficulties, but he says county can’t maintain project J. T. Mason, chairman of the board of county commissioners, said today he thought “everything will be all ironed out in the near future,” so that a start can be made on the Skagit river flood control project. The WPA has allotted more than $420,000 for the new project, which includes bank revetment work at strategic points along the river. Complaint was made at a recent meeting of the Skagit county chamber of commerce by A. H. Ward of Sedro-Woolley, that the project is being held up because the county has refused to provide draglines and because the county has refused to agree to maintain the project.  Mason said the county is ready with its 20 per cent of the cost of the project, and that it has a first class dragline, which was used on the old river project, ready for use. At the chamber of commerce meeting, Ward declared the army engineers were waiting for a new dragline and for a county guarantee of maintenance. The chairman of the commissioners said maintenance of the project is a big problem. The cost would be practically prohibitive, according to his viewpoint. Also, if the county agreed to maintain the project, he thinks the county might be liable for damages to property should the bank revetment go out and wash away property. Then also, if the county maintains the improvement in any one place, it would be expected to maintain it all up and down the river, and the county has no money for that purpose and no prospect of getting any, according to Mason. . . .  When the new project starts, it is expected repair crews will be sent to places near Sedro-Woolley where log tows have damaged the work done under the old project. It has been suggested that piles be driven in the future to protect the revetment work.	County Refuses To Provide Maintenance of Revetment Work. Cost prohibitive according to County Commissioners. Commissioners also worried about liability of maintenance on projects.
1/12/39 CT	county chamber hears about $750,000 wpa river project . . . some $260,000 has been spent in revetment work on the Skagit river under the first project which started in December, 1935; most of this work has stood up well under all kinds of conditions; there are a few places, such as Utopia, where engineers claim log tows have started damage which has resulted in considerable under-mining of the work; some means of financing maintenance of the work must be provided and a new $420,000 WPA project, all ready to start now, to place more revetments all along the Skagit river, will commence as soon as the county commissioners can agree with the government engineers on the matter of a new drag line.  Nelson said that the county was expected to maintain the work after it was completed, but County Commissioner John Mason stated that the county had no funds for maintenance.  . . .  Several farmers joined Mason in telling of the big cost of maintaining dikes along the lower river, paid by a district tax on the farmers.  They claimed that it would be unfair for the county to pay for maintenance of the revetment work, since they had paid for their diking by a special tax on the farms.  G. Knutzen of Burlington stated that he considered the maintenance of the river banks was a county problem and not something that the upper river should be forced to finance.	More Revetment Work Proposed $260,000 already spent.  Revetment work began in December 1935. $420,000 additional work proposed, however, maintenance on first projects needed first. County was expected to maintain work already completed and had not done so.  Lower dike district’s did not want to pay for it.
1/23/39 MVDH	Three Flood Control Bills Are Proposed             Three bills designing legislation for flood control in the eight western countries will be sponsored by the Puget Sound flood control council as the result of a meeting in Everett Friday.  . . .  Two of the bills to be sponsored deal with setting up machinery for state administration of flood control projects through the department of conservation and development.  . . .  Two of the bills to be sponsored deal with setting up machinery for state administration of flood control projects through the department of conservation and development.  . . .  The other bill repeals a 35-year-old river control act that has never been used.	New State Legislation Proposed PSFCC sponsored legislation for setting up state administration of flood control projects.
1/26/39 CT	plan big district to control river – utopia farmers start move to finance maintenance of river revetment work; county board will then start $420,000 wpa job A big flood control district may be formed from Burlington to Marblemount, to raise funds for maintaining the revetment work done by the WPA project on Skagit river banks.  . . .  All three commissioners explained that under the 40 mill limit the county had no funds for maintenance.  Goodyear said that if the river broke through and went into Minkler lake that it would cut across the valley to the north and cut a new channel to salt water.  The board said the new project would start at this danger spot.  . . .  The big damage done at Utopia would never have resulted had the commissioners repaired the break when first reported.  The commissioners have agreed to install a log boom along the entire revetment work on the river to try to protect it from the log tows, which have damaged it in many places, according to farmers who have seen many cables in the revetment broken.	Maintenance District Proposed The eastern boundary was Hamilton not Marblemount (See 2/16/39 CT article.) 40 mill limit kept County form using general funds for maintenance. Damage to revetments being caused by “log tows.”
1/26/39 CT	help control erosion (editorial) Backed by the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce, the farmers of Utopia have become roused to the necessity of immediate action to protect their farms from being washed into the river, and are really getting action.  . . .  There is no sense in spending three quarters of a million dollars in brush, concrete and steel cables and revetment work along the Skagit river banks to protect farmland, and then not have a few thousand dollars a year available to keep a crew busy inspecting and repairing damages and doing general maintenance work.	Editor Urged Formation of District No sense in spending $750,000 without maintenance.
1/30/39 MVDH	River Project Model Shown             Depicting in miniature the intricate details that make up a flood control project, a model of the revetment work completed at Lyman several months ago has been put on display in the county courthouse.  . . .  The Lyman project, which was completed last May, was one of six units of a total length of 4.2 miles in place, started in September 1935.  The model was built at the Seattle canal locks by the engineers office, for the purpose of demonstrating the type of flood control work being done in the northwest.  The finishing touches to the project are also shown to scale on the model.  Rotted willow slips are planted six to a square in the compressed mat which protects the river bank against erosion.  Concrete blocks, galvanized cable and machinery add to the reality of the model.  On the banks of the river, a portion of the town of Lyman is shown.	Corps Builds Model of Revetment Projects Model depicted Lyman revetment work.
2/2/39 MVDH	East Skagit River District To Be Talked             SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Feb. 2 – (Special) – A mass meeting of Skagit county farmers will be held this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Sedro-Woolley city hall auditorium to discuss plans with state and federal officials for forming a river bank maintenance district.  The river is at present threatening destruction of hundreds of acres of valuable farmlands and the authorized expenditure of acres of valuable farmlands and the authorized expenditure of $420,000 for further river bank revetments is delayed until maintenance can be financed.  . . .  Fink and Lars Langlow, engineer in charge of the flood control of the state, told the committee that many acres of lower Skagit County farm land are in danger, with the river at a higher level than the surrounding land, because of the hundreds of acres of farmlands being washed down each year and deposited in the lower river.	Riverbank Maintenance District District needed to stop erosion and perform maintenance of government projects.
2/2/39 Argus	Flood Control Meeting Will Be Held Feb. 4 Mass Meeting of Farmers Will Be Held At Sedro-Woolley To Discuss River Bank Maintenance A mass meeting of Skagit County farmers will be held this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Sedro-Woolley city hall auditorium to discuss plans with state and federal officials for forming a river bank maintenance district.  The river is at present threatening destruction of hundreds of acres of valuable farmlands and the authorized expenditure of $420,000 for further river bank revetments is delayed until maintenance can be financed.  . . . Fink and Lars Langlow, engineer in charge of the flood control of the state, told the committee that the lower Skagit farm land will be threatened since the river is at a higher level than the surrounding land, because of the hundreds of acres of farmlands being washed down each year and deposited in the lower river.  These officials said that the entire county was threatened with flood and destruction unless immediate action is taken to complete the revetment work as authorized by the WPA, and to provide funds for maintenance.  They recommended that all farmers throughout the county should be included in a maintenance district.	WPA Meeting to discuss formation of “River Bank Maintenance District.” State officials warned “river at higher levels then surrounding land”.  Query:  Is this erosion taking place today?  If not why did it stop?  How much was contributed to log rafts towed down the Skagit? All farmers in county to be included in district.
2/2/39 CT	flood control plans will be made saturday – mass meeting of farm owners at city hall here A mass meeting of Skagit county farmers will be held this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Sedro-Woolley city hall auditorium to discuss plans with state and federal officials for forming a river bank maintenance district.  . . .  Fink and Lars Langlow, engineer in charge of the flood control of the state, told the committee that Mount Vernon was a death trap, with the river at a higher level than the surrounding land, because of the river at a higher level than the surrounding land, because of the hundreds of acres of farmlands being washed down each year and deposited in the lower river.	Mount Vernon A “Deathtrap” It appears that State government was trying to scare local residents into forming the maintenance district.  River is only at a higher level then surrounding lands during flood events which is attributable to levees and tides and not siltation.
2/2/39 CT	farmers’ mass meeting (editorial) . . .  Government engineers have pointed out the dangers to the entire county if farmland keeps washing down the Skagit river, and action by the farmers to form a district for raising a small tax for maintenance of the WPA revetment work will mean the immediate expenditure of $425,000 on new bank protection work on every danger point on the river.  . . .  Plans for protecting the river banks from damage by log tows are being worked out, as the county has offered to put in log booms.	Maintenance District Formation Urged Maintenance needed to due damage by log tows.
2/3/39 B.J.	Farmers Will Discuss River—Mass Meeting Saturday at Sedro-Woolley for Forming New District Burlington farmers are especially invited to attend a mass meeting of Skagit county farmers this Saturday at two p.m. in the Sedro-Woolley city hall auditorium to discuss plans with state and federal officials for forming a river bank maintenance district.  The river is at present threatening destruction of hundreds of acres of valuable farmlands and the authorized expenditure of $420,000 for further river bank revetments is delayed until maintenance can be financed.  . . .              These officials said that the entire county was threatened, with flood and destruction unless immediate action is taken to complete the revetment work as authorized by the WPA, and to provide funds for maintenance.  They recommended that all farmers throughout the county should be included in a maintenance district.	New Flood Control District Proposed
2/14/39 MVDH	Bill Asks Million For Flood Control -- Repeal of Old River Control Law Included -- Measure Asks State To Aid Counties; Police Patrol Criticized For Activities During Strikes             OLYMPIA, Feb. 14 – (U.P.) – An act appropriating $1,000,000 from the state treasury to aid counties and cities in flood control work and creating a state division of flood control work and creating a state division of flood control was filed today by Senator Keiron W. Reardon, D., Snohomish.  . . .  The program provided for repeal of a 35-year-old river control law that never has been used and two bills setting up machinery of future flood control projects.	Legislation Proposed Forming State Division of Flood Control New agency would assist counties and cities with flood control projects.
2/16/39 CT	petitions for flood control district ready – board will be asked to start new project on river Petitions for the formation of a Skagit river bank revetment maintenance district, were circulated this week . . . As prepared by Attorney A.H. Ward . . . limits the amount of money which can be assessed at 2 mils, except for a special vote of the district voters, and even then it cannot exceed 5 mills.  . . .  The proposed district has its east boundary, the east city limits of Hamilton, and extends west through Burlington to the Pacific highway (Burlington Blvd.)  Skagit River is south boundary.  Foot of the hills to the north is northern boundary.  . . .  The Utopia farmers whose land is being threatened, believe that if some immediate action is not taken, at Utopia and east of there, that there is danger the river will go into Minkler lake, from which it might go through Sedro-Woolley and Burlington, or in a new channel next to the hills to the north.  State engineers have said that the river formerly flowed in the Samish river channel, after running along the foot of Dukes Hill.	Petitions for Revetment Maintenance District Would have cost farmers 10 cents per acre. Would have raised $10,000 a year for maintenance of revetments. Fears were that Skagit would return to old channel and flow towards the Samish.  Strong evidence that is where it used to flow.  (Source:  Prehistoric Settlement Changes In the Southern Northwest Coast, A functional Approach, Gail Thompson, 1978)
2/17/39 MVDH	Petitions Are Circulated For River District SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Feb. 17 – Petitions for the formation of a Skagit river bank revetment maintenance district were circulated this week and sent to state authorities at Olympia for final approval before calling for an election to vote on the matter.  . . .  It is estimated that the average farm will be taxed less than 10 cents per acre.  As petitioned for, the proposed district has at its east boundary the east city limits of Hamilton and extends west through Burlington to the Pacific highway.  . . .  Meanwhile, Skagit County commissioners will be asked on Monday to keep their word in regard to the purchase of the new dragline as required by U.S. engineers in charge of the revetment project.  If this is done, work will proceed to protect remaining danger spots along the entire river.	Riverbank  Maintenance District Proposal called for taxing acreage at 10 cents per acre.  District included river from Burlington through Hamilton. County Commissioners asked to provide new dragline.
2/23/39 Argus	Seek To Form River District Petitions Sent to Olympia For Final Approval Before Calling Election Petitions for the formation of a Skagit river bank revetment maintenance district were circulated this week and sent to state authorities at Olympia for final approval before calling for an election to vote on the matter.  . . . It is estimated that the average farm will be taxed less than 10 cents per acre.  As petitioned for, the proposed district has as its east boundary the east city limits of Hamilton, and extends west through Burlington to the Pacific Highway.  The Skagit River is the south boundary and the north line extends along the foot of the hills on the north side of the Skagit River.  Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Lyman and Hamilton are included in the proposed district.  . . . Meanwhile, Skagit county commissioners will be asked on Monday to keep their word in regard to the purchase of the new dragline as required by U.S. Engineers in charge of the revetment project.  If this is done, work will proceed to protect remaining danger spots along the river.	Petition prepared by local attorney A.H. Ward who later became a judge and settled in the Nookachamps. Taxed 10 cents per acre. District was never formed.
3/1/39 MVDH	Skagit Facts Are Given on Radio Program Skagit County was “on the air” last night in an interesting and factual broadcast about this section.  Speakers were Harry Gille, state and industrial development director of the Puget Sound Power & Light company, and Carl Nelson, of this city, representing the Skagit Chamber of Commerce.  The program was heard on station KJR, on the power company’s regular weekly “Greater Washington Hour.”  . . .  “Logging and lumbering was one of the first and still is a leading industry of the country.  . . .  During the last decade other important industries have been developed, and along with these industries has come the development of agriculture.  Commercial activities in Skagit County include the manufacture of lumber, cement, pulp and paper, clay products and also such plants as condensaries, canneries, creameries and cheese factories.  The mining of minerals and producing dairy center of the Northwest.  The most recent of its many enviable records is that created by Emil Youngquist when, with 18 Holstein cows, he established a national record of 512 pounds of butterfat per cow.  Holstein, Guernsey and Jersey breeds predominate and they will produce this year a total of $3,500,000 worth of dairy products.  The second largest agricultural industry is poultry and eggs with an estimated production this year of $1,250,000.  The total vegetable yield will bring upwards of $1,150,000 – oats $985,630 – seeds $582,735.  Skagit County holds the world’s record for oats production per acre.  In 1935 on the farm of Jim Hulbert was produced 192 bushels.  On the farm of S.A. Medenhall was produced 12,800 full quarts of Marshall strawberries per acre – an equivalent to 1,066 crates or nearly 13 tons.  These are two world’s records Skagit County can well be proud of – and as far as is known these records have never been equaled or exceeded anywhere!  . . .  During the past several years there have been added an average of 100 farmers per year and the towns have prospered in a like manner.	Skagit County Industries Agricultural history.  Timber was king. Jim Hulbert produced 192 bushels of oats per acre in 1935.  World record. Medenhall farm produced 13 tons per acre of strawberries.  World record. Farms growing by average of 100 per year.
3/4/39 MVDH	New District Is Opposed SEDRO-WOOLLEY, March 10 – (Special) – A group of farmers, who reside east of this city, will meet in Burlington city hall Wednesday night at 8 o’clock to discuss the proposed river control district, it was announced here.  . . .  It was said the farmers fear that the district would cast too much money.  It has been proposed that the district raise funds by levy each year to maintain the river bank revetment work along the river.  . . .  It was declared here farmers who are opposing the district feared they could be taxed excessively.  It was pointed out that the law provides a maximum 2 mills as the annual levy, with a total of 5 mills, if approved at a special election.	Riverbank Maintenance District Farmers fear excessive taxes.  2 mills maximum yearly unless approved by public vote then could go to 5 mills ($5 per 1,000 dollar assessed valuation).
3/10/39 MVDH	District Plan To Go Ahead SEDRO-WOOLLEY, March 10 – (Special) – Despite opposition to plans for formation for a maintenance district for the upper Skagit River flood control on the part of a group of farmers who met at Burlington on Wednesday night, Chairman Frank Goodyear of the Utopia farmers’ committee plans to go ahead on the project.  . . .  Some complained that the tax would be too high, others thought that the revetment work already done has not held up well enough and still others held that the federal government should put in more permanent flood protection and attend to its upkeep.	Riverbank Maintenance District Despite opposition proposed district formation would proceed.  Some thought revetment work already done did not hold up.
4/6/39 CT	skagit flood control work is inspected – state and u.s. engineers look over 22,400 ft. of revetments In reply to a petition filed with the state conservation department some time ago, requesting a flood control district for this part of the Skagit river, state and federal engineers spent two days the first of the week, carefully inspecting the 4.2 miles of revetment work which has been finished.  . . .  After the inspection, they stated that the revetment had done all that was expected of it, and that before any more revetment work was done that it would be necessary to provide for maintenance and to prevent log tows from causing the great damage to the brush mats and cables.  A group of farmers, representing signers to a petition opposing the formation of a flood control district, recently conferred with Langlee at Olympia.    . . .  The apparent willingness of the more level-headed farmers to discuss the matter, indicates that it may be brought to a head in the near future.  If more WPA projects are dripped, the probability that the $420,000 available for additional river work will be a lifesaver for this part of the county, from a relief standpoint alone, if the opposing group does not delay action long enough to cause this appropriation to revert to the government for use in some other state.	State Inspects River Erosion Control Projects State demands Skagit County perform maintenance on existing projects before any more money spent on additional projects.  County Commissioners refused to pay for maintenance and instead opted to form flood control “maintenance” district. Log rafts blamed for damage to riverbanks.
5/18/39 CT	state turns down proposal for skagit flood district All the fighting between the two groups of farmers in this section over the proposed organizing of a flood control district, at the request of the county commissioners, is now over, as the state attorney general has ruled that such a proposed district cannot be formed.  This leaves the Skagit river bank protection project where it was when the argument started.  The quarter of a million dollars already spent by the WPA on the river banks in revetment work, will be wasted in many places, as the county commissioners refuse to maintain the work, although the government claims they agreed to do so.  As a result, the revetment has been broken down in many places along the river bank, and in most cases, according to the government engineers, the damage has been caused by tows of logs hitting and breaking off the cables.  . . .  The attorney general ruled that such a district would come under the 40-mill limit law, which makes its formation prohibitive.  The proposed district, if organized under the 1937 law, would be approved by the state, but would have no limit to the local improvement tax which would be levied on all property in the district.	Attorney General Says No To Formation Of Skagit Flood Control District $250,000 already spent was wasted money. Revetment work destroyed by log rafts towed down the Skagit. AG says district would have put Skagit taxing authority over the limit. Local farmers didn’t want alternative district as it would have had unlimited taxing authority.
6/1/39 CT	petition for skagit flood control district refused Petition for a flood district in the upper Skagit, to help maintain revetment work, was refused by J. B. Fink, head of the state department of conservation and development, in an opinion given to the petitioners this week.  Fink recommended a district be formed under the 1937 state law which provides no limit to the tax which could be levied.  The petition asked for a district under the 1935 act, which fixed the limit of the tax at 2 mills.  The decision and action taken by a large number of farmers in the district again brings the matter of flood control to a standstill.  . . .  This petition was thereupon by the director referred to the flood control engineer of his department for preliminary investigation and report.  The investigations have now been completed and the report rendered and placed among the records of the department.  Said report and other available and pertinent data and information are made the basis for the following:  . . .  3.  The average annual cost of maintaining the flood control works, while not immediately ascertainable, is estimated to be well within the probable average annual amount of damages sustained by property within the proposed district, and the assumption of such cost by the benefited property would, therefore, be justified.  . . .  7.  The two mill levy is deemed inadequate for district purposes, especially during the first several years of district operations.  A five mill levy is estimated to be adequate, but since it is dependent upon a year-by-year favorable vote, it is not a safe basis for a district’s financial program.  8.  According to the written opinion of the attorney general, a flood control district, organized under the provisions of Chapter 160, Laws of 1939.  On the basis of this ruling such a district may to all intents and purposes be deprived of the taxing privilege purportedly granted by the act under which it is organized, and may, therefore, be impotent.  . . .  In the opinion of the director, the organization of the district is, therefore, not justified and the petition is hereby dismissed.	Flood Control District Rejected Flood control efforts brought to a standstill. The law under which it was proposed to organize the district as well as the general taxing laws of the state appeared to preclude the levy of sufficient taxes to enable the district to exercise the functions for which it would have been created.
6/29/39 CT	harry l. devin is city’s historian and weather man Harry L. Devin, born in Ottumwa, Ohio, June 16, 1862, came to Sedro in 1889 on a visit and liked the locale so well that the following year he brought his family here an established his home.  . . .  Mr. Devin has had a major part in every important development that has taken place in Sedro-Woolley since its founding and his reference library is the haven of every person wishing facts or figures pertaining to Sedro-Woolley.  In addition, he is the city’s weatherman.  He has been official weather recorder here since July 1, 1896, and has a forty-three year record of faithful service.	Harry L. Devin Sedro-Woolley’s official weather recorder since July 1, 1896.
8/17/39 CT	big skagit river project abandoned  --  office here closes after almost four years; over $400,000 unspent; failure to maintain work means most of $260,000 to be wasted On August 25, unless something unforeseen occurs, the Skagit river bank erosion project engineers’ office maintained in Sedro-Woolley by the WPA since December, 1935, will be closed, and the $418,000 appropriated for additional work on the Skagit, will never be spent.  Iner Nelson, superintendent of the river work, since its beginning in 1935, has already turned in most of his equipment.  . . .  The sum of $418,000 which was appropriated for continuing the work of protecting farms from erosion by the Skagit river, could not be spent because the county commissioners refused to provide equipment they had promised the WPA, and the majority of the farmers fought the plan suggested by the county commissioners, to provide maintenance funds.  The county, in agreeing to the big project, had agreed to finance maintenance, according to WPA authorities, but the county commissioners claimed they had no funds available.  The resulting deadlock has caused the abandonment of further flood control work on the Skagit, and the loss of the $418,000 for which the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce and Congressman Wallgren worked for months.  The original appropriation of $260,000 was spent in three years of building over four miles of revetments on the Skagit between Lyman and Burlington, at the most dangerous points.  The failure of the county to care for the maintenance of these revetments or to prevent damage by low tows has already resulted in loss of much of this work and will cause eventually its almost total loss, according to WPA engineers.  . . .  Lars Langloe, flood control engineer for the state, made the following statements in his report following an inspection of the work which was done: “There is every possibility that reconstruction of these revetments which have failed would be eligible for reconstruction by the WPA and certainly would be included as part of any eventual federal flood control project under the flood control act.  Of the works already constructed about 2,200 feet or 10 percent has been destroyed and requires 100 percent reconstruction at a probable cost of about $27,000.  Lesser portions of the works have sustained some damages which may be repaired at comparatively small expense.  An undetermined percentage of the bank revetments require supplemental planting of willows where the original plantings, for various reasons, failed to grow. Maintenance Cost  . . .  On the Skagit most, if not all, of the damage has been caused by log rafts and unless some measure is taken to compel tug boat companies to keep rafts from tearing out mats and fascines further construction of revetments, whether they be made of brush or rock is a waste of money.  It is believed that under our statutes (Rem. Rev. Stat. Sec. 1182) tug boat companies can be held responsible for any damage they do.	Skagit County Leaves Money On The Table For Erosion Control WPA office to close. $418,000 not spent because County Commissioners refused to provide equipment to WPA as promised and had not provided maintenance of previous completed projects. Log tows (rafts) reportedly was what damaged flood erosion control projects.
8/17/39 CT	Grocery Store Ad	Bacon 19 cents a pound
10/5/39 CT	new flood control project may start -- chamber of commerce works to get $420,000 project for skagit river; captain trudeau and commissioners talk at busy session A final effort to have the $420,000 W. P. A. appropriation spent on Skagit river bank projection work, was made at the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce meeting here Thursday evening.	Skagit County Tries To Save Flood Erosion Control Money
11/9/39 CT	wallgren urges starting of skagit river flood project Congressman Mon Wallgren, who was instrumental in getting the Skagit River flood control appropriations, hopes that arrangements can be made with the WPA to continue the work under the new $420,000 appropriation.  When asked for his co-operation, he made the following statement:  A number of people have written me recently urging an immediate start of the new $418,000 flood control project on the Skagit River.  While I have informed these people that continuation of the project depends upon the ability of the county to maintain the revetment work when it is completed, I do hope that the WPA is making every effort to reach an agreement with the Skagit County officials.  . . .  Agreements must be made to protect those investments before additional money is expended but I hope the federal agencies will miss no opportunity to see that proper arrangements are made.	Congressman Tells County They Need To Enter Into Maintenance Agreements With WPA. Continuation of projects hinged on maintenance of existing projects.
11/9/39 CT	skagit flood control work discontinued  --  efforts to set up new project blocked by lack of money Efforts to get work started on the new $420,000 Skagit river revetment work project, were blocked this week, when the WPA submitted complete figures for the project which demanded that the county pay some $90,000 as its share of the cost.  This makes it impossible for the county to undertake the project, the commissioners stated Monday.  . . .  Instead of having the WPA furnish the cable, powder, cement and other material, as was done on the other Skagit river revetment project on which $260,000 was spent, the new setup called for the county to spend $29,500 for these materials, and to pay over $6,000 for labor, besides furnishing some $53,000 worth of equipment, necessitating the expenditure of some $40,000 in cash, the commissioners stated.  . . .  The raising of the cash outlay required of the county on an entirely different basis from the first project, has made any immediate start on the new project impossible, the commissioners stated today.	WPA Kills Erosion Control Projects With Cost Sharing Demands County required to pay $90,000. County couldn’t afford it and projects were at a standstill.

2/20/41 Argus	argus of 1897 Tells of high water in skagit River Misbehaves After being on good behavior for nearly a year the Skagit river got on an obstreperous streak last Friday night and came up ten feet to let the people know it had not forgotten its old job.  After causing many prophesies it tumbled back into its old ruts and now there is scarcely enough water to allow a Missouri river sucker to come up stream without the aid of propellers.  The Skagit is all right—no moss on its back or banks either.  This item was written too early.  She is boiling again.	1897 Flood River came up ten feet.
2/20/41 Argus	early pioneers settled in mount vernon before 1870; incorporated 1890 Early History of Mount Vernon is Recalled; Local Community was first Permanent Inland Town Started in County. …as early as 1870 two pioneer families had settled near the big log jam in the Skagit river to lay the foundation of the present Mount Vernon.  Jasper Gates was the first to settle here, preceding Joseph F Dwelley by a few months.  . . . Two Log Jams Two huge log jams in the Skagit, one centuries old, proved major obstacles in the community’s development but the hearty pioneers with brain, brawn and perseverance, finally were victorious and following the opening of the river, the community grew rapidly.  The largest of the log jams was located about a mile above the present city while the second was a half-mile below.  So dense and solid were the jams that even large trees grew on top of the debris.  . . .  By 1874 Mt. Vernon and the upper valley had enough settlers to seriously consider means to break the log jams Indians reported had been “always existent.”. First Farmers Samuel Calhoun and Michael J. Sullivan were the first of a group of foresighted farmers who set foot on Skagit mainland soil, seeking to reclaim it and convert it into farmland.	Two Log Jams Indians said log jams “always existent”. First Farmers.
3/27/41 Argus	flood control project fails to get approval $3,150,000 Expenditure on Skagit River Is Frowned Upon—2 Other Projects Out—Army Engineer Makes Report Before House Committee in National Capital Three Skagit county projects, calling for an estimated expenditure of $3,274,000, may be stricken from the 1941-42 program of the U.S. government; it was revealed in Wash. D.C., late yesterday afternoon when Manor General Julian L. Schley, chief of the army engineers, made a report to the house appropriations committee during hearings on the war department civil functions bills.	Could not be determined from article what the $3,150,000 project was.
9/18/41 CT	Skagit River Damages Farm Lands and Roads at Utopia Flood control conditions on the Skagit river are rapidly reaching the emergency state and immediate action is necessary to save thousands of acres of valuable farm land.  During the past week or two, conditions in the Utopia district have rapidly become worse, with many acres of fine farmland, being washed down stream.  . . .  The road has been washed out again, and the river is cutting into the north bank more rapidly than ever.  The farmers blame the logging operators and tow boats for this increased destruction.  They say that the log raft, tied across the river, has caused the channel to swing to the north and that the log tows are constantly snagging on the banks and helping undermine them.  The farmers also claim that a little more work on the bar, would form a channel and relieve the pressure on the north bank, where their farms are located.  They also claim that a little work by the snag boat would go a long way to helping the present emergency, but the new snag boat is too big to be able to come up the river.  They wonder just what it is for, except to provide a nice home for the crew.  The county commissioners will do nothing to save the land, stating the problem is too great for them, and the U.S. army engineers, have promised to investigate, as they have been doing for forty years.  . . .  The farmers who see their entire life work, washing down stream, with the prospect of losing their homes, are getting desperate, and are demanding something more than a federal investigation and survey.  . . .  County Commissioner E.C. Carrand and an officer of the snag boat visited the Utopia district yesterday.  They told the farmers that nothing could be done by the snag boat, which could not get up the river, but advised them to take action, although they could not be officially given permission to do so.  The logging operators were instructed to remove their raft of logs.	Logging Interest Blamed For Erosion Of River Banks Thousands of acres threatened. Log raft tied on south bank caused river current to swing to the north. County Commissioners say problem too big for them. Nothing could be done by the snag boat.
5/6/43 CT	u.s. survey to be made here of skagit water resources A systematic study of the streams of Skagit county, to determine flow and volume of water, is to be made by the United States survey crew at once, following discussion at a recent meeting of the county planning council.  . . .  According to estimates, the cost of a complete survey of all rivers and streams will be about $12,000.	Another Study
7/8/43 CT	river at door of ninth utopia home  --  state and county fail to maintain revetments; skagit cuts 200 feet in few weeks; more homes in danger Three or four more days and another Utopia home will be in the Skagit river because neither the county nor the state could see to furnishing a comparatively small maintenance fund for the revetments put along the river by the federal government a few years back at the cost of many hundreds of thousands of dollars.  The home of George Betschart just behind the Utopia school is being moved today as the river has already cut into the front yard, slicing off more than 200 feet of land in the last two or three weeks and now only a few feet short of the front porch.  . . .  Ninth Home to Move -- The Betschart home is the ninth home in the past twenty years or less that has had to be either moved or torn down in the path of the Skagit in the two bends in that area.  Six silos, two of concrete, as well as many barns and other buildings have had to be transported out of the water’s path.  An estimated 250 or 300 acres of cleared land have been carried down the river in that period from that area.  . . .    In the late 1930’s the federal government allotted hundreds of thousands of dollars for revetments along the Skagit, the largest river in the State of Washington next to the Columbia, to keep it in its proper bed.  A comparatively small sum of $10,000 a year was asked from either the county or state for a maintenance fund to keep the revetments up.  This was not obtained, and, as a result, the river is this week taking its ninth home in the Utopia area alone.  Lacked Support -- The government had more funds available for additional revetments but would not donate them unless the state or county could supply a small maintenance fund.  It was not done.  . . .  There is also the danger that should the river cut through at one other point, which is not at all unlikely, the city of Sedro-Woolley will have the second largest river in the State of Washington flowing through its main streets.	Erosion On Skagit Continues In Utopia Area 8 homes already moved from edge of river.  9^th home threatened.  County and state blamed for not providing maintenance funds of previous erosion control projects. 250 to 300 acres eroded in last 20 years. Perceived danger was that Skagit would cut through and flow into Sedro-Woolley.
7/29/43 Argus	Danger Point Flood Works Suggested Preventive flood control works at danger points rather than a complete upstream-to-lowland revetment program appears advisable on the upper Skagit river, County Engineer H.O. Walberg said Wednesday night following an inspection trip by Parker tugboat to Lyman ferry crossing.  He said federal soil conservation service officials who accompanied him on the trip were inclined to similar opinions.  Possibility was seen that plans for comprehensive studies of the exact needs for flood control along the river could be undertaken soon as far as the vital points of the stream were concerned.  Damage from the recent high water, while it was serious in the case of individual farmers, notably in the Utopia district, was not appreciable from the over-all standpoint, Walberg said.  “The big danger, of real, wide-spread damage, is that of a change in the course of the river,” the engineer declared.	Needed more studies of the river. Damage referenced would have been from December 2, 1941 flood, 30.17 in Concrete, 25.99 in Mt. Vernon. Concerned about channel changes.
7/29/43 CT	soil engineers hope to get relief for utopia erosion Soil Conservation Service officials, county and state men yesterday studied in detail the erosion problems on the Skagit river between Mount Vernon and the Lyman ferry.  . . .  First, a short range emergency program at three critical spots on the river, the Utopia bend, at the bend below Utopia at what was the old Buchanan farm and at the head of Skiyou Slough on the present Reece farm.  Second, a longer range master plan for coordinated improvement as new critical areas develop.  Such a critical area seems to be developing on the last bend of the river before it enters the straight stretch towards the Sedro-Woolley bridge.  Here it might prove expedient to change the course of the river back into what is now called Deadman’s slough.  . . .  Alarming erosion was noted continuously on one side of the river or the other with few exceptions all the way from the Great Northern bridge to Lyman.  Of the brush revetment installed five years ago only the job at Lyman has proven itself.  A revetment at Utopia has been abandon by the river while all the other jobs have been undermined along the toe and have completely disintegrated or are beyond repair.  . . .  It is a well known fact that the upriver erosion which seems critical only to the farmers living on the immediate bank of the river is the cause of excessive siltation on the lower stretches of the river where the expensive dikes may soon have to be raised.	SCS Recommends Emergency Plan For Skiyou, and Utopia SCS floated the idea of changing the channel of the Skagit back into “Deadmans Slough” (was on left bank of river near Day Creek.  Now part of main river channel.) Erosion from Sedro-Woolley bridge to Lyman.  All WPA work destroyed except at Lyman.
8/5/43 CT	soil district favors aid on river erosion -- local farmers to ask for county help program needed The Skagit Soil District supervisors at their regular monthly meeting last Saturday approved participation by the district in the river erosion control program being developed for the Lyman-Sedro-Woolley stretch of river.  Supervisor Fred Martin, chairman of the district supervisors, insisted that “the soil district’s participation hinge upon a long term agreement for continuous control of the river.  Supervisor Fred Martin, chairman of the district supervisors, insisted that “the soil district’s participation hinge upon a long term agreement for continuous control of the river as new problem areas develop in the years to come and for maintenance of work done already.”  Mr. Martin felt that the soil conservation district should not rush into this emergency and correct the Utopia-Skiyou Slough danger spots only to have the money wasted by lack of long term maintenance.  Grover Duvall, supervisor, stated that if the river is allowed to go through the new Wiseman creek course it is now developing, down stream siltation may become an immediate serious problem to the farmers on the flats.  Mr. Duvall cited from his own observations the effect of the cut through the Sterling bend some years back.  First, he noticed that the river at his farm suddenly started to cut a deeper channel as the speed of the water increased.  The water table on his farm dropped sharply with the result that he had to lower his well pumps six feet all over the farm.  Mr. Duvall’s second observation was that the river at this same time developed the present gravel and silt bar between the Great Northern and Mount Vernon-Riverside bridge.  If the river up-stream is allowed to cut a new channel between the Buchanan and Reece farm down Wiseman creek the diking districts on the flats and navigation interests may be immediately affected.	SCS Wanted Long-Term Agreement For Continuous Control Of The River SCS participation hinged on long-term agreement for maintenance of erosion control projects. Sterling farmer noticed that river cut deeper channel after Skagit cut-off Sterling Bend (which we now know was helped along with dynamite in 1911).  Water table at Sterling dropped at least 6 feet.
8/10/43 MVDH	skagit fishery work proposed . . .  Erosion control and fishery development comprised the major items of discussion with representatives of the state department of fisheries and the Skagit soil conservation district present. . . .  That plans are now being initiated for post war work in fisheries was revealed by Clausen who pointed out that the future work must make possible greater spawning areas and protection of river assets now available in Skagit county. In the wide-scale postwar program for Skagit county, he listed eight projects headed by the creation of a Skagit river fish hatchery. . . .  Other projects in Skagit county include the removal of barriers and dam at Nookachamps creek; survey of additional water supply . . .  Sauk river power and flood control dam site; study of the proposed Cascade river power and flood control dam site; installation of facilities at the Baker river dam to aid fish in entering and leaving the Baker river area; and fish way over the east fork falls of Nookachamps creek. Present work on the Skagit water problem includes the establishment of 16 gauge stations in the county. . . .  The need for immediate work on the erosion problem was emphasized by Mr. Dickey as the critical situation in the Lyman-Sedro-Woolley area was again cited.	Fish Projects Skagit River fish hatchery, remove dam barriers on Nookachamps Creek; fish facilities at Lower Baker. Flood projects being looked at included dam sites on Sauk River and Cascade River. Erosion control looked at between Sedro-Woolley and Lyman.
8/11/43 MVDH	Upper Skagit Dams Are Huge Asset To County (Editorial) Be it said to the everlasting credit and honor of “J.D.” Ross and his zealous associates, a few of whom are still living and carrying on, and to the credit of the good people of Seattle who followed their leadership, they have created a marvelous, living, pulsating, engineering project on the upper Skagit river that will endure and serve the people of their city and adjoining coast communities for countless generations to come.  They have reclaimed a mountain wilderness for human service, they have transformed a raging, rushing river, confined for thirty long miles in an almost inaccessible, towering, precipitous canyon, into a modern gigantic hydroelectric power system.  They have harnessed nature, without destroying it, to serve the needs of man.  They have taken possession of the flood waters of this short but mighty Pacific Coast river, removing the menace of annual disaster to the rich and broad valley lands below, and stored them to furnish more power.  . . .  It really belongs to Skagit County by every rule of geography and contiguity, although the first and original Gorge Powerhouse at Newhalem lies three miles north of our county boundary line is, therefore, in Whatcom County.  . . .  Every mile of inhabited and cultivated Skagit valley, aside from the project installations, lies in Skagit County.  Some day we hope the legislature will consider these facts seriously enough to attach this eastern area of Whatcom County to Skagit County, of which it should be a part for all practicable purposes.  . . .  County Job Building the Skagit project was not child’s play but a man’s job.  It took grit, courage, sweat, and hardship to drive tunnels, build dams, install machinery, to even set up living quarters up there.  The cost cannot be measured in money.  Where the upper dam, Ross Dam, was built in the past few years and where it is now being raised, there wasn’t a level spot on which to build crude living quarters.  . . .  It is probably the world’s worst construction site.  An idea of the depth of the river canyon – a narrow one at that – is gained from the fact that this man-made reservoir, or lake, is 100 feet deep in the channel between Diablo and Ross Dams, a distance of about eight miles.  Above Ross Dam, Ruby Lake spreads out with less depth and when new work on this dam is finally completed, this reservoir will back up five miles into Canada.  Seattle has already acquired the necessary Canadian property and flood rights.  Three Units  The Seattle project consists of three separate units, built in series.  Briefly the original Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem, opened in 1924, receives its water through an 11,000-foot tunnel heading in the river about three miles upstream.  Seven miles above Newhalem, reached by the electric gorge railway, is Diablo Dam and powerhouse.  This water comes from Diablo Lake and consists of the entire flow and storage of the river above Newhalem.  Construction of the highest, or Ross power plant, waits on the completion of this dam.  . . .  Hunters’ Paradise  . . .  Towering above the construction camp 175 feet, or 305 feet from solid bedrock, Ross Dam presents a veritable facsimile of Niagara Falls, a roaring, fascinating cataract, whose clouds and sheets of spray at times envelop and drench everything within hundreds of feet.  . . .  Would Raise Dam  Engineers estimate that the present Ross structure can be safely pushed up 235 feet higher, or 75 feet higher than the contractors are now building it.  Efforts are being made to do this but the decision is in the hands of the Federal Power Commission.  . . .  For comparative purposes it may be stated that the Diablo plant operates on a 313-foot head of water.  It is also important and reassuring to know that Ross Dam is 200 feet thick at its base, tapering to 65 feet at the top, crown measurements.  Huge Reservoir  Of special and vital interest to Skagit County and its people are the figures on reservoir storage, for this constitutes flood water projection.  Diablo Lake now contains 90,000 acre-feet of water.  Ruby Lake is about 10,000 acre-feet larger.  When the present contractors raise Ross Dam 160 feet, the water storage in Ruby Lake will increase to 676,000 acre-feet.  If and when the dam is raised another 75, as desired but not authorized, Ruby Lake will reach the enormous size of 1,400,000 acre-feet and, as related, will cross the Canadian border, a body of water 21 miles in length.  Thus, practically the complete flow of the Skagit River will be controlled and harnessed, i.e. the river above Newhalem.  . . .  The dams on the upper Skagit built by the City of Seattle have unquestionably alleviated flood conditions in the lower valley and the greater storage planned for Ruby Lake will remove the menace, as long as the dams hold.  . . .  Skagit County’s Interest  . . .  Mr. Hoffman, who is no stranger to Skagit County, wants our people to know more about the Skagit project and take a deeper interest in it.  . . .  He would like us to feel that these dams are reservoirs have given us greater security against lower valley floods.  . . .  Some day we hope we may utilize some of this power created by our own river.  It is our project as well as Seattle’s.	Upper Skagit Dams As Much Skagit County’s Project As Seattle’s Praises J.D. Ross. Transformed a raging, rushing river, into a modern gigantic hydroelectric power system. Taken floodwaters and removed the menace of annual disaster to the rich and broad valley lands below. Wanted legislature to annex dam sites into Skagit County. Diablo Lake 100 feet deep and 8 miles long. Gorge powerhouse opened in 1924. “…practically the complete flow of the Skagit River will be controlled and harnessed…”  Dams have unquestionably alleviated flood conditions in the lower valley and the greater storage planned for Ruby Lake (Ross Lake) will remove the menace, as long as the dams hold.
8/19/43 CT	soil experts to rush work on river here -- u.s. army cooperating to speed erosion prevention Fred Martin, chairman of the soil conservation district supervisors, announced yesterday that the U.S. Army engineers were cooperating in the erosion-siltation control project now being set up by the Soil Conservation District.  Mr. Martin received data sheets and maps from previous surveys by the engineers in Hamilton-Sedro-Woolley sector of the Skagit River.  In their letter the army engineers made it clear that before any construction work is done on the river, the Soil Conservation District must file with the army engineers complete engineering plans for channel changes or any bank revetment work.  The army is concerned with impediments that might be a hazard to up stream navigation.  . . .  The construction in the three critical points, Utopia school, Wiseman creek and the head of Skiyou slough, will then go forward as county financing of the project is cleared up and army engineer’s approval is secured on the proposals.	Corps Wanted Plans For Proposed Erosion Control Work Work near the Utopia school, Wiseman Creek and the head of Skiyou was proposed.  Corps concerned about channel changes creating “impediments” to upstream navigation.
8/19/43 CT	skagit river and probable new hatcheries, considered With the Skagit river listed as the second most valuable stream in the State of Washington, from the fisheries standpoint, representing as it does a total value of some $1,600,000 from takes for commercial and sport fishing, the state department of fisheries is scheduling a post-war fisheries program headed by the creation of a Skagit river fish hatchery and three large stations on the main Skagit river for the study of fishing, greater spawning areas and general protection of river assets now available in Skagit county.	Fish Issue Commercial and sport fishermen represented $1,600,000 in Skagit fish takes.
9/30/43 CT	progress reported on plan to stop erosion on skagit Upriver erosion control progress was reported, a study of the dike and drainage district problems was instituted, and a rather complete summary of the 35 years of change on the Skagit river was reported by Captain Forest Elwell, at the first meeting of the County Planning Commissions’ new committee on the Skagit river and water resources, held in the Mt. Vernon Junior college last Monday evening, September 27.  . . .  Captain Forest Elwell, long time Skagit river pilot, outlined 35 years of change on the river from Marblemount to the mouth.  The gradual elimination of more than a dozen ox-bows including the big Sorenson Bend and Sterling Bend has reduced the rivers length by 25 miles, Captain Elwell estimated.  He pointed out that the river has been increased in velocity by the shortening process until increased silt in the lower reaches of the river is steadily reducing the rivers capacity between already restricted dikes.  The present diking system is far from adequate, competent engineers have stated.  In Captain Elwell’s opinion the Avon cut-off will relieve the flood problem on the flats but he raised the question, “For how long.”	Skagit River Increasing in Velocity The “shortening” of the Skagit River deserves further discussion.  While Captian Elwell is correct that some “oxbows” have disappeared, others have formed.  In October 1919 the Corps of Engineers wrote “The Skagit River is ordinarily navigable from its mouth to Concrete, a distance of 58 miles, and at times of high water 38 miles higher.” (Source: J. A. Woodruff, Lt. Col. USACOE, Report dtd 10/10/19).  In 1925 the Corps wrote, “Baker River junction with the Skagit 58 miles above Skagit mouth.”  Today’s GIS maps show Baker River junction at RM 56.5.  1.5 miles shorter, not 25 miles.
10/7/43 Argus	Upper River Erosion Work Hoped For Yet This Fall Final soundings were taken yesterday afternoon preparatory to the proposed driving of piling dolphins on the upper Skagit river in an effort to slow down flood currents and curtail erosion, County Engineer H.O. Walberg reported.  The engineer hopes to set rows of dolphins extending outward from the river banks at erosion points before the late fall and early winter high water season sets in.  . . . The new approach to the erosion project fits in with future plans for river bank protection, Walberg said.  Use of dolphins to catch debris and bring about deposit of silt was first tried in the Avon diking district nearly 34 years ago.  Today, he said, the river has completely filled in a bad wash that occurred in 1909.	New approach to flood control.  Use of dolphins to catch flood debris and deposit silt. Dolphins first used in Avon after 1909 flood.
10/14/43 CT	flood control council urges warning plan – valley in danger from floods last winter; cold prevents Flood possibilities in the Skagit valley last winter were the worst on record, it was learned by the Skagit county delegates attending the Puget Sound flood control meeting in Chehalis last Saturday, October 9.  The snows were the deepest on record, the rains had saturated the lowlands and the upstream dams were full.  The only thing that saved the valley was the fact that the temperature remained very low throughout the winter and stayed low for most of the summer.  Such a threat, little known by the average citizen, lead the flood control council to recommend that Skagit county immediately take steps to set up a flood warning system.	Flood Early Warning System Skagit County dodged a bullet. Skagit County needs a flood early warning system.
10/28/43 CT	skagit flood control work starts soon – county gives $5,000.00 – warning system is being prepared With engineering studies nearing completion, piling purchased, and a $5,000 appropriation from the county commissioners, flood control work in the Utopia area will be started soon…Captain Forest Elwell of the Parker Tugboat company, reported that he had dynamited a log jam on the Wolfe place which should release the erosion both above and below the jam.  . . .  Plans for the flood warning system which the U.S. weather bureau, Seattle, has offered to set up were described and the committee learned that no local expense will be involved.  The committee’s job will be to find cooperative and competent persons in the upper Sauk, Suiattle, Cascade and Baker River areas to report rainfall and river conditions daily during a potential flood period.  . . .  A local agency interested and willing to act as the discriminating body when a warning should be made over the Skagit flats that a flood is on its way must be found also and three have been suggested:  county engineers office, the SCS or the State Department of Forestry with offices in Sedro-Woolley.	Flood Early Warning System Log jam in the Utopia area dynamited. Residents on Sauk, Suiattle, Cascade and Baker Rivers were to be “river watchers”.
12/2/43 CT	crew of men now at work on revetment – building big mat for diverting current near skiyou On the Reese place the Skagit has been gouging a progressively deeper U-shaped hole, extending in length about 800 feet above the entrance to Skiyou slough, a channel which could bypass the Skagit’s flow should active erosion eat away the protecting bank.  It is the plan to divert the river’s attack by building out a floating, interlaced mat of large trees, interlaced mat of large trees, complete with branches.  These hemlock, firs, maple and alders now are being dragged to the bank area and being jostled and lashed into position with cables anchored to a series of buried “deadmen” inland.  Out in front a 1,000 foot stretch of cable, to which a tree raft will be anchored, will straighten out the bank line and act as the main baffle mat.  This extended mat is intended to slow down the current, catch debris and gradually build up a thick wall to keep swirling flood waters away from the bank.	Interesting Bank Erosion Project The description of this project is entirely different then what they did at Sterling and Burlington.  Sounds kind of like an artificial log jam against the river bank.
12/9/43 CT	river crew’s work proves o.k. in flood – new rock and tree mat prevents damage at skiyou slough Mud spattered battalions of the county engineer’s office are flushed with their first victory in the major battle against the Skagit river, which last week rolled back her banks and went on a brief but record flood rampage.  . . .  Last Friday’s torrential rains precipitated premature test of this engineering theory, which has been regarded with skepticism by some side-line “engineers.”  The Skagit started climbing a foot an hour and finally topped her banks.  Although overflow water entered Skiyou slough, the bank did not gouge out.  Witnesses who watched the river’s rise and saw the debris and logs bob by, claim that the brush mat was instrumental in deflecting the river enough to protect the bank at the slough entrance.  Rock in place withstood the current that did hit the bank.  Since neither the mat or rock work was completed, the success is noteworthy.	DECEMBER 3, 1943 FLOOD USGS Concrete 65,200 cfs (28.4). Record flood rampage?  Flood was barely over flood stage.
3/23/44 CT	sportsmen protest closing skagit river for fishing Effective April 1 and through the period ending May 27, the Skagit river will be closed its entire length from the government marker on saltwater, to the Canadian border to all sport fishing, according to the new game laws as issued by the State Game Commission. This announcement comes as a blow to the fisherman of the entire state. Hardest hit, are the residents of Skagit county who have fished the river the year around since white men first settled in the valley. With gasoline rationing pared down to two gallons per week, residents living in the towns and on the farms along the banks of the Skagit will now have to giver up their “backyard” fishing and burn their precious gasoline on trips to some lake in the adjacent area on and after April 2.  . . .  Oddly enough effective May 1, commercial fishermen will be permitted to pursue their fishing with gill nets in the waters of the Skagit river from the junction of the north and south forks to saltwater.	Skagit Closed To Sports Fishing Before this time Skagit was open year round. Gasoline was rationed to citizens at the rate of two gallons per week. Commercial fisherman were allowed to put nets in river from North & South Fork confluence to Puget Sound.
3/23/44 CT	Grocery Store Ad	Salmon or Halibut 39 cents per pound
3/30/44 Argus	Seattle Angler Vote Defeats Skagit Plea State Council Declines to Back Reopening of River in April-May Period Opposition of Seattle anglers swung the Washington Sports Council against supporting the newly-formed Skagit Sportsmen’s association demand for keeping the Skagit River open to fishing during the next two months, Acting President Floyd McKeon reported following his return from the Council’s weekend session at Yakima.	Fish Issue 12 members of the council were from Seattle and 1 was from Everett.
3/30/44 Argus	Editorial – Closing Skagit Not Enough The commission’s closure order may have been ill-advised, or at least unnecessary in itself; certainly, the manner of its making was ill-advised and most unfair.  . . .  And little was said or heard of the decision to close the river for two months until the commission issued its 1944 season regulations in printed form a short time ago.  Skagit County fishermen feel they should have had something to say about what was done to their river fishing grounds.  They feel, too, that, granted the river’s fish population does need some attention; there are factors other than the take of the anglers that may be diminishing the steelhead runs.  Why doesn’t the game commission do something about the seal herds that are reported to be invading the delta in increasing numbers—they’re voracious when it comes to fish—and why doesn’t the commission take some steps toward wiping out some of the birds that continually prey on small fish up and down the river?  Not to mention a stronger fish hatching and planting program?  These are some of the questions Skagit fishermen are asking.  . . .  The game department should have to answer more fully than just to say, “We have set a precedent for closing streams that have flipper or cut-throat runs at this time of year.”	Fish Issue Steelhead runs diminishing.  Is this the beginning of the impacts of the dams? Editor blames seals and birds. Game Dept. allegedly was protecting cut-throat runs.
3/30/44 CT	game protector splane cites reasons for skagit closing So much interest and open condemnation of the state game department was expressed by sportsmen and others, following the recent announcement of the closing of the Skagit for its entire length to all sport fishing, from the first of April to the twenty-eighth of May that it seemed advisable to contact Game Protector Morris Splane and learn the game department’s side of the story.  . . .  Splane gave the following reasons for the closing of the Skagit . . . “…Fundamentally it was for the management of the steelhead and cutthroat in the costal waters, and for their protection during two periods or stages in their life’s history. We have assembled considerable data which indicates that the majority of young steelhead go to salt water when the approximately two years of age. At this time many of them, if not most of them, are legal sized fish. Their migration from fresh to salt water extends over a period of several months. It is heaviest from about the first of April to the middle of May. It has been found that these fish may be readily taken at this time and it follows that if the catch of these immature fish is large, the numbers of returning adults is proportionately reduced. Therefore, in order to avoid depletion from this cause, we find that it is necessary to have a closed period so as to guarantee a sufficiently large escapement. In some of the streams, such as the Skagit, returning adult steelhead will ascend the stream during every month of the year. The winter run fish reach the peak of their run from February to April.  . . .  Also remember that steelhead are primarily a four year fish- that is, they reach maturity at the age of four years. …”	Skagit Closed to Sports Fishermen. Protection of steelhead and cutthroat primary reason for closing river from April 1 to May 28^th.  Steelhead take 4 years to reach maturity.
4/1/44 Argus	New Dam 23 Stories High Working together to promote their Puget Sound-Cascade region, members of Puget Sound Utilities Council point to this 23-stories high Skagit River Gorge dam now under construction.  Costing nearly 15 million dollars, it will add 43,000 kilowatts to present output of Seattle City Light’s Gorge powerhouse.  It will be 670 feet wide, 285 feet high.  New Gorge high dam is part of 700 million dollar program of Council members to boost power supply to meet regions coming growth, as outlined in a Council brochure.	Gorge Dam Under construction.
5/6/44 CT	tugboat skipper relates his adventures on skagit river For forty years a tugboat skipper on the boisterous Skagit river, Captain F. M. Elwell drew upon his rich background of experiences to give Rotarians, on March 30, a colorful flashback to the county’s pioneer days, when Sauk was the upriver terminus for daily tugboat service between it and Seattle.  . . .  Tug boating on the Skagit began when log towing was started, after the daily freight run between Seattle and Sauk ended. Sauk, jumping off place for pack string trains to the upper valley’s mining centers, was then a busy terminal, boasting a newspaper, The Sauk Journal.  . . .  The Skagit has changed considerably during Elwells’ tug boating career. Sternwheelers formerly required three hours to make the run from Mount Vernon to Sedro-Woolley. Present day tugs can make the trip in an hour and a half, because of the shortened distances caused by the river straightening out ox bow bends, principally at Sterling. Other river stretches where channel changes have cut out ox bows are at Lyman, where elimination of three bends reduced nine miles of water to three, and between Marblemount and Rockport, where twelve miles have been dropped to four.  . . .  Upper river dams have little to do with flood control on the Skagit, according to Elwell. A bad flood year can occur again if winter conditions are right, such as heavy snowfall with continued rains or a thawing Chinook. If such a flood should occur, the Skagit flats are in for trouble because the present channel of the South Fork is silted up to the level of the surrounding land. An inadequate dike system, not designed for a prolonged flood, is the only bulwark against flood waters and would not last long. The South Fork should be dredged or a head opened up to allow water to scour out some of the silt, according to Elwell.	Skagit River Changed Over Time Sternwheelers used to take 3 hours from Mt. Vernon to Sedro-Woolley.  Now only takes 1.5 hours due to Sterling cut-off. 3 ox bows eliminated at Lyman.  Reduced river by 6 miles.  Between Marblemount and Rockport 12 miles reduced to 4. “Upper river dams have little to do with flood control.”  “An inadequate dike system, not designed for a prolonged flood, is the only bulwark against flood waters and would not last long.” (See CT article 9/30/43 for related story.)
6/4/44 CT	skagit soil district helps farmers in drainage plans Supervisors of the Skagit Soil Conservation District this week plan to “make the dirt fly” on 3750 lineal feet of open ditch construction on the Curt Wiles place, on the East Fork of Nookachamps Creek. Jack Turner, of Bow, has been engaged to complete the project with his power shovel. The drainage job is one of several in progress under the sponsorship and technical guidance of the Skagit District.  . . .  East Fork of Nookachamps creek is well known to local people because of the aggravated drainage problem present. Logs coming down stream during earlier logging days clogged up the stream and became compacted and then silted, until today the stream bed runs about three feet above the level of the surrounding territory. The long time drainage program to be worked out by the Skagit Soil Conservation District not only will benefit individual farmers and the general area, but also should help restore fish populations in this obstructed stream.	SCS Helps Nookachamps Farmers Nookachamps Creek became silted in and no longer carried water in channel.  Project said to help fish.
6/8/44 C.H.	sauk, faber dams as flood control means studied Means to secure better flood control protection from uncertain waters of the Skagit River, a problem which has bothered Skagit county residents since the first settlers arrived, were again thoroughly considered at the June meeting of the Skagit County Planning council held at the Skagit county courthouse Monday night. … The three plans which received the most discussion were: 1. The proposed Avon by-pass which would carry off surplus flood water from the Skagit River, from either a point north of Avon or from a point near the southeast corner of the Burlington City limits; 2. The proposed Sauk River Dam; 3. The proposed Faber Dam. … Means of financing any of the proposals proved another troublesome problem. A strictly flood control dam was deemed non-feasible although a multi-purpose dam with poser interests assisting in construction costs was felt possible.	Sauk Dam, Faber Dam, Avon By-Pass Flooding a problem since first settlers arrived. Financing any of the proposed solutions was and is just as big of a problem.
8/24/44 C.H.	loggers warned against practice harmful to fish A warning was issued yesterday to logging companies throughout the state by Fred J. Foster, Director of Fisheries, against unauthorized removal of gravel from stream beds and other practices by some of the operators that seriously affect the natural habitat and passage of migratory fish. … In commenting upon the warning to loggers Foster said, “Many of the state’s best salmon producing streams have been rendered impotent by practices that completely blocked the passage of spawning fish. Others have been seriously affected by gouging out valuable spawning beds for the purpose of securing gravel for road construction, while some have actually been completely diverted in order to use the stream bed for a truck road. This is especially destructive during the time the fish are spawning and when the eggs are in the gravels.	Fish Issue Logging hurting fish runs by removing gravel from streams or otherwise blocking fish passageways.
1/11/45 CT	$25,000 damage caused by flood -- northern state hospital water reservoir washed out when hanson creek runs wild; prairie family escapes death; home ruined Heavy damage to the Northern state hospital’s intake reservoir dams on Hanson creek near the hospital was caused last Sunday when a log jam in a ravine above the dams was broken up by flood waters and the logs sent smashing with destructive force against the concrete structures.  Cost of repair of the dams will approximate $25,000, hospital authorities stated.  . . .  Torrential rains last week near the headwaters of Hanson creek swelled the stream to unprecedented flood stage and swept the log jam downstream, from where it had been lodged for several years in the ravine.  The logs were the accumulation of abandoned cuttings from a logging operation in the nearby hills several years ago and residents of that vicinity estimated that there were perhaps a thousand logs packed in the ravine, many of them of great size.  Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Gaston, who reside about two miles below the dam, and near Hanson creek, narrowly escaped death when the huge mass of logs crashed through their premises riding a six-foot wall of swirling water.  Giant logs smashed against the Gaston residence, carrying away the entire outer wall of a bedroom and doing an estimated $1,000 property damage.  . . .  About 100 yards distant, across Hanson creek from the Gaston residence, a two-acre field seeded to clover was ruined by the flood.  . . .  A county bridge across Hanson creek, joining the Flaherty road with the old “C. C. C.” road, and located between the Gaston and Hill residences, was destroyed by the deluge of logs and rushing water and the creek bed at this point was filled in to a depth of five feet with muck and sand.  . . .  The Samish river was at its highest peak in history last week and flood waters covered hundreds of acres of farm land, but without causing material damage.	Hanson Creek Flooding Heavy rains cause log jam from logging operation to break loose and damaged intake reservoir dams on Creek. Resulting landslide and flood almost killed local farming family living along Hanson Creek. Bridge over Hanson Creek destroyed. Samish River at highest peak in history.
1/25/45 CT	skagit river poses threat in lyman area -- great northern roadbed endangered; farms damaged Unless corrective steps are taken, Skagit river eventually may change its course at a point near Lyman and flow directly into Minkler lake, located about four miles east of Sedro-Woolley.  That is the opinion of river experts who have studied the vagaries[13] of Skagit river at this point for years.  Natural outlet of an overflow from Minkler lake would be along a course of such an overflow, according to engineering surveys.  . . .  Actual damage near Lyman so far is the destruction of about 20 acres of valuable farm land washed out by the encroaching river.  . . .  Potential danger of the situation may be summed up in the threat to rich valley land lying between Minkler Lake and Sedro-Woolley.  In less than two years the river channel, to a narrow land passage between the two being now within 25 feet of Great Northern roadbed.  . . .  The river is cutting a new channel to the north about one-eighth mile west of Lyman and evidence of this northward trend in general is borne out by the fact that all sloughs north of the river in this area are filling to overflow point, while those south of the river are drying up, according to Fred Hagen, local fisherman and guide.  Hagen has spent a number of years as a fisherman on the river and is well acquainted with the surrounding territory.  . . .  At Minkler lake, surface water already is flowing between the lake at Skagit river’s new course and local residents expressed the belief that a confluence of the two will result before very long unless something is done.  There is relatively little natural earth barrier separating the two at present, they pointed out.  Should this barrier be eliminated, the river would include Minkler lake in its new course and egress from the lake would be down the valley towards Sedro-Woolley it was reminded.  County Commissioner E.C. Carr stated this week that he does not consider the Minkler lake situation “particularly alarming” at this time, but that rapid changes are possible if the river should get out of hand at Ross Island point, below Lyman.	Skagit Could Change Course Into Minkler Lake Natural course of Skagit used to be through Minkler Lake when river used to flow into the Samish River basin. River cutting new channel one-eighth mile west of Lyman. Surface water already flowing between the lake and Skagit River new course.  Would allow Skagit to flow towards Sedro-Woolley.
2/23/45 B.J.	Skagit Flood Warning System Arranged By Weather Bureau             Creation of flood warning system for the entire Skagit valley with emergency service to spread the alarm in event of dangerous conditions was announced today to Attorney A. H. Ward of Sedro-Woolley, chairman of the water resources committee of the Skagit county planning commission.  The warning system will be sponsored jointly by the United States weather bureau and Skagit county commissioners with various county officials, public and private agencies and individuals cooperating.  It involves daily rainfall, snow and river level reports from various cooperators located at 10 strategic points throughout the Skagit basin. . . .         As the project develops and forecasts are based on information obtainable in the upper reaches of the Skagit, it will be possible to utilize power dams to aid in controlling the river.  Weather bureau officials pointed out that by holding the crest of an upper Skagit flood at Ross dam for only three hours might permit a Sauk river crest to pass harmlessly whereas the combined crest of both streams might result in great losses to farmers and other residents of the valley.	Flood Early Warning System Value in storage behind dams.
6/28/45 C.H.	Rockport Group Requests Better Ferrying Service Presenting a petition for adequate ferry service on the river at Rockport, citizens met with the county commissioners Wednesday in the commissioners’ chambers. The petition, with 269 signatures, requested that each ferry operator be paid at least $210 a month; that a relief operator be employed for rush hours, that proper approaches to the ferry be constructed and that the ferry be kept pumped out at all times and that a capable ferryman be engaged. Commissioners asked for time to take the matter under consideration.	Rockport residents wanted better ferry service.
6/28/45 C.H.	Editorial People of the Rockport community are petitioning the commissioners for better ferry service or those who must cross the river. The county engineer told their representatives that they should have had a bridge long ago but for war time conditions.	Supported Rockport residents who wanted better ferry service.
8/9/45 C.H.	Large Fish Hatchery Will Be Situated Near Marblemount Announcement was made last week that land had been purchased near Marblemount for the site of the Skagit Fish Hatchery, for which $150,000 in funds was appropriated at the last legislature. The state fisheries, department hopes to have the new Skagit county salmon hatchery in operation within the next year, staff chiefs and members of the state legislature’s joint interim committee on fisheries announced.	Fish Issue New salmon hatchery proposed.
8/30/45 CT	Skagit-Samish Flood Control Survey Planned Serious erosion at points along the Skagit, and flood danger on the Samish have imperiled farms throughout the district, and agriculturists hope that such conditions can be remedied before greater damage can occur.  While the rapid erosion which was washing away farmland at Utopia has been lessened, 200 feet of land bordering the river near the mouth of Nookachamps creek have eroded, changing the course of the river and facilitating further erosion on raw banks.  Lee Wright, assistant county engineer, stated that “All along the Skagit river, banks are dissolving and new channels opening up because of erosion.  Between Sedro-Woolley and Lyman, where flows have been routed from old courses and in some places have begun working back, is one of the most critical spots along the river.”  . . .  Problems on both the Skagit and the Samish are represented on a map now being drawn up, which will acquaint Jackson with the flood and erosion districts.  Last year the Skagit rose high enough in the Nookachamps area to inundate both grazing and farmlands.  Previous surveys of the Utopia-Skiyou area have advanced the possibility of re-routing the river through Dead Man’s slough, thus reducing erosion in the present channel.  However, as yet no plans have been formulated for dealing with the situation in the Lyman area.	More Erosion Problems 200 feet near Nookachamps Creek eroded into river.  “All along river banks eroding.” Skagit eventually eroded back into Deadman’s Slough and is now main channel.
8/30/45 C.H.	County Engineers Begin Diagrammatic Sketch For River Survey County engineers this week have begun a diagrammatic sketch of the Skagit and Samish River watersheds preparatory to submitting the drawing to Congressman Henry Jackson and a group of United States engineers who will be in this district soon investigating flood control needs locally. . . . During months of high run off the Nooksack overflows into the Samish causing an unnecessary rise of that river’s level, and creating additional flood hazards south in Skagit county. Plans for a dike on the division line of flat land are being considered. . . . It was ascertained by Walberg that glacial water came down through the Samish last winter, possibly from the Nooksack overflow.	This is the first written record obtained that the Nooksack used to flow into the Samish.
9/20/45 C.H.	Problems of Skagit River Discussed at Mt. Vernon Meeting Problems of Skagit and Samish rivers were aired at a public gathering called in Mount Vernon Tuesday to better acquaint the office of Congressman Henry T. Jackson and army engineer with the two rivers and the needs to be met. . . . No definite program as to the future work on the two rivers was presented, the purposes of the session being to obtain material and data on the history of the two streams, the present problems, and the problems which might arise in the future. . . . The lone government proposal for the prevention of floods on Skagit river, adopted in 1936, is the Avon by-pass, which has been deemed impractical by local residents inasmuch as it absorbs much valuable land and since it necessitates expenditures of local funds estimated at between $1,000,000 and $3,800,000. . . . “Interesting geological facts are that at one time the Suiattle and lower Sauk rivers reached tide water through the Stillaguamish River in Snohomish and that the upper six miles of the south fork of the Sauk River was once the head of the south fork of the Stillaguamish.”	Avon By-Pass No definite proposal other than By-Pass which was deemed impractical. Sauk River used to flow into the Stillaguamish River.
10/12/45 B.J.	Must Control Skagit River Says McLean             Stressing the fact that Skagit river is this county’s most valuable resource as well as most serious danger, W. A. McLean, chairman of the county planning commission, spoke before the Monday evening meeting of the Burlington Parent-Teaches’ association.  . . .  the Skagit river as the county’s principal resource providing irrigation, electrical energy, transportation, as well as commercial and sport fishing, deserved the attention of the county planning bodies.  With the gradual closing of the south fork opens the possibility of a breakup in the north which would completely flood the valley if the river is not controlled systematically, warned McLean.  Now under consideration by the county commission is an emergency flood gate in the Allen-Fredonia district and a main flood control project between Concrete and Sauk.	Skagit poses “serious danger.” Planning Commission considering “main flood control project between Concrete and Sauk.”
10/26/45 MVDH	Storm Results In 2 Deaths; Lower Valleys Flooded Although sunny skies averted threats of more serious storm damage in this area today, two deaths were attributed indirectly to the storm.  Louis Betschart, 37, of route 1, Sedro-Woolley, died yesterday afternoon following a heart attack which occurred when he and a companion, Ed Selff, were attempting to rescue a skiff that had broken loose in the flood waters of the Skagit river.  Betschart, while rowing a boat in the turbulent waters of the Skagit near his home at Utopia, collapsed apparently from over-exertion.  Efforts to revise him with the aid of a resuscitator failed.  The body was removed to the Lemley mortuary.  Lyle McNeil of Auburn also was the victim of a fatal heart attack while he and a hunting companion B. H. Yenter, route 1, Sedro-Woolley, were rowing a boat near the Chester Leamer farm southwest of Mount Vernon.  The two men saw another boat in difficulty and went to assist the occupants, Wilbur M. Snyder and R.E. Adams, both of Seattle.  Whel McNeil attempted to reach for an oar in the other boat, he was stricken and died immediately.  . . .  Nookachamps valley on route 4, Mount Vernon, is reported to be flooded with many houses surrounded.  Telephone communications were out in that sector today.  George Dynes’ Riverview poultry farm was partly under water with chickens roosting on top of the chicken houses.  A number of the poultry were reported lost in the flood, and attempts were being made to bring the others to safety.  The Samish River flooded during the night, with only trucks moving over the Chuckanut highway in the Allen area.	OCTOBER 26, 1945 FLOOD USGS 102,000 cfs Concrete (34.0), 94,300 cfs Mt. Vernon (30.25)  Comparable to 1982 flood at Concrete and second flood of 1989 at Mt. Vernon. 2 men suffer heart attacks while rowing boat in flood waters. George Dynes poultry farm in Nookachamps flooded, chickens died. Samish River flooded.
11/1/45 C.H.	Rainfall at Diablo 8.7 In. Oct. 24-25 Extraordinary rainfall--a total of approximately 11 in. --was recorded by the weather station at Diablo for the week ending October 27. October 24, with 6.49 inches of precipitation and October 25^th, with 2.21 in. were the worst days. The water behind Ross Dam was raised 18.5 feet to the maximum height possible with the present construction. This impounded 25,660 acre feet of water and took the peak off the flood which descended on the Skagit valley from the drainage area below the dam.	Rainfall & Ross Dam 8.7 inches in 48 hours.
11/2/45 MVDH	11 Inches of Rain Recorded In Week At Diablo Station Extraordinary rainfall – a total of approximately 11 inches – was recorded by the weather station at Diablo for the week ending October 27.  Heaviest rainfall was recorded on October 24, with 6.49 inches of precipitation, and October 25, with 2.21 inches.  . . .  Residents of Marblemount, Newhalem, Diablo and Ross Dam were marooned for three days, while every available City Light man worked to get traffic lines open.  . . .  the water in back of Ross Dam was raised 18.5 feet, to the maximum possible with the present construction.  This impounded 25,660 acre feet of water and took the peak off the flood which descended on the Skagit valley from the drainage area below the dam.  Enough flood water was stopped by Ross Dam to cover 25,000 acres of land more than a foot deep, had it not been held back, said City Light officials.  Completion of the second step of the dam, now under construction, will create an even more effective flood control, company officials pointed out.	11 inches of Rain over 7 days at Reflector Bar 6 inches in one day.  8.5 inches in two days.  Ross dam attributed to withholding 25,000 cfs.  Completion of dam will provide “even more flood control” local residents told by City Light.  This would have made 1945 flood event close to 1975 event had not storage been available. Ross Lake raised 18.5 feet.
11/22/45 Argus	Flood Warning System Set Up; Forecasts Planned Creation of a flood warning system for the entire Skagit Valley with emergency service to spread the alarm in event of dangerous conditions was announced Wednesday by A.H. Ward of Sedro Woolley, chairman of the Water Resources committee of the Skagit County Planning commission.  The warning system will be sponsored jointly by the U.S. Weather Bureau and Skagit County Commissioners, with various county officials, public and private agencies and individuals cooperating.  It involves daily rainfall, snow and river level reports from various cooperators located at ten strategic points throughout the Skagit basin.  These reports will be telephoned or telegraphed at 8 o’clock each morning to the Seattle office of the weather bureau and the information coordinated there.  Experienced personnel will then be able to compute river levels for several hours in advance after having studied the previous action of the river from accumulated data.  . . .  Whether flood warnings can be issued accurately this winter is problematical since it has not yet been agreed at what river stage a warning should be necessary.   . . .  Flood warnings, when issued, probably will be of two types.  One would be to “advise” that conditions were such that a flood might be expected.  The other warning would be that a flood of a certain crest was on its way.  As the project develops and forecasts are based on information obtainable in the upper reaches of the Skagit, it will be possible to utilize power dams to aid in controlling the river.  Weather bureau officials pointed out that the holding of the crest of an upper Skagit flood at Ross dam for only three hours might permit a Sauk river crest to pass harmlessly whereas the combined crest of both streams would result in great losses to farmers and other residents of the valley.	FLOOD EARLY WARNING SYSTEM Utilized telephones, telegraphs, sheriff deputies, firefighters, and milk truck drivers to “spread the word”. “. . . it will be possible to utilize power dams to aid in controlling the river.”  Holding crest behind Ross for 3 hours “might” permit Sauk River crest to pass harmlessly.
11/22/45 C.H.	Skagit Valley To Have Flood Warning Soon Creation of a flood warning system for the entire Skagit valley with emergency service to spread the alarm in event of dangerous conditions was announced today by Attorney A.H. Ward of Sedro-Woolley, chairman of the water resources committee of the Skagit county planning commission. . . . As the project develops and forecasts are based on information obtainable in the upper reaches of the Skagit, it will be possible to utilize power dams to aid in controlling the river. Weather bureau officials pointed out that by holding the crest of an upper Skagit flood at Ross dam for only three hours might permit a Sauk river crest to pass harmlessly whereas the combined crest of both streams might result in great losses to farmers and other residents of the valley.	Flood Early Warning System So much for the weather bureau knowing what they were talking about. (3 hrs?) It would be interesting to someday follow up and see why this system was not put into place as it clearly was not used as late as 1975. Later articles/documents suggest that a much scaled down version of this plan was implemented and then canceled.
11/22/45 CT	new system to warn valleyites of floods -- reports of water levels at 10 strategic points to be taken daily; public to be informed Creation of a flood warning system for the entire Skagit valley with emergency service to spread the alarm in event of dangerous conditions was announced recently by Attorney A. H. Ward of Sedro-Woolley, chairman of the Water Resources Committee of the Skagit County Planning Commission.	Flood Early Warning System Individuals were going to be hired to monitor river at strategic locations and they would phone in river levels.
12/6/45 C.H.	skagit flood problem considered at meet Considering flood problems in the Skagit and Puyallup River basins, the Puget Sound Flood Control Council met for its 13^th annual meeting Monday at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce with H. O. Walberg; Skagit county engineer, presiding as president of the council, and L. J. Wright, vice president from this county. A brief filed by Mr. Wright detailed the existing trouble along the Samish River in itself and by reason of overflow from the Skagit. Col. C. P. Hardy of the U.S. Army Engineers’ office disclosed that his office is now making a review of the Skagit river report which recommended the construction of the Avon by-pass and indicated that a conclusion more favorable to the county may be reached during 1946.	Flood Meeting Samish River problems needed to be addressed separately.
12/6/45 CT	bids on new fish hatchery to open in april; building to be completed end of next year Bids will be open the first of April for the construction of the new state game department fish hatchery to be located above Marblemount, Milo Moore, state director of fisheries stated at a meeting of the Sedro-Woolley Wildcat Steelhead club at the American Legion hall here last Friday evening, which was attended by state director of game Don Clarke and other officials.  The new, modern hatchery for which land has already been purchased and money appropriated, will be completed by the end of next year, Moore said.  An appropriation of $129,000, plus an additional grant of $118,000 recently approved by Governor Wallgren, will assure Skagit county and the northwest one of the finest salmon hatcheries possible, it was pointed out.  The new plant will have forty 20X80 ft. rearing ponds capable of holding 25,000 salmon fry at the start of operation.  When completed the hatchery will be capable of liberating 75,000 fish a year of an average length of five inches.	New Fish Hatchery In Marblemount $247,000 grant for construction.  Would be capable of producing 75,000 5 inch fish per year.
12/6/45 MVDH	Flood Council Has Talks On Skagit Basin H.O. Walberg, president, and L.J. Wright, vice-president, represented Skagit County when the 13^th annual meeting of the Puget Sound Flood Control Council was held December 1 at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.  . . .  Col. Hardy disclosed that his office is now making a review of the Skagit river report which recommended the construction of the Avon bypass, and indicated that a conclusion more favorable to the county may be reached during 1945.	Corps Reevaluating Avon By-Pass
12/15/45 MVDH	Dams Menace Salmon Runs Stating that new proposals for dams in state waters are threatening the very existence of Washington’s salmon runs, Milo Moore, state director of fisheries, has announced creation of a new division of his department to determine the requirements of fish life at these new developments.  . . .  Vigorous planning and a sensible distribution of available water supplies are the only means of providing a balanced state economy, said Moore in announcing plans for the new division.	Washington Fisheries Worried About Dam Impacts on Fish Dams threaten the existence of Salmon runs.
12/27/45 CT	new skagit hatchery is a product of experiments and scientific knowledge The hatchery which is intended as a rearing station, from which the Skagit, Nooksack, Stillaguamish Rivers and their tributaries will be stocked, will operate 40 concrete rearing pounds 80 feet long and 20 feet wide.  . . .  Jordan Creek, a cool mountain stream, will furnish the main water supply which will be supplemented by the almost constant temperature spring water of Clark Creek.  . . .  Each rearing pond will begin the season with the introduction of 150,000 young salmon.  . . .  The overall capacity of the station will include more than four million fish reared for a period of three months or more, and in addition approximately a million and a half will be retained and released as yearlings.  . . .  The Skagit hatchery has evolved as a product of the experiments and scientific knowledge gained by the State Department of Fisheries through years of experience.  Actual construction is slated to begin in the spring of 1946, and the entire project will cost approximately $165,000.	Marblemount Hatchery Overall capacity of hatchery would be 4,000,000 fish per year raised for 3 months, plus 1,500,000 retained and released when they are one year old. Construction to begin in Spring of 1946.
1/3/46 C.H.	marblemount hatchery plans are revealed The new hatchery will be a rearing station from which the Skagit, Nooksack, and Stillaguamish rivers will be kept stocked. The new station will operate forty concrete rearing ponds 80 feet long and 20 feet wide. Also there will be constructed a hatchery building 172x46 feet, which will be of concrete with a high pitch shake roof. Each rearing pond will begin the season with 150,000 young salmon fingerlings. As planting progresses this figure will be cut to 40,000 within three months. The remainder of the fish in the ponds will be kept for a rearing period of one year. The total capacity of the hatchery will be more than four million fish reared for a period of three months or more and approximately a million and a half will be retained and released as yearlings.	Fish Issue Marblemount fish hatchery to supply 4 million fish reared for a period of three months or more and another 1.5 million will be released as yearlings to Skagit, Nooksack and Stillaguamish Rivers.
1/11/46 CT	biologist williams assigned here to study and survey skagit fish runs In a move by the state game department to make close hand observations and studies of fish runs in the Skagit river and its tributaries, Biologist Douglas Williams has been assigned to Sedro-Woolley, where he will conduct extensive work for the next several years. The location of a biologist here for the sole purpose of studying the migratory runs of fish, especially in steelhead, in the Skagit, comes as a result of the game department’s decision to send biologists into the field where they can make first-hand observations and obtain data necessary for the perpetuation and eventual increasing of the fish runs.  . . .  The location of a biologist in this area is only logical, he said, as the Skagit has probably the largest run of steelhead and migratory fish in the state.	Skagit Fish Runs To Be Studied Study was to be conducted over several years.  Should contact Fisheries Dept. and determine what happened to results of study. Skagit has largest run of Steelhead in the state.
2/14/46 CT	skagit river control vital government official states – d. a. williams, water conservation head, notes damage during inspection trips; says maintenance program is needed A temporary maintenance program for the Skagit river, to prevent soil erosion, and a really comprehensive flood control problem, with the co-operation of the federal government, is badly needed, according to D. A. Williams, chief of the water conservation division of the U.S. soil conservation office in Portland. He was here last week with Paul Dickey, head of the local soil conservation office, on an inspection tour of the Skagit river.  . . .  Now the department of agriculture has recognized that full attention to the use of the water of an area is as necessary as the best use of the soil, in the work of this division with individual farmers and farm groups. Williams said that much of the revetment work done on the Skagit river was under the WPA appropriation, has been of much help in controlling soil erosion, but the failure of the county to maintain some of this work has prevented it from being as much help as it might have been. There are now a good many danger spots in the river, from Utopia down, in which bank erosion is very severe. The October and November high water aggravated this condition, he said.  . . .  “The proper control of the Skagit river, both from bank erosion and from a flood danger point of view, is a big job and will involve the best of land-owners of the district and the co-operation of the county, state, and federal government.  . . .  Ultimately the program to control the situation must involve reforestation of badly denuded areas. This is more evident this year. A preventative maintenance program, with the removal of the worst trouble spots before they get serious, should be part of a far-sighted program and would save a lot of expense later on. There should be a maintenance crew working along the river at all times to accomplish this. The proposed Avon cutoff might be one feature of the long range plan, but this would not effect the stream bank above the site of the proposed cutoff. Engineers are now studying storage opportunities on the upper Skagit.  . . .  No accurate survey of the channel above Mt. Vernon is available. A permanent maintenance program is needed. By attending to a lot of little things now the big program which must be formed with federal, state and county co-operation will be greatly helped. The tendency is to ignore danger conditions until a serious flood occurs. Now is the time to act.”	Soil Erosion a Problem Cooperation of Federal Government badly needed. Reforestation key element in flood control. Maintenance crew of erosion control projects should be working at all times. Avon By-Pass would not affect upstream property owners. Long range program needed. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!!
3/7/46 C.H.	discuss skagit river projects The upper Skagit was one of the principal subjects at the meeting of the Skagit County Planning Council, held Monday evening at Mount Vernon. Proposed subjects for the upper valley were the establishment of the federal forest experiment station, study of fish development and recommendations on flood control and hydro-electric power. The Water Resources and Fisheries sub-committee, Arthur Ward of Sedro-Woolley, chairman, made the following recommendations to the planning commission: Joint study by the Department of Fisheries and the Puget Sound Power & Light Co., of the possibility of construction a fishway over the Baker river dam; A joint study by the same parties of downstream migration of fish over the dam to determine possible ways of reducing fish loss; Joint study by the department and City Light of means of stabilizing flow from the power stations to reduce fish loss due to stranded fingerlings and exposed eggs at low water.	Fish Issue These are all the same issues that are being discussed today which must mean that for almost 60 years the dams were killing fish.
4/4/46 CT	effort made to lessen flood threat – control of dam overflow asked by county officials In an effort to lessen the possibility of a major flood in Skagit county due to the record amount of snowfall now in the Cascades, the board of county commissioners and the Skagit County Planning council this week contacted by letter, heads of both the Seattle City Light and the Puget Sound Power and Light companies in a request that these concerns co-operate in regulating the flow of excess water over their respective dams on the Skagit and Baker rivers, and making more storage space available during the peak flow. Following is a copy of the letter written to Gene Hoffman, superintendent of City Light, and Frank McLaughlin, president of Puget Sound Power and Light, and signed by W. A. McLean, chairman of the planning council and James T. Ovenell, chairman of the board of commissioners: Gentlemen: The board of county commissioners and the Skagit County Planning council have requested that this letter be written in an effort to gain your help in solving a flood control problem.  . . .  We wonder if, through the cooperation of City Light and Puget Sound Power and Light it might be possible to avert potential disaster. It is our understanding that the existing dams on the Skagit, if proper regulation of water flow be had, can serve as an important agency toward preventing a flood. We understand also that as a perquisite to the grant of the right to place dams, the federal commission requires that the upper reaches of such dams be made to assist in flood control.   . . .  Those of us who have lived here all our lives know that the diking assistance can handle all but the last few feet of water.  . . .  We realize that the problem of City Light and Puget Sound Power and Light is to be sure that they have abundant water at all times. With the present snowfall there can be no doubt that sufficient water will be available. The difficulty is there will probably be far too much water. Would it not be possible, through full co-operation and intelligent regulation, for the storage levels to be maintained near the minimum requirement until the excess of melting snow comes through warm winds or warm weather, and when that does start so regulate the flow as to allow escape during its maximum periods. We appreciate the fact that the water that comes through the Skagit, as far up as the City Dam, is only 35% of the entire flow that reached the lower valley. We do feel, however, that there is sufficient margin of regulation to control the quantity of water that will prove dangerous at the peak flood time.  . . .  We cannot believe that a solution is impossible. This danger is acute; this large amount of snowfall is bound to come off during the next 90 days. If sufficient storage can be made available, it does seem that disaster might be averted. We ask you for your help and co-operation.	PSPL & Seattle City Light Requested To Assist in Flood Control Record snowfall stirred flood concerns. Commissioners recognized important role dams can play in flood control. Commissioners requested storage levels to be maintained near minimum requirement until after the snow melted.
5/2/46 C.H.	state fisheries against skagit dam at faber Strong opposition to the proposed Faber dam on the Skagit River can be found elsewhere than in the upper Skagit valley, we find. At a Kiwanis club meeting in Mount Vernon Monday afternoon, State Senator Barney Jackson, public relations officer of the state department of fisheries, voiced his opinion that such a dam would seriously jeopardize the entire Skagit river basin’s $1,185,500 commercial fishing industry, while still remaining an ineffective solution to the flood control problem. In his talk he said that the Faber dam, if constructed, will so diminish the Skagit river in fisheries importance that it will no longer rank as a contributor to the wealth of the state. At present the river is second in importance to the Columbia river, and the new Marblemount hatchery and other work planned for the future will raise it’s value over a million and a half dollars. At present the Skagit river contributes 48 percent of the commercial Chinook salmon fishing industry of the Puget Sound area. Along with this there is the sport fishing that brings many dollars to this county because of the river.	Faber Dam/Fish Issue Proposed dam would have jeopardized entire Skagit River basin’s commercial fishing industry. 48% of commercial Chinook salmon industry depended on the Skagit.
5/9/46 CT	mcleod points out threat of dams to fishing at sportsmen’s banquet “You can kiss steelhead runs in the Skagit and sockeye runs at the Hope island goodbye if the army engineers go through with their plans of constructing a dam at Faber’s ferry.” Those were the words of Ken McLeod, well-known Seattle sportsman and writer who addressed a large gathering of sportsmen at the annual banquet of the Wildcat Steelhead club held here Thursday evening at the city hall. Faber Ferry on the Skagit river has already been surveyed by the army engineers as a site for a flood control dam.  . . .  The commercial and sport fishing value of over a million dollars annually as set by the department of fisheries, hardly scratched the surface, the speaker asserted. Taking into consideration the money spent by out-of-county fishermen who pay for meals, lodging, guides and sporting goods here, this figure comes close to 38 million, he said.	Dams Threaten Fish Runs Dam at Faber site would destroy steelhead runs. Speaker valued sports fishing on the Skagit at 38 million dollars.
5/30/46 C.H.	approve higher dam at ruby creek project The City of Seattle this week gave approval of a third step in construction of Ross Dam at the head of Diablo Lake, a step that will raise the completed height to 1,620 feet by adding 70 feet to the height of the dam as now planned.	Ross Dam Approval given to raise to present day height.
5/30/46 CT	log raft on nookachamps It’s been forty years since log rafts were towed down Nookachamps creek, but the scene was re-enacted recently when Otto and Ruben (Tuffy) Boyd of Clear Lake brought out four rafts at different intervals through the narrow waters of that stream. These pictures, supplied through the courtesy of Art Ward of Sedro-Woolley, show (upper) Otto Boyd astride one of the rafts of white fir, spruce and cottonwood taken from the final stand of timber near the Nookachamps, and (lower) a raft of logs goes through one of the narrow passages of the creek. Believe it or not, for most of the voyages down the stream the Boyd brothers towed the rafts by rowboat with outboard motor attached. Measurements of a highway bridge on the way had to be taken before the rafts could safely negotiate under it. Near the mouth of the Nookachamps a towboat was brought in to finish the towing job to the booming area near LaConner. The logs were shipped to the Morris Mill company at Anacortes.	Logs Floated to Market Down Nookachamps Creek
6/6/46 C.H.	ferry at rockport sinks with cars Two cars and a truck – and their occupants took a ducking in the cold Skagit river at Rockport yesterday when the Rockport ferry swamped in crossing against the high water and sank to the river bottom. Water started coming over the ferry deck and managed to fill the scow before it could be stopped. The ferry sank while passengers in the cars’ climbed to the roofs of their vehicles. All received a thorough soaking before rescuers arrived to take them off. The ferry was hauled ashore and pumped out and is now operating again – but cautiously.	Rockport Ferry Accident
6/6/46 C.H.	Editorial The Rockport ferry accident yesterday again brings to the front the need for bridges across the Skagit River. Perhaps it will be necessary to drown a few citizens before the county commissioners decide to do something besides dole out maintenance for a ferry system that is as antiquated as it is unhandy and dangerous. So far they have successfully used two wars as excuse for not building our needed bridges, World War I and World War II. Make sure the candidates for commissioner this fall understand that we want action before World War III.	Rockport Ferry Accident
6/6/46 CT	flood control action asked by committee – present plans would not be effective until 1955, report shows . . .  In a letter to Congressman Jackson drawn up by the Water Resources Committee of the Planning Council, of which A. H. Ward of Sedro-Woolley is chairman, it was pointed out that the recent study of the Skagit conducted by the U.S. Engineering Corps will not leave the Seattle office until 1948 and will not be ready for congressional action until 1950. Effective construction work along the river could not begin until 1955.  . . .  The plan would call for study of the past habits of the Skagit indicating the changes in its course between the period 1932 and 1946 and working a master plan for easing the river into its most logical course and holding it there with rock revetment. Costs would be worked out from local funds and match state and federal funds.	Corps Study’s Move Slowly Through System Study would have looked at past habits of Skagit erosion and work on master plan for holding Skagit on a logical course.
6/20/46 CT	farmland or fishing The question will soon arise as to which is more important, several acres of river Skagit valley bottom land or a river full of fish for the sportsman and the commercial fisherman.  We are referring specifically to the unquestionable possibility of one or more flood control dams that may be erected on the Skagit river.  Surveys for such a dam at the Faber ferry have already been taken and these water barriers have a habit of popping up suddenly, especially in periods of unemployment.  If such a dam were to erected on the Skagit river it would mean the saving of several acres of rich soil that is being washed away by floods.  However, on the other hand, it would in all probability mean the eventual elimination of the great migratory runs of fish in the river.  Past experiences with river dams have proven that even with so-called efficient fish ladders, they have in many cases completely destroyed fish runs.  Is the value of fish runs in the Skagit more or less that the threatened farm land?  In our estimation and that of state game officials and sportsmen, the fishing value is by far greater. . . . It doesn’t make sense to save a few acres of farm land at the expense of one of our most important resources.	What is More Important:  Fish or Farms? New dams would mean total destruction of fish runs. The Faber site was just below Concrete.  The Corps was looking at several sites.  Upper Sauk, Lower Sauk, Faber, Upper Baker and others.  Only Upper Baker was ever constructed.
6/27/46 CT	skagit river flood control plan outlined – a h. ward says new plan will not harm local fisheries . . .  To the Editor: Your editorial of June 20, entitled “Farm Land or Fishing” states that there is a pending conflict of interest between the fishermen and the farmers of this community over prospective flood control dams on the upper Skagit river and aligns the editorial policy of your paper with the fishermen and against the interests of the farmers. Your editorial represents that the damage done by the Skagit river is limited to the loss of a few acres of farmland. This is such an understatement as to amount to a misrepresentation of the facts. You have lived by the Skagit river for over a quarter of a century and you are personally acquainted with the families of the farmers in that community who have lost their entire farms through riverbank erosion. While you have lived here, you have seen the river carry away the earnings and savings of a lifetime of hard work invested in river bank farms. You know that this erosion will continue until some means if found to regulate the spring and fall run off of water to a more steady stream.  . . .  Your editorial completely ignores the matter of flood damage by the river. You state that the only work required on the river is channel straightening and riverbank revetments. Just how will river straightening and riverbank revetments eliminate the periodic flood damage in this valley? The engineers state that straightening the river course will increase the speed of the current, increase the danger of flash floods, and will increase erosion. A flood which measures more than 120,000 second feet of water at Sedro-Woolley will break the dikes and flood the lower valley.  . . .  Certainly the matter of preservation of fisheries is a part of this problem to be solved and a most important part. In any river improvement work done, provision must be made for saving our fisheries. The army engineers are working on part of this problem right now in survey being made. Before you start taking pot shots at the army engineers, why not wait and see what solution their report contains with respect to the saving of the Skagit river fisheries? There are many other problems in connection with the development and control of the Skagit river system besides erosion, floods and fisheries. There are the problems of development of recreational facilities, irrigation, reforestation and hillside erosion, and domestic water supplies. Will it be to the best interests of this community if your paper succeeds in dividing up the people of the valley into hostile factions, each fighting the other for the benefit of its favorite project? We request the support of your paper for a program of control and development of the water resources in the county which will not favor one of the elements over the other but which will attempt to reconcile and harmonize any conflict of interest between these various projects.  A. H. Ward, Chairman, Water Resources Com.	A.H. Ward, Local Attorney Responds To Anti-Dam Editorial. Dams needed to lessen riverbank erosion. Entire farms have been lost to erosion. Editorial supported river straightening  and riverbank revetments. Straightening river would increase the speed of the current and would increase erosion. Many problems due to flooding of Skagit.  Recreational facilities, irrigation, reforestation and hillside erosion and domestic water supplies to name a few.
7/18/46 C.H.	work begins on state fish hatchery Work on the new state fish hatchery at Marblemount was under way Tuesday of this week as Roy N. Gaasland of Bellingham, contractor who built the Marblemount school, began construction of the large project on the Cascade river. Construction plans call for a main fish hatchery building 46 feet by 172 feet of rustic stone and timber construction, 20 cement rearing ponds, a large home for the caretaker and other small buildings. The hatchery will be used to raise trout and salmon for a program of restocking the hundreds of lakes and streams in the upper valley in addition to trying to bring the fish population of the Skagit River back to normal.	Marblemount Fish Hatchery Construction begins. Purpose of hatchery was to “bring fish population” back to normal (i.e. before the dams).
8/2/46 B.J.	Skagit River Washing Away Lytle’s Burlington Farm             Dropping off with loud splashes as the swirling waters dig deeper and deeper into the lower sand pocket is the land on the Austin Lytle farm about one and one half miles east of Burlington in Skagit county.             Since last fall’s heavy rains and the winter’s heavy snow fall, the Skagit river has washed out more than 15 of his original 45 acres of fertile top soil, and Lytle, estimating conservatively said last week that at the same rate his house, now about 200 feet from the river, would be gone by Christmas.  . . .  “The river’s near its low depth for the year,” Farmer Lytle said as he watched salmon jump in the stream as it swirled past at a 6 mile per hour rate.  Just then several large bits of dirt and sand broke away and washed down the river.  . . . However on river control work, the county is putting in rock revetments at Utopia, some distance east, and has indicated it “might start work on the ‘Sterling bend’ about one half mile east, this year, but that isn’t saving us”, the farmer dishearteningly acknowledged.  He indicated County Engineer Haljmar Walber and several of the county commissioners had evinced great interest in river control work, but lack of funds was holding up any work.    Army and navy engineers, called in last fall for consultation said that the river would be hard to stop if it washed away the last 1,000 feet to the Dike road.  After crossing the Dike road, it would be in an old slough which runs through Burlington and out to the city hospital and Darigold plant they said.  The soft sand pocket runs west to the Dike road, the hungry river needing only time before it swallows up hundreds of acres of land.  Harold Halvorson, owning the next farm east of Lytle’s has sand silt where he used to graze cattle, the river ruining the ground when it ate away and covered the land.	Erosion in Sterling Bend on Earl Jones place. Rock revetments went in Utopia. Gages Slough Soft sand pocket. Leonard Halverson’s dad.
8/15/46 C.H.	lake stocked by plane on cascade Fish planting by airplane was again used in the upper Skagit last week when fifty-five thousand grayling fry were parachuted into Granite Lake, which is located at the head of Boulder Creek in the Cascades above Marblemount. The drop appeared to be successful. This is the second year that grayling have been planted in this district, last year a planting being made at Lime Mountain in the Suiattle river watershed. The grayling is similar to the trout, and is highly rated as a game fish. Eggs for the plantings were obtained from Utah hatcheries. This fish is native in Montana. The air planting was made by the state fisheries department.	Fish Issue Grayling planted in upper Skagit. It would be interesting to find out if any of them survived.
8/22/46 C.H.	faber ferry dumps truck One more black mark against the county ferries was chalked up on Friday when another passenger took a ducking in the cold, cold Skagit River and subsequently had to salvage his truck from about 12 feet of water. The accident occurred when Jim Hillman’s garbage truck had the Faber ferry slide out from under it as he was attempting to drive onto the scow. One other truck had already driven on and the ferryman gave Hillman the signal to come ahead. The truck was half on the slip when the ferry slid out into the stream and dropped the truck into the water. Hillman just managed to get out of the cab as it went under. The ferry had not been tied to the landing.	Faber Ferry Accident
8/29/46 C.H.	editorial It has come to serious state of affairs when it becomes necessary to keep children from school because the county in which you live will not make safe passage for traffic across a river. The ferry system has always been bad, but the past few years has suffered even more from the total lack of interest and glaring incompetence of our duly elected commissioner–our sole “representative” in county government. Although Mr. Carr continues to pass the ferry issue off as trivial, we of the upper valley are growing angry and determined to settle once and for all this daily hazard to everyone who must cross the Skagit. We know what happens when a school bus full of children plunges into deep water. Chelan taught us that last year. We are determined that this will not happen here. The people of Sauk do not ask for a bridge, which is the only permanent solution. All they ask is a safe ferry crossing at this time. To provide this is the duty of the county commissioners and to date they have failed in their duty failed even in accepting responsibility. This is the sort of thing we of the upper Skagit must continually battle and it’s time that the true facts are presented to the public. Refusal to send school children into daily danger should bring quick judgment by public opinion.	Editorial Against Unsafe Ferries School children at risk.
10/31/46 C.H.	flood damage is large in upper skagit marblemount hatchery has big damage – bridge is reported out Evaluation of flood damage in the upper Skagit valley from the flash flood caused last Thursday by heavy rains in this district was still not complete this week. Many reported washouts proved not as serious as first estimated, while real damage was found elsewhere. Greatest damage in the upper valley was at the state fish hatchery at Marblemount, where Jordan and Clark Creeks combined to play havoc with the hatchery grounds. Rocks and gravel from up-stream covered the grounds and much of the work already completed will have to be done over before the damage can be erased. Unofficial estimates place the damage at near $20,000.	OCTOBER 25, 1946 FLOOD USGS 82,200 cfs Concrete (31.14), 64,900 cfs. Mt. Vernon (27.80).  Didn’t reach flood stage at Mt. Vernon.
10/31/46 CT	waters drop in flooded areas east -- $20,000 damage results at fish hatchery; bridges out A fortunate change in the weather was all that prevented a flood of major proportions in the upper Skagit valley the early part of this week. As it was, considerable damage resulted from high waters after four days of torrential rainfall.  . . .  Wiseman and Hansen creeks, which washed over the roadway between Sedro-Woolley and Lyman, further damaged the already cracked and broken concrete highway and left silt and debris piled high. Fortunately, the Skagit river reached only bank full and failed to leave its course expect in a few minor instances.	OCTOBER 25, 1946 FLOOD USGS 82,200 cfs Concrete (31.14), 64,900 cfs. Mt. Vernon (27.80).  Didn’t reach flood stage at Mt. Vernon. Damage limited to streams and creeks.
11/7/46 C.H.	ask planning group aid on baker lake Active promotion of the Baker Lake area as a recreation spot was urged upon the Skagit County Planning Council last Monday evening by Editor Dwelley of the Concrete Herald, who has again resumed his post as chairman of the council’s sub-committee on recreation. The Baker Lake district holds a wealth of scenic and tourist attractions, equal in possibilities to the Mt. Rainier development, yet while located in Whatcom county, can only be reached through Skagit. Development by Skagit County is the logical move and the planning council accepted this view with a motion to place the project on their approved list of developments. . . . As outlined, the plan will include a large lodge at the site of the present fish hatchery, new camp grounds at Noisy Creek and near the bridge on the west side; one or two more camps for organized groups; two sites near the lake for leasing grounds to private persons for cabins; and further development of the privately owned camps.	Baker Lake Recreational Area Obviously this all changed with the building of Upper Baker Dam.
11/14/46 Argus	Silvers Heavy Sockeyes are Normal At Dam Over 7,000 silver salmon and 4,900 sockeye salmon have been placed over Baker River dam so far this season, according to Milo Moore, Director of Fisheries.  . . . The Dept. of Fisheries and the power company are now studying ways and means of improving the traps and hoisting cars to eliminate injuries and to permit the rehabilitation of steelhead trout and Chinook salmon runs, now almost completely destroyed.  . . .  Studies being conducted by Dept. of Fisheries to be completed during coming winter.	Fish Issue Sockeye run normal but silver run is almost twice the size of any previous cyclic run since the construction of the Baker River Dam. Steelhead and Chinook almost completely destroyed.  NOTE:  Need to obtain studies from Fisheries.
11/14/46 C.H.	record salmon run on baker river dam Over 7,000 silver salmon and 4,900 sockeye salmon have been taken over the Baker River dam so far this season, according to the state department of fisheries. The sockeye run is about normal, but the silver run is almost twice the size of any precious cyclic run since the construction of the dam. The department reports that fish trapping and handling facilities at the local dam are still far from perfect, but that the power company is cooperating in every way to aid the rehabilitation of salmon runs with existing traps. Both the company and the department are now studying ways and means of improving the traps and hoisting cars to eliminate injuries and to permit restoration of steelhead trout and Chinook salmon runs, now almost completely destroyed. Silver and sockeye salmon have reacted more favorably because they occur at the season of the year when they are more easily trapped.	Fish Issue 7,000 silvers and 4,900 sockeye. Steelhead and Chinook almost completely destroyed.
11/28/46 C.H.	loggers sue city light Four Skagit county logging companies this week filed damage suits against the City of Seattle, charging faulty operation of Ross and Diablo dams during the high water of October 24 and 25, which resulted in the loss of logs boomed on the lower Skagit near Day and Gilligan creeks. The companies assert that the City of Seattle’s power projects failed to hold back and regulate correctly the rapid rise in the Skagit River above the dams and that the resulting high water in the lower Skagit was thereby unnecessary. They ask $36,900 in payment for logs taken down the river when high water tore out their boom sticks.	Seattle City Light Sued By Loggers
12/12/46 C.H.	editorial Talk of making the Baker Lake area into a huge recreational resort has now reached the planning stage. The forest service has the preliminary plotting done with provisions for a lodge on the site of the old Baker Lake fish hatchery, new camp grounds and lease property for private cabins, a ranch resort at Morovitz, development of the hot springs, a ski resort at Schreiber’s and eventual development of the Mazama park area a natural ski bowl. All this is as much a part of our resources as timber or mines, and will pay dividends perpetually instead of what’s being developed. Tourists are good business.	Baker Lake Planning Area Baker Lake recreational resort would bring in tourist and “Tourists are good business.”
12/12/46 C.H.	rain brings more high water in skagit valley More of the same, said the weather man this week as again the skies opened up and sent down enough dripping, soaking rain to send the creeks and rivers up to flood stage in the upper valley. This time, however, traffic continued to move after a fashion. Water was over the road at Corkindale, near Marblemount, when a creek left its banks. The temporary bridge at Rocky creek slipped a little lower at one end. Ferries suspended operation during the peak stages of the Skagit. At Wiseman creek below Hamilton, ten inches of water met daring motorists but failed to stop many of them. Mail and food trucks came through a little late. At Hamilton the high water and bad roads made a detour advisable.	Non-Flood Event
12/12/46 CT	funds for river improvements at utopia approved Final approval of the $15,000 emergency appropriation to take care of flood control on the Skagit river near Utopia, has now been secured, according to a letter to the Courier-Times from Congressman Henry M. Jackson.	Utopia Funds Approved
1/2/47 C.H.	editorial The new county commissioners will take office on the 16^th of this month, bringing the county two men who firmly maintain that a bridge across the Skagit near Concrete is of prime importance to the county as a whole. Ferries are rapidly becoming as costly as separate bridges and a few years of operation under present expenditures will not only mean outlay of money sufficient to provide for at least one bridge, but will mean that this money is wasted as far as the county is concerned. There are times when spending money means saving money. This is the case in building a bridge in the upper valley. The people of the upper Skagit have two friends to talk to in the commissioner’s office this year and should lose no time in calling on them and talking the subject over. No matter how favorable they may be, the upper valley must take the initiative and request immediate action. From then on the commissioners can proceed as our elected representatives.	Upriver Bridges Needed to Replace Ferries Ferries as costly as a new bridge.
1/23/47 C.H.	fish hatchery at birdsview will be closed The government (federal) fish hatchery at Birdsview will be abandoned this spring. This word was received recently from head officials of the federal fish and wildlife department under which the hatchery has been operating for the past few years after the reorganization of the old Bureau of Fisheries. The hatchery is one of the oldest in the state and had been the headquarters for fish propagation in this section for many years. The closing was made necessary by the condition of Grandy Creek. Erosion has been increasing on this stream for the past few years until so much silt and debris has been washed from its upper reaches that the water is no longer usable for the hatching troughs and rearing ponds.		Birdsview Fish Hatchery Closing The hatchery was primarily interested in the salmon run on the Skagit and Baker rivers.
2/13/47 C.H.	will try to keep hatchery at birdsview It took a little time for the news that the upper valley was about to lose the Birdsview hatchery to sink in – but when it did people began to do a little thinking about the matter. The result was a resolution by the Birdsview Grange that an effort be made to have the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service continue the hatchery in operation. . . . It was pointed out that the only real reason for closing the hatchery is the silt in Grandy Creek from which the water supply is derived. This condition is caused by erosion on the upper reaches of the stream and in turn comes from logging operations which have cut the heavy cover from the watershed. . . . During its many years operation on Grandy Creek, the hatchery has paid big dividends to the upper valley, maintaining a continuous study of the sockeye run on the Baker River and the various salmon runs in the Skagit. In addition trout from the hatchery have been placed in almost every lake in the district. The resulting fine fishing sport has brought hundreds of fishermen to the upper valley and continuation of the stocking program is necessary to hold and improve this growing recreation business.		Birdsview Hatchery Loggers blamed for deteriorating water conditions of Grandy Creek. Hatchery ran by the federal government. Hatchery was a valuable resource supplementing fish runs and thus bringing hundreds of sports fisherman into the valley
3/13/47 CT	complete plans for flood control in beaver lake area Engineering plans for the elimination of drainage and flood problems in the Beaver Lake area were completed this week by Roy Tuttle, SCS engineer.  . . .  Tuttle’s plan includes a drag line channel clearance job calculated to put the rampaging East Fork of the Nookachamps Creek back into its old channel, a short dike to be faced with quarried rock and also included a badly needed dredging job at the lower end of the project.  “The Beaver Lake area has become a veritable jungle,” Tuttle said, “Excellent land has been inundated by the spreading creek, the land over the years has now grown up to alder and willow brush.  The land is too wet to work.  . . .  During high water the creek actually flows back into Beaver Lake, rendering useless almost all the farm lands now drained by Drainage District No. 21’s choked up outlet.”	Beaver Lake Flooding Nookachamps Creek silted in.  The area described in this article is believed to be near the current Tewalt Rock Quarry.  During the 1990 and 1995 flood events the Skagit backed up into this area and local drainage had no place to go.
4/24/47 C.H.	seattle okays completion of higher ross dam The Seattle City Council this week approved the proposal to negotiate with the builders of Ross Dam for completion of the third and final “step” in the huge Skagit river project. The present contract will be complete, except for minor details in the next two months and the officials of City Light believe that they can secure a good bid on the final step if the work is begun while the contractors have their equipment and labor still at the site. The present dam rises to a height of 475 feet. The final contractor will elevate this to the 540 foot level and will allow the generating equipment to be installed and placed in operation. No power will be generated at Ross Dam until the final step has been completed. . . . The final step on the dam will cost in the neighborhood of seven million dollars and will require another two years work.		Ross Dam Was only 475 feet tall in 1947!
5/29/47 Argus	Editorial—It Could Happen This week’s high stage of the Skagit river ought to remind us that rivers long kept in their places have a way of springing surprises.  It’s been so long since the Skagit went on any serious rampage, near Mount Vernon, that it’s all too easy for the city to remain complacent about its defenses.  It’s all too easy to ignore the widening gaps in the old piling bulwarks to “the dike”, to forget those feverish days and nights of other flood seasons when townsmen and countrymen fought the river as a real and threatening adversary, with shovel and sandbag.  Much more of the Skagit basin’s timber went to the mills during the war years, and it’s still going.  Which means that rains and melting snows reach the stream more rapidly than ever before.  Isn’t it about time to look over our river defenses once more and plug the little gaps before they become destructive torrents?	This flood event is undocumented in Corps and USGS records.
6/12/47 Argus	Skagit River Course May be changed, hughes Chairman Lowell Hughes of the Skagit County Commissioners announced this week that a $100,000 project to send the Skagit river over a new course east of Burlington and eliminate the dangerous oxbow bend that has been eroding farmlands there might be undertaken this summer.  . . .  The proposal most likely to be adopted, Hughes indicated, is to open a new watercourse from the upper end of the Burlington bend to the lower end, where Nookachamps creek enters the main stream.  This would be accomplished by digging a shallow course with heavy equipment and letting action of the river deepen and widen the new channel.  Heavy erosion was observed during the May freshets in the Burlington Bend area.  The eating away of the farmlands in the bend is still going on and may grow worse . . .  Last year several farm buildings were lost to the river.  Hughes said owners of property that would be affected by the new channel project are being contacted.  . . .  Only alternative to digging a new channel is a heavy revetment program around the bend, which would be much more costly.	Cut a new channel through the Nookachamps. Would have eliminated Strawberry Bar.
6/12/47 Argus	Editorial—Courage To Do The members of the board of Skagit County commissioners are well aware of the consequences of tinkering with the Skagit river’s course when they propose to “do something” about the stream’s steady encroachment on valuable farm lands east of Burlington and its threat to that city itself.  That was made plain as day Tueday night when Chairman Lowell Hughes told a chamber of commerce industrial development audience here of the commissioners’ plans.  Hughes’ frankness was refreshing, as he emphasized that “we are sticking our necks way out on this project.”  So little had been said recently of the proposal to start the river on a new course designed to eliminate the river’s “oxbow” bend at Burlington and stop its present heavy erosion (erosion that has been moving ahead ominously during recent weeks’ high water) that Hughes’ comments took many by surprise.  The spirit of courage, in undertaking a project of such magnitude with its many uncertainties, is commendable on the part of the commissioners.  Eliminating the “Burlington Bend” of the Skagit probably will be only the beginning.  The Skagit is a constantly shifting type of stream.  One remedy may merely breed a new erosion problem at another point.  Of this the county commissioners are well aware.  But they are willing, backed by the best engineering advice they can obtain, to take the chances involved and to go ahead and try to do something about the river problem; that is much better than sitting back doing nothing for fear “something might happen”.  Were the commissioners to take the latter course, there is danger that the whole lower Skagit valley might undergo drastic change.  The flood control engineers agree that the river threatens to cut into Gages slough, on the south-eastern edge of Burlington and make a new channel through Whitney, or within eight or nine years to take out the Burlington-Sedro Woolley highway, the Great Northern right of way and work a new course running into the Samish river.  Far-fetched?  The engineers don’t believe so.	Eliminating the “Burlington Bend”. One mans flood control is another mans flood problem concept. Worried about river changing course into Gages Slough.
7/14/47 MVDH	Seattle Light Contributes to Hatchery Cost Milo Moore, state director of fisheries, today received a $54,950 check from Seattle City Comptroller W.C. Thomas to assist in financing construction of the state fish hatchery at Marblemount.  The sum is in compensation for damage to eggs and small fish in the river above Marblemount due to the operation of the Seattle City Light department dams.  Spawning Unaffected  . . .  It has been established however that operation of the dams caused damage to eggs and small fish in the river above Marblemount.  This was verified for the city of Seattle by Trevor Kincaid, until recently a professor at the University of Washington.  City Light’s contribution will pay for the construction of seven rearing ponds and related water supply and provide operating funds for nine years.  Completed in Fall  Twenty ponds are under construction and will be completed this fall.  Twenty more will be built as soon as additional funds are available, making a total of 40 ponds.  Approximately three million silver and Chinook Salmon and steelhead per year will be put into the Skagit River watershed by the new hatchery, Moore said.  The number of fish planted will later be increased to six million per year.  Clark Creek  . . . [Milo Moore said]  “City Light by its spirit of cooperation has demonstrated fine leadership in community planning.  Through their understanding of the problems of conservation an important step has been taken for protecting the Skagit fisheries for future generations.”  . . .  Eighteen ponds will be used for salmon and two ponds for steelheads.  . . .  Results of the operation should be evident in from three to five years, Moore said.  The run will continue to build up by increased natural spawning aiding by continuous hatchery operation.	Director of Fisheries Prasies Seattle City Light SCL to help pay for State operated hatchery at Marblemount.  Operation of SCL dams caused damage to eggs and small fish in the river above Marblemount. 3 million silver and king salmon and steelhead per year will be put into the Skagit River.  Later increased to 6 million.
7/24/47 Argus	River Channel to be Changed With State Aid Nookachamps to Be Dredged and New Road Opened County officials this week received assurances that the State Department of Conservation and Development would grant substantial financial aid in carrying out three major projects, the by-passing of the “Burlington Bend” in the Skagit river, the restoration of Nookachamps Creek to its old bed and the development of the Cascade mine-to-market road.  . . . A state fund of $100,000 is expected to be made available (for Bend project).  The commissioners are planning to get the river project underway soon and hope to see it completed before the late fall high water period.  They propose to send the river through a new channel, on a straight line from the upper end of the Burlington ox-bow to the lower end, where Nookachamps creek enters.  The state, the county and the drainage district involved are to pay a third each or about $6,000 apiece, to dredge out the old channel from which the Nookachamps creek moved last winter, and to clean out numerous log jams along the channel.  The creek has spread “across country” for a mile, Hughes said.	DCD was forerunner of State Dept of Ecology. Nookachamps creek moved in 1946??  There was a flood event on 10/25/46, 31.14 at Concrete, 27.8 at Mt. Vernon.
8/7/47 MVDH	County Changes Plans On River Cutoff Project Lowell Hughes, chairman of the board of county commissioners, today announced revision of engineering plans of Burlington Bend, switching back to the original bank revetment program.  . . .  “Plans were submitted last week to the army engineers for final approval,” stated Mr. Hughes, “but requirements placed upon the job by Colonel Hewett’s office makes it impossible for Skagit County to carry out the plan as originally proposed.”  Demands Full Width  “The stipulation which has brought about the change in the Burlington Bend erosion control plan is the requirement by the federal government that Skagit County either dredge the entire channel which the river will require, that is a stream bed approximately 400 feet wide, or that funds be put in escrow by the county for the future dredging downstream of the material removed by the river in establishing its normal channel width.”	Burlington Bend Plans Change County was going to cut a new channel across Strawberry Bar in order to stop erosion on Burlington side of the river.  Corps demanded County dredge 400 ft channel or put funds into escrow for future dredging downstream. County refused to put funds into escrow, project was abandoned.
8/7/47 Argus	Plans For River switching get setback, Hughes Rock Revetment to Be Used in Bend Above Burlington . . . revision of engineering plans at Burlington Bend, switching back to the original bank revetment program.  . . .  “Plans were submitted last week to the Army Engineers for final approval,” said Hughes, “but requirements placed upon the job by Colonel Hewitt’s office makes it impossible for Skagit County to carry out the plan as originally proposed.”  “The stipulation which has brought about the change in Burlington Bend erosion control plan is the requirement by the federal government that Skagit County either dredge the entire channel which the river will require, that is a stream bed approximately 400 feet wide, or that funds be put in escrow by the County for the future dredging down stream of the material removed by the river establishing its normal channel width.”  Mr. Hughes pointed out that Skagit County is expending every effort to correct the present Burlington Bend, that funds are not sufficient to put money in escrow for such an unknown contingency, therefore, the Commissioners had only one choice to make, that of spending what money was available in rock reveting the worst sections, of the curve.	Corps of Engineers kills plan.  Wanted 400 ft wide channel or funds put into escrow for future dredging down stream.
8/7/47 Argus	Guest Editorial—Puget Sound Mail—More Fish Troubles For months now the Puget Sound Mail has been trying to point out the danger of the dam building movement to the commercial fishing industry and trying to arouse LaConner fisherman to an organized effort to present the fishing industry’s story.  Now it appears that the men who make their living by catching and processing fish have still another fight on their hands, that of over-zealous and short-sighted sportsmen who desire to eliminate most types of commercial fishing.  It would appear to the Puget Sound Mail that the sports fishermen should get together to fight for a greater fish propagation, to carry the battle to those who would place dams where spawning grounds are endangered, rather than squabble among themselves.	Fish Issue Paper was against building dams because of their impact to the fishing industry.
8/14/47 C.H.	many fish to be planted in upper skagit district More fish plantings for the upper Skagit district were in prospect as State Game Protector M. Splane began a plant of rainbow and cutthroat fry from the Lake Whatcom hatchery. The first are between three and four inches in length. Plantings will be made as follows: Day Creek, 15,000; Upper Skagit between Gorge Creek and Diablo, 20,000; 25,000 in creeks along the Baker river; 10,000 in Swift Creek. Big Watson lake will be planted with 20,000 cutthroats by plane and another 50,000 rainbow will be flown to Diablo Lake. Grandy Lake is slated for 30,000 cutthroat by truck.		Fish Issue Only planted trout, no salmon. However, article shows that even the cutthroat trout population was not natural in the Skagit River as many of those plants in creeks clearly made their way down to the Skagit.
8/26/47 MVDH	Flood Project Still Unsettled A new river channel across the Burlington bend, or nothing, that seemed to be the consensus of the group of farmers residing in that area who met last night with Skagit County Commissioners, Burlington city officials, and representatives from the state department of conservation and development, U.S. Army Engineers and the county planning commission, of the city hall in Burlington.  . . .  Engineers’ Stand  The Army Engineers’ stand on the matter was outlined last night by Byron Clark, assistant to Col. Hewitt, who was sent to the meeting by the latter.  Clark said that Col. Hewitt’s job was concerned primarily with navigation of the Skagit River and he had to abide by certain rules and regulations governing the same.  The colonel was not opposed to a new channel, Clark said, but he said that the channel would have to be wider than planned by state and county authorities and an amount of around $400,000 would have to be put in escrow to take care of possible damage by siltation below the cut.  . . .  County’s Part  Lowell Hughes, chairman of the board of county commissioners, explained thoroughly the county’s part in the picture.  Originally he said, both the county and the state had agreed on matching money for the new channel work.  However when it was presented to the U.S. Army Engineers for the permit necessary for that office, the new stipulations were presented and the cost was more than either the county or state could possibly match.  This meant, the commissioner added, that the only alternative to use present funds, would be to install rock revetment work along the most dangerous part of the Burlington bend.  . . .  Action Needed  . . .Despite a plea from several authorities that rock revetment should be installed right away, now that it would be impossible to construct the channel, most of the farmers present stood pat on their decision for a new channel.  Mr. and Mrs. Austin Lytle, whose farm has suffered the worst loss from erosion at Burlington Bend, stated that they would refuse to sign a damage waiver to allow the installation of rock revetment in place of the new channel.  . . .  Downstream Silt  Another farmer asked the U.S. Army Engineers’ representative if he thought more downstream silt would result from the 16 acres of soil necessary to be removed to make a new channel, or the 24 acres that have already been washed from the Lytle farm and more that may be expected.  . . .  Actual work in constructing a new cutoff amounts to the removal of 271,000 cubic yards of dirt for the 1,600 feet of distance, county engineer H.O. Walberg told the audience last night.	Farmers Still Want Channel At Burlington Bend Across Strawberry Bar Corps concerned only with navigation of channel.  $400,000 would have to be put into escrow to take care of possible damage of increased siltation in lower river. County says new conditions imposed by Corps unsatisfactory due to cost of project. Farmers still want new channel. Sterling farmer refused to sign damage waiver for rip-rap instead of new channel.  This farmer had lost 24 acres of ground.  Farm is now owned by Earl Jones. New channel would have required removal of 271,000 cubic yards of dirt and been 1,600 ft long.
8/27/47 MVDH	Flood Control Meeting Set Plans to send a representative to Washington D.C. to seek action on flood control work at the Burlington bend will be discussed at a meeting of farmers and Burlington city officials scheduled for Monday evening, August 25.  . . .  Spokesman at the meeting declared that abandonment of the proposed channel to divert flood waters has created an emergency and that valuable farm lands as well as the city of Burlington itself is in danger of immediate damage.	Farmers Upset Over Abandonment Of New Channel Project Felt emergency had been created.
8/28/47 MVDH	Farmers To Call For Flood Action A group of fifty determined Burlington farmers will descent upon Col. L.H. Hewitt, district head of the U.S. Army Engineers in Seattle tomorrow, to present their plea for the construction of a channel across Burlington bend on the Skagit River in connection with flood and erosion control.  The original plan of building a channel across the oxbow on the river bend near Burlington was stymied by the Army Engineers when they stipulated that the channel would have to be constructed wider than originally planned and that an amount near $400,000 would have to be put in escrow to take care of possible down-river siltation.  The farmers residing in the danger area have turned thumbs down on an alternate proposal by the county to put in rock revetment on one portion of the bend.  A spokesman for the farmers’ group said today that if no favorable reply is forthcoming from Col. Hewitt, a delegation of women will “see what they can do.”	50 Farmers To Protest In Seattle Farmers preferred new channel over rip-rap project protection. Said that if they weren’t successful in changing the Colonels mind they would send their women “to see what they can do.”
10/1/47 MVDH	Flood Control Survey Planned Congressman Henry M. Jackson, conferring with County Engineer H.O. Walberg in Mount Vernon today, announced that he has requested an overall survey of the Skagit river to determine where emergency flood control measures will be needed.  . . .  To Seek Federal Aid  . . .  Federal flood control work can be done only on existing dikes or work which had formerly been completed by government W.P.A. projects, mainly revetment work, Jackson said.  However, the authorized and comprehensive survey of flood control on the Skagit River that has been underway by the government for some time, is expected to be completed this winter.  He said that it would probably be two or three years, however, before the project would come before congress for its approval or rejection.	New Flood Study Planned Current study been underway for sometime.  New survey would look for “emergency work.”
10/3/47 MVDH	Salmon Increase In Skagit Noted Seattle – State Department fisheries surveys in the Skagit and Stillaguamish river systems revealed that pink salmon escapement in these streams was greatly improved over the last cycle year of 1945, State Director Milo Moore, announced today.  . . .  The Skagit River system showed 30 percent greater escapement than 1945.  The survey party found 150,000 pink salmon and 11,000 king salmon spawning in the area between Newhalem dam and Faber ferry on the Skagit River.  These figures are not estimates, but based on actual counts taken by the party which drifted down the rivers in a boat recording every fish sighted on a counter, Moor said.	Big Run Of Humpies 11,000 Kings found spawning between Newhalem dam and Faber Ferry (located west of Concrete).
10/9/47 C.H.	salmon on increase in skagit river The state department of fisheries recent survey of the Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers has revealed that pink salmon escapement has been greatly increased in both waters over the last cycle year of 1945. The survey party found 150,000 pink salmon and 11,000 king salmon spawning in the area between Newhalem dam and Faber ferry on the Skagit. These figures are based on actual counts taken as the survey party drifted down the river in a boat, recording the fish sighted. The Skagit river count shows a 30 per cent greater escapement than in 1945. The Stillaguamish, in a similar survey, showed a 50 per cent improvement.	Fish Issue 11,000 Kings found spawning between Newhalem and Faber Ferry. Interesting to note is that they didn’t count any fish on the Sauk and only included fish that they saw. River must have been incredibly clear for this survey to mean anything.
10/16/47 MVDH	Sewage Plant Weakens Dike, Council Told The Mount Vernon sewer disposal plant project, subject of many a heated controversy since it was first proposed, hit a new snag last night when district dike commissioners protested to the city council that the location of the plant weakens the dike at that point.  Appearing before the council on behalf of the dike district were Commissioners Dan Sundquist, Magnus Johnson and Pete Lee, together with their attorney, James G. Smith.  . . .  Base is Poured  . . .  Since the council felt unqualified to act in the matter at this time, the dike district’s protest was referred to a conference between dike commissioners and representatives of the engineering firm, Parker and Hill, to be held in the near future.	Dike District Protest Location of Mt. Vernon Sewage Treatment Plant Protest referred to consultant.
10/16/47 Argus	Dike Commissioners Protest Location of Disposal Plant Fearful that the dike would be weakened by construction of the new sewage disposal plant now being erected, dike commissioners Pete Lee, Magnus Johnson and Dan Sundquist met with the city council last night to enter complaint.  . . . commissioners felt that the dike at that point was a danger spot and asked if bond had been secured in case of damage due to flood.  Johnson suggested that the dike might have been weakened by silt and sand drawn through the pumping system set up to keep out seepage.  Lee drew attention to past floods, and suggested that the plant should have been outside the dike.  The council assured the commissioners that they were also deeply concerned with safety against floods and expressed their confidence in the engineers in charge.  City manager Bruce Nelson was of the opinion that the structure would strengthen the dike rather than weaken it although he admitted that temporarily there might be danger.  He stated that records of high water had been studied and the engineers picked the present season as safest.	Mt. Vernon Sewage Treatment Plant Dike District Commissioner wanted plant outside dike.
10/20/47 MVDH	Flood Crest of Skagit Reached; Receding Today The swirling waters of the Skagit River, after having reached a flood crest of 21.6 feet here at 6 p.m. last night, are rapidly receding today, apparently eliminating for the time being at least, the threat of major flood in this area.  . . .  Families Marooned  Several families in the Day Creek area today are marooned as the Gilligan Creek bridge washed out completely Saturday and the Lyman ferry, that provided the only other outlet for some 50 families, sunk after having been covered with debris from the rushing river.  . . .  All of the ferries crossing the Skagit River were grounded today and will not be operated during the high water period.  School children residing on the south side of the river in the Day Creek, Lyman and Concrete districts are unable to attend school today.  . . .  Trucks Overturn  . . .  A total of 1.29 inches of rainfall fell in this area over the weekend, according to reports maintained at the county engineer’s office.	OCTOBER 19, 1947 FLOOD USGS 95,200 cfs Concrete (32.9), 69,400 cfs Mt. Vernon (28.68).  Comparable to first October flood in 2003. 21.6 feet at Moose Hall gage. Lyman ferry sinks.
10/23/47 CT	rains, rivers bring much flood damage – bridge washed out, cars wrecked, sewers back up, as two inches of rain falls in 48 hours, woman barely escapes injury A bridge was washed out, two trucks were wrecked by rushing flood waters, traffic was interrupted, rivers were swelled to flood levels and sewers backed up in the Sedro-Woolley area, as the skies opened up and dumped more than two inches of rainfall in 48 hours last weekend to bring the month’s rainfall to 5.97 inches.  This is an inch above the average for the entire month of October.  . . .  By Saturday night water was rushing across the Lyman road as Wiseman Creek emptied gravel in two high banks across the highway to hamper traffic and stall may a motorist.  Flood waters reached a peak of 21.6 feet about 6:00 p.m. Sunday and began receding after that.  Rising waters also chopped away more land from farm property near the Burlington bend.  (During the last rainstorm two weeks ago, the Austin Lytle place lost 11 feet of land in two days  . . .	OCTOBER 19, 1947 FLOOD USGS 95,200 cfs Concrete (32.99 ), 69,400 cfs Mt. Vernon (28.68) 21.6 ft reading believed to be at Mt. Vernon Moose Lodge.  This was barely a flood stage event in the lower valley. Austin Lytle place is currently owned by Earl Jones.
11/13/47 MVDH	Way Now Paved For Immediate Work on Dikes             A joint program between the city and county for immediate work on waterfront diking repairs with the aid of state matching money, is assured today following the adoption of an emergency measure by the city council last night to cover the city’s portion of the cost.  The program, as announced by Councilman Vern Schacht who had previously met with the board of county commissioners on the matter, calls for probable rock revetment work along the waterfront dike from the south end of the Division street bridge to the south end of property owned by Minnie Lee, known as the Dewdrop tavern.  . . .  Rock Work Probable  . . .  Recent high water of the Skagit river had done considerable damage to the east bank of the river and threatened to do still greater damage unless emergency measures to correct the situation were instituted.  Inspect Site  With city appropriating $4,000 toward the project, the state matching fund would make a total of 12,000 available for the work.  State authorities, who with members of the county engineer’s office inspected river erosion here yesterday, approved the project as an emergency measure and assured local officials that state aid would be forthcoming.  Public Hearing  . . .The revetment work along the dike will be done by the county, using their equipment and manpower.	Mt. Vernon and County Work Together On Dike Project Rock revetment work along waterfront dike.  Recent flood did considerable damage to east bank of the river. State matching funds $12,000.  Revetment work to be done by the County.
11/14/47 MVDH	Push Completion of Ross Project             SEATTLE, Nov. 14 – (U.P.) – Supt. E. R. Hoffman yesterday requested the city council appropriate $350,000 to initiate plans for construction of a power house at the Ross dam site now building and transmission lines to Seattle for current it will produce.  . . .  He said Ross dam would be completed in 1948 and that its storage capacity of 1,400,000 acre-feet of water was the key to the project of the Skagit development.	Ross Dam To Be Completed In 1948
11/20/47 Argus	County Ready For River Bank Work; Now up to State Need Critical, Says Walberg as County, City Unite on Job With both jobs classed as emergencies, estimates and plans for rock fills at two points on the river front have been submitted to the Flood control Engineer at Olympia, according to H.O. Walberg, county engineer.  “We consider these problems critical,” said Walberg, “so critical that we have started the powder work at the quarry.”  The two projects nkown at Unit Seven and Unit Four extend from the bridge south for several blocks and along the river bank near the Darigold plant.  . . .  Basalt rock will be quarried on the 10 acre plot north of Sterling bend.  . . .  The rock and equipment is to be furnished by the county by the agreement. Soundings were made early this week and it was found that the river is 33 feet deep just south of the bridge and the wall approximately on a one to one slope.  . . .  With a 33 foot depth, it is 61 feet from the street elevation to the lowest point.	River 33 feet deep??
12/4/47 C.H.	what bridge? says county The Concrete Lions Club played hosts to the County Commissioners last evening, having invited them to be present to give their knowledge and advice to a discussion of a Skagit river bridge for the upper valley. Commissioners Ed Carr, Lowell Hughes and Wallace Sharp heard the discussion of the club in regard to the project that has been the subject of campaigns, meetings and publicity here for a number of years, culminating in a definite selection of a site and the promise of active support by the commissioners last spring. Then the commissioners shocked the club members almost out of speech by admitting that they knew very little about a bridge for this district and had made no effort whatsoever to investigate the possibilities of building one. There was never even an inquiry by the board into how a bridge could be financed.	Dalles Bridge Small disconnect between upriver community and County Commissioners.
12/11/47 C.H.	editorial This week our editorial column is reserved for a complete and detailed report of the plans made, financing, outlined, surveys completed and other notable work done on the Skagit river bridge for the upper valley by the county commissioners who only last year were elected to office with the bridge as the number one item in their campaign pledges. The report reads as follows: Editor’s comment: It has been a long time since we have such an unblemished record presented by men hired to serve the public as top executives. We only hope that these men choose to “stand on their record” next election.	Editorial Comment on Competency of County Commissioners With Respect To Dalles Bridge Sometimes saying nothing at all speaks volumes. There was nothing but a blank space in the report section of the editorial.
12/18/47 MVDH	Major Projects Outlined for City Light Dams             A major six-year construction program involving the expenditure of an estimated 50 million dollars has been announced by Seattle City Light for its Skagit river project, it was revealed today.  . . .  The initial project, contract of which is expected to be let soon, calls for considerable tunnel work at the present dam sites, installation of an additional generator at Newhalem and the construction of a camp for workers at Gooddell creek, it was learned.  To Raise Gorge Dam  Planned for the second phase of the gigantic construction program will be the addition of seven feet to the present Gorge dam and other work at that site.  A workers’ camp will also be built at a site known as East End.  The third phase of the project calls for continuation of present work at Ross Dam, including the construction of 1800 more feet of cement lined tunnels.  . . .  Local Employment  . . .  A large number of men are at present employed at construction work at Ross Dam which is rapidly reaching its maximum height.	Seattle City Light To Spend $50,000,000 Tunnel work, additional generator at Newhalem, raise Gorge Dam.
1/15/48 C.H.	a bridge in 1952 maybe The three million dollar program schedules a complete job of repair, maintenance and new construction for all county roads and bridges, but will fall about one million dollars short of estimated revenues for the four-year period. This means that unless additional funds can be provided from new sources, the complete program can not be carried out. As usual, the upper valley gets the short end of the deal, with little to be done in this district except for some repairs on the Sauk river road and some new bridges there in the next two years. The road from the Dalles to Faber and the Faber bridge are on the program for 1950 at the earliest. The county expects to be about $360,000 short on funds by this time, which gives an idea of how much importance is placed on a bridge in this vicinity. Engineer Wallberg stated that cost of ferry operation for 1947 was $70,000, of which all but the $8,000 subsidy on the Guemes Island ferry was spent on the Skagit river ferries. He estimated it would take $60,000 to operate them in 1948.	Upriver Bridge Still running ferries during this time span at $60,000 a year.
1/15/48 C.H.	editorial How long would an efficient organization go on paying $30,000 to $70,000 a year to maintain old equipment that could be replaced with new minimum upkeep material in a matter of five or six years at the same cost! Well, count the years they have been maintaining our antiquated ferry service at various points along the Skagit river. Then note that in a four-year plan of master-minded road and bridge construction – the bridge that would eliminate three costly ferries is relegated to the “someday” bracket. What kind of economy is this! If any group of roads in the lower valley were costing $70,000 a year to maintain and were getting worse each year there would be something done – even if it cost every cent the prosperous third district could dig up. But let the same amount be wasted up here and you can’t get the commissioners to lift an eyelid. None are so blind as those who will not see. We now must ascertain if they are also deaf.	Demanded Action on Upriver Bridge
4/17/48 MVDH	aunt jemima in person	Famous Lady Visits Skagit County
4/19/48 MVDH	seek federal aid to construct span over skagit river The first direct effort to gain federal aid in the construction of a steel span across the Skagit river near Concrete was started today with appeals being made to congressional representatives from this state by Chambers of Commerce of various cities in this county. . . .  “We ask you and urge your support for federal funds to construct a bridge cross on the Skagit river in the vicinity of Concrete. 1. Construction of the bridge will give access to largest available stand of federal timber remaining in this state. . . .  4. Timer valuations will increase 25 per cent by the erection of a bridge. . . .”	Congressmen Asked For Aid To Construct Dalles Bridge Timber valuations would increase by 25%.
4/22/48 CT	skagit river bridge near concrete urged – many groups join in requesting federal funds construction of skagit river span to make timber accessible, to aid schools Direct appeal for federal aid construction of a bridge across Skagit River near Concrete was started Monday at a special meeting called by S.S. McIntyre, president of the East-West, No State Highway Association.  . . .  Primary reason for the group asking immediate erection of the bridge is to make timber available to independent local mill operators in Skagit, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties.  . . .  School authorities throughout Skagit County have also emphasized the necessity of a span to insure the safety of children being brought to school. The ferries being used at present have been repeatedly mentioned as “dangerous, expensive, and unsatisfactory” for crossing the river.  . . .  It has been pointed out that by the government’s constructing the span across the river, the value of the timber would be increased sufficiently to pay for the project.	Bridge At Dalles Requested Federal aid requested to build new bridge at the Dalles near Concrete. Bridge would make timber available to independent mill operators.
4/27/48 MVDH	hope still exists for skagit bridge Possibility of securing federal funds for the construction of a bridge across the Skagit river at Concrete appeared remote today, according to information received in a telegram this morning by State Senator Jess Sapp from U.S. Congressman Henry M. Jackson.	Federal Funding Remote For Dalles Bridge
4/27/48 MVDH	flood control job on skagit will start soon Announcement of the official approval of the flood control project at Burlington bend on the Skagit river came today noon from Art Garton, state director of conservation and development, who notified the Daily Herald by long distance telephone that the go ahead signal had been given for the major undertaking. Contracts are expected to be awarded during the next 30 days on the estimated $174,000 flood control job, he said. The work will be done under the supervision of the U.S. army engineers. . . .  Financed Jointly Financing of the project is being taken care of by federal, state, county, city and diking district allocations as announced by Garton: state, $88,000; U.S. army engineers. $50,000; Skagit county, $26,000; city of Burlington, $5,000; diking and drainage district, $5,000. Work to be done at Burlington bend, which is located a short distance east of the city of Burlington, includes rock revetment work with filter blanket beneath, for the entire area on the north bank of the bend which is estimated to be around 3900 feet. That portion of the Skagit river has long been considered as the most dangerous area as far as possible flood break-throughs are concerned. Already acres of valuable farm land have plunged into the river at that point in the past few years. Engineers have stated many times in the past that unless flood control work were instituted there, the city or Burlington itself could easily be completely inundated under water in case of a major flood.	Burlington Bend Project Approved 3,900 ft rock revetment project.  Total cost $174,000. Cost Sharing -- State, $88,000; U.S. army engineers. $50,000; Skagit County, $26,000; City of Burlington, $5,000; diking and drainage district, $5,000. Most dangerous area for “flood break-throughs”.
4/29/48 CT	Burlington bend project approved Approval of the flood control project at Burlington bend on the Skagit river was announced this week by Art Garton, state director of conservation and development. Contracts for the $174,000 job are to be awarded within the next 30 days and work will be done under supervision of U. S. Army engineers, Garton said. Financing allocation include $88,000 from the state, $50,000 from U.S. Engineers; $26,000 from Skagit county; $5,000 from the city of Burlington; and $5000 from diking and drainage district.  . . .  It is estimated the project will be completed by fall.	Burlington Bend Project $88,000 from state, $50,000 federal funds, $26,000 from Skagit County; $5,000 from Burlington and $5,000 from Dike 12. Same area that was worked on in 1935.  See CT article 7/25/35
4/30/48 B.J.	Emergency Funds To Flood Control             The army engineers notified Representative Henry M. Jackson Tuesday, according to word received here, that $50,000 has been allocated from emergency funds for flood control work on the Burlington bend of the Skagit river.              The state will contribute $100,000 to the project while the county will take care of the balance.  Work is expected to be started under the direction of army engineers within the next month.	Burlington Bend “Emergency Work” to begin.
5/13/48 Argus	Flood Control At Burlington Bend Assured Emergency Food control work seems assured for the Burlington Bend, according to a telegram received from Congressman Henry M. Jackson yesterday.  Jackson advised that the office of Chief of Engineers has approved a grant of $50,000 for the project.  The state has already agreed to furnish up to $88,000.  So far, the county has not set any figure for its share of the expense.	Burlington Bend Project
5/13/48 C.H.	forest service has no funds for skagit bridge As was expected, the Forestry Department at Portland found no funds available for aiding Skagit County in building a bridge across the Skagit river here this year. County Engineer Walberg met with Forestry officials in Portland upon his return from Washington D.C. last week and found that the department had barely enough funds to carry their own program this year. The bridge is greatly favored by the Forestry Dept. in that it will open the vast Phinney Creek area of federal timber and permit easy access for timber sales and logging.	No Federal Funds For Bridge The ball now reverts to the county commissioners, who have yet to initiate any sort of a program for building the bridge from any funds.
5/20/48 C.H.	skagit bridge will release much timber Forest service officials at Portland estimate that approximately 20 million feet of timber a year on sustained yield cutting will be the timber yield to come across the proposed Skagit river bridge at the Dalles if the bridge is built within the next few years. “. . . it appears that about 1½ billion feet of National Forest timber might be beneficially affected by the proposed bridge. Converted to sustained allowable annual cut, this would amount to something in the neighborhood of 20 million feet per year.	Logging and Bridge
5/28/48 MVDH	skagit is near flood stage as rains continue The Skagit river, swollen by a heavy deluge of rainfall last night, is expected to reach a flood crest of near 21 feet some time tonight, according to information from the Skagit County Engineers office. Twenty-one feet is considered a danger point as far as possible dike break-throughs are concerned, but is several feet short of the height necessary before water would spill over the levees. . . .  The flood crest, which takes approximately 20 hours to reach Mount Vernon from the upper stretches of the Skagit and tributary rivers, is expected here this evening and the river is steadily rising in the meantime. . . .  Dams on the Skagit river have opened flood gates to let excessive water escape.	UNDOCUMENTED FLOOD Expected to crest near 21 feet (Moose Hall gage which would be 1 foot over flood stage at current gage).  21 feet considered danger point for dike breaks but several feet short of going over dikes. Dams on Skagit opened flood gates.
5/29/48 MVDH	peak is reached in skagit river The Skagit river is subsiding somewhat today after reaching a peak of 20 feet nine inches at 10:45 p.m. last night, according to an official checks made by the county engineer’s office. At 7:15 o’clock this morning the height registered the same but a slight drop has been noted since that time. No immediate threat of a flood of dangerous proportions was forecast although fear was expressed that dikes will be considerably weakened if the heavy flow of water continues for the next three or four weeks as predicted by weather bureau authorities. Farms Isolated A few farms were isolated by waters of the river going over its banks at points where no dikes exist. East of Mount Vernon in the Nookachamps creek area, the Skagit flooded roads providing ingress and egress and farmers were using rowboats to reach higher land.  . . .  South of here in the Fir Island district high waters broke a dike that has been recently repaired and isolated at least one farm family and led to the closing of a farm road leading south from the Fir-Conway bridge. . . .	Flood Barely Over Flood Stage 20.9 would be 28.9 at current gage. Main concern was dikes being weakened if high water continued. Fir Island dike broke.
6/2/48 MVDH	buller warns of high water peril in skagit runoff This is no time to be sitting complacently behind the Skagit river dikes saying “It can’t happen here,” Richard Buller, long-time resident of the upper valley, told a Daily Herald reporter yesterday. Dropping in to the Herald office on a visit to Mount Vernon, Buller said: “There are the makings of another flood like that in 1894, up there in the Cascades.” “There is more snow in the high Cascades right now than for any of the 58 years I have been at Marblemount,” Buller said, “and a series of hot days could duplicate the result of a similar situation in ‘94.” . . .  The upper valley, Buller said, has had only three days of warm weather so far this spring and up until the past week end snow thawed on the mountains part of the day and froze again at night.	Local Resident Fears Snowpack More snow then in last 58 years.
6/10/48 Argus	Editorial—Skagit Flood Protection Do the two Seattle City Light dams on the Skagit river assure us that days of Skagit Valley floods are at an end?  That is a question of vital interest to all residents of the valley.  It can be answered conditionally, especially since the recent freshets that sent the river to within two feet of the level of grave danger.  The provisional answer is that the dams can be, as they have been in the last two weeks, used to hold down flood crests.  There is as yet no assurance that they will prove adequate to prevent serous flood rise in all cases, particularly in November or December.  . . .  But the City Light dams definitely have forestalled serous flood conditions in the current freshet period.  At its crest last week, the Skagit reached 21 feet at Mt. Vernon, two feet below the point at which danger of dikes being overflowed or washed out would become serious, Walberg reports.  “Ross dam was used to hold back water for ten days,” Walberg told the Argus Wednesday.  “It helped keep the river level down by possibly several feet.”  As the Seattle Times reported Sunday from an interview with City Light officials, “if the 567,000 acre feet (of freshet waters purposely held behind Ross dam) had been added to the water flowing down the lower Skagit river, after its junction with the Sauk near Rockport, the lower valley probably would be having its flood problem right now,”  The lower valley needs to continue to maintain its dikes, and to watch them carefully at freshet time, but at least it has some protection that it once did not have.	The flood event referenced in this editorial is not recorded by the Corps or USGS. Dikes would break when river reached 23 feet at Mt. Vernon??  Important to remember is that was 23 feet at the downtown Mt. Vernon gage at the Moose Hall.  Would be approximately 31 feet at current location.  31 ft carries approximately 90,000 cfs. 567,000 acre feet held for ten days.
6/11/48 MVDH	flood work snarl blamed on official In a telephone conversation with the Daily Herald today, Mrs. Austin Lytle blamed County Commissioner Lowell Hughes for the possible “slow down” of work on the proposed Burlington Bend project following the awarding by a superior court jury of $1800 for property along that section of the river owned by the Lytles. “We agreed to a settlement out of court for a figure only half as much as the jury awarded us,” Mrs. Lytle said, “but Commissioner Hughes refused and brought it to court instead.” . . .  Commissioner Hughes stated yesterday that the county had no funds to pay the $1800 for the portion of the Lytle property and that the proposed flood control project might be slowed down until some method of raising the necessary money could be worked out.	Burlington Bend Project Moving Slowly Austin Lytle family stated county refused to pay them for their land.  Commissioner says no funds available.
6/22/48 MVDH	ask permission to dam brown slough Three Skagit county dike districts and a drainage district have asked permission of the army engineers to build a dike across Brown’s slough, a quarter-mile from the north fork of the Skagit river. . . .  (Brown’s slough is one of a number of waterways across the Skagit river delta. The proposed dike and dam across the slough would be located a short distance south of the North Fork bridge, just off the LaConner-Conway road. There are at present dikes on either side of the slough. It is proposed to connect these and prevent flow of flood water through the slough.)	Dike District Wanted To Build Dike Across Brown’s Slough
7/29/48 CT	skagit river threatening utopia farms – farmers as aid to stem erosion; wolfe farm loses land With the Skagit river threatening to break through into the low area near Minkler Lake, East of Sedro-Woolley, Utopia district farmers this week were signing a petition to be presented members of the Skagit Conservation district tonight, July 29, at Mt. Vernon. Five acres owned by Chris Wolfe have been washed away, taking with it Wolfe’s barn, chicken house and woodshed. The river threatened his home, which was emptied of all household goods and moved to higher ground. Wolfe is now living with his daughter on the Burmaster road.	Skagit Threatening To Run Into Minkler Lake Utopia farmland gone.  Five acres washed away.  Wolfe’s barn and chicken house washed into river.
8/5/48 CT	Skagit bridge may require bond issue – sedro-woolley C. of C. host to county bridge enthusiasts; span at dalles discussed; financing is main problem; bond issue is suggested A bond issue, which may or may not have to be voted by Skagit county residents, was cited Wednesday night as the one means of financing construction of a bridge across the Skagit river between Concrete and the Dalles. With the entire delegation attending the dinner meeting at the Sedro-Woolley city hall agreeing that the bridge is vitally needed to assure this county’s future support from logging the number one problem became that of finances.  . . .  Lowell Hughes, chairman of the board of commissioners, said that the county has been attempting to get estimates of what a bridge will actually cost, and also surveys of where it should be built. He said that a man is expected to be in the county within “about two weeks” to make the survey. The commissioners said that when the figures are drawn up, the request for issuing the bonds will be put on the November ballot.  . . .  As the discussion closed, the group tossed he problem of building the bridge in the laps of the county commissioners and they in turn flipped it back to the voters, who they say must be educated to the fact that the bridge will save taxpayers money in the long run, and will ultimately increase the income of the entire county. H. O. Walberg, county engineer, and State Senator Jess Sapp eliminated the possibilities of financial aid from the U. S. Forestry service or the state highway department.  . . .  Sapp said that since there is no state highway which runs to the point where the bridge is tentatively scheduled to be built, the state cannot lend assistance either.	Dalles Bridge Proposal County Commissioners decided to have voters decide if bridge should be built. No aid from state or federal government because road was not a state highway.
8/12/48 CT	sterling hill dynamited to get rock for Burlington bend A distant, powerful explosion felt in several Sedro-Woolley homes last Saturday noon made available more than 30,000 yards of rock for flood control revetment work on the Skagit river near Burlington. An 11-ton charge of dynamite, buried deep in the southeast end of Sterling Hill about two and a half miles west of this city lifted thousands of pounds of rock and pebbles into the air and poured up dust, When the scene cleared, several acres of a farm in front of the hill were littered with rocks ranging from pebbles to pieces 10 feet thick and 15 feet long.  . . .  The combined forces of the U.S. Army Engineers, state and Skagit county officials are carrying out the $175,000 flood control project.	Sterling Hill Mined For Burlington Bend Rock Revetment Project Rock for revetment project came from Sterling Hill.
9/23/48 Argus	Editorial—A Bridge for the Upper Skagit The voters of Skagit County will have an important issue to decide for themselves at the November 2 election—whether or not to authorize a $700,000 bond issue for the construction of a bridge across the upper Skagit River in the vicinity of Concrete and of the necessary connecting roads on the south bank.  . . .  Three principal claims are made for this bridge.  From the standpoint of the taxpayers’ pocketbook, it would eliminate the present costly operation of two or three county-owned ferries.  These ferries are not only an expense but also a worry to county officials because of the danger of an accident, especially during the high water periods.  A second claim for benefits from this bridge is that it would open to logging timer areas . . . A third claim is that the lands south of the river may be suitable for further settling.	The Dalles Bridge Area would have been timbered anyway however, logs would have been sent to Snohomish County mills instead of Skagit’s.
10/6/48 MVDH	proposed span at concrete would tap timber resources For 15 years the subject of a bridge across the Skagit river at Concrete had been discussed and proposed with little success resulting. This year, however, voters throughout the county will have a chance to vote on a proposition of bonding the county for a total of $700,000 with which to construct the span and access roads leading thereto. . . .  The annual tax levy to be collected by the county over a 10-year period, has been set at between 2½ and 3 mills, which will provide sufficient funds to carry out the program. . . .  The bridge will open up a loop highway from the eastern end of Skagit county to Darrington and the Snohomish valley, in addition to providing an outlet for the largest single stand of virgin timber in the nation, soon to be placed on sale by the U.S. Forestry service. The huge timber stand is located on the slopes of Finney Creek. Building of the bridge will eliminate three of the county’s most costly ferries at a saving of from $30,000 to $60,000 a year. . . .  In January of this year a committee of leaders from every town in the county got together to prepare a county-wide road and bridge program for presentation to the Legislative Interim committee. In doing so they designated the Skagit river bridge at Concrete as the second most need project of the county. The number one project was, of course, the Cascade highway.	Dalles Bridge To Go To Vote Of The People To Vote On Dalles Bridge County to bond $700,000 for cost of bridge. Bridge would save County 30-60,000 a year on ferry expense. Bridge second on list of public works projects right behind Cascade Highway.
10/7/48 MVDH	what about this upper skagit river bridge	Advertisement for Bridge
10/7/48 Argus	Army Engineers to Resurvey Skagit River Basin Valley Considered For Flood Control Aid, Cain Reports Skagit River Valleys flood dangers and current problems are going to be resurveyed immediately by the U.S. Army Engineers, Sen. Harry P. Cain disclosed here Tuesday afternoon in an Argus interview.  . . .  “The committee adopted the necessary resolution a week ago Friday (Sept. 24),” Sen. Cain told the Argus.  This was done with a view to translating the recommendations from the engineers into necessary authorizations.  In the recent past the U.S. Engineers have largely kept hands off the Skagit basin because they had been told that the state was going to pay for whatever work was needed.”	Another study. State was going to pay for whatever work was needed???
10/8/48 B.J.	Bridge Issue Before County At Election             Official election notice for a $700,000 bond issue for the purpose of building a bridge and access roads across the Skagit river in the vicinity of Concrete has been published by Skagit county commissioners with a special vote to be held at the November 2 general election.  . . .  The bridge will open up a loop highway from the eastern end of Skagit county to Darrington and the Snohomish valley, in addition to providing an outlet for the largest single stand of virgin timber in the nation, soon to be placed on sale by the U. S. Forestry service.  The huge timber stand is located on the slopes of Finney creek.  . . .  The upper Skagit bridge proposition has been a problem of the county for the past 15 years.  In January of this year a committee of leaders from every town in the county got together to prepare a county-wide road and bridge program for presentation the legislative Interim Committee.  In doing so they designated the Skagit river bridge at Concrete as the second most needed project of the county.  The number one project was, of course, the Cascade highway.	Dalles Bridge Bridge allowed “largest stand of virgin timber in the nation” to be harvested. Bridge project was #2 on County list.  #1 was the Cascade Highway.
10/13/48 MVDH	danger to school children who cross skagit on ferries cited Those who know the Skagit river and have seen it a raging torrent of swollen flood waters each year can readily appreciate the danger faced by the 60 school children who must rely upon the ferries 180 days out of the year to further their education. . . .  That is one of the strong arguments being voiced today in favor of constructing a bridge across the river near Concrete which decision will be up to the voters of the county during the general election in November. . . .  Scow on Cables The typical river ferry is a steel or wooden scow with railings on each side and a hinged ramp at each end. They operate solely by the power of the water against the side of the scow, the scow being swung on cables that permit it to be set at an angle against the current which pushes the scow sideways to the opposite landing. The entire mechanism hangs from a rolling trolley riding a taut cable stretching across the river from high poles on each side. Due to water variation, landings at each side of the river are impossible to maintain at one level. As a result the cars attempting to board or leave the ferry scow have considerable difficulty. . . .  The ferries operating two shifts of 9 hours each, or 18 hours a day. However, they must be closed down in high water due to danger of floating debris and the extra strain on cables, and in low water because of insufficient draft to float the scows. Also in low water the natural eddies at each landing tend to swing the ferry scows around and send them into the current with the cables on the lower side of the scow. On several occasions this has resulted in capsizing the ferry.  Slip Away From Landing Other hazards of ferry operation include the danger of the ferry slipping away from the landing as the cars attempt to drive aboard– the ferry moves out and drops the car into the river. Other instances have found cars sliding off the opposite end of the scow in loading. . . .  The proposed Skagit river bridge in the vicinity of Concrete will immediately eliminate two of the four ferries, and will eliminate a third within the very short time needed to build a few miles of access road. These ferries will be the Faber ferry, the Concrete ferry and the Presentine ferry (Birdsview). . . .  The Faber ferry has capsized in the past. It and others have broken loose, Aprons of the ferries have dropped down and caused the ferry to submerge. Many of these occurred while vehicles and passengers were aboard. . . .  At high water periods, the upper Skagit is swollen and violent. Crossing is very dangerous and at those times the ferry does not run. Last school year this happen on a total of 15 days.	Ferries Dangerous – Dalles Bridge Needed To Replace Them Ferries have capsized several times in the past. Cars have slipped off the ferries into the river. Faber, Concrete and Presentine (Birdsview) Ferries would be eliminated.
10/14/48 MVDH	plan conference on flood control Congressman Henry M. Jackson will confer next week with Col. L. B. Hewitt, district head of the U. S. Army Engineers, in an effort to work out a flood control problem along the Swinomish slough near the Dorsey farm west of here, it was announced today. . . .  Extensive dredging of the slough has resulted in wearing away of the dikes, making break-throughs possible. One such break-through occurred in that area last year, flooding several acres of farm land under two to three feet of salt water.	Dredging Swinomish Slough Damaging Dikes Dredging resulted in wearing away of dikes, allowing “break-throughs”.
10/14/48 MVDH	bridge is vital, chamber is told . . .  McIntyre pointed out the between 3½ and 4 billion feet of virgin timber is contained in the Sauk and Suiattle watersheds which would naturally be diverted through Skagit county if a bridge were constructed across the river. He also pointed to the eventual savings to the county through the elimination of ferries and also the elimination of danger to school children who now must depend upon the ferries to get them to their classrooms. “Approximately a 2½ or 3 mill levy is all that would be necessary,” the speaker asserted, “to raise the $700,000 required to construct the span.” . . .	Dalles Bridge Needed To Get To 3.5 to 4 Billion Feet of Virgin Timber Timber driving force to build Dalles bridge.
10/21/48 MVDH	proposed span key to vast timber resources, report The southern half of Skagit county above Sedro-Woolley contains untold wealth in timber. For many years logs have been rolling into Skagit county mills from this area by truck and rail, but a point has now been reached where it is no long practical to bring logs to the river or try to run a railroad up the south side of the river as has been done in the past. The logging of today is by motor trucks. . . .  According to the U. S. forestry department all the timber in the Finney creek, Mill creak, Pressentin and Quartz creek areas would logically move down the Skagit valley with a crossing at Concrete. Timber also could move in a downhill route from the Suiattle river district. . . .  The Finney creek timber has not yet been placed on sale by the forestry department, but will be highly sought by timber operators when bids are called in the next few years.	Dalles Bridge Needed To Get To Untold Wealth In Timber Without bridge, timber would be sent to Snohomish County mills.
10/21/48 CT	bridge is key to timber The southern half of Skagit county above Sedro-Woolley contains untold wealth in timber. For many years logs have been rolling into Skagit county mills from this area by truck and rail, but a point has now been reached when it is no longer practical to bring logs to the river or try to run a railroad up the south side of the river as has been done in the past. The logging of today is by motor truck. One of the largest remaining stands of virgin timber in the nation today lies on the slopes of Phinney Creek, just south of the Skagit river at Concrete. This timber is within Skagit county yet a great portion of this wealth will be taken out through Snohomish county, to Snohomish county mills if no access is provided by a bridge to the railroad lines on the north side of the river.	Dalles Bridge Bridge is key to timber resource.  Logging changed from floating logs down the river to “motor truck”.  Bridge would keep timber from being sent to Snohomish County mills.
11/4/48 C.H.	upper skagit hits election jackpot The Skagit river bridge, one of the most hoped-for issues, passed by an overwhelming vote of 11,618 for to 3,185 against. A.B. Wiseman, county commissioner for this district after Jan. 1, 1949, will have the responsibility of carrying out the county’s request for a bridge across the Skagit River near Concrete. The voters approved a $700,000 bond issue to provide funds for the new bridge and the necessary roads for connecting south of the river roads with its approaches.	Bridge Bonds Approved
11/4/48 C.H.	editorial Well, there is your bridge. Handed to you on a silver platter by the people of Skagit county. All you had to do to get it was work yourself into alternate states of fury and despair over a period of eighteen or twenty years before someone noticed that a bad situation wasn’t getting any better, that our wails in the wilderness were of some distress. It takes a lot of time to convince a few stubborn men who don’t want to understand, a very short while to convince a lot of common folks. So, when you get around to watching the final steel go into place on that bridge across the Skagit river, make sure that on the inevitable plaque that goes with it’s price there are no dedications to glory for the few men whose duty it was to make the plans and buy the steel. Instead, let’s have a simple wording of honesty and truth – “This bridge built by the people of Skagit County.” I wager folks will come for miles around to see that plaque alone, it would be so unusual.	Bridge To Be Built The building of any bridge be it physical or philosophical begins with a concept and must be followed by tenacity and advocacy. The building of the upriver bridge is a tribute to the upriver community and the people of Skagit County.
12/16/48 C.H.	no decision on bridge The Skagit river bridge to be built near this community is still the center of a lot of argument on site. So much so that the county has made a request for a geologist from the state department of highways to make a preliminary survey and settle the question. The big problem between the two suitable sites, at Faber ferry and at The Dalles, is the stretch of road between them. The Dalles is a perfect site for a short span; the Faber site must have a long span with only one solid rock footing. . . . Forestry officials, engineers and now the state geologists have been called into consultation to solve the riddle. The main problem is about 2,000 feet of clay slide and a few other portions of underlying clay strata over which a road must pass.	Geologist To Determine Location of Bridge Geology was what determined the location of the bridge between Faber and The Dalles sites.
3/12/49 MVDH	set hearings on river projects . . .  The Skagit river hearing will be held in Mount Vernon at the court house April 12 at 10 a.m. . . .  The Skagit river improvements to be discussed are all in the delta area. They include completion of a training dike and work on the river at the Skagit city bar to increase the available depth. Already completed are regulating dikes and a mattress still near the head of the north fork, a dike at the mouth of the south fork and the closing of subsidiary channels at the delta.	Skagit River Public Hearing Work proposed on “training levees” on Fir Island.
3/17/49 Argus	Public Hearing on River Work Set April 12 U.S. Engineers Seek Local Opinion On Projects Navigation Main Topic The hearing it is understood, is called primarily to poll local opinion as to the projects the engineers propose, principally dealing with improving navigation on the lower Skagit River.  Project Described “The existing project provides for channel stabilization through the delta by means of a dike at the mouth of the South fork; regulating dikes and a mattress sill near the head of North fork; and closing subsidiary channels at the delta; and for increasing the available depth at Skagit City bar by dredging and by training walls.  The length of the section included in the project is 9 ½ miles.  The mattress sill, closing dikes, and 10,450 feet of training dike at dike at the mouth of the South fork are completed.  The training dike was completed to a length 5,550 feet less than project length.  The work at Skagit City bar awaits the local cooperation required by the act of 2 March 1919.	Corps Project Documents obtained from Corps files show that the dredging at Skagit City bar did not happen as they never got local cooperation from the farmers.
4/7/49 C.H.	editorial If the upper Skagit can stave off another “valley authority” on the Skagit river, it will only be because we were warned soon enough to start working against it. For several years now army engineers have been making surveys of possible power sites and flood control projects that could make the valley above Concrete just a serious of ponds. We know that the people of the valley don’t want such a thing to happen, but we know also that unless some definite and concerted action is taken to make this fact known we will one of these days find a construction crew on the river banks making ready to put an end to all the hopes and aspirations of those who live in and love this green valley of ours. Too much of the propaganda that calls for despoiling a river is from government agencies themselves whose never-ending greed fattens on more and more “projects” whether needed or not. Power needs are growing, but until present sources are developed to the utmost, no new dams are needed. If upper streams can be utilized, a Faber dam will never be needed for its avowed purpose of flood control. Take warning from the happenings in other quiet valleys. The Skagit is being lined up for sacrifice.	Opposed to More Dams Didn’t want the upper valley to become a “series of ponds.”
4/7/49 C.H.	faber dam in news again as possibility Rumblings are again being heard from the federal government on more hydro-electric and flood control projects on the Skagit river. Army Engineers, who have been conducting surveys on the Skagit, Cascade, Sauk and Baker rivers for several years, are now nearing the final stages of their work and plan to have their report ready next year. Under consideration by the Army Engineers are four dams: One on the Baker river; one on the main channel of the Skagit at Faber; one on the lower Sauk river and another on the lower Cascade river. They are now seeking information from the state game department as to possible effect on the river’s system of fish runs. . . . The Game Commission has issued a statement that “Part of the Skagit river already is blocked by power developments, so we must be on our guard to protect the great fish runs on this stream. The Skagit is famed the breadth of our land for its fine fishing, being worth a tremendous amount to us as a tourist and recreation asset for this reason.” The proposed dam on the Baker river (above Lake Shannon) would back water into the canyon above Baker Lake, inundating much valuable recreational area around the present Baker Lake shore line.	Faber and Baker Dam & Fish Opposition by state to either Faber or Baker due to impacts on fish runs. See 2/25/49 USFW letter to Corps (re dams at Faber & Sauk sites); 2/23/49 Letter to Corps from WDOG (re impacts of dam construction); and 3/4/49 Letter to Corps from WDOF (re impacts of dam construction). See also Historical Record of Fish Related Issues (1897-1969).
4/7/49 CT	many fish caught final day; 2,500 total for season More than 2,500 steelhead probably were caught in the Skagit river during the recent season, reports fro local fishing guides and Game Protector Vern Gee indicate.  Five guides reported a total of 1,117 steelhead taken during the season.  . . .  Local fishermen who do not use guides would account for enough to push the total well over the 2,500 mark.  . . .  Howard Miller caught an eight-pound female steelhead near Day Creek.  At least 13 fish were taken at Gillam Creek Thursday.	Fish Issue -- Steelhead Abundant 2,500 steelhead….how many in 2004? The local legend around Howard Miller is that he made two casts with a fly rod and caught two steelhead and went home.
4/30/49 MVDH	bridge survey A county surveying crew yesterday began work on the first major step toward construction of the $700,000 Skagit river bridge which voters have authorized for the upper Skagit valley, County Engineer H. O. Walberg said this morning. . . .  Prior to the beginning of the actual survey, county commissioners, engineers and up-river residents made several field trips into the area under consideration to gain preliminary information on the problems involved in construction of the up-river span.	Surveying Work Begins On Dalles Bridge Voters Give Okay on Bond Issue
4/30/49 MVDH	flood warning setup dissolved Skagit county’s flood-control warning system, developed by the county planning commission three years ago, is being abandoned; it was learned here today. . . .  The flood control warning system was coordinated by the weather bureau in Seattle who received periodic reports from the gauge readings in the upper Skagit and readings at Skagit river dams, and then relayed warnings to the county engineer’s office here when floods or high water are apparent.	Flood Early Warning System Abandoned See 11/22/45 Courier Times article.
5/5/49 Argus	Skagit’s Runoff To be Heavy, Say City Light Aides Snow 16 Per Cent Heavier On Upper River Than in 1948 Record Fall An all-time record spring runoff is expected from the upper Skagit river for the April-August period, I.L. Cottom, Assistant superintendent of Seattle’s City Light, announced here this week.  Snow surveys indicate 16 per cent more snow, on a water content basis, than last spring when a 40-year runoff record was broken.  A prepared statement from City Light promised as much control of spring and high water as possible from its Diablo and Ross dams, but advised “construction of and a high degree of maintenance of diking facilities” on the lower river.  . . .  During the period May 24 to June 12, 1948, the natural flow of the Skagit river at Diablo dam maintained daily flows ranging from 16,000 cfs to 32,000 cfs which is the highest spring runoff of record at that point on the river.  Due to the large storage capacity of the Ross Reservoir, the City of /Seattle was able to store the greatest amount of the runoff and the flows actually released at Diablo dam during this period ranged between 2,500 and 8,000 cfs.  Actually 78 percent of the total runoff at Diablo was impounded in the City’s reservoirs during this period, which reduced the average flow in the lower reaches of the river by 18,000 cfs. Between June 9 and June 12 the Skagit river was at or near the 20-foot stage at the county gage at Mt. Vernon, and reached an observed peak stage of 20.3 feet at 7:15 p.m. on June 10.  The operations of the City’s dams at this time resulted in a net reduction of 211,800 cfs in the natural flow of the river.  Assuming that one-third of this flow, had there been no regulation, would have been absorbed in valley and channel storage such as the Nookachamps basin, there would still have been 14,000 cfs greater flow in the Skagit at Mt. Vernon, which would have resulted in a river stage of 22.3 feet instead of the 20.3 feet which actually occurred.  . . .  The city of Seattle in describing the effect of the operation of its reservoirs on the flows in the lower river does not wish to convey a false feeling of security against floods in the lower Skagit valley.  The most damaging floods have practically always occurred during the winter period from the middle of October to the middle of March.  It is desired to emphasize the fact that during winter floods, such as occurred in February 1932 and December 1921, the contribution of the upper Skagit river to this type of flood ranges between 15 and 18 percent.  Therefore, even complete regulation of flow in the upper Skagit could only effect peak flows in the lower river by 15 to 18 percent.  Until such time as large storage facilities are available on the lower tributaries of the river, such as the Cascade, Sauk and Baker rivers, the possibility of damaging floods in the lower Skagit valley will continue to exist.  . . .  This statement by the city of Seattle, department of lighting, has been issued in order to inform the residents of the Skagit river valley of the flood control service that has been and will continue to be rendered by the city in the operation of its hydro-electric projects and reservoirs located on the upper reaches of the Skagit River.	The entire statement was printed in the article.  Looks like they were using Diablo for flood control in 1949.  Why can’t they do it now? 78% of total runoff at Diablo was impounded!!
5/5/49 C.H.	county drops flood warning employees Skagit County’s flood control warning system, which had been developed by the county planning council three years ago, is now being abandoned. The two men employed by the county during three months of the year to check weather gauges in the mountains on the upper Skagit have been notified that their services will no longer be required. The action was taken by the board of county commissioners who feel that this service is already being duplicated by other agencies such as the power projects on the river, and that there are adequate means of warning in case of flood danger.	Flood Early Warning System Not needed say County Commissioners.
5/5/49 C.H.	dams holding back skagit flood threat The information from the surveys completed through the joint efforts of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Dominion Water and Power Bureau of Canada, the Forest Service and Soil Conservation Dept. and City of Seattle has provided much valuable information in anticipating flood conditions. Last year from May 24 to June 12, the natural flow of the Skagit River at Diablo Dam maintained a flow of from 16,000 to 32,000 cubic feet per second, which is the highest spring runoff of record at that point. This year, due to the large storage capacity of the Ross Dam, the greatest amount of the runoff has been held and flows actually released at Diablo now range between 2,500 and 8,000 cu. ft. per second. Actually 78 percent of the total runoff was impounded. . . . In their statement concerning the possibility of floods, City Light reminds residents of the valley that floods are still possible despite all precautions if weather conditions bring on unusual runoffs. However, most serious floods occur during the winter period from October to March. . . . Flow of the Baker River by the Puget Sound Power dam is also controlled as far as possible by river conditions and release of water from all dams are timed through close cooperation of the power dispatchers.	Operation of Baker, Diablo and Ross Dams
5/19/49 C.H.	river remains high as warm weather holds The hot days of the past week have had the Skagit River up near flood stage several times, but at latest reports, the gauge at Mount Vernon is still below the “danger point” of 21 feet. Ferries at Faber and Rockport have been operating only when a drop in the river gave show of safety, but school children are being forced to miss their last week of school. . . . Last season’s high point was 20.8 feet. The highest yet so far has been 19.4 and the river has been dropping since this point was reached Friday morning.	Non-Flood Event River stayed high but did not reach flood stage.
6/23/49 C.H.	city light co. will double plant’s output Present capacity of the City Light company’s plant is to be more than doubled with the installation of three 90,000 kilowatt generators by the Westinghouse corporation, it was announced this week. . . . For operation of the generators the dam has been heightened to 540 feet and a reservoir containing 1,400,000 acre-feet of water, extending almost to the Canadian border is being built up.	Seattle City Light/Ross Dam Three new generators increase production of power. Ross dam 540 feet high.
7/5/49 C.H.	against more skagit dams John M. Hurley, Jr. chief of the stream improvement division of the state fisheries department spoke at a Salmon bake at Hope Island on Sunday, opposing the full development of power in the state as the end of the fish runs of the state. He spoke against the CVA in that it would place jurisdiction of all state fisheries in hands of a federal board. He also spoke at length on the Skagit river’s proposed Faber and Sauk dams, which he said “would reduce the Skagit to relative insignificance as a producer of migratory fish.” He urged that the people go slowly in approving legislation that will destroy all fishing resources in favor of power development.	State Opposes Sauk and Faber Dams Dams would destroy salmon runs.
8/8/49 C.H.	ruby dam dedicated in ceremony today At formal ceremonies, covered by radio and newsreels the City Light Department today accepted the completed Ross Dam from the contractors General, Shea and Co. The construction company have been cleaning up their operations at the dam site for the past month in preparation for turning the dam over to City Light. The huge dam has been built so that if future needs require it can be raised in height by superimposing another face over the present honeycomb-like structure.	Ruby/Ross Dam Completed
8/25/49 C.H.	twelve year construction job of building ross dam completed last week The construction of Ross Dam was one of the most difficult and spectacular jobs in the world. The granite cliffs rise for hundreds of feet from the river gorge. Every pathway, building site and toehold for man or machine had to be blasted from the rock. Construction of the first step of the dam began in September 1937 and was completed March 11, 1940. Work was resumed in February of 1943 and carried through until completion on August 18^th, 1949. Cost of building the dam was approximately $28,000,000.	Picture available. History of Ross Dam Construction Construction of the first step of the dam began in September 1937 and was completed March 11, 1940. Work was resumed in February of 1943 and carried through until completion on August 18^th, 1949. Cost of building the dam was approximately $28,000,000. Construction of the entire Seattle City Light project began in 1919. NOTE: Notice how narrow the canyon is in the picture.
10/20/49 CT	harry devin was city’s historian, weather recorder Harry L. Devin, born in Ottumwa, Ohio, June 16, 1862, came to Sedro in 1889 on a visit and liked the locale so well that the following year he brought his family here and established his home.  He opened a real estate office in 1890 on the bank of the Skagit river and in 1892 was appointed postmaster, later resigning in favor of the Woolley postmaster.  He spent two years in the Klondike prospecting and upon his return spent nine months in North-eastern Washington, managing the Silver Butte mine.  He came back to Sedro-Woolley, and in 1902 entered the real estate business with C.J. Wicker, forming the Skagit Realty Co.  Mr. Devin had a major part in every important development that has taken place in Sedro-Woolley since its founding and his reference library was the haven of every person wishing facts of figures pertaining to Sedro-Woolley.  He was official weather recorder here for forth-three years.	H. L. Devin He is directly responsible for passing on the “Indian Legend” of the 1815 flood event. “Our fellow townsman, Mr. H.L. Devin, was some years ago engaged in surveying in the upper valley in the vicinity of Baker Lake.  Being detained over night in an Indian camp, he was told the history of a great flood.  They said that about 60 years ago a great slide had choked up the narrow outlet of the Baker valley and that the water accumulated in the basin thus formed until the whole valley was an immense lake, full 80 feet deep.  By this time the imprisoned waters had burst through the dam and in a few hours this great volume of water was precipitated into the Skagit flooding the whole valley.  The water marks still plainly visible high up the sides of the Baker valley and the great variation in those upon the trees as you come down the Skagit would indicate that this was the real cause of that terrible disaster."  (Reprinted from the Skagit County Times, Serving Sedro and Woolley, Skagit County Washington, Thursday, November 19, 1896.))
11/24/49 C.H.	county hires engineer for skagit bridge The Skagit county commissioners, who have been keeping rather quiet on the upper Skagit bridge due to lack of any specific progress to report, this week heaved a sigh of relief and sent out word that they have hired a bridge engineer to draw plans and specifications and to act as consultant on the project. The new engineer is Cecil Arnold of Seattle, and he is expected to report in Skagit county immediately to begin work. It is the intention of the county commissioners to be ready to let contracts by March 1, 1950.	Dalles Bridge Construction to start by March 1, 1950.
11/28/49 MVDH	Worst Flood In Years Passes Crest; Falling The Skagit River, a few days ago a peaceful stream, turned into a raging torrent last night, spilling over its banks in several spots, marooning many families and causing untold damage to property and loss to livestock.  The flood, which reached its peak here at 4:40 a.m., this morning with a crest of 26.5 feet, was the worst in Skagit County for the past 27 years.  . . .  Yesterday afternoon and last night the entire community of Hamilton was cut off from the outside world and travel to the eastern end of the county is still at a standstill.  Most of the families living in and around the community of around 200 persons, left their homes before the water spilled through the streets to a height of about two feet.  Amphibious ducks, operated by private individuals and members of the state patrol, evacuated approximately 50 marooned persons there during the evening.  This morning hundreds of acres of land in the Fir Island district near Conway are under water due to at least three breaks in river dikes.  . .  A trestle and 165 feet of the Great Northern’s main line railroad track just south of Conway was washed out during the evening…  . . .  The main business district of Mount Vernon was seriously threatened during the night but flood crest stopped two feet short of the top of the dike.  . . .  Greatest flood damage in Skagit County was centered today in the Conway district where workers were unable to stop a dike breaking through at Fisher’s slough and above Conway on the North Fork.	NOVEMBER 28, 1949 FLOOD USGS 154,000 cfs Concrete (40.8), 149,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, 114,000 cfs Mt. Vernon (34.21) Worst flood since 1921.  Hamilton underwater.  East end of County at a standstill.  Water 2 feet deep in Hamilton. One has to wonder if getting rid of the Flood Early Warning System was a good idea. Fir Island levees fail.  Conway levees fail. Water stopped 2 feet short of going into downtown Mt. Vernon. Conway levees failed at Fisher’s Slough.
11/29/49 MVDH	Travel Restored To All Main Roads In County Rapidly receding flood waters in the Skagit Valley today spelled an end to the emergency conditions that have existed since the Skagit River poured over its banks Sunday evening and broke through dikes south of here yesterday.  There is still plenty of flood water covering valuable farmlands, particularly in the Conway-Fir Island region, but the threat of further damage is over.  The river, which had risen to a height of 26.5 early Monday morning, was down to 19.8 feet at 10 o’clock today.  . . .  The break in the dike at Fisher’s Slough which had threatened the town of Conway saw concerted action on the part of volunteer workers last night but the waters of the river have receded so rapidly that further damage in that area is not expected.  . . .  Most of the damage appeared to be to roadways, farm buildings and to winter crops, the latter mainly seed crops in the Fir Island district.  . . .  Skagit County Commissioner Lowell Hughes reported today that the county’s Lyman ferry “completely disappeared” during the flood.  . . .  Travel between Marblemount and Newhalem is still blocked off.  . . .  Residents of Hamilton, who were perhaps the hardest hit by the flood waters, were busy today cleaning out their homes of the mud and debris that rode into the city on the crest of the flood waters, estimated from two to two and a half feet.	River Drops 6ft in 24 hours Most farm damage was to seed crops on Fir Island. Lyman ferry completely disappeared.  Travel between Marblemount and Newhalem still blocked off.  Water 2 to 2½ feet deep in Hamilton.
11/29/49 MVDH	Quick River Rise Surprised Residents, But Cut Damage The sudden flood, which subsided almost as quickly as it rose, deposited less silt than most residents had feared and damage to homes was in most cases confined to water-soaking, he said.  Mr. Williamson found new evidences of structural damage on a survey tour of the Hamilton flood area yesterday.  . . .  On his trip yesterday Mr. Williamson found 35 homes in Hamilton had been flooded, some to a depth of five feet, but the water had subsided and most families are now moving back and going about the job of cleaning up the flood debris and damage.	35 Homes In Hamilton Damaged Some homes had 5 feet of water in them.  These must have been homes closest to the river as previous reports stated water only 2 ½ feet in downtown Hamilton.
12/1/49 MVDH	flood clean-up is continuing Residents of Hamilton were beginning to settle down to normal living again after spending the past two days shoveling mud and muck from their stores and residents in the wake of Skagit county’s near-disastrous flood of the weekend.  . . .  No definite estimate on the amount of damage to Skagit county as a result of the flood has been made yet . . .  Quoted figures of two million dollars is believed to be high.  . . .Water is still on many acres of farmland today in the Conway area but inundated lands in the area east are rapidly becoming free of water again as the Skagit river continues to drop.	Hamilton Cleans Up Reported damage figure of 2,000,000 said to be too high for County.  Water still in Conway area.
12/1/49 Argus	County Keeps Weather Eye on Hills As Skagit Flood Cleanup Progresses Fresh Rise In River Not Held Cause For Fear An anxious Skagit county kept its eye on the Skagit river late Thursday as word came from the state highway department of new snow and winds in the Baker area.  But although the river had climbed to 19.6 feet early Friday the weather bureau’s flood warning office told the county engineer’s office there appeared “no cause for alarm.”  The river started falling at Concrete at midnight.  Snow was falling high in the mountains.  Engineer Hjalmar Walberg said a 20.8 foot peak was expected about 2 p.m. Friday, a level that ordinarily causes no trouble.	November 28, 1949 Flood Event USGS records show 40.8 ft at Concrete and 34.21 feet at Mt. Vernon.  Why is there a 14 ft difference between the downtown gage and the new gage? NOTE:  This article was cut-off during copying.  Need to obtain full article.
12/1/49 B.J.	Burlington Escapes Serious Damage During Devastating Skagit Flood Burlington, due to a number of reasons, was one of the few towns in the Skagit Valley suffering only minor damage last Sunday night and Monday during one of the worst floods in over 25 years.  Lyman, Hamilton, Mount Vernon, Conway, and Stanwood communities suffered the worst.  The factors that saved both Burlington and Sedro-Woolley, five miles to the east from the fate of other towns were first, that the Seattle City Light retained hundreds of tons of water behind their dams up-river, second, dikes breaking near Conway relieved the pressure here, . . .  The high stage came about 4:30 Monday morning with a crest at near the 26 foot mark.  . . .	November 28, 1949 Flood Worst flood in 25 years. Ross and Diablo used as flood control. 26 ft at Moose Lodge gage in Mt. Vernon.  USGS reports 34.2 ft at current gage.  114,000 cfs.  8 ft drop in elevation btwn gages.
12/1/49 B.J.	Ross Dam Plays Large Part in Preventing Flood Seattle City Light’s Ross Dam on the upper Skagit played a large part in keeping the serious flood from being even worse, E. R. Hoffman, Lighting Superintendent, said today.  The valves in the big dam were closed Wednesday, November 23, and no water from the entire upper river was allowed to pass.  From Thursday midnight until Sunday midnight enough water was held behind the dam to cover 116,000 acres of land to a depth of one foot.  At the crest of the flood approximately 42,600 cubic feet of water were impounded every second.  Elevation of Ross Lake, nearly 20 miles long, came up ten feet, and is now forty feet higher than anticipated for this time of year.  On November 28 there was still enough storage space to impound another 200,000 acre feet of water behind Ross Dam.  The valves were still closed and no water was getting past the dam.  The flood crest at Concrete, first large town below Ross Dam, reached 149,000 cubic feet per second on Sunday, November 27.  This would have been disastrously worse except for the water held behind Ross Dam.  The crest passed Mt. Vernon early Monday morning, November 28, and the entire river was reported to be receding.  “Ross Dam does a great deal to keep floods on the Skagit from being much worse”, Hoffman said.  “However, it cannot be expected that a dam so far up the river will prevent floods altogether.  “Only about one-fourth of the river lies above Ross Dam, and the tributary streams feeding the upper fourth are a good deal smaller than the streams below the dam.”	ROSS DAM November 28, 1949 Flood No water allowed out of “entire upper river” from Thursday midnight (November 24^th) until Sunday midnight (November 27^th). Ross Lake came up ten feet and is now forty feet higher than anticipated for this time of year.  40 feet???  Another 200,000 acre foot still available. One fourth of river above Ross.
12/1/49 C.H.	skagit river floods in quick rise after storm freak storm with heavy rain and high wind sets off first serious flood since 1921 – damage heavy in rockport and hamilton; no property hit here Heavy rains and unseasonably warm temperatures combined with other factors over the week end in causing the first serious flood on the Skagit river in many years. Although the river was high for several days, the rapid rise of the river Saturday night and Sunday morning caught most residents living near the river by surprise. The real cause of the flood was the unusually heavy rainfall during the week, when 11 inches fell on the upper Skagit between Tuesday and Sunday. During the storm that hit here Saturday, four inches of rain fell in 24 hours. This, combined with a Chinook wind and the already bank-full river, brought the water up at a rapid rate starting early Saturday evening. By 2:00 a.m. Sunday water had started to enter the town of Hamilton and by morning there was from two to four feet of water over the entire town. . . . All traffic to the upper valley was closed Sunday by water over the road at Lyman. Before that a few cars had been able to get thru by detouring Hamilton by way of the Lyman Timber Co. road to Grandy Lake. . . . The fact that water was low behind Ross dam kept the flood from being much worse. The valves of the dam were closed Wednesday and the dam was able to hold back all water here until the flood crest had passed. At the crest of the flood 42,600 cubic feet of water were impounded every second. The lake, over 20 miles long, came up ten and is now forty feet higher than anticipated for this time of the year. Monday there was still enough storage space to impound another 200,000 acre feet of water. No water is being released.	NOVEMBER 28, 1949 FLOOD USGS 154,000 cfs Concrete (40.8), 149,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, 114,000 cfs Mt. Vernon (34.21) This was more water than the two 1990 floods and the first 1995 flood events at Concrete. Hamilton under 2-4 feet of water. Crofoot addition had water up within a few inches of the bank, but no homes were touched. Edgar Gates’ barn was isolated by a virtual river. The fact that water was low behind Ross dam kept the flood from being much worse. The valves of the dam were closed Wednesday and the dam was able to hold back all water here until the flood crest had passed. At the crest of the flood 42,600 cubic feet of water were impounded every second. The lake, over 20 miles long, came up ten and is now forty feet higher than anticipated for this time of the year. The Baker river dam here held back the rising Baker river until late Saturday evening, when storage capacity was reached. The water was then released at a minimum rate, keeping the lake level at full height.
12/1/49 C.H.	hamilton hard hit by flood The town of Hamilton took the brunt of the damage on the upriver flood water. Residents of that city were awakened about 2:00 a.m. to watch the waters rise in the west end of town. Soon the water was advancing almost as fast as a person could walk down the main highway through town and by morning almost the entire flat had been covered. The rise continued until there was from two to four feet of water over the entire area. All homes and business houses suffered damage as silt and dampness took toll against furniture, store stocks and buildings.	Hamilton Flooded All homes and businesses suffered damage.
12/1/49 C.H.	reports of upper valley flood damage City Light railroad washed out beneath the tracks at Bacon and Damnation Creeks on the upper Skagit. The highway at Damnation creek also went out. Road closed. Cascade road washed out east of Marblemount bridge. Small span to Fish Hatchery washed away. Railroad right-of-way and highway damage in vicinity of Hamilton. Highway open. Lyman ferry completely missing. Much damage to homes and the school and business building at Hamilton. . . . Puget Sound Power & Light high line damaged by river near Lyman.	Upriver Damage Reported
12/1/49 C.H.	editorial Again nature has proved that in spite of the best laid plans of mice and men, she stills holds the power to make her own rules when it comes to storms and floods. Storms are one thing no one claims to control, but floods are too often dabbed “impossible” after a few man-made projects are erected to end them. Last weekend proved that when a combination of weather conditions occur at the same time there is no holding back of high water. Luckily these coincidences are spaced many years apart. So we are again warned to respect the Skagit River, and to make our future plans accordingly. It is not yet captive.	1949 Flood Event Skagit not yet captive. “floods are too often dabbed “impossible” after a few man-made projects are erected to end them.”
12/1/49 CT	emergency aid given flood victims – residents “mop up”; flood loss set at two million dollars Emergency assistance today was being given flood victims of Hamilton and the up-river district whose homes and household belongings were damaged or destroyed in one of the worst floods in Skagit county history.  Hamilton residents were shoveling silt, mud and sand from their homes and were trying to salvage damaged household goods and merchandise in their places of businesses.  . . .  Ranked the worst since 1921 this week’s flood caused an estimated $2 million loss of property, land, homes, household goods, clothing and food, the highest loss of any flood in Skagit county history.  Sedro-Woolley residents assert that the floods of 1932, 1921, 1909 and 1897 were worse for this city, but for upriver residents, this week ranked with the 1909 and 1921 disasters.  Hamilton, floodswept community of 290 residents, is now cleaning up.  . . .  Thirty-five houses sustained flood damage, the Red Cross said.  . . .  Hamilton, Rockport and farmers in the Utopia and Lyman-Hamilton district suffered most loss and damage from the floodwaters.  . . .  Estimates of damage in the community of Hamilton alone ran into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.  . . .  Hamilton school had more than three feet of water in the first floor rooms and cafeteria and six feet in the boiler room.  . . .  Most Sedro-Woolley residents were slow in learning that the flood was coming.  . . .  In the afternoon the water spread out in the low area north of the disposal grounds and by evening crossed the lower extension of what would be Township street.  By nightfall water covered the southern extension of Third street halting traffic to Clear Lake.  The Nookachamps also backed up inundating all the flat, low country in its vicinity.  By Sunday night many communities were isolated, including parts of the Sterling district.  . . .  The water rose along both sides of lower Third street (highway 1-A) and came to within a few feet of the Union Oil bulk station and drove farmers south of town from their homes.  . . .  Local residents, who have seen earlier floods, frequently commented that this one was not as bad as those of earlier days.  . . .  Sunday and Monday’s flood had remarkable similarity to the 1909 disaster which occurred almost on exactly the same days, and in the same way.  This weeks flood followed a heavy downpour of rain last weekend and a warm Chinook wind which melted snow in the hills and brought down a deluge into the mainstream of the Skagit river.  The 1909 flood started after rains and a Chinook wind on Sunday and Monday, November 28 and 29, 1909 according to a copy of the Herald-Recorder, Skagit county’s official newspaper of that day, which was printed at Hamilton.	NOVEMBER 28, 1949 FLOOD USGS 154,000 cfs Concrete (40.8), 149,000 cfs Sedro Woolley, 114,000 cfs (34.2) Mt. Vernon. “highest loss of any flood in history”  The 1917 flood caused more damages in the county.  See 1/10/18 MVH article. Hamilton had 290 residents.  35 homes damaged. Hamilton school had more than  3 ft. of water in it. Need to find where was Sedro-Woolley’s garbage dump. Water came within a few feet of the Union Oil bulk station. Rain on snow event.
12/1/49 CT	damage high in hamilton, utopia districts Total loss caused by the flood has not been determined but a partial list of estimated damages and loss in Hamilton, the surrounding area and in the Utopia district indicates the final totals will run into high figures.  Hi Lead Tavern, $4,500; Cascade Grocery $6,000, . . .  Mrs. Cecil McDougle, Courier-Times correspondent, reports the Matson family, who lives on the peninsula known as the “Island” between Lyman and Hamilton, lost five cows and cannot find a sixth.	Flood Damage Lots of livestock lost upriver. “Island”.  Cockerham Island??
12/1/49 CT	ross dam lessens flood damage Seattle City Light’s Ross Dam in the upper Skagit played a large part in keeping the serious flow from begin even worse, E. R. Hoffman, Lighting Superintendent, reports.  The valves in the big dam were closed Wednesday, Nov. 23, and no water from the entire upper river was allowed to pass.             From Thursday midnight until Sunday midnight enough water was held behind the dam to cover 116,000 acres of land to a depth of one foot.  At the crest of the flood approximately 42,600 cubic feet of water were impounded every second. Elevation of Ross Lake, nearly 20 miles long, came up ten feet, and is now forty feet higher than anticipated for this time of year.  On November 28 there was still enough storage space to impound another 200,000 acre feet of water behind Ross Dam. The valves were still closed and no water was getting past the dam.  . . .  The flood crest at Concrete, a large town below Ross Dam crested at 149,000 cubic feet per second on Sunday, Nov. 27. This would have been disastrously worse except for the water held behind Ross Dam.  The crest passed Mt. Vernon early Monday morning, Nov. 28 and the entire river was reported to be receding.  “Ross Dam does a great deal to keep floods on the Skagit from being much worse.” Hoffman said. “However, it cannot be expected that a dam so far up the river will prevent floods altogether.  . . .  The flood was caused by heavy rains and unseasonable warm temperatures that melted snow already in the mountains. From Tuesday through Sunday approximately 11 inches of rain fell on the upper Skagit.  About 4 inches of rain fell in 24 hours on Saturday and one and one-half inches on Sunday. Maximum temperatures were from 45 to 58 degrees, melting an undetermined amount of snow.	Ross Dam Flood Control No water passed out of Ross during 1949 flood event. 42,600 cfs held back from crest of flood. USGS reports crest at Concrete at 154,000 cfs and 149,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley. Flood was rain on snow event.  11 inches of rain in 5 days.  4 inches in 24 hours.
12/1/49 CT	mother child rescued as they hang from rafters Mrs. Albert Watson yesterday described a hectic night which she and her three-year-old son, David Allen spent floating on mattresses and finally hanging onto the rafters of their small frame house near Rockport in the raging flood of Saturday and Sunday.  . . .  “The baby and I were alone as my husband, A.L. Watson and our grown son had been away working and couldn’t get back across the river, Mrs. Watson said.  “When the water backed up in Mosquito Slough Saturday night and started to come in our house, I was scared,” the woman continued.  “I got up on a chair and then the baby and I stood on a dresser.  Then I piled one mattress on top of the other and we floated on them.”  . . .  Mr. And Mrs. George Moses and their children, also residents of Mosquito Flat, climbed into two dugout canoes, paddled into some trees where they tied up, and spent the night with blankets over their heads.	Rockport House Floods House next to Mosquito Slough. Lived on Mosquito Flat.
12/1/49 CT	things to be done (Editorial) After all, it might have been far worse.  No irretrievable damage has been done.  The thing to be done now is to clean up, begin the work of repair, and proceed as though nothing had happened.  Skagit county has a glorious future and not even extraordinary misfortune can set it back for any length of time.  The weak-kneed brothers will move out; those made of sterner stuff will stay and reap the rewards of grit and energy.  It is no time for calamity howlers, and they should not be tolerated.  Let them go their way; their places will be filled by better men.  No expense should be spared to put the roads and bridges in as good and better condition than they were in, before the freshet.  If necessary, the taxpayers should not hesitate to bond the county for any needed sum, and no man who has the interests of his county at heart will balk at such a move.  It is no time for hysterics or petty politics—calm judgment, definiteness of purpose and indefatigable and well directed energy must now be combined.  (The above editorial appeared in the Dec. 4, 1909 issue of “The Herald-Recorder,” Skagit county’s official paper published at Hamilton, the week of the “big flood”.)	Floods Shouldn’t Deter Development Proceed as though nothing has happened. No time for weak-kneed calamity howlers. No time for hysterics or petty politics. Calm judgment, definiteness of purpose and indefatigable and well directed energy is what is needed.
12/2/49 MVDH	organization Planned for future flood emergencies The Skagit river raised four feet in the past 24 hours due to torrential rains that fell last night but clearing and colder weather has prevented any reoccurrence of the disastrous flood that struck the county last week-end.  Meanwhile it was announced that the Skagit county board of county commissioners will set up an organization in the immediate future to coordinate all activities in case of any emergency that may arise because of flood conditions later on.	County To Plan For Flood Contingencies
12/8/49 CT	log jam breaks, pours tons of debris on farm; railroad blocked Railroad repair crews have been working sixteen hours a day since last Thursday trying to clear the Northern Pacific track just back of the Frank Oliver farm at Prairie, seven miles north of Sedro-Woolley, of some ten feet of tangled logs, gravel and other debris which came crashing down the mountainside sometime between six and nine o’clock that evening.  A huge log jam, apparently released by the recent heavy rains and melted snow, suddenly broke loose far up the canyon above Heck Falls about dusk last Thursday and, gaining momentum in the increased flow of water below the falls, pummeled down into the valley, piled against and over the top of the track for an estimated eight to eleven hundred feet and spilled over valuable hay land on the Oliver farm.	Log Jam on NPRR Bridge in Prairie Prarie is located in the Samish River Basin.
12/15/49 Argus	Dike Leaders Rep. Jackson to meet here Want Action on Cleaning Out Lower River The group, formally organized Wednesday as Skagit River Control association, will confer with the congressman at 9 a.m. at the city hall as to immediate steps that may be taken to prevent a recurrence of the recent near-disastrous flooding along the river.  County and diking commissioners agreed that the lower river bed has silted in until it takes much less water in the stream than it did in former years to cause dike breaks and overflows.  . . .  It appeared possible that Rep. Jackson might be questioned also about withdrawal of army engineers from dike repair work in recent days.  One break in the dike along the North Fork was repaired but other work was called off although there were at least two breaks across the river.	New Flood Association Formed Recent near disastrous flooding??  This would be the November 28, 1949 flood event which USGS says only had 114,000 cfs at Mt. Vernon.  Three levee breaks.
12/15/49 Argus	city to repair broken sewer outside dike Immediate emergency steps to plug the damaged sewer line that let Skagit flood waters back up into southwest Mt. Vernon streets and yards are being taken.  Investigations this week showed that three sections of 30-inch tile between the city’s old sewerage pump station and the accompanying “deep well” had collapsed.  During the flood the break was covered by flood waters some 19 feet deep.	See 10/16/47 article about dike commissioners concerns.
12/15/49 CT	soil conservation office submits flood damage report for county Seventy farm houses and buildings in Skagit county were washed out or damaged severely by the Skagit river flood November 27 through 29, Paul C. Dickey, district soil conservationist reported this week.  Cost of rehabilitating the buildings was estimated at $160,000.  The soil conservation office estimated cost of all damage except crop losses due to the floods at $806,965.  . . .over-all loss caused by the flood to $1 million, Dickey said.  . . . 14,765 acres of land in the county were inundated during the flood, and 2,700 feet of dikes were washed away.  . . . “This flood was caused chiefly by sudden and heavy rainfall, augmented by quick melting of new snow on the mountain slopes.  During the three days previous to the flood moderate rains fell and to this was added a popularly reported four inch precipitation during a 24 hour period on November 27 and 28.  . . .  The peak flow of the Skagit river, according to the gauge at Mt. Vernon was 132,000 cfs.  This is the highest flood since 1921.  The cause of much of this flood damage is simply that the water rose to a greater height than the farmers had prepared dikes for, and that too many of the dikes were not of sufficient cross section to withstand a flood that remained high on them for any considerable time.  This was a quick flood.  Probably there would have been much greater break-through if the river had remained high over an extended period.  . . .  Dikes should be raised and greatly strengthened to prevent a recurrence of flooding that might very easily be disastrous under conditions les fortunate than existed this time.	Soil Conservation Flood Damage Report on November 27-29 Flood Damage figures would be approximately $1,240,310 for building damage and $6,255,813 for overall damage in 2003 dollars. USGS has this flood as having only 114,000 cfs at the Mt. Vernon gage.  It was the highest since 1921. Levees neither high nor wide enough.
12/21/49 MVDH	skagit river flood damage is estimated at $306,965 Flood damages totaling $306,965 excluding crop losses which might with other reported damages bring the total to over one million dollars, were reported this week in a survey of the recent Skagit river inundation by the soil conservation service. . . . Seventy farm buildings were either washed out or severely damaged in the flood, according to the SCS report, and 14,765 acres of land were inundated.  Fortunately, according to the survey, damage to the rich top soil in the flooded areas was very minor and stream, bank and gully erosion was also surprisingly small.  The flood washed out 2,700 feet of dikes, destroyed five bridges and made it necessary to rebuild three and a half miles of road, the report states.  The peak flow of the Skagit reached 132,000 cfs, the highest since the flood of 1921.	70 Farm Buildings Damaged 14,765 acres inundated.  2,700 feet of dikes washed out.  5 bridges destroyed.  3.5 miles of road to be rebuilt. Peak flow 132,000 cfs is different then what USGS is currently reporting for that flood. USGS   1949-11-28        91000 Corps of Engineers 114,000 cfs
12/22/49 Argus	Dike Leaders Push For Early River Clearing Insist North Fork Cutoff, Dredging Are Flood Aids Efforts to get the government to clear the channel of the lower north fork of the Skagit river are going to be continued even though hope for quick action was discouraged by officials who conferred in Mt. Vernon Tuesday with the new Skagit River Control association.  . . .  Hughes declared a dredge could cut a proposed shortcut channel for the mouth of the North Fork at not too great expense.  The new channel, across the point toward Craft island would shorten the river by about two miles “getting flood waters out into the Sound just that much quicker,” Hughes explained.  . . .  Here for Tuesday’s discussions, Col. Itschner said he believed the North Fork cutoff was of such a size that it would have to be put through as a new, rather than an emergency project and that would take time.  It would also require jetties at the mouth and regular maintenance work, he said.  Col. Itschner and Rep. Jackson said $60,000 was being requested for emergency dike raising at Milltown and dike and road raising in the Dodge Valley vicinity.	The Corps of Engineers is all about “time”. Levees to be raised.
12/22/49 C.H.	flood damage estimated at over $300,000 Figures on flood damage from the Skagit River’s recent rampage were released yesterday by the soil conservation department, which estimated the total cost at $306,965.00, excluding crop losses. Their survey showed that seventy farm buildings were washed out or badly damaged; 2,700 feet of dikes went out; five bridges were lost and three and one-half miles of road was destroyed. A total of 14,765 acres were inundated. The Skagit River reached its highest peak since 1921 with a flow of 132,000 cubic feet per second.	1949 Flood Damages $300,000 would be $2,436,230 in 2004 dollars. Also note change in cfs. USGS has flow at 154,000 cfs. CH first reported 154,000. Now 132,000. Damage figures should have been more if flow was 154,000 cfs.
12/29/49 C.H.	valley jolted by outbreak of new slides . . . Meanwhile the lower valley was getting their share of the surplus water with the creeks between Minkler Lake and Cokedale over the highway and traffic detoured over the new highway. There was also water on the road between Lyman and Hamilton. Roads were open and passable in most places today. The Samish river overflowed its banks near Allen, flooding much of that area and water covered the fields between Sedro-Woolley and Burlington along the main highway.	Partial Article on Small Flood

2/9/50 C.H.	faber ferry is safe enough says official W. M. Craft, marine safety inspector for the state department of safety, set at rest all argument and misunderstanding about the Faber ferry this week by stating that the Ferry had never been condemned for school buses and that it has been maintained compliance with all state requirements, as well as his personal recommendations. Through some misunderstanding the people across the ferry had been refusing to send their pupils across the ferry on the school bus, and for the past month have been bombarding officials with protests and argument supposedly based on Mr. Craft’s previous routine inspection at which he suggested that the bow plates be strengthened and a small leak repaired. This was done but parents still refused to allow the children to cross. . . . In the recent trouble, he believed the misunderstanding arose from idle conversation as he makes his official report only to the county engineers and to the state office. He did not order the ferry closed to school traffic as he found the ferry in good operating condition. His recommendations of re-planking and repair were not of an emergency nature.	Faber Ferry Rumors that ferry was unsafe were untrue.
2/9/50 C.H.	editorial The Faber ferry argument is rather an unfortunate and futile gesture that can do no one any good and do a lot of damage. No one has ever conceded that a river ferry was an ideal method of transportation. It just happens to be the cheapest and the only kind we have. It is also logical reasoning that the county engineers are not going to tempt fate by operating a scow in dangerous condition. A bit of trust in those who must live in fear of an accident on the ferry is a much better trust than that of a sticker placed on the ferry twice a year. A sticker merely says that on one single day the ferry appeared to one man to be in good condition. The ferry is no safer now than it was last year or will be next month. It will not be entirely safe until it is ground on the river bank for good. Not a complaint in the world can change the truth of this statement – and that is exactly where the proposition will stand until the bridge is completed.	Faber Ferry “The ferry is no safer now than it was last year or will be next month.”
6/22/50 C.H.	finish experiments at baker river power dam The international Salmon Commission, which is using the Baker River dam in this city for experimental purposes, completed a series of experiments here this week on the salmon run of the Baker River. . . . The principal problem to be solved was the question of whether or not the young fish, coming down the lake behind the dam, would swim deep enough to enter the turbine inlets 80 feet below the surface. This and other questions pertaining to the run kept a crew of four men busy for the past six weeks. . . . It is definitely established that the Baker river runs are dropping each year. Experiments here will be used in determining methods of building up the runs. Members of the crew were Roy Hamilton, Fred Andrews and Owen Hughes of British Columbia.	Lower Baker Dam/Fish Issue Test showed “It is definitely established that the Baker river runs are dropping each year.”
10/19/50 C.H.	county river jobs done Two river control projects in this area were virtually complete this week as the county crews finished up projects designed to ease river damage this winter. One job was a 4,200 cubic foot jetty, built at Devil’s Elbow on the south side of the Skagit above Concrete. This jetty will block out a slough on the south side of the river and eliminate any current through there in high water. The flood waters would ordinarily go into the slough and could damage the right-of-way of the proposed highway from Faber to the Dalles on that side of the river. Devil’s Elbow is the big bend in the Skagit just above the Overnell place. At Rockport a similar job was done on the slough there, a 3,500 yard rock fill being made to close the east end of the slough. Purpose of the work is to protect the ferry landing in high water and to keep the river from cutting into valuable farm land.	Devils Elbow Located See 8/20/21 C.H.. “Devil’s Elbow is the big bend in the Skagit just above the Overnell place.” Skagit County blocked off upriver sloughs.
11/23/50 C.H.	working fast on the dalles road contract Activity stepped up even more at The Dalles this week as the Bay Construction Co. really began to move on their job of building the approach road to the Skagit river bridge. A big cat and a shovel were on the job Wednesday to start knocking down the hill between old Grasmere and the Dalles road. The hillside has been cleared from the moving of the dirt.	Dalles Bridge Road construction to new bridge started.
11/30/50 C.H.	flood waters again near high peak Almost exactly one year from the date of the worst flood in the past 30 years on the Skagit River, warm rains and wind combined to give the folk along the river banks another bad scare. The water rose to a crest of 21.6 feet at Mt. Vernon Sunday, but did little damage. The crest a year ago was 26.5 ft. In the upper valley ferries had to cease operation for a short time and water did cover the road for a while at the slough just below Hamilton. The Baker dam was able to hold back a good share of the raise in the Baker River, only 14 gates being opened to hold the flow level. High water continues, though the river is dropping somewhat. The run-off will ease the flood situation considerably.	11/26/50 Flood Event No reading for Concrete by USGS. Mt. Vernon reached 68,400 cfs or 28.19 on gage which by this time had been moved to the bridge between Burlington & Mt. Vernon. Old gage reading would have been approx. 20 feet at the Moose Hall. Baker Dam a player on lessening flood flows.
2/9/51 MVDH	Skagit rises foot here this morning . . . Nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain in 24 hours up to 8 a.m. today, coupled with moderately warm winds have continued to raise the river more than two inches per hour.  Rainfall in the 24-hour period as reported by the experiment station was .71 inch, making 1.41 inches since last Saturday.	River Rises 2 inches per hour
2/10/51 MVDH	Skagit rising fast upriver; dike breaks At 1 p.m. the river was at the 25.1 level in Mt. Vernon, 1.4 feet above the 1949 crest.  A shortage of sacks and workers in some districts hampered the job, but dike strengthening was going ahead at a rapid pace.  . . .  The county engineer’s office predicted a 28.5 foot level in Mt. Vernon by 9 p.m. almost two feet above the a November 1949 crest . . .  The river was up to 38.85 at Concrete this morning and continuing to rise.  Rain was still falling upriver at noon, but a cool wave was reported coming in from the north, which might check the river rise later.  . . .  Water boiling through a 40-foot gap in the dike on the George Moore farm, on the south bank of the North Fork just below the bridge west of Conway, had covered over 1,000 acres of pasture-land on the northwest side of the island west of Fir Island at noon and blocked all but very pressing traffic on the south approach highway to the bridge.  . . .  Although the river is still two feet short of the top of the dike in most places on the lower part of the river, sandbagging was needed in some spots and water continued to filter through and threaten another break farther down.  . . .  All traffic at the upper Skagit Valley was cut off at Lyman where the road is under water.  Another stretch of road above Marblemount is flooded and the road to Newhalem is closed.	FEBRUARY 11, 1951 FLOOD Corps of Engineers 139,000 cfs Concrete (38.99), 150,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, 144,000 cfs Mt. Vernon. USGS, 1951-02-11, 138000 cfs Mt. Vernon 25.1 feet in Mt. Vernon would be 33.1 at current gage.  28.5 ft level would be 36.5 feet at current gage. River at Concrete would continue to rise to 38.99 feet. River still two feet below top of most dikes.
2/12/51 MVDH	thousands of acres flooded in rich valley The worst Skagit river flood since 1921 inundated thousands of acres of rich Skagit valley farmlands over the weekend and left two county towns, Stanwood and Hamilton, standing in water ranging up to six feet deep.  . . . Fir Island Flooded  Water from the Conway break spread over an estimated 4,480 acres, to a depth ranging from a few inches to several feet.  . . .  Highway 99 was closed to traffic yesterday afternoon and was under water for four and a half miles today.  . . . Crested At 28.2  The river reached a crest at 28.2 at 5 a.m. yesterday and held very near to that mark for several hours before feeling the effect of cooler weather on the upper Skagit.  . . .  Hamilton residents evacuated without incident but some chose to remain on the second flood of their homes.  Eight families were taken out of the flooded Nookachamps valley Saturday by civilian “ducks”.  . . .  One of the most serous threats to the dike was in the river bend area west of the Riverside bridge where leaks and boils in the road which parallels the dike caused concern throughout Saturday night and Sunday.  . . .  Across the river, from the bridge to the Avon vicinity, the dike held but showed the same tendency toward seepage, with water bubbling up in the road and adjoining fields until stopped by the sandbag treatment.   . . .  A portion of the drawrest on the West Side bridge across the Skagit was swept away and there were times at the crest of the flood when the bridge was felt to sway noticeably, but held fast.  The new rip rapping on the dike in downtown Mt. Vernon came through with flying colors and the higher level of the dike was credited with preventing serious flooding of business buildings along the riverfront.	Worst Flood Since 1921 Fir Island and Conway flooded. Riverbend and Burlington area dikes threatened with seepage. Portion of Westside bridge swept away.. Work on Mt. Vernon revetment credited with preventing serous damage.  See 11/13/47 MVDH article.
2/12/51 MVDH	volunteers fight valiantly to save conway dikes—almost win battle The break in the dike a mile south of Conway, which started from a muskrat hole and inundated some 4,500 acres of farm land between dawn and early evening yesterday, was one of the most heartbreaking features of a thoroughly heartbreaking weekend for Skagit county.  . . . Miller tried to cross the gap in his rowboat to the solid part of the dike running in the railroad trestle at Fisherman’s slough, but the bottom fell out of the boat and he saved himself by grasping a fence post.  Owen Tronsdale and another man saved him from the waters, taking him to the railroad.  . . .  Footsore, bleary-eyed and arm weary the 30 odd emergency workers thought they had won the battle against the rampaging Skagit, as they climbed the soggy dikes, carrying sandbags to over-floe points west of the town.  . . .  But still the river rose, necessitating a second or a third row of sandbags.  . . .  Dikes Like Jelly  Greatest fear was held for the dike behind the fire station to which there was access from only one point below and from either end.  Stumbling through ankle-deep mud, the men carried sacks to the top, tight-roping between the river and the side of the dike covered with blackberry vines.  . . .  Break Was Sandbagged  The breaking point was one of the first spots on the Conway dike to receive attention Saturday evening, when a crew of eight or ten made an attempt to stop what was then a “rat-hole” leak, about eight feet below the top.  Sacks were stuffed into the hole, after which others broke out and sandbags had to be piled all over the side of the dike – they held for about 10 hours.  . . .  By seven, water was coming in force down the streets of Conway and the coffee and sandwiches had been removed from the fire hall.	Muskrats Blamed For Conway Break Conway dikes became like jelly. Water in downtown Conway.
2/12/51 MVDH	Flood story more than statistics; hundreds had personal interest Muskrats and beavers better not show their heads anywhere near any Skagit valley farmer or volunteer dike worker.  These and other burrowing animals are blamed for most of the dike leaks and possibly for the breaks.  . . .  Hit three ways by the flood nobody in Skagit county had as many worries as Miss Lucille Axelson, whose farm was one of those hardest hit on Fir Island.  She and her brother are believed to have lost 80 head of stock.  In addition to her duties at home Miss Axelson is president of the Skagit Valley Red Cross chapter charged with the responsibility of feeding and housing evacuees and assisting in the rehabilitation of flooded out families and is the chairman of the diking commission in her district.	Lucille Axelson Hard Hit
2/13/51 MVDH	21,000 acres affected by river overflow With the Skagit River far below the danger point, flood waters that inundated an estimated 21,000 acres of Skagit Valley land over the weekend were receding in some areas. . . .  Although the acreage affected by the break below Conway and the overflow of the Samish River was greater, the heaviest damage from the Skagit’s biggest flood in 30 years was in the Fir Island area, flooded by breaks near the North Fork Bridge and leaks and overflow in other areas. A hole blasted in the sea dike was expected to gradually drain the water level to a point where the North Fork dike break could be stopped. The river ripped a hole in the dike below the North Fork bridge that permitted a virtually new channel for the raging stream wiped out the buildings at the George Moore farm and inundated half of the main section of Fir Island.	Floodwaters Receding
2/13/51 MVDH	house, split in two, floats in hole gouged by north fork near bridge . . .  The large old-style farmhouse, one of the landmarks in that area for many years, was hit by the full force of water pouring through a break in the North Fork dike Saturday. The river, virtually taking a new course directly through the house gouged out a hole under the dwelling deep enough to float the large structure, which split in two, the two portions resting on their sides.	George Moore House Destroyed On Fir Island During Flood
2/15/51 C.H.	flash floods do greatest damage here Along with the rest of the county the upper Skagit watched the flood waters recede Sunday and then began the new week by trying to calculate the amount of damage done. This time it was not the river that caused the most grief for residents of this area, but the quick run-off of water from the mountains that brought every creek to river size and made new streams where there were none before. These streams caused slides, dug out roads, damaged property and generally disrupted the valley. At the same time the river flooded Hamilton, all lower sections along the river from Sedro-Woolley to Marblemount and cut off all travel to outside points. . . . damage was done at Birdsview where a log jam at the railroad bridge sent Grandy Creek down the highway. . . . Jackman Creek at Van Horn was also too high for its banks, so took off across the road east of bridge, flooding over the flat from the store to the mill.	FEBRUARY 11, 1951 FLOOD USGS 139,000 cfs Concrete (38.99), 150,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, 144,000 cfs Mt. Vernon (36.85) More damage done upriver by streams and creeks then by river. See Historic Flood Flows; 2/10/51 MVDH; 2/12/51 MVDH; 2/15/51 Argus; 2/15/51 CT; 2/16/51 B.J.
2/15/51 C.H.	editorial The Skagit River has again served notice that it has a will of its own and can not be controlled by predictions, weather charts, previous performances or power dams. When conditions are right the Skagit will flood, and the county might just as well prepare its defenses. In the lower valley dikes again held off a major disaster. Their move will be better dikes and allowance for even higher water than has been experienced. Communities such as Hamilton may also have to look into diking projects for protection. The upper valley could well use an emergency road system out of the flood areas, something the county could do easily with a few connecting links in the Lyman-Hamilton area. Also needed is a county budget for flood emergency use and a definite working plan for handling such emergencies. The county engineer’s stepped into the breach and did an excellent job this past week end, but their work could have been greatly simplified if they had funds to work with and rules to follow. Floods may not come often in future years, that is true. But there is little reason why they can’t be included in our planning and be accepted as part of the weather hazard that must be faced.	County Needs To Plan For Floods One has to wonder if the editor was referring to the dams when he said, “Floods may not come often in future years, that is true.” However he did recognize that the Skagit cannot be controlled by “power dams” alone. The irony here is that we did not have another “serious flood” until 1975. This editorial still rings true in 2005.
2/15/51 C.H.	over six inches of rain last week In addition to the warm winds which melted snow, the flood last week end was speeded by a total of 6.46 inches of rainfall in a four-day period. Friday, Feb. 9^th was the big day for rain. The 24-hour total for that date was 2.42 inches.	Rainfall 6.46 inches in 4 days caused 2/11/51 flood. Unfortunately the article doesn’t say where the 6 inches was measured. See Historical Rainfall & Its Impact on Floods
2/15/51 MVDH	slow runoff hinders surveys to determine flood damage Hampered by the slow runoff of flood waters which leave thousands of acres inundated in the lower Skagit valley, surveys are now in progress to determine the extent of damage in the disastrous Skagit river flood.  . . .  The county agent’s office is conducting a checkup on farm damage, particularly livestock and crops, and the county engineer and drainage districts are surveying damage to roads, bridges, dikes and ditches.  . . .  Incomplete results of the SCS survey plainly show that the cost of this flood will far exceed the 1949 disaster, when an estimated $306,965 damage was caused by the overflow of Skagit county streams. The extent of flooding the Samish area was about the same then as now, according to Austin Summers of the Soil Conservation service, and damage in the Nookachamps and upper Skagit areas is expected to be at least as great to farms. The lower Skagit flood this time was far more serious in area and damage done with greater cost to dikes, ditches, roads, farm buildings and stock. . . .  The rapidity of the water rise at Conway and on the island prevented the saving of much of the personal property and furniture in homes, and the loss will no doubt be heavy. In the Hamilton vicinity, there was sufficient warning- through a siren system- to permit most residents to save their mattresses and furniture that would be ruined by water, a Red Cross spokesman reports. . . .  The dike below Conway was ripped from top to bottom, with a 40-foot gap torn in the protecting wall. The emergency pumping equipment of diking district 17 is under water and the tide gate of district 36 was ripped out. Dike damage, both breaks and weak spots, is very extensive and a great many ditches on Fir Island and in other flooded areas were filled with silt and sand. It is impossible to estimate road damage as yet, but the Dollar road is still closed due to a washout east of Burlington and roads in the lower valley were seriously eroded.	1951 Flood Did More Damage Then 1949 Cost to dikes, ditches, roads, farm buildings and livestock. Dollar Road (Highway 20) damaged and closed to traffic.
2/15/51 Argus	Losses Low In Record Flood Conway, Hiway 99 Still Underwater Bailing out after a record high water, Skagit county was finding late this week that its losses were not as great as the first frantic press and radio reports indicated.  . . .  Hamilton residents were swamping out their homes and stores today in the first-flooded community but in the second, Conway, it was to be a matter of days before there could be hope of relief from overflow waters.  The flood-breeding combination of a Chinook wind and heavy, warm rains last Thursday night set the Skagit river off on its 1951 rampage.  By Sunday morning it had risen to what the county engineers office said was an all-time high of 28.2 feet in Mt. Vernon, as against the previous, November 1949, record of 26.05. Worse At Conway In ’21—Conway residents declared the 1951 flood was two feet, ten inches below the 1921 inundation in their community, due probably to the fact that this time the Fisher’s slough dikes broke southward before the South Fork river dikes gave way. “Close Call” In City—In Mt. Vernon Saturday night Main street was sandbagged when the water crept to with six inches of spilling over into the business district, 7000 sandbags were piled on the dikes and bottoms around the sewage disposal plant, and overflowing waters were dammed off with sacks o the West Side. 15,000 Acres Covered—A total of 10,000 acres south of Mt. Vernon and 500 in the Nookachamps and upriver were inundated, Harold Strombom flood-fighting coordinator for the county estimated.  Fir Island between the South Fork and Dry Slough, however, escaped serous flooding, but waters from the Conway breaks flowed eastward to the foothills and northward to within two miles of Mt. Vernon. Water Systems Hit—The PUD resorted to pumping and filtering river water when flood waters barred its 14-inch high pressure “mountain water” main on the Dollar road between Sedro Woolley and Burlington Sunday.  The line burst, speeding the washout of one road lane for a distance of 1000 feet.. Major Breaks Listed—Major dike breaks were, in approximate order of happening:  Fisher’s slough, flooding Milltown, Friday night; North Fork, above bridge, pouring into area between Brown’s and Dry slough; others on Brown’s slough in Beesner district, sea dike near Von Moos farm and Brown’s slough near Charles E Olson lands; two at and below Conway Sunday morning.  One sea dike at least was dynamited to relieve part of the island area.  Reports of other flooding ranged from small isolated incidents to the fantastic, such as the inundation of part of Burlington and the Riverside Bend area.  Actually there was only one break in the Burlington bend, that quickly plugged, and none of consequence between Mt. Vernon and Burlington.  Avon was bothered only by seepage. Fir Island Proper Escapes—Fir Island between the South Fork and Dry slough escaped any serous flooding and access to the area remained open via the river road from Mt. Vernon.	February 11, 1951 Flood Event Record Flood??  USGS published figures for this flood is 139,000 cfs at Concrete and 144,000 cfs at Mt. Vernon 36.85 feet. County engineers say “all time high”.  28.2 feet in downtown Mt. Vernon. Conway residents were right. 7,000 sandbags.  How does that compare to what was used in 1990 or 1995? 500 acres in Nookachamps is wrong.  There are 8,000 acres in Nookachamps and Sterling and in talking with residents who were there in this flood every acre was covered. Most levee breaks on Fir Island and Conway. Burlington levee break “plugged”.
2/15/51 Argus	Strombom Gives Flood Report, Day-By-Day Flood Coordinator Harold Strombom of the County Engineer’s office yesterday made public the entire operations of engineer units during last weekends flood.  In daily reports, here is what happened: Friday—8 a.m. Skagit at 19 feet, rose to 20 feet by 12 a.m.  Hamilton flooded by evening. Saturday—Steady rise all day with 38.35 feet reported at Concrete and 25.1 in Mt. Vernon.  Engineer H.O. Walberg appointed coordinators at 12 a.m.  . . .first dike break at Fir island west of the bridge on the North Fork, covering about 1000 acres …the Samish flooded …roads were closed at Conway, Clear Lake and up river…volunteers were called in the evening to strengthen dikes. Sunday—Continued dike breaks near Conway flooded Fir Island and later Conway about 6:30 a.m. …volunteers worked throughout the night evacuating families and placing sandbags on weakened dikes.  Flood crest was 28.2 feet. Tuesday—River down to 18 feet. Wednesday—River at 15 feet, all schools open except Conway.	Would be approx. 28 feet at current gage. Approx. 33 feet at current gage. 36.85 feet at current gage.
2/15/51 Argus	Riverside Flood of 1921 Was Worse: Argus As flood waters receded through-out the county this week many long-time county residents began comparing the incident with the one taking place in December of 1921.  Old issues of the Argus give quite a few details about the matter and make it easier for those who did not witness both floods to compare the two.  The flood began late Monday night, Dec. 12 when the dikes began breaking after three days of heavy rains and warm winds.  The river soon reached a level of twenty-four feet in Mt. Vernon and both Burlington and Conway were completely flooded as dikes broke here.  Early Tuesday morning the dikes burst near Riverside and the entire area was covered with several feet of water.  One home in the area split in half by the water and the family hung on the roof as the better share of their dwelling was swept away.  Over 2000 feet of railroad tracks were washed away near Riverside and no autos or trains reached Mt. Vernon from the south for several days.  Several stores along the river front in Mt. Vernon had portions disappear when the raging waters tore away their pilings.  Two days after the record water level the county had several days in which the temperature did not exceed twenty degrees.  This froze all of the standing water to a depth of several inches and did much damage to livestock in the valley.	1921 Flood Event See 12/15 and 12/22/21 articles. Approx. 32 feet at current gage.
2/15/51 Argus	Wylie Recalls Sea Flood What will the Skagit flood waters do to the farms?  Not as much as many fear, says one pioneer of the flats beyond Fir Island.  Recalling the 1921 flood that was followed by a freeze, pioneer John Wylie, PUD commissioner, said his lands were isolated, under sea water for 51 days.  First year afterwards he got no crop, second year, 10 bushels to the acre.  Then the lands began coming back.  Brief immersion in sea water will not be seriously harmful, Wylie declared.  Lands flooded and silted, rather than covered with sand or debris, will benefit.  Wylie cited a number of farmers who, he said, were “made” by silt from floods—the resulting bumper crops.	Brief immersion in sea water not harmful.  Lands flooded and silted will benefit resulting in bumper crops.
2/15/51 CT	skagit flood causes big damage – hamilton, conway areas hard hit; roads washed out Reaching a near record crest of 28.2 feet at Mt. Vernon at 5 a.m. Sunday, the Skagit river’s worst flood in several years, caused many thousands of dollars damage to highways and property, and left many families temporarily homeless.  The Hamilton area was the worst hit, east of Sedro-Woolley and the Fir-Conway district south of Mt. Vernon.  . . . Mt. Vernon and Burlington were spared from a bad flood.  The county engineer reports that the Burlington road will be ready for use Saturday night.  All roads upriver are passable and most of the roads in the Nookachamps area are again in use.  . . .  By Saturday all traffic to the upper Skagit valley was cut off at Lyman where the road was under water.  Another stretch of road above Marblemount was flooded and the road to Newhalem closed.  . . .  Traffic on the Clear Lake road was closed at 11 a.m. Saturday as a log jam threatened destruction of the bridge.  Later the road was covered with water.  . . .  The river broke through the railroad embankment east of Burlington, which acts as a dike, and tore through the Dollar road, cutting the PUD 14 inch main serving Burlington.  Hamilton was flooded for the second straight year, but fortunately many of the residents had more warning about the coming high water.  About midnight Friday night the water began to come over the top of the dike and continued to rise until approximately 2,000 acres in the Birdsview-Hamilton area were covered with water.  . . .  It has been reported that many of the people in Hamilton were going to sell out and move, but nearly all of the for sale signs seen on homes now had been up before the flood.  The oldtimers who had been going through floods for years take it in stride.	FEBRUARY 11, 1951 FLOOD USGS 139,000 cfs Concrete (38.99), 150,000 cfs Sedro-Woolley, 144,000 cfs Mt. Vernon (36.85) The 28.2 ft. reading was at the Moose Hall gage in downtown Mt. Vernon.  There is a 8 ft. drop in elevation from the current gage to the Moose Hall gage. Marblemount road flooded.  Log jam threatened Highway 9 bridge. Railroad embankment along Highway 20 (Old Dollar Road) acts as a dike.
2/16/51 B.J.	Water Recedes In Skagit River Flood             Waters of the Skagit River are slowly returning to normal following one of the most critical floods in years.  Although some damage was reported in the upper reaches of the river, it was the Conway and Stanwood areas that suffered the greatest.  Early last Saturday morning it was apparent that the river would be nearing the top of the dikes by nightfall and emergency crews began functioning.  . . .              In this area the only breakthrough of any consequence was near the former Doctor Cleveland home where the water spread over the Dollar road between Burlington and Sedro-Woolley for quite some distance doing considerable damage.  The Sedro-Woolley–Clear Lake road was also covered with water resulting in some damage.	FEBRUARY 11, 1951 FLOOD Conway and Stanwood hardest hit.  Saturday was February 10^th.  River nearing top of dikes by nightfall.  Breakthrough near Dr. Cleveland home, water over Highway 20.  USGS reports flood level was 36.85 at new gage.
2/20/51 MVDH	planning needed to avert floods Fixed planning for future control of the Skagit river is a “must” in order to save the resources of the valley, Herman Hansen, Mount Vernon superintendent of public works, told the Kiwanis club at the weekly luncheon meeting yesterday noon at the President hotel Togi room.	Planning For Floods A Must
2/20/51 MVDH	state pledges aid for flood repairs The board of county commissioners yesterday reached an agreement with Lars Langloe of the state department of conservation and development for state aid in flood reparations, Chairman A. B. Wiseman reported this morning. . . .  Although work right now is concentrating on dike repair to take care of the emergency, river dredging work was mentioned in the discussion and may be an eventuality, Wiseman stated.	River Dredging A Possibility
2/22/51 MVDH	Flood Damage To Farms Over Half Million             Agricultural damage from the Skagit County floods will total “at least half a million dollars” a Soil Conservation Service official said today.  Based on a nearly completed SCS survey, which shows 28,776 acres of Skagit County land flooded.  Austin Summers of the local soil conservative office placed the estimate on flood damage which does not include damage to houses, furnishings or personal property, or to roads and bridges.  It does include damage to land and crops, dikes, ditches, farm buildings and equipment and livestock.  Of the total acreage inundated, 8,320 acres were flooded by the Samish River in the northwestern corner of the county and the rest by the Skagit River.  Approximately 117 acres of land were “destroyed” for agricultural purposes by erosion, the report shows, with 50 acres of that land on Fir Island and most of the rest around Lyman.  . . .  Included in the loss was an area of mature bearing filbert trees on the Loop place in the Nookachamps area.  . . .  One of the heaviest strawberry field losses was on the Noble Lee farm on Fir Island, washed over by the river when it broke a private dike.  About 75 acres of bulbs were flooded, with almost no change of any salvage on most of them.  . . .  Diking districts have a monumental task of repairing flood damage.  A total of 4,300 feet of dikes were washed out (200 feet on the Samish River), and the tide gate of District 13 was ruined.  The district’s tide box installed in 1937 at a cost of $7,000, was wrecked by the flood and salt water had been coming in on the land at each high tide.	28,776 Acres of Farmland Flooded $500,000 damage figure includes damage to land and crops, dikes, ditches, farm buildings, equipment, and livestock.  Does not include houses, furnishings or personal property. 117 acres destroyed by erosion around Lyman and Fir Island. Private dike failed on Fir Island. 4,300 feet of dikes were washed out (200 on the Samish River).
2/22/51 MVDH	Engineer Pessimistic On Flood Control Work             The US army engineers are nearing completion of a comprehensive study of Skagit River flood conditions, but a representative of the Seattle district office today held out little hope for any action by the army engineers in the foreseeable future to remedy the situation.  Byron Clark, speaking before the members and guests of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club this noon at the President Hotel, said that the flood control plan considered most feasible by the engineers – raising of the dikes along the entire lower river – could probably not be justified economically to earn Congressional approval for the project.  He said the long-proposed Avon Bypass plan, cutting a channel for emergency overflow from the Skagit River to Padilla Bay would be “slightly more expensive” and indicated it would not have compensating features making it a first choice plan.  . . .  “Not a penny has been appropriated for the Avon By-Pass to date,” Clarke said in answer to a question.  Clarke pointed out that under the existing law flood control projects must be “economically justified” by showing that damage which would be prevented over a period of years would exceed the cost of the work, spread out of the same period – say 50 years.  He said that even the least expensive way of meeting the flood situation on the Skagit could not be justified on that basis.  . . .  This year’s flood, he pointed out, was exceeded in volume and damage by several in the past and he was inclined to doubt that “floods are getting worse.”  He also disputed a remark that “the Skagit is silting up,” quoting studies made of the river bed near its mouth in 1930 and 1950, showing comparatively little change.  He discounted the importance of closed slough outlets as a flood cause, and said their effect would be very local and not too great since the sloughs carry off little water in comparison to the main stream.  He said Swinomish Slough jetty work had absolutely no effect on the Skagit.  Clarke also minimized the effect of cutting over timber as a cause of floods.  “The main cause of floods in this area,” he said, “is the appearance of storms concentrating in the area of the watershed.”  Clarke did not think that dredging the Skagit would have any great effect on preventing floods, at least in the area above the North Fork bridge.  He dismissed as far too expensive to consider the diversion of the entire river.  The engineer pointed out that Ross Dam has had a helpful effect in reducing flood levels and estimated that the most recent flood would have been one to two feet higher if the dam’s reservoir had not operated as a check.  “That margin,” he pointed out “could have been very serious, as you all realize.”	Corps Flood Study Near Completion No hope for flood control project in foreseeable future.  Raising all levees not economically feasible. No money appropriated for Avon By-Pass. Corps does not believe floods are getting worse or that river is “silting up”.  No change in mouth of river since 1930. Swinomish Slough jetty work has no impact on floods. Corps doesn’t believe cutting timber contributes to flooding. Dredging would not work. Ross dam helpful in 1951 flood.  River would have been 1 to 2 feet higher without it.
2/22/51 Argus	Editorial Comments The severe damage caused by the flood last weekend again calls attention to the need for doing something about the Skagit river…the run-off of the Skagit watershed will continue to be a problem to contend with.—Puget Sound Mail It was an experience we have no desire to repeat…It is a problem that the lower valley must prepare to meet.  We hope they can find a solution and be spared future disasters.—Concrete Herald “…lessons that may be learned about constructing homes well above flood water levels, building and maintaining stronger dikes, and buildings that provide better protection from endangered livestock.  If these lessons are heeded the people who live in lowland areas will be better prepared for the next lood that comes along.  And another flood will come make no mistake about it.”—Twin City News	Editor comments on 1951 flood event.
2/22/51 Argus	Engineers Work Overtime Fixing Dikes and Roads . . .  Army Engineers A Gullidge and an assistant, with Lars Langloe of the state department of conservation and development, made surveys on Monday and Tuesday, and met with the county commissioners and diking district members in the court house.  Langloe assured a perturbed group that the state would pay for all saltwater dike breaks, as well as temporary dikes.  Diking districts would have to take care of all easements and right-of-way, and might be asked to pay for 25% of the expenses.  US Soil Conservation Dept. Officials are completing their extensive survey of flood damage this week.  They claim that about 28,000 acres of county land were flooded, including 8,320 acres around the Samish river.  About 4300 linear feet of dikes were washed out in the flood, 200 feet along the Samish.	Compare this article to 2/15/21.  28,000 acres underwater.
3/2/51 B.J.	Speaker Doubts Flood Money To Be Available             Doubt that federal aid would be forthcoming for flood control in the Skagit valley was expressed by Byron Clarke, of the Seattle office of the United States army engineer corp.  . . .  The question of the often discussed Avon bypass was put and Mr. Clarke contended that at present construction costs it would amount to about nine million dollars.  The other alternative, repair, and improvement of the present dike and jetty system would cost in the neighborhood of five million dollars.  Although the army engineer survey of the situation is not quite complete at his time Mr. Clarke stated that it was his belief that there would be no recommendation to the federal government for aid in any of these projects suggested.        The speaker left the impression that if anything was done to improve the situation in the county it would be up to the home folks.  He did say he believed the most economical plan was to repair, widen and raise the existing dikes, both the bypass and dredging at the mouth of the river being impractical from the financial viewpoint.	No Federal Money For Flood Control Avon By-Pass cost 9 million.  Levee improvements 5 million. Flood Control up to “local folks.” By-Pass and dredging impractical from financial viewpoint.
3/8/51 Argus	Commissioners Defend Flood Coordination Blackstone Says No Coordination During Flood “There was no coordination to speak of, at the county level.  This was through no fault of the hastily appointed coordinator (Engineer Harold Strombom) but due to the failure of one non-technical individual being given the authority and responsibility, a reasonable length of time before a coordinating set-up was needed.  (Signed Fred Blackstone Jr.)  . . .  No One Responsible—Consensus of opinion around the court house was that no one individual or office was entirely responsible for flood control or coordination, but that the dike districts are supposed to take care of all dikes, including strengthening during high waters.	No coordination during flood event alleged.
3/8/51 Argus	New Dike Levy Bill Awaits Signature The bill empowering diking districts to levy assessments on the basis of regular property valuations awaits signature of the governor at Olympia.  The measure … passed the senate this week by a 37-2 vote.  . . .  diking districts at present were meeting expenses under an 1895 law assessing property on an acreage instead of a valuation basis.  The result has been that valuable buildings, occupying small land areas, had been paying much less than farms embracing many acres.	Changed assessment from acreage to buildings for Dike Districts.
3/15/51 MVDH	Dike Vote Close In District Twelve             In the closes dike district election yet reported from Tuesday’s elections in the county, Bob Shroeder was elected in district 12 with only 31 out of the 84 votes cast.  Shroeder won by only three votes over Harold McMoran (28), who was followed closely by Bill Jewett with 25.	Only 84 Votes Cast In Dike Election
3/29/51 CT	hanson creek’s flood problems to be discussed The problem of Hanson creek in its flooding of farmland is being studied by state and county officials, at the request of farmers owning land along the creek.  . . .  It was reported that at present Hanson creek has deposited so much dirt and gravel from the foot of the hill and on to its mouth at the river, that it is now too shallow to hold its water, after a heavy rain, and adjoining farmland is threatened.  . . .  The Soil Conservation men have conducted a survey since the meeting, and recommend a dredging of the creek bed, as in some cases the gravel is higher than the adjoining fields.  . . .  The farmers felt that the state should pay a large part of the cost and perhaps county help could be obtained.	Hanson Creek Flooding SCS recommended dredging the creek.
5/3/51 Argus	County Dikes Completed, 62,000 Spent by State and County State Provides $52,000; Diking Districts Work—Milltown Dike Fixed by U.S. Engineers Skagit river dike repairs by the county engineer’s office have cost $62,000, with the state furnishing $52,000, according to the latest figures, released by Assistant Engineer Harold O. Strombom, who was in charge of much of the dike work.  U.S. Army Engineers are rebuilding river dikes below Conway for District No. 3 with 100 per cent federal funds.  News was received yesterday from an army engineer that work is now completed on the dike at Milltown, , south of Conway near the county line.  Sea-Water Dikes Finished—Salt-water dikes were finished in March, according to Strombom, with the state furnishing all funds.  Local diking districts are still working on these river dikes:  No. 1 along Harmony school district from the county farm on down; No 13, extending the county dike at George Moore place to connect with Brown slough; and No. 15, from Brown slough west.	Dike Work
6/21/51 C.H.	Mt. Baker Once Had A Spanish Name Mount Baker was known by the Indians as “Koma Kulshan” or “Steep Mountain”. In 1790 a Spanish explorer named Manuel Quimper put it on his maps as La Montana del Carmelo – “The Great White Watcher”. Then came Lt. Joseph Baker in 1892 and his report gave it his own name. The first ascent of the mountain by a white man was made in 1886 by E. T. Coleman. Note:  La Montana del Camelo does not translate to "The Great White Watcher".  What Mr. Quimper actually put on his map was La Gran Montana del Carmelo.  It translates to The Grand Mountain of Carmel which was named after "Our Lady of the Carmelite Order".  (Source:  “Mt. Baker, A Chronicle of its Historic Eruptions and First Ascent” by Harry M. Majors, 1978,)	Mt. Baker According to the book titled “Mt. Baker, A Chronicle of its Historic Eruptions and First Ascent” by Harry M. Majors, 1978, what is reported in this article may not be correct. Mr. Majors writes: Kulshan Koma was the name applied by the Lummi Indians to Mt. Baker. The Lummi word kulshan can variously mean damaged, broken, scar, or wound. Thus the Lummi tribe knew Mount Baker as the “damaged/broken/wounded/scarred mountain,” probably in reference to an eruption witnessed many years ago by the Indians. . . . The Nooksack Indians, who lived much closer to Mt. Baker and for a longer period of time than the Lummis, referred to this peak as Quck-sman-ik which signifies “white rock.” To the south, the Koma Indians on the lower Skagit River knew of Mt. Baker as Tukullum, meaning “white stone,” likely in reference to its snow-clad slopes.” Similarly, the more distant Clallam Indians called the peak Puk’h’kowitz, a term meaning “white mountain”.
6/21/51 C.H.	Water Power From Baker Was Much Too Powerful One of the early day “busts” in Concrete was an attempt to use the Baker River as power for the Washington Cement plant. A wooden flume was built through the Baker canyon and for miles up the river where an earth dam was installed to divert the water into the flume. The flume itself was a marvelous piece of carpentry, wide enough for two horses to run abreast and deep enough to hold a sizeable river. The only trouble was that the earth dam would not hold against flood waters and the flume had to be abandoned. It stood for many years until it was gradually torn town by folks who needed some of its fine lumber.	First “Dam” on Baker River One now has to wonder if the oil marks found by Stewart at the Washington Cement plant were from the 1921 flood or oil marks left from a flood when the “earth dam” broke during a flood.
6/21/51 C.H.	Barron Was Upper-Skagit Ghost Town An interesting tale is told in the Forest Service records of the upper Skagit about the town of Barron. During the gold excitement of the early ‘90s there appeared almost overnight a cluster of log cabins that became known as Barron. Alex Barron had gone into the Slate Creek country in 1895 and upon his Black Jack claim the town was built. This was three miles from the Cascade summit and forty-five miles from the nearest supply station – but at one time it boasted a population larger than Concrete at this present time. It had a post office, hotels, restaurants, saloons and a dance hall. There were several mills cutting timber for flumes and buildings, two large mines were operating in the vicinity.	Town of Barron Skagit County’s true ghost town.
6/21/51 C.H.	Birdsview Hatchery Started In 1900 About the year 1900 a small hatchery was established on Grandy Creek at Birdsview as an auxiliary to the Baker Lake hatchery. Salmon eggs for the hatchery were obtained from both Grandy Creek and Phinney Creek. In 1911 extensive improvements and construction of buildings were made, including a new hatchery building, barn, and several residences, and the old hatchery building was made into a workshop. The office of the Baker Lake hatchery superintendent was then moved to the Birdsview hatchery since the field operations became enlarged and Birdsview was more accessible for mail and transportation, as well as being more centrally located since the hatcheries on Hood’s Canal were also added to the field. After 1911 from time to time further improvements and construction of buildings were carried out as became necessary. However, by 1947 the run of salmon into Grandy Creek had declined greatly and the water of the creek during winter and early spring was muddy for such long periods that fish cultural work could not be carried out with maximum efficiency. Logging off of the creek watershed caused the changed condition in the creek. The long periods of muddy water in the creek during the winter months especially, appeared to be a factor in the decline in the numbers of salmon entering. The creek and at times fingerling fish in the ponds could not be properly fed for several weeks at a time.	Fish Issue Birdsview Hatchery. By 1947 the run of salmon into Grandy Creek had declined greatly and the water of the creek during winter and early spring was muddy for such long periods that fish cultural work could not be carried out with maximum efficiency. Logging off of the creek watershed caused the changed condition in the creek. . . . Closed in July 1947.
6/21/51 C.H.	City Light Projects Harness Powerful Skagit River After Long, Hard Struggle It was over 70 years ago that the first white man battled his way into the fearful Skagit river canyons above Marblemount. They were hunting for gold then, but overlooked a wealth far greater than any metal in the many power sites along the upper reaches of the river. But the country became known and in 1907 engineers made a trip through the same rugged canyons, this time with transit, and level as they mapped out eleven miles of the deepest gorges and made plans for the building of a hydro-electric plant larger at that time than any in the world. By 1919 the project was ready to go and workmen swarmed into the upper country to clear the site for Newhalem and the Gorge Dam, first step in the plan. The Gorge plant, with a capacity of 60,000 kilowatts, was completed in 1924 and the generators were started with great ceremony – President Calvin Coolidge pushing a button in, the White House to start them turning. From then on the project has been in continuous construction. Diablo Dam, 7 and a half miles up from the gorge Plant was completed in 1930. It was built in Diablo Canyon, a gorge of solid granite with vertical walls rising 160 feet from the river bed, yet were less than 100 feet apart. The third step in the plan was Ross Dam, built near Ruby Creek and originally called Ruby Dam. At the death of J. D. Ross, whose dream made the dams possible, his name was given to the latest and largest of them all. Ross Dam was started in 1937, the first step completed in 1940. The second step began almost immediately and the dam is now 545 feet high and has formed a lake 24 miles long.	Gorge, Diablo & Ross Dams Gorge completed in 1924. Diablo completed in 1930. Ross still under construction.
6/21/51 C.H.	The Story of the Baker Lake Fish Hatchery is Historic Lore Artificial propagation of sockeye salmon began in 1896 when in that year the State of Washington originally established the hatchery at Baker Lake where existed the only natural spawning grounds of sockeye salmon in United States waters on Puget Sound. By that time there were already pack horse trails on both the east and west sides of the Baker River and a number of pioneers had located homesteads on both sides of the Baker River and on the shore of Baker Lake. Mrs. Richard Thompson (Emma Ruth) I believe is the only one of such pioneers now remaining in this locality. At that time and for several years after there was considerable prospecting for gold several miles up Noisy Creek. A cylinder containing about 200 pounds of mercury was left by one of the miners at his claim when he was starved out and in 1916 he returned and packed the mercury out since by that time such metal had greatly increased in value. . . . Then in 1924 a total of 14,558 sockeye salmon were caught and from these a total of 22,000,000 eggs were obtained. However in 1924 the construction of the Baker River Dam at Concrete begun and in 1925 only 40 sockeyes got through to Baker Lake and only 51,490 eggs taken therefrom. However, there were thousands of sockeyes in the Baker River canyon that were unable to get beyond the dam site. In 1926 a total of 2,823 sockeyes arrived at Baker Lake and 3,921,000 eggs obtained therefrom. From then on the annual runs gradually decreased until by 1933 only 493 sockeyes got to Baker Lake and only 356,000 eggs were obtained. This did not warrant operation further on a year around basis for sockeyes and the hatchery was eventually discontinued entirely.	Fish Issue History of the Baker Lake Fish Hatchery. Lower Baker Dam had a tremendous impact on the Sockeye runs on the Baker River. We went from 14,558 sockeye caught to just 493 in just 9 years. Hatchery was opened in 1896 and closed in 1934.
6/21/51 C.H.	A History of the Upper Skagit Valley And It’s Pioneer People History, as we know it from books, begins with the coming of the first settler to the wilderness. The upper Skagit valley was still a wilderness 100 years ago. At that time it was known there was a large river tumbling into Puget Sound from a wide, flat delta within sight of a beautiful snow-capped peak, but this information was relegated to the logs and maps of the explorers who were busy charting the shores within reach of their boats. So the upper reaches of the Skagit had to wait. In some ways they are still waiting, for after a hundred years there are many sources of wealth that lie untouched, awaiting the proper and convenient time to be turned into jobs, into materials, into dollars. . . . The first recorded visit to the upper Skagit was a trip made by Major Van Bokkelen and party in July of 1858. According to his report the party started up the river only to find three huge log jams in the first twelve miles of progress. After working their way past these obstructions they found easy going and followed the river through many miles of forest-lined banks. . . . In 1883 a bill was passed in the legislative assembly of the territory setting up the county of Skagit. Previously all the Skagit valley country had been part of Whatcom County	The History Of The Upper Skagit This is a very lengthy 14 page article that should be required reading for every citizen of Skagit Valley. First and only mention of “three” log jams. Skagit County formed in 1883.
6/21/51 C.H.	Skagit Valley Grew Up With Logging Industry Logging, as one of our old-timers put it, is “gittin a tree to water.” Over the centuries this primary objective has remained unchanged – only the method has been improved. As logging has been, and still is, one of the upper Skagit’s biggest industries, the history of the valley has been closely tied in with the cutting of the enormous stand of fir and cedar that was found by the first explorers up the river. . . . At this area cedar was most plentiful, so early homes were built of the easily worked and nearly split wood. A cedar home could be built with half the labor of a log cabin. … A like manner, cedar was most in demand and took most of the attention of the first loggers.	The History of Logging in Skagit County Cedar was most in demand. First they floated the logs. Then loaded them onto the railroad cars. Then by logging trucks.
6/21/51 C.H.	The First Days of Marblemount Marblemount is a small town a half-mile upriver from the mouth of the Cascade River. A couple of hotels, two stores and three beer parlors scattered over a mile of state highway comprises Marblemount today but in 1890 fifteen hundred miners made it, in the words of several astute boosters – “The Coming Leadville of the Pacific”. For in the Cascade valley near Gilberts’ cabin hundreds of prospectors hacked at outcroppings of Galena ore and silver and lead. . . .Coming back to Sedro-Woolley Carl, Mother and I took the “Indiana,” a stern-wheeler, up-river but it only went to Birdsview leaving us on the river bank. Next week the “Henry Brady”, another boat, picked us up and went as far as Rocky Riffle and again we were put ashore just two miles from what later on was Marblemount.	The History of Marblemount This article was authored by Dick Buller, father of Tootsie Clark who still lives in Marblemount and runs Clarks Eatery home of the best French fries in Skagit Valley.
6/21/51 C.H.	Fish Hatchery Is Attraction At Marblemount The Skagit River hatchery was built by the State Department of Fisheries in 1946 and 1947 at a total cost of $293,830. The purpose of the hatchery is to offset somewhat the inroad of the upper Skagit dams on the salmon run in the Skagit River. . . . Operations began at the hatchery in 1948 when 586,900 Chinook fingerlings and 220,900 silver fingerlings were planted. The plantings have increased year by year until the 1950 planting totaled 1,344,000 fingerlings and 400,000 yearlings. The returns so far have been gratifying in that a run of more than 3,000 silver salmon put in their appearance in Clark Creek as a result of the 1948-49 plant from the 1947 brood fish. This was the first time more than 400 silvers had appeared in the creek.	Marblemount Fish Hatchery 3,000 silvers returned to Clark Creek out of 220,000 fingerlings planted?
6/21/51 C.H.	Rockport Began It’s Career As Stopping Place for Tourists The City Light throngs that made Rockport into quite a busy little community a few years ago was not the first time the town was a resort for tourists. In fact that is why it became a town. In 1892 Al Von Presentin opened a hotel and general store there for the travelers up and down the river. With the coming of the Seattle & Northern Railway he built the big hotel that still stands as the principle landmark of the town. This modern stopping place was built in May 1901 at the enormous cost of $4,500. Built on a solid foundation of rock, the building had 21 rooms, hot and cold water, a dining room, and a bar, all offering real comfort to the miners and tourists who visited the upper valley.	History of Rockport Built in 1901.
6/21/51 C.H.	Ruby Creek Named After Early Find The stream on the upper Skagit now known as Ruby Creek got its name from two of the early prospectors in that area, Sutter and Rowley, who visited there in 1872. The two men were washing the gravel when Sutter recovered a nice ruby in his pan. The creek received it’s name then and there.	History of Ruby Creek Found a ruby so named it Ruby Creek.
6/21/51 C.H.	Sauk and Sauk City Disappear Over Years Ghost towns are frequent in the desert mining country, but in the Skagit valley only one thriving community vanished completely from the map over the past fifty years. This was Sauk – a bustling little community at the junction of the Sauk and Skagit rivers. In 1884, a post office was established there and a town grew up around it – today you would be hard pressed to show a person where the town had been. It was fire, the greatest enemy of the pioneers that caused Sauk most of it’s trouble. After the town had grown to a sizeable place for the first time, a fire in January of 1889 burned down all but the store of George Perrault. . . . Another similar town of a similar name “Sauk City” was started on the south bank of the Skagit and was reached by a ferry from old Sauk. This was in 1890 when Thomas Moody of Hamilton and J. W. Sutherland of Fairhaven bought 260 acres and began to build a city from the ground up.	History of Sauk & Sauk City In 1891 a promotion was under way to form a new county from the portion of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish lying east of the Baker River. Sauk City was to be the county seat. There are no more Sauk cities in the upper valley.
6/21/51 C.H.	The History of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe Long, long ago, before there were any white people in the country, Pepstoats was the chief of the Sauk tribe. The land of the tribe is the territory from the junction of the Sauk and Skagit, up the valley on the West side, east up to the Summit at the head of the Sauk and hence along Glacier Peak ridge to the Summit at the head of the Suiattle River; the Suiattle River on both East and West sides. The Indians lived on the Sauk on both sides of the Sauk River, and on Sauk Prairie, and some people had big houses at Buck Creek and Tenas Creek on the Suiattle.	History of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe This article was authored by Leo Braun, a tribal member of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe.
6/21/51 C.H.	Superior Cement Plant Is Bulwark of Town Like most small communities, Concrete’s hopes and plans, its past and future, has been tied up with the fortunes of the town’s largest industry – the making of cement by the plant of Superior Portland Cement, Inc. Though not the first to discover and make use of the unlimited supply of limestone in this area, the Superior Company became firmly established here early in its formation and is now as permanent as the mountains which hold its raw material. It was John C. Eden who first investigated the possibilities of establishing a plant here. The Washington Portland Cement company had already begun operations and Mr. Eden visited the district to further probe the resources he had heard about. His findings were many and his decisions were shrewd. He found plenty of un-exploited limestone and clay, a good power sight at Bear Creek, plenty of space for the large plant - - and he wasted little time buying up all these properties for his company	History of Cement Plants in Concrete
8/30/51 C.H.	the baker river fishway The ride of the salmon starts from the trap in groups of a few to fifty. From the trap they are hosted to a water-filled tank care on a narrow gauge track, hauled some 400 feet to aerated holding pools where they are alive and jumping. From there they are lowered into a water-filled “bucket” which is picked up by an aerial cable for another ride of 900 feet through the air to the dam to be held in a slated and aerated scow. Whereupon, at the end of the day, they are turned free to nose their way under their own power upstream again. If, however, gates are kept open when the last haul to the dam is made, the above handling is modified in that the slatted scow is towed by motorboat a mile up the lake so they will not drift down and spill over the dam. . . . There are two traps at Baker – the river trap and the tailrace trap. The river trap makes use of the water spilled over the dam when the gates are open. It is a wooden structure secured to cement and steel piers which is salvaged in the fall of the year if the fishing season ends before floods wash it away. The lumber of the structure would build several houses. It is mostly of 2X6 fir in lengths from 14 to 22 feet. The barrier to the fish is made of these 2X6 boards with spaces through which water flows. These rackbars are slanted towards the middle of the stream and as water flows through the cracks small streams entice the fish along towards the middle of the stream where a wider slot and heavier stream attracts the salmon to enter. This is the trap. The tailrace trap is necessary at times when gates at the dam are closed. Here they are noticed to enter the trap by an artificial stream of water from a flume.	Fish Issue/Baker Dam Fish ladder was still operating in 1951. This article is the best located at describing how the facility worked. “There are three distinct runs of salmon that reach the Baker River. The Sockeye come first attaining a peak in July. They have a life cycle of four years. Then come the Silversides to reach a peak in September. Their life cycle is three years. The Humpy salmon makes their appearance late in fall and have a two year cycle. Last year the total run for sockeye salmon was 2,416 and for Silversides 11,209. At their peak the Silvers are a wonderful sight – 2,000 a day!”
9/1/51 CT	Samish Indians sue for $41,500,000; to meet at LaConner The Samish Indian tribe of Washington as filed suit against the U.S. Government for the sum of $41,500,000 on the basis of breach of the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855.  The Samish originally owned land in Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties for which they received no consideration when it was taken over by white settlers.  Other Western Washington Indian tribes are suing for a total of $700,000,000.  They are being represented in the lawsuit by Warren J. Gilbert and Harwood Bannister of Mt. Vernon and Frederick Post and Malcolm McLeod of Seattle.	Tribes Lawsuit Should contact Gilberts son and find out what happened to this litigation.
11/15/51 C.H.	baker river dam to be scene of important fish studies again next year Arrangements for rearing 200,000 salmonoid “guinea pigs” have been made by the Dept. of Fisheries and the International Pacific Salmon Commission. Fifty thousand Skagit river salmon and 150,000 Cultus Lake, B.C. sockeyes will be reared at the state hatchery at Marblemount and the fish will be used next spring in testing the mortality of small down-stream migrants resulting from passage over high dams and through power turbines. Similar tests were conducted in 1950 and 1951 at the Baker River dam of Puget Sound Power & Light Co. here in Concrete. The 1952 tests will also be held here.	Lower Baker/Fish Issue Yet another study trying to save the salmon from the effects of the dam.
12/13/51 B.J.	Diking District Expansion Sought for Southeast Area             Eighteen businessmen, farmers and representatives of the city of Burlington and the dike commission visited the area south east of Burlington Friday afternoon to inspect the site of the proposed new dike which would add about 1000 acres of farm and residential land to that now protected from flood waters by the existing dike.  . . .  Object of the get-together was to get some of the preliminary work done so dike work could get underway this summer if the annexation of the new acreage is approved by the commission.  Dike work will be at the discretion of the diking commission.  . . .  Possibility of development of residential area within the acreage was discussed and according to the diking commission the proposed new dike could be relied upon to give good protection to the area east of Burlington.	Dike 12 New Dike 1,000 acres to receive flood protection. “Possibility” of new development in acreage to be protected by new dike.
12/13/51 C.H.	city light wins case over log raft losses A group of loggers of the upper valley, suing City Light for loss of log rafts for the Skagit River during the flash flood of October 24^th, 1945, lost their case in the District Court in Seattle last week, Judge Bowen ruling that there was no negligence on the part of City Light that should cause an undue rise in the Skagit above what could normally be charged to the heavy rainfall over the entire Cascade watershed. . . . Between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on October 25^th, 1945, the log rafts broke up in the high water and went down river. The loggers maintained that the rise in the Skagit was due to water let over the Diablo Dam during that period, and sought to collect damages for loss of their logs from City Light. The judge, however, concluded that as the loggers were holding their booms for high water, they were negligent themselves in not sending them after the heavy rains that preceded the flash flood. He also pointed out that other streams in the valley, such as the Cascade and Sauk, were uncontrolled and had about as much to do with a rise in the river as the upper Skagit. . . .	Seattle City Light Lawsuit Loggers lose case against SCL. The lumbermen not only lost the case but were charged with payment of court costs of the defendant, amounting to $307. Lawyers evidently didn’t charge very much back then.
12/20/51 C.H.	figures released on fish handled at baker dam A total of 17,642 salmon were trapped this season and hauled above the Baker River dam here, says a report from the state department of fisheries. Included in the total were 13,529 silver salmon, the third highest number handled on his particular run since 1927. The parent year 1948 yielded 9,778 fish. Other fish included 3,705 sockeye, 26 Chinook and 272 pink salmon, and 112 steelhead trout. The trap has been operated at the power house, below the high dam, since 1926. The fish are then carried by tram car and cable in tanks of water and released above the dam in Lake Shannon.	Lower Baker/Fish Issue 26 King Salmon, 272 humpies and 112 steelhead. Doesn’t exactly sound like the “good ole days”.
12/16/51 MVDH	Allocate $60,000 For Dike Repairs             WASHINGTON, March 16 – (U.P.): The Corps of Army Engineers has allocated $60,000 to repair four breaks in dikes along the Skagit River in Washington caused by recent floods, Rep. Henry M. Jackson, D. Wash., said today.  . . .  A 50-50 division of the cost between the government and local agencies is being considered, he said.	Federal Money To Fix Levees 50-50 cost sharing proposed.
12/18/51 MVDH	flood cost, effect of new law, hit county taxpayers Last spring’s flood and the effect of a new state law will hit the taxpayers’ pocketbooks in Skagit county next year. Cost of rebuilding and strengthening the dikes along the Skagit accounts of a boost in the levy for most of the districts affected by the flood as well as some of the others. The new state law, providing for levying dike taxes on the basis of improvements as well as acreage, has sent the valuation of the districts soaring, particularly those which include city property. . . .  All the diking districts but one affected by the flood have higher levies in the coming year. Diking district 15, on Fir island, has doubled its rate from 100 to 200 mills. Diking district 20, paying for past improvements, keeps its rate at 170 mills. The two districts which include parts of Mount Vernon, No. 1, on the west side of the river, and 3, on the east, show the biggest jump in valuation. District 1 has a valuation of $1,081,545, as compared with $347,855 before the new law went into effect. District 3 has upped its valuation from $401,636, when only acreage value was counted to $2,138,350, representing improvements as well as land. Reduce Mill Rate Thanks to the big boost in valuation, district 3 was able to reduce its mill rate from 37 to 7, to produce approximately the same amount of revenue. District 1 increased its rate from 15 to 20 and its revenue from $5,218 to $21,630. . . .	Dike District Assessments Soaring Dike District 15 on Fir Island charging 200 mills ($200 per $1,000 assessed valuation). Dike District #3 reduced from 37 mills to 7. Dike districts now allowed to tax improvements instead of just land.
12/19/51 MVDH	county starts job at devil’s elbow Dynamiting of the rock promontory at Devil’s Elbow on the upper Skagit river began Monday as the first step in construction of the rock road bed across the small bay on the south side of the river southeast of Concrete, the engineer’s office reported today. About 5,000 of the necessary 25,000 cubic of rock will be obtained from the spot for the dike, which is part of the second unit of the Dalles bridge project. About 13,000 yards of rock are needed for the base of the revetment, another 12,000 to establish the subgrade and about 40,000 yards of earth to complete the fill. . . .	Dalles Bridge Work Begins
1/3/52 B.J.	IX. Council Discusses Diking Situation Wednesday Night The only matter to bring any amount of discussion at the monthly meeting of the Burlington city council Wednesday evening was the current and timely subject of the dike problem. An ordinance was submitted to the council to give city officials the power to sign a petition to have city property taken into diking district No. 12.  . . .  During the discussion it was suggested by some members of the council that the City of Burlington form their own diking district and in that way have some control over what local citizens might be taxed and what work might be done on the dike.  . . .  It was also pointed out that there is still some controversy as to just where the diking district lines are and what personal property are in the district. The result of the discussion was that Mayor Swanland referred the ordinance and petition to the council dike committee of Smith and Buterfield for further study and information.	Dike 12 Expansion City discussed forming own dike district.
1/17/52 C.H.	Editorial While the proposal to build us a new road to Rockport is generally welcomed in the valley, we are not at all convinced that the rumored route on the high level back of the Rockport park is where the future highway is to be located. Our belief is that when a final main arterial is built it will follow the river on a low level that will eliminate the grades over ridges, the bridges and fill over ravines and the ballets with slides and erosion. Our idea of the perfect river road is the short piece below town which proves that the river is no longer a highway problem. Of course, the state men may know more than we do about the future of the valley – maybe the proposed Faber dam is going to flood the valley to Marblemount and force all future traffic up on the side hills. We don’t like to think about this ever happening. One of the best ways we know to prevent the dam would be to have a road system that will develop the upper valley to a point where a dam would be impractical. It appears this could best be done with a highway that eliminates our long-standing hazards – Faber Hill, Rockport Hill and so on up the Skagit. We’d hate to have to spend another half century accomplishing this end.	Rockport Road Editor wanted road built in a location that would prohibit the construction of anymore dams especially the Faber Dam.
3/20/52 C.H.	steel for dalles bridge now arriving at site General Construction Co., contractors for the bridge and steel workers of the Arthur Fralick Co., subcontractors who will erect the steel, immediately set to work unloading the girders and castings. As to yesterday ten cars have now been received and are expected daily as the work progresses. The steel is being taken by truck directly to the bridge site where it is being piled along the roadway. It now stretches from the river north almost to the “Y”. . . . Actual erection of steel will not start for about a week or ten days as the crew must first replace the present high line with a higher tower and heavier cable. As soon as this is done the steel will begin to rise.	Dalles Bridge The actual construction of the bridge span was underway.
4/3/52 MVDH	Real Estate Ads	What Farms Used to Cost
4/10/52 B.J.	Dike Situation Needs Attention Norm Wallace, chairman of the flood control committee, told the Journal this week that plans for repairing the dike in the vicinity of Burlington and north and east has come to a serious impasse. He stated that the dike commissioners of district number 12 informed him that they cannot legally spend any money on dike repairs upriver from Rio Vista in Burlington. They have discovered that as far as records go few if any persons in this area have ever or at least in the last few years paid any taxes into the dike district. Therefore this section of the county is not considered in any dike district.	Dike upriver of Rio Vista not in Dike District 12.  Dike was in County, not City of Burlington.
4/17/52 B.J.	A Solution to Both Highway & Dike Problem In as much as it looks like a four lane highway through Burlington will not be visualized, people who have the interest of Burlington at heart as well as those residing in the nearby communities are busy trying to find a suitable place for a four lane highway north and south of Burlington.  . . .  A solution to this bad solution could be made by routing the highway east of Burlington. If the highway started at the Conway hill and followed the hill to Mount Vernon city limits then directly north to Hoag hill following the dike road north, it would intercept highway 99 just two miles from the fish hatchery.  This could make the highway run just one fourth mile east of Skagit street on the dike. It would reduce the cost of maintaining the dikes approximately three-fourths if the state did use the dikes as the highway.	New Road Proposed This proposal is almost the same as was originally proposed by the WSDOT for the freeway.  Good example of a missed opportunity.  Old Burlington dike was on Skagit Street.
4/17/52 C.H.	steel span now out over river The Dalles bridge starting edging its way from the south side of the Skagit River last week as steel began to form under the skilled hands of the Arthur Fralich Co. crew. Steel is now in place from the south end of the bridge to the south pier and a section has been completed from the pier north across the water. Girders and framework are in place, also much of the deck structure. Riveting has started behind the erection crew. The two large barges arrived on the Dalles site Monday after a hectic 10-day trip up the Skagit. Low water caused lots of trouble and delayed the trip almost a week. On the barge is a large crane with a 130-foot boom which will be used to handle the steel that will be used out over the river.	Dalles Bridge It took ten days for two barges to make it from Fir Island to Concrete due to low water in the Skagit River.
7/24/52 C.H.	editorial For many years we have been an active booster for all types of development in the upper valley. New roads, new bridges, better stores, bigger industries. In these the valley has made some strides and from indications is continually growing toward that goal of the early dreamers – full development of all the various resources. Yet is all this exactly what we want? Sometimes we have our doubts. With progress comes a number of disadvantages. Roads that make it easy for us to reach a favorite fishing spot also bring a hundred other guys who have more time to fish it out. We find our scenic spots being cluttered with beer cans, our peaceful hideaways filled with sometimes unappreciative strangers. A usual leisurely way of life is being speeded up by urgency of progress. The restlessness of the pioneer is easily understandable – find, build, welcome the newcomers and then realize that what you have sought is lost through your own enthusiasm. Therein lies the charm of the phrase, “the good old days.” We liked it as it was, didn’t we? And so we move along, reluctant, to that next bit of promotion. Where to from here?	Growth in Skagit County Excellent commentary re the pro’s and con’s of “progress” in Skagit County. Indeed, “Where to from here?”
8/7/52 B.J.	Cascade Days Will Dedicate New Bridge Cascade days at Concrete, will be held this week-end, August 8 and 9 sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 132 of Concrete. This year’s celebration will be high-lighted by the dedication and opening of the new Dalles bridge across the Skagit river.	Dalles Bridge Opens
8/7/52 C.H.	dalles bridge dedication will be saturday event – Editorial Dedication of the new Dalles Bridge just south of town will be one of the big events of the Cascade Days celebration opening tomorrow. This event just happened to work out perfectly for the celebration as construction and final painting will be complete this week. The opening of the bridge will be real as well as formal as after the ceremony which will conclude with the symbolic cutting of the ribbon by the Cascade Queen, the bridge and road will be open to traffic. At present the traffic will be permitted only as far as the Ovenell ranch, but it means the first direct outlet for the people of south Concrete. Simultaneously with the bridge opening the Concrete ferry will be discontinued for all time.	Dalles Bridge Completed
8/14/52 C.H.	concrete ferry will go down river to fir island The Concrete ferry, which has been closed down with the opening of the Dalles bridge, has another job ahead of it before complete retirement. The county commissioners have given the ferry to the state game department for use on the lower Skagit between the mainland and Fir Island. Continual widening and changing of the South Fork of the river below Conway has made it impractical to put in a bridge to the state game farm on the island. To provide a more reliable method of transportation the department will move the ferry to that point and operate it with winch and cable. When the Faber ferry is discontinued in about 60 to 90 days, the present plan is to beach it and hold it as an emergency replacement for either the Rockport or Pressentin ferry until such time as these can also be retired. Retirement of the ferries will start paying dividends to the county in funds saved. Operating costs and salaries run close to $1,000 a month for each ferry.	Concrete, Faber Ferries Concrete ferry was retired to Fir Island Game Dept. Faber ferry was also discontinued and saved the taxpayers $1,000 a month for each ferry.
8/14/52 C.H.	new bridge is opened Traffic across the new bridge at the Dalles may be limited to just a few fortunate residents of the south Concrete area for a time being, but the bridge and road had a busy flurry of activity about 3:30 Saturday afternoon. It was just a few minutes after Cascade Queen Dolores Keller cut the taut white ribbon that represented the final barrier. As soon as the flatbed truck which served as the speaker’s stand was moved to one side the cars began to roll across the bridge for the first time.Within an hour or so afterward – the first “pay load” rolled across in the form of farm equipment and a return of farm produce from the Ovenell farm. . . . Arthur J. Ward, Sedro-Woolley attorney then made the address of dedication in which he told of the many years of working and hoping that preceded the building of the bridge. He commented on the fine work of the men who pushed the bond issue to a successful conclusion, and to those who then took over to build a bridge that is one of the most beautiful in the county.	The Dalles Bridge Open
11/27/52 C.H.	power shortage hits baker dam The growing power shortage caused by the unprecedented lack of rainfall this year, began to hurt on the local level this week and is threatening even more serious conditions for the balance of the winter. The shortage is no longer just theory – it is here. First to feel the shortage was the plant of Superior Portland Cement, Inc. here. They have had to cut down operations to a minimum. Other industries and even small users are asked to aid in further cuts in order to make the water behind the dams last as long as possible. . . . Actually all the water that is being used is a small stream to keep the fish run in progress. The lake is now at 421.30 ft. – about 15 feet below normal. As a method of comparison the river normally runs 30,000 second feet. At present the flow is but 432 second feet! . . . One thing that must be considered is that the shortage is not just temporary. Unless heavy rains begin to fall and continue for a long period, the lakes and streams will continue to drop. The cold weather is no help as snow will merely pile up in the hills to be used next spring. A chinook wind is all that could bring it down. Normally this is flood season with lots of water. Today it appears that it will take very unusual weather conditions to relieve the power shortage before spring.	Unprecedented Lack of Rainfall Power Shortage Water kept flowing for fish runs only.
12/25/52 C.H.	ross dam power due Tests of the first generator to go into service at the new Ross Dam power house were made yesterday by technicians and officials of City Light. The huge generator will produce 70,000 kilowatts of new power for the northwest. As soon as the tests are completed satisfactorily, power will begin to flow from the generator to boost City Lights upper Skagit output. The generator will go into use immediately. Water from Ross Dam has been providing extra storage for Diablo and Gorge powerhouses for several years, but this is the first time the water has been used for operation of the new powerhouse. The new generator will be the first of three to be installed under present plans. Each generator is rated for a capacity of 90,000 kilowatts in normal operations with a peak of 100,000 kilowatts when demand is great. City Light officials say the probable output for the present time will be 70,000 k.w.	Ross Dam Ross dam begins to produce electricity.
3/26/53 C.H.	ross dam to flood past canada border this year Seattle’s City Light project on the upper Skagit will extend into Canada this year. A crew of 45 men is now at work on clearing a 600-acre tract north of the Canadian boundary and when their work is done about July first, Ross Lake will extend about a mile and a half into Canada. The clearing will provide about 1,400,000 acre-feet of storage in Ross Lake. This will permit three generators in Ross Powerhouse to deliver their full load of 270,000 kilowatts by next winter. Just one generator is now in service. Canada will be paid $255,508 for the flooding of Canadian lands. The City Light has an agreement for further flooding when the height of Ross Dam is increased 130 ft. under future plans.	Ross Dam Floods Canada Canada was paid $255,508 in order to flood their land. Seattle City Light had plans to further raise Ross Dam another 130 feet.
7/16/53 C.H.	argue for open river A large delegation from Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount joined with the members of the Wildcat Steelhead of Sedro-Woolley Monday evening in an effort to have the upper Skagit River once again opened for salmon fishing. The target of their pleas was Mr. Schottler, director of the state department of fisheries, under whose orders the river was closed to such sports fishing about Gilligan Creek. . . . Mr. Schottler made it clear that the closure of the river was a move to aid in the reestablishment of the Chinook salmon run, as other salmon runs seemed to be holding up or improving during the past few years. He stated that the diminishing return of salmon was due to changes in the river from cutting of forests, dams, and pollution over the past 62 years. His department has bee working on the problem for some years and it was in 1951 that the first closure to sports fishing was put into effect on the entire river. . . . Dr. Hunter pointed out that no effort had ever been made to determine how much effect sports fishing in the river had on the salmon runs and questioned that the few taken by hook and line in a year could approach the take of a gill-netter in a week.	Fish Issue River closed to sports fisherman in order to protect the Chinook Salmon. State Fisheries Dept. blamed the dams, logging, and pollution.
9/24/53 C.H.	open skagit to baker on silvers Recent efforts of the sportsmen of the upper Skagit valley paid off this week with the announcement of a special sport fishing season for silver salmon on the Skagit River. The season has been set for October 10^th through November 10 by the state department of fisheries. The open season embraces the Skagit River from Gilligan Creek, below Lyman, to the confluence of the Baker and Skagit rivers at Concrete. . . . The sports possession limit of salmon in stream is two fish over 20 inches in length. The fishermen are restricted to two single or one double pronged hook. The use of triple hooks is prohibited. . . . The research staff felt that a season from October 10 to November 10 would not materially affect Chinook spawning in the main stream and that so far this year the returns indicate that the department is getting a fair escapement of salmon to the hatchery.	Fish Issue Fish number and size limits for silvers. “Good Chinook return”??
11/26/53 C.H.	city light plans set Good news for the upper valley was released last night by City Light of Seattle with details of a $23,000,000 program of construction for the upper Skagit projects during the next three projects during the next three years. The total will include $17,000,000 for a new 300-foot dam for the Gorge power plant and six million to install a fourth generator at the Ross Dam powerhouse.	Seattle City Light New dam at Gorge and new generator for Ross.
12/31/53 C.H.	new baker dam asked A new hydro-electric dam on the Baker River, a project which has been considered by Puget Sound Power & Light Co. for the past twenty-five years, seems about to become a reality! Last week the power company announced that engineers are now preparing the information to apply to the Federal Power Commission for a preliminary permit to develop the project. The Upper Baker site has been owned by Puget for many years, ever since the building of the present dam here, and would make possible a generating plant and a storage reservoir about the same size as the existing plant here – capacity of about 40,000 kilowatts. The new project would have the additional merits of being close to load centers in Skagit and Whatcom counties and would provide better stream control of the Baker River. The latter would enable the company to enlarge facilities at the local power station by 50,000 kilowatts.	Upper Baker Dam Cost of project estimated at $12,000,000.
12/31/53 C.H.	Ross Dam May Be raised 125 Feet Under New Plan Possible development of Ross Dam by addition of another 125 feet is now being considered by City Light, in addition to the work already planned for the Skagit project. E.R. Hoffman, supt., told the power commission Tuesday that the additional 125 feet would impound another 3,400,000 acre ft. of water and provide storage for three or four years as a protection against low water.	Ross Dam Dam could be raised another 125 feet.
1/7/54 C.H.	rainfall in 1953 was the most, to say the least In case anyone has been wondering about it, 1953 was the wettest year on record with 37.16 inches of rain for the twelve month period in the lower valley and unofficial records of into 40 inches in the upper valley. Officially the rainfall was 8.37 inches more than normal. In direct contrast to 1952, which was the driest year with just half the amount of 1953 rainfall, last year received most of its dampness in January and December. The pattern is already set for another wet year with the first six days of 1954 being almost continuous rain with up to 1½ falling in one 24 hour period.	Rainfall 1953 wettest year on record. 37.16 inches in 12 months. Produced small flood on February 1, 1953.
1/28/54 C.H.	ask permit for dam The first step toward the building of a $12 million dollar dam on the upper Baker River was made last Thursday by Puget Sound Power & Light company with the filing of an application for a preliminary permit for the hydro-electric project with the Federal Power Commission. . . . The proposed dam would be built at Eaglecrout canyon, about seven miles north of Concrete and would provide a generating plant of about 60,000 kilowatts. The new dam would also provide greater stream control on the Baker and enable additional power production from the present dam and power house here. The local plant capacity can be increased 50,000 kilowatts for a total capacity in excess of 150,000 kilowatts for the combined operation. . . . As the site has been long owned by the company and there are few controversial problems connected with it’s construction, it is anticipated that the Federal Power Commission will grant the permit and expedite the plans of the company for early completion of the new power source.	Upper Baker Dam Dam to be built in Eaglecrout Canyon. Little controversy expected in building of dam.
4/1/54 C.H.	large fish plant set for skagit area this year Upper Puget Sound hatcheries provided more than a million young salmon for streams in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties for the first quarter plantings in 1954, the Department of Fisheries announced today. . . . Skagit County streams were given a transfusion of 435,300 yearling silvers and 285,600 pink salmon fingerlings with 1954 plantings from the Samish hatchery north of Burlington and the Skagit hatchery near Marblemount. Skagit hatchery crews under the direction of Superintendent E. G. Fieher, planted 270,900 yearling silvers and 285,600 pinks from the 1953 brood in the Stillaguamish river and Bacon, Goodell, Illabot, Grandy, Squire, Boulder, French, Day, Jones, Finney and Diobsud creeks. In the rearing ponds awaiting planting are 266,300 yearling silvers with 485,400 spring chinook scheduled for additional rearing while 667,100 1953 silver fry remaining in the hatchery will be transferred soon to the ponds.	Fish Issue 435,300 yearling silvers, 285,600 humpies, put into the system. Another 266,300 silvers and 485,400 spring Chinook remained in rearing ponds. This had to have had a tremendous impact on the fish runs on the Skagit River. Need to determine how many fish are being planted today. Between the impacts of Lower Baker Dam, and the decrease in hatchery fish and the Tribal nets I think the real reason for the “fish crisis” is beginning to be told.
5/27/54 C.H.	fine steelhead plant for skagit river this year The state game department has been busy the past week loading the Skagit River with young steelhead. Hank Moore, local game protector, stopped at the Herald office last Thursday with a load of the beautiful little fish, each husky and about six to 7 inches long. They weighed 11 to the pound and the aerated tank truck carried about 4,400 to a load. Many thousand will go in the river this season to help reestablish the Skagit steelhead run.	Fish Issue Many thousand Steelhead put into the system.
5/27/54 C.H.	plans revealed on gorge dam Contractors are now inspecting the site and preliminary plans for the Gorge high dam and power intake tunnel on the Skagit between Newhalem and Diablo. Seattle City Light hopes to have final drawings complete soon so that bids can be called this summer. The proposed dam is to be a combination arch and gravity structure rising about 150 feet above the present river bed. It will be 670 feet long and will replace the temporary diversion dam for the Gorge powerhouse. . . . Not satisfied with present drilling on the proposed hydro-electric dam at Copper Creek on the Skagit between Marblemount and Newhalem, the Seattle City Light has requested $250,000 more to continue their search for a suitable bed-rock location for the dam.	Gorge Dam Appears Cooper Creek Dam might not have been built because of suitable bed-rock location.
8/26/54 C.H.	permit on baker dam Big news for the Concrete area was in newspaper headlines this week with the announcement that the Federal Power Commission has granted the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. a three-year preliminary permit for its proposed hydroelectric project on the Baker River. . . . Mr. McLaughlin estimated that the completed work, now under consideration, would run close to $30,000,000 in cost. . . . As heretofore stated, the permit is “temporary” and the work done by the company will be in hopes of proving out all points in favor of a completed project, but the outlook is entirely optimistic from all standpoints. The power is needed, the planning is sound. No adverse findings are anticipated.	Upper Baker Dam Cost now $30,000,000. Temporary permit issued.
8/26/54 C.H.	the open forum Some years ago, the Skagit River was closed to salmon fishing by the Dept. of Fisheries. Why this was done remains a mystery to hundreds of sportsmen up and down the Skagit Valley. At that time the Dept. of Fisheries claimed the salmon that came above the mouth of the Baker River were unfit to eat – which is about the most ignorant statement the Dept. has made to the public. . . . “Mr. Schoettler, who is the head of the Dept. of Fisheries and has the say of the river being open or closed, was called in to several sportsmen meetings in the past few years with the sole intent of asking him to open the river up to salmon fishing. Nothing was ever gained by any of the meetings. Mr. Schoettler has made it very clear to all that were present that he was working for the commercial fishermen’s benefit and not the sportsmen. Mr. Schoettler also admitted there had not been any research done before closing the river as to what harm the sportsmen had done to the salmon run. He was told of the gill netters and purse-seiners who were fishing far up in the mouth of the river (which is illegal). He made the statement that he had not known this was going on, but it seems very strange that even the people of Marblemount have known of this condition for years.	Fish Issue Open letter to state representative re closing of Skagit River to sports fisherman.
9/2/54 C.H.	vote for the skagit bridge bond issue on primary ballot (advertisement) This Bond Issue Will Help Build Badly Needed Bridges– Across the Swinomish Channel at LaConner Across the North Fork of the Skagit River Across the Sauk River These bridges have to be built one way or another. Without the bond issue to do the job, funds would have to come from other sources and many important items like county roads, and indirectly school funds, might have to suffer. It would be a long drawn out and painful process for the whole county. The Bridge Bond Issue is the best and easiest method of meeting the problem–	.New Bridges Proposed in Skagit County
11/4/54 C.H.	gorge dam bids to be opened dec. 1^st The contract for the new dam at Gorge Creek on the upper Skagit will be let December 1^st, according to latest word from Seattle City Light. The bids were to have been opened, some time ago, but delays of one kind or another have kept the date moving ahead. The 17 million dollar project will include a 300 foot dam and a highway between Newhalem and Diablo. The job will require three years to complete and is expected to bring another era of activity in the upper Skagit through increased payroll and many new people coming into the Newhalem and Marblemount areas.	Gorge Dam Cost $17,000,000.
11/11/54 B.J.	Dike District Information Given             On behalf of the City of Burlington and those interested, you have asked when the new dike which is to be built under the plans of Dike District No. 12, east and northeast of Burlington, will be built.  Our present difficulty arises from the fact that we have some trouble acquiring a small portion of the right-of-way but we expect this will be ironed out shortly.  As soon as right-of-way is fully acquired, and weather conditions permit, we expect to proceed immediately.  It would be costly to the taxpayers and foolish to attempt piece-meal construction.  We have received and hope to continue to receive the support of the majority of interested parties.	Letter to Burlington from Dike 12 re status of new dike.
1/24/55 MVDH	C-C Names 3-Man River Group on Barge Route Continuing their drive to open the Skagit river to more river traffic the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce selected a three-man “river-committee” at its noon meeting yesterday in the President hotel. Leo Beckley was appointed chairman of the committee by Ted Reep, chamber president. Andy Loft and Bob Ringman will also work on the project. . . .  The Chamber initiated action last week to have the Skagit river dredged from Mount Vernon to Puget Sound.	Chamber of Commerce Wants River Dredging for River Traffic
4/21/55 C.H.	more plans for city light dams Big plans for future expansion of the City Light installations on the upper Skagit were proposed this past week to the Seattle City Council. The program came as the result of studies on present and future needs of City Light and the total figure for completed plans will run into many millions of dollars. The new plans include increasing power production by a dam on Thunder Creek, which flows into Diablo Lake; and by construction of another dam on Copper Creek on the Skagit just above Bacon Creek. The Skagit dam would provide an additional 60,000 to 70,000 kilowatts and would back water right up to Newhalem camp.	Thunder Creek & Cooper Creek Dams Neither were ever built.
4/25/55 MVDH	Baker River Dam Planned At Concrete A dam on the Baker river north of Concrete is one of several major power projects now under consideration in the Puget Sound – Cascade region, which would more than double the present power supply during the next eight years. . . .  The project on the Baker river, which is currently being investigated by the Puget Sound Power and Light company, would add 140,000 kilowatts of new capacity. Surveys for the dam, which would be located just inside the Whatcom county line, already have been made to a great extent.	Upper Baker Dam Planned
4/28/55 C.H.	baker dam is recommended Another boost to hopes of local people that some action will soon be taken toward a new hydro-electric power dam on the upper Baker river was given this week in the release of the power expansion report of the Puget Sound Utilities Council. During the next 8 years the five utilities, public and private, which make up the Council, will invest 670 million dollars or more in new electric power generation, transmission and distribution facilities. … First on the list of those recommended for immediate action by Jack D. Stevens, consulting engineer who prepared the report, is the new dam on the Baker! … The specifications for the dam as listed in the report call for a concrete, gravity type dam to impound water to a normal elevation of 724 feet. Gross static head would be 290 feet and installed capacity 85,000 k.w. The reservoir would provide 130,000 acre-feet of storage between the two installations.	Upper Baker Dam Elevation proposed 724 feet, 130,000 acre feet of storage between the two installations.
6/9/55 B.J.	Information On Dike Problems             I am writing to you in behalf of the Sterling Dike Association, a group which we recently formed to explore the possibilities of obtaining adequate dike protection for our area.  As you will note from the enclosed map, we have a small area of about 600 acres representing homes and farms of over 40 families and individuals.  This is excellent agricultural land and portions of it now are opening up as subdivision property.  As the situation now stands, Dike District No. 12 has recently included additional lands within their district, and including the city of Burlington.         Other areas to the south of this are included along the Skagit River, but Sterling district has been dike out.  . . .  We feel that by being on the outside of the dike we will be subjected to increased flood damage since about 600 acres down the river from us will be included in the new dike, thus tending to confine the flow of the river and force it back into unprotected area.  Those who have built new homes in the vicinity are very concerned that the land which has not previously flooded will be subject to overflow as a result of the new protected dike and it is obvious that a dike at our backs would lessen the value of our property.	This was a letter to State Senator Paul Luvera from B.J. Bourns, Secretary of the Sterling Dike Association Recognized water would back up on their property from Dike 12 new dike.
6/15/55 MVDH	Skagit Farmers Protesting Dike Location ‘Walls Off’ Their Lands . . .  Residents of Sterling, a farming community 600 acres up the river, have written to State Sen. Paul N. Luvera of Anacortes protesting the location of the new dike.  Mrs. Johnson says that she and her husband have a lawyer fighting the dike placement for them.  “About half of the people of Burlington are for us,” she said, “they think it is an awful thing they are doing to us out here.”  The land for the dike, which has already been acquired by Dike District 12, follows the old railroad logging grade from the Burlington acreage towards Sedro-Woolley.  Lawrence Boettcher, who owns 18 acres in front of the new dike location, is sharply critical of the dike plans.  . . .  Mrs. Florence Johnson said she and her husband are “almost sick” over the situation.  “My husband was born this land and has lived here for 60 years,” she said.  “We built our new house high so it would be protected from floods, but it won’t be any good now because the dike would raise the water level two feet if we have a flood.”	Sterling Residents Protest Dike 12 Moving Their Dike Residents felt new levee location would raise flood waters by 2 feet.
6/17/55 MVDH	Mount Vernon C-C Asks Federal Aid in Struggle for Inland Port Nine-Mile $500,000 Barge Route in Skagit Sought Mount Vernon today renewed its long fight to win status as an inland port by creation of an all-year nine-mile $500,000 barge route down the silt-choked channel of the Skagit river to salt water below LaConner.  . . .  Receives Copies  Mrs. Anna Grimison, president of Skagit River Navigation and Trading company which currently operates shallow-draft sternwheelers on the Skagit, will receive copies of the letters to Westland and Jackson.  If she indicates that river dredging will benefit river commerce, the Chamber said, a hearing will be asked with the Army engineers.  The Engineers estimate that about six miles of dredging would be necessary, with the federal government bearing bulk of the cost if the project is approved.  Approval would depend on area ability to show annual savings of at least $350,000, the Engineers said.  The last major improvement work on the channel was completed in 1911, and dredging of the river was entirely discontinued in 1941.  Today, a government snag boat is the lone craft assigned to clear river jams.  . . .  Need Justification  . . .  Delta silt at the mouth of the Skagit is one of the main obstacles to passage of all but shallow draft craft.  The project won immediate support from Mount Vernon officials and industry spokesmen.  “The Skagit river would become another outlet for transportation for Mount Vernon and the Chamber of Commerce should spark-plug it,” Ted Reep, Chamber president, said.  . . .  Seek Schedules  . . .  Channel deepening would permit extensive tugboat operations on the river.  . . .  Trouble Develops  . . .  Dunlap says a jetty is needed near the mouth besides dredging if the river is to stay navigable.	Mt. Vernon Wants Barge Route On Skagit Proposed 9 mile Dredged Channel To Puget Sound Last major improvement to mouth of Skagit was in 1911.  Dredging (side-casting) stopped in 1941.
6/20/55 MVDH	Skagit Officials to Make Barge Route Inspection Top Skagit county and Mount Vernon officials – fighting to win a year-around tug and barge route on the Skagit river from Mount Vernon to salt water – tomorrow will personally inspect low water navigation hazards on the nine-mile route. . . .  Lowest tides of 1955 will be recorded on the Skagit river delta today and tomorrow, and official will see firsthand how the delta blocks passage of all but shallow-draft traffic for 22 hours daily under worst tide conditions. Jim Dunlap, tug company operator, estimated that tomorrow the exposed bar will be passable for only two hours when covered by six feet of water from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Under ideal conditions, Dunlap said, his tugs should have seven or eight feet for operation. . . .  Strong representations were made to the area representatives in Washington, D.C., to press for the project, estimated to cost about $500,000.	Local Officials Inspect River Lower River Hazards Mouth of Skagit River covered by 6 feet of water only 2 hours a day.
6/21/55 MVDH	(picture Caption)- Inspect River Members of the board of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce and county officials inspect the silt choked north fork of the Skagit River this morning. The party was the guest of the Dunlap Towing Company. The men were to be guests at a salmon barbecue this afternoon. The chamber and other county groups are trying to have the driver dredged so that barge traffic can get up to Mount Vernon.	Picture of River Inspection
6/23/55 Argus	Fill Materials To Be Dredged From Skagit Highway To Use Half Million Cubic yards Dredging operations for fill material for the stretch of highway construction between the overpass of the Great Northern and the new bridge now in construction at Riverside probably will not get under way Monday as first planned, but will soon thereafter.  . . .  About a half million yards of material is to be taken from the Skagit River in the vicinity of Young’s bar by Osberg and Manson to be used on the PJ Anderson contract job.  The State Highway Dept had purchased land north of Fir street in the vicinity of the cemetery for borrow materials for fill but the contractor is said to have figured costs on dredging cheaper for these materials.  . . .  Some concern has been expressed as to weakening the east bank of the river but one authority said yesterday that a deepened channel might ease the wear on that bank.  On the other hand it is believed that all sand and silt removed will soon be replaced by the erosive action of the river.  Young’s bar has extended its reaches gradually for many years gently swinging the river eastward.	Dredging by Young’s Bar
6/30/55 Argus	Fear Damage To Pipeline Across River Commissioners Object to Dredging Near Pipeline Fearful of possible damage to the river pipe line across the Skagit At Riverside through dredging operations the Commissioners of PUD 1 yesterday instructed Attorney Warren J Gilbert to take all necessary steps to protect the line.  . . .  meeting has been held with contractors who plan to get highway building materials through dredging between the two bridges at Riverside…Commissioners took a positive stand in that no excavation or dredging at all was to be done close to the 12 inch water line under the Skagit.  They pointed out that water through that line is furnished to about 10,000 persons and considerable industrial work in Burlington and Sedro-Woolley and that a cutoff of the line would necessitate at least three of four days to get more line through order and about the same time to install it..	Dredging at Young’s Bar
6/30/55 C.H.	baker dam provides site for study of migrating salmon in building runs A combined experimental project in which the State Fisheries Dept., the International Salmon-Sockeye Commission and Puget Sound Power & Light Co. delved into the long standing problem of getting a fish run over a high dam was closed last week end at the Baker dam here. While results of some of the experiments were disappointing due to unusual water conditions, the general program produced a number of definite conclusions that will be of great value in planning future dams, and in altering present dams so that both water power and fish runs can be maintained without conflict. Of particular interest on the Baker river is the sockeye run, which is deemed of great value. The run taken over the dam by the trap method has been about 3,000 a year. The silver run is about 12,000 a year. In the past year some 61,000 Chinook were planted in the lake in hopes of getting this species started. . . . It was found that the fish are attracted to the positive pole of the electric current and effected according to the size of the fish. Some of the larger fish were killed by the 48 volt current, but the majority were guided into the trap without injury. While the experiments proved the theory workable, high water and technical problems made the results disappointing in that the system was inoperable at the time when the most fish were present in the forebay of the dam. Further laboratory experiments are expected to take out the “bugs” brought to attention in the actual field work here. . . . On the Baker dam it was found that a great mortality occurred due to the fish hitting the surface of the dam on the way down. Those who had a free-fall lived through seemingly without damage. . . . Also under way at present are plans for immediate building of an artificial spawning grounds on the upper Baker, above Baker lake, at which area the fish from the Baker dam will be propagated and allowed to return downstream. This experiment has also proved successful on smaller streams and if it can be carried on in the upper Baker it will be invaluable when the new Baker dam is built and the level of Baker Lake (the present spawning area) is raised 50 to 60 feet.	Lower Baker Dam Fish Issue 61,000 Chinook planted in Lake Shannon. Sockeye lifted over dam 3,000; Silvers 12,000. The use of electricity to guide the fish was part of the experiment. Also tried was a method of “tattooing the fish to see how many of them would make it through the turbines alive. Artificial spawning grounds on the upper Baker above Baker Lake proposed. This study was used in the approval process of Upper Baker Dam.
7/1/55 MVDH	Dredging Will Affect Valley, Hughes Warns County Commissioner Lowell Hughes warned the Chamber of Commerce board yesterday that dredging the Skagit river could produce good or bad results to the lower Skagit Valley depending on what work was done to the river. “What you do at the mouth of the river affects the lower valley,” Hughes said. He said that dredging the river would help in flood control, but would not be permanent since river silt would fill the bottom. A “wing dam” would be needed to create a permanent channel, but such a dam might increase the danger of floods along the lower part of the Skagit, he explained.	Dredging Good & Bad
7/14/55 C.H.	Lake Resort Site Offered for Bids Possibility of a new resort on Diablo lake is in prospect with the advertisement by the Forestry Dept. for applications to develop the facilities on the site of the old work camp on the north shore of the lake about a half-mile up from Diablo dam. … The Forest Service will require that a lodge-coffee shop be installed with living quarters and guest rooms to be added later. Sale of candy and fishing tackle would also be required in addition to lunch room facilities.	Diablo Lake Resort Proposed
7/29/55 MVDH	In Skagit Dredging – Chamber Requests River Industry Aid A series of letters soliciting aid in getting the Skagit River improved for better water transportation were mailed today by the Chamber of Commerce to various industries along the river. . . .  Harry Grimison of the Skagit River Navigation and Trading Company, founded in 1890, said his two stern wheelers have not been able to navigate the silt filled north fork of the river for the past ten days. Jim Dunlap, speaking for the Dunlap Towing company in LaConner, said the firm towed $2 million worth of timber down the river last year from upper Skagit County. “We brought down 32 million board feet of timber which otherwise would have been carried on the highways and there is more to come,” he said. Both men said they could only use the river at high tides to get over the delta land at the mouth of the river.	Dredging Letters Sent $2,000,000 worth of timber floated down the river in 1954.  32 million board feet.
8/8/55 MVDH	Engineers Will Deepen Skagit Mouth Immediately – Westland – North Fork River Work The plug is about to be pulled out of the silt-filled mouth of the north fork of the Skagit River. Congressman Jack Westland, second district sent the Daily Herald the following telegram this morning: “Regarding action to improve conditions at the mouth of the north fork of Skagit River. Army engineers advise work will be undertaken immediately to deepen channel depth about six inches. This deepening will mean the difference between vessels and rafts standing or making the passage safely.” . . .  “This action by the Army Engineers came as the result of work by the Chamber of Commerce which has sparked the drive to clean out the river and improve it for more use of water transport transportation,” Reep said. . . .  Commercial rivermen Harry Grimison and Jim Dunlap told Chamber of Commerce Board members two weeks ago that river boats and log rafts could now get through the north fork only during high tides.	North Fork Mouth Of River To Be DREDGED “Dredged” (actually side-cast) six inches deeper.  Done entirely for the benefit of river boats and log rafts.  Had nothing to do with flood control.
8/11/55 Argus	River Channel Work Started, Limited Scale Further Work Recommended by Engineer Study The US army engineers’ snag boat Preston was set to work this week to lower the bar at the mouth of the Skagit river north fork by six inches as emergency relief to freight boat and log rafting operations.  . . .  Westlands research assistant Jack Anderson told the Argus from Everett today that the six-inch figure was correct.  He explained that the engineers funds for such work was limited.  The river users said, however, according to Anderson, that the six-inch lowering of the bar would be a big help for high tide crossings.	Dredging in Mouth of River Corps records indicate 33,270 cubic yards of sand was dredged from the North Fork. (Source: 5/31/91 MFR).
8/16/55 MVDH	Puget Power To Borrow $20 Million in 3 Years Puget Sound Power and Light announced from Bellingham today that it has entered into a credit agreement with nine local and nine eastern and midwestern banks to borrow up to $20,000,000 in the next three years. . . .  McLaughlin said the upper Baker project, with a potential of 85,000 kilowatts, would also enable the installation of 55,000 additional kilowatts at Puget Sound’s present lower Baker plant.	Upper Baker Dam Needed $20,000,000 Loan
8/18/55 Argus	Puget Seeks License For Expansion Upper Baker To Provide 85,000 KWs Added Power Puget Sound Power & Light Company expects to apply by early September for a federal power commission license to develop its Upper Baker river hydroelectric site  . . .  Hoped for completion date of the Upper Baker development is 1959.	No mention in article of providing flood control.
8/18/55 C.H.	Upper Baker Dam on Four Year Program Another step toward the final announcement of beginning on the construction of the new hydroelectric dam on the upper Baker river café this week with the announcement that Puget Sound Power & Light Co. will file an application on September 1st for a license from the Federal Power Commission to develop the project. They have set their tentative completion date for 1959. … The dam will be located on Eaglekrout canyon, just below the Koma Kulshan ranger station on the short piece of the Baker river remaining between Lake Shannon and Baker Lake. Water from the dam will back up into Baker Lake and will completely change the lake by raising the waters approximately 50 feet. … As the company has worked out the details of handling fish runs with the state fisheries dept. no objections are expected from this source. The forest service is also agreeable to specifications.	Upper Baker Dam No objections expected from State Fisheries Department.
8/18/55 C.H.	editorial Good news this week in the announcement that the upper Baker river dam has at last emerged from the tentative stage and is now on the list of things to be done – and with a definite date in mind. The final clincher, of course, will be the day contractors start work. It is a good thing that day is some months away as if there was ever a town unprepared for any sort of a boom, it is Concrete. Our growing pains are going to be very much like the ones experienced during the building of the present Baker dam when there was a tent or shack on every vacant lot, and a temporary town of boards and tar-paper on the East Concrete bench. It was a temporary affair, but somehow the “temporary” shacks seemed to remain behind as permanent residences for many years to the exclusion of any chance of rebuilding with something better. This time a little thought could go into planning for the increase in population if only by zoning out spots for trailer courts, requiring something better than shacks in the residential building areas. Just one of the problems that can face the community soon. We can’t say we weren’t warned.	Upper Baker Dam Concrete was not prepared for the “boom”. Wanted some “thought” to go into where workers would be housed.
8/25/55 B.J.	X. Dike Job Is ¼ Completed XI. Construction of the new Dike District 12 dike East of Burlington is about one-quarter completed, according to the job foreman for P.J. Anderson and Sons, contractors.  Of an estimated 160,000 yards of dirt required for building the two-mile dike, about 40,000 yards had been hauled by Tuesday.   If favorable weather holds the dike could be completed in about another month. The soft and spongy nature of the river silt being used as fill has slowed down the Anderson equipment.	Dike 12 Project “soft and spongy nature of the river silt being used as fill”
9/21/55 MVDH	U.S. Skagit Flood Aid Unjustified, Army Says The U.S. Army’s Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, following a review study in Washington, D.C., this week, again has found that federal participation in flood control projects along the Skagit River would not be justified. . . .  Under study was a Skagit River flood control program authorized by Congress in 1936, but never implemented because of the unfavorable reports of engineers who held that the work could not be justified from the standpoint of the ratio of costs to benefits. This week the engineers told the board that a $29,000,000 Upper Baker Reservoir might possibly be justified if built both for flood control and power production purposes, but that such a project would face heavy opposition from fishery and recreation groups operating in the area.	Corps Again Says No To Skagit County Upper Baker Dam Might Be Justified
9/22/55 C.H.	Skagit Flood Control Is Recommended Dropped In 1936 the army engineers made extensive surveys on the Skagit and set up many projects that could be used for flood control. These included the earth dam at Faber, the Avon canal and similar ideas. All have been found unfeasible from the standpoint of cost in ratio to benefits. The board recommended this week that the program be killed by Congress.	Corps Drops Flood Control For Skagit Cost benefit ratio has always been what has killed flood control in Skagit County.
9/23/55 MVDH	Westland Backing $20,000 Survey Second District Congressman Jack Westland pledged his support yesterday in seeking a $20,000 appropriation in Congress to finance a survey of the Skagit River by the Army Corps of Engineers. . . .  Harry Grimison of the Skagit River Navigation Company said his boats could cross the sand bar at the mouth of the river only at high tides, which makes a regular schedule impossible. He noted that the engineers had opened a channel on the north course from Bald Island to Smuggler’s Cove this summer, but said it could not be used when certain types of winds are blowing.	$20,000 To Study Skagit River
10/14/55 MVDH	Puget Power Plans $35 Million Project The Federal Power Commission yesterday issued a license to Puget Sound Power & Light Company to construct a $35,000,000 Upper Baker River power dam, and the upriver town of Concrete immediately began wrestling with the problems which will result from the construction boom. The site of the second dam on the Baker River will be eight miles north of Concrete. . . .  The new dam will be 300 feet high, 200 feet wide, will be constructed of concrete with a straight gravity section, and will be 1,200 feet long with a 12-foot wide road across its top. . . .  Ed Monrad, Concrete businessman and past president of the Upper Skagit Valley Booster Club. Said this morning that “right now we are trying to figure out how we are going to put up just 35 engineers and official who will be arriving in the next two weeks. There just isn’t any empty housing in town, and the communities further down the valley also have their problems.” Monrad said he was “shocked” by a poor turnout for a booster club meeting last night – only seven persons appeared – at which discussion of how the community is to solve the housing and other problems which will be posed by the dam project was highlighted. . . .  Behind the new dam a reservoir some nine miles long and storing 980,000,000,000 gallons of water will be created. North of the dam a dike 1,260 feet long and 50 feet high, requiring 270,000 cubic yards of earth and rock fill will be constructed.	Upper Baker Dam Cost $35,000,000
10/19/55 MVDH	Ike To Urge Flood Insurance New England’s second disastrous flood in three months is likely to spur Congress to its first serious consideration of some form of federal flood insurance. President Eisenhower assured New England governors by letter from Denver Tuesday that the administration will make specific legislative suggestions next month.	Federal Flood Insurance Is Born
10/20/55 C.H.	Ask Dam Permit Application to the Federal Power Commission for a license to build an 85,000-kilowatt hydroelectric plant on the Upper Baker River here at an estimated cost of more than $27 million was announced this week by Puget Sound Power & Light Co. The application was preceded by last week’s announcement by Skagit County P.U.D. that they had withdrawn their pending condemnation suit against the private company so that it could proceed with its plans. The proposed dam, some 300 feet high, will be located about eight miles above the company’s present Baker River project here at Concrete and will impound 238 thousand acre feet of water in a reservoir nine miles long. The reservoir will raise the level of Baker lake 40 to 60 feet and will provide a huge storage of water for the Baker river flow. … The entire development is scheduled for completion by 1959. Most Obstacles Eliminated One of the big obstacles in the hopes for early completion of the dam was removed when a joint study of migratory fish problems resulted in a meeting of the minds between fisheries authorities and the power engineers. Studies at the Baker dam over the past several years have resulted in working out a number of new ideas that have eliminated most of the objections of the fisheries people to another dam on the Baker river, which is a centuries-old spawning area.	Upper Baker Dam Permit Height of dam 300 feet. Most fish issues resolved. Baker River recognized as “centuries-old spawning area”.
10/20/55 C.H.	editorial One by one the green lights are going up on the Upper Baker Dam and there is now little doubt in a any of our minds that the next three years are going to be busy ones for Concrete and the upper valley. It has been many years since Concrete had a boom in it’s midst and those that were here at that time can tell you that it makes a complete change in the community. A lot of folks won’t like the change. A lot more will take it for an opportunity to get rich and welcome every last penny. Somewhere between the two extremes is the group that will take it as something that had to come and must be made a benefit rather than an inconvenience. This group is going to have to do the planning necessary to make these ideals hold. A lot of thinking must be done, and soon, to bring a lasting benefit to the community. Fortunately we are well equipped with mercantile stores to provide necessities of life in any amount. Our big shortage is in housing, trailer space, entertainment and recreation. Here is where Concrete needs the facilities of the community betterment program, such is now being carried on in other small towns of the state.	Upper Baker Dam This editorial doesn’t sound like a lot of planning had been done since the last time the editor said they needed to plan. See CH 8/18/55 editorial.
10/20/55 B.J.	XII. River and Harbor Board Unfavorable Toward Flood Control Program The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors at its meeting on September 20, 1955, held in Washington, D.C., concurred in general in the unfavorable recommendations of the District Engineer, Seattle District, Seattle, Washington, and the Division Engineer, North Pacific Division, Portland, Oregon, regarding the advisability of Federal improvement of the Skagit River and Tributaries, Washington, in the interest of flood control.  The Board is of the opinion that the benefits to be derived by provision of local flood protection works are insufficient to justify construction of such works by the Federal Government at this time. Storage possibilities for flood control alone and in combination with hydroelectric power generation were also considered but none was found to be feasible for development by the Federal Government at this time.  The Board further finds that the degree of protection that would be provided by the Avon bypass authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1936 could be secured at less cost by improving the existing levee system but that such improvement cannot be justified at this time. No action has been taken to provide the required local cooperation for the authorized project and no work has been done. The Board, therefore, recommends that the existing project for flood control of Skagit River be abandoned.	Corps of Engineers turns down Skagit County for flood control.  “No action has been taken to provide the required local cooperation for the authorized project and no work has been done.”
10/20/55 B.J.	XIII.   PSP&L Applies For License To Construct $27 Million Plant Application to the Federal Power Commission for a license to build an 85,000-kilowatt hydro-electric on the Upper Baker River at an estimated cost of more than $27 million was announced today by Frank McLaughlin, president of Puget Sound Power & Light Company.  The proposed dam, some 300 feet high, would be located about eight miles above the Company’s present Baker River project and would impound about 238,000 acre-feet of water in a reservoir nine miles, thus providing greater control of the Baker River flow. This will permit another 55,000 kilowatts of added capacity to be installed at the present Lower Baker plant. The two projects will total 140,000 kilowatts of new generation, at an estimated cost of $35 million.	UPPER BAKER DAM PROPOSED No mention of flood control.
10/26/55 MVDH	Crest in Skagit River Passes; Nokkachamps Valley Flooded – High Water Follows 2 Rainy Days . . .  The county engineer’s office reported that the crest of the flash flood was reached at 7 a.m. with a gauge reading of 23.7 feet. It rose to that level from a low of nine feet Monday morning. . . .  The high water gauge reading hit Concrete at 7 p.m. yesterday and was 35.17 feet. . . .  Some reports of flooding over the dikes in the lower valley were received, but again no one reported serious loss. . . .  Nookachamps Valley residents were commuting by boat this morning. Superior Judge A. H. Ward said by telephone that about 200 of his 230 acres was under water, but that all his cattle were safe, as were those of his neighbors. . . .  For those interested in the pure statistics Whitnall revealed that this flood closely paralleled that of 1949 in its quick rise but was much less severe than the 1951 inundation which hit a high mark of over 25 feet at Mount Vernon. At its peak this morning there were 87,000 cubic feet of water a second passing by the revetment. In 1951 there were 140,000 cubic feet of water per second . . .	OCTOBER 26, 1955 FLOOD USGS 84,900 cfs, 30.69 Mt. Vernon 35.17 Concrete gage according to article. “Some reports of flooding over the dikes in the lower valley were received “ on just a 30 foot river? 87,000 cfs reported at Mt. Vernon
10/26/55 MVDH	Flood Highlights Riches instead of nature’s wrath is often brought to the Nookachamps Valley by high water, County Agent Homer K. Rowley said this morning. “The flooding of the valley leaves behind a rich soil containing potash which fertilizes the ground,” Rowley explained.	Flood Water Good For Farmland See articles on 1906 flooding.  They said the same thing.
10/27/55 Argus	Flood Breaks Dike—2000 Acres Underwater Dike Breaks to Flood Fir Island Considerable loss of crops, some damage to property but no loss of lives and questionable loss of live stock seems to sum up the high water and flood situation this morning.  Break At Lundeen’s—A break in the dike on Freshwater slough near the Lundeen farm southwest of the Fir-Conway bridge plunged about 2,000 acres of farm land under water Wednesday afternoon.  Although the dike was being patrolled at the time, the break came suddenly and the dike seemed to “fall in” all at once over a 75-foot width.  . . .  The dike caved in a little after noon with the water still two or three feet below dike level.  River Going Down—Local river reading reached 23.7 and top reading at Concrete was 35.17.  The crest was reached at 7 a.m. Wednesday and held fairly steady for several hours.  Some Damage—high waters in the Nookachamps area had been anticipated and there seems to be little damage there.  . . .  Rains caused the rapid rise.  It was reported that a 4.36 inch rain fell within 24 hours at Diablo.	October 26, 1955 Flood Event No reading was provided by USGS for this flood event at Concrete but article says 35.17 observed which would be about 115,000 cfs.  Mt. Vernon is reported by USGS to have been 30.69 or 84,900 cfs. 4.36 inches of rain at Reflector Bar in 24 hours.
10/27/55 C.H.	Chinook Brings Fast Flood Crest The Skagit river made one of its quickest rises to flood stage Tuesday morning after continued rain and warm Chinook wind combined to bring the stream to flood stage in a matter of a few hours. The warm wind began late Monday evening late, followed by more heavy rain. By Tuesday morning the river was running bank full and the Baker dam here was pouring water through all gates, unable to hold the sudden run-off on the upper Baker valley. No special damage was reported from the flood waters, except that the highway was closed for a time at Hamilton and on the South Skagit highway below the Dalles. … The river gauge at the Dalles was checked at 35 feet at the high point of the flood. Most unusual was the huge quantities of drift dislodged in the sudden rise. The logs and debris swept from old jams and piled up in new ones all the way down the river. Jams at the bridges along the river were unprecedented. … A dike broke at Conway, flooding several hundred acres of farm land there.	October 26, 1955 Flood Event USGS Concrete figures not available. Mt. Vernon 30.69, 84,900 cfs. Newspaper reported 35 feet at The Dalles which would be around 115,000 cfs. See Historic Flood Flows for records of all floods in Skagit County.
10/27/55 MVDH	Engineers May Blast Salt Water Dike at Fir Island – District Flooded Plans to dynamite the salt water dike at Fir island were being made this morning by the Skagit County engineer’s office if the flood waters which ripped a 150-foot hole through the Fresh Water Slough dike yesterday do not slack off. The dike broke on the slough at a point about a mile and a half south of the Conway bridge at 1:30 p.m.. . . .  The county engineers and area farmers estimated that at least 2,000 acres have been covered with over a foot of water even though the flood-swollen Skagit River had dropped from a high point of 23.7 feet yesterday to 18.5 feet at 10:30 this morning at Mount Vernon. The salt water dike which protects the low-lying farm land from the waters of Puget Sound was acting as a dam bottling up the District No. 2 and the county engineers were considering blasting that barrier to provide an outlet. . . .  Farmer Bill Brown, who has gone through this before in ‘32, said the flood has “picked” his ten acres of broccoli. He and his wife Alice cleaned out their basement when they saw the water coming. . . .  An on-the-spot inspection of the ruptured dike was made by assistant county engineer H. O. Strombom and Gregory M. Hastings, supervisor of the state department of Conservation and Development. “I’d estimate that there is a half a million gallons of water a minute coming through right now,” he said at 5 p.m. last night “This has been a real eye-opener for me and I intend to declare this area eligible for emergency funds from the state flood control maintenance fund.” Assistant County Engineer W.R. Whitnall noted somewhat wryly that a rabbit or gopher hole at the base of the earth dike probably was the flaw that weakened the dike for the flood waters.	Fir Island Levee Breaks After Flood Waters Dropped 5 feet Dike break blamed on rabbits or gophers.  I’d like to know the last time a gopher was sited in Skagit County.  In that location it was more likely then not a river otter or a beaver.
11/3/55 Argus	27-Ft River Due by 8 a.m. Friday The Skagit river may go as high as 27 feet by 8 a.m. Friday morning is the prediction of the weather department according to an announcement by the engineer’s office today at noon.  The river was at the 18.7 mark at noon and rising.  The break at Conway has been closed but high tide will come at the crest of the rise it is said.  Highest point reached in 1951 was 28.2.  The county engineer’s office reported that a careful watch will be kept but that there is no so-called “weak point” in the dike system.  They are most concerned with the break last week at Lundeen’s farm, especially as the tide may (be) coming in at the crest.	November 4, 1955 flood event. USGS records say flood reached 106,000 cfs at Concrete or 34.48 and 107,000 cfs at Mt. Vernon or 33.52.
11/3/55 C.H.	Rains Bring High River Heavy rains Wednesday and all night long stopped abruptly this morning, then the weather changed to a Chinook wind. Old timers immediately began drawing a parallel with past November floods and are predicting that this November will be another one for the books. The Skagit began rising during the night and by 1:00 today the gauge at the Dalles read 31.55 and still rising. The water reached a high point of 35.7 last week before receding. … All dams in the valley have been holding back all water possible, but now can only wait until the river flow drops enough to permit timed use of top gates to ease the strain on the main flow below Concrete.	November 4, 1955 Flood Event USGS Concrete 34.48, 113,000 cfs.; Mt. Vernon 33.52, 107,000 cfs. Newspaper says at The Dalles the river reached 35.7 during the October 26, 1955 flood event.
11/3/55 MVDH	Level of Skagit River Goes Up After 4-Inch Rain Hits Area – Crest May Come Tomorrow Morning . . .  The river forecast center in Portland predicted this forenoon that the Skagit River will crest at 27 feet at Mount Vernon by 8 a.m. Friday. . . .  Whitnall explained that an electronic brain machine at the river forecast center in Portland takes all available information on river level, snow, and rainfall and compares it against past records, then gives the prediction. At 9 a.m. this morning the river at Concrete had reached a gauge reading of 29.17 feet and was rising at the rate of a foot an hour. The flood last week reached its high mark at 35 feet there. A high mark of around 37 or 38 feet is expected at Concrete tonight by 6 o’clock. . . .  In the 24 hour period ending at 8 a.m. the weather bureau reported that 4.03 inches of rain fell at Diablo Dam. 3.68 inches at Darrington, and 3.85 inches at Marblemount. The Northwestern Washington Experiment Station reported that yesterday’s rainfall of 1.71 inches in the Skagit Valley was the highest amount in a 24-hour period since records were started in July, 1949. The freezing level was at 9,000 feet this morning. “The dike at Mount Vernon withstood 28.2 feet in 1951, but it was right up to the top and lapping over. We should still have a foot or two to spare at tomorrow morning’s peak.” commented engineer Whitnall.	4 Inches Of Rain Fell At Diablo In 24 Hours Highest amount of rain in 24 hours in Mt. Vernon (1.71 inches) since records started being kept (1949). Floodwaters lapping over top of Mt. Vernon dike. Fir Island still underwater from October 27^th break.
11/4/55 MVDH	Sandbaggers Hold Own -Critical Period Due In This Afternoon . . .  With the Skagit River due to crest at 25.5 feet in Mount Vernon shortly after noon today there was still no immediate relief in sight. Associate County Engineer W. R. Whitnall figures that the crest will be of long duration, further weakening the already water-saturated dikes. . . .  And the weather bureau’s electronic brain in Portland had re-figured the expected Skagit crest and lowered its forecast from the 27 feet at Mount Vernon which it originally had predicted for this morning. However, both Seattle City Light’s Ross Dam and Puget Sound Power and Light’s Baker River Dam were holding back enough water to cut the crest 1.5 feet. Ross Dam was purchasing power from the Bonneville Power Administration to supply its lines. Stream flow at the dam was reported to be something on the order of a small creek. . . .  The most critical point was at Ted Lundeen’s Fresh Water Slough dike, which broke during the flood last week. Some 12,000 sandbags had been placed on top of the dirt fill to keep the rising water back. . . .  Earlier this morning there was a break though at Fisher’s Slough, two miles south of Conway. Crews from the county engineer’s department and volunteers stopped the break in time. Farm families in the Nookachamps Valley took their stock out yesterday morning and afternoon as the waters crept upwards. The Nookachamps road was closed this morning as was the old Mount Vernon – Clear Lake road. . . .  River water was reported in the Hamilton School yard after that community had been isolated when a culvert on the last access road was washed out.	NOVEMBER 4, 1955 FLOOD USGS 106,000 cfs, 34.48 Concrete; 113,000 cfs Sedro Woolley; 107,000 cfs, 33.52 Mt. Vernon Lower Baker and Ross Dam held back water.
11/5/55 MVDH	Skagit Hits Crest; Some Flood Danger Persists Over Lowlands – High Waters Begin To Recede Slowly . . .  The river reached its peak in the Skagit Valley at 5 p.m. yesterday at 25.7 feet at Mount Vernon. Unlike the flood of a week ago the river did not start to drop quickly, but stayed up over 25 feet until 1 a.m. this morning. At 9 a.m. this morning it was 24.7 feet. . . .  Associate County Engineer Jack E. Frets put it this way: “Once the river drops to 20 feet we should be fairly safe, but even then a major break in any of the dikes could flood a lot of farm land. A 12-foot tide will start going out a noon and things should be a little better after that, but we probably won’t be able to breathe easily until 8 tonight.” The tide at the mouth of the Skagit acts as a dam against the outflow of the flood river, slowing down the flow of water as it passes the patched up Fresh Water Slough dike break near Ted Lundeen’s home on Fir Island. The reason for the long crest of the river is that the main tributaries of the Skagit, such as the Sauk, Cascade, and Baker rivers, reached their peaks at different times, thereby keeping the Skagit up. A high point of 34.5 feet was hit at Concrete Thursday at 10 p.m. The readings at Concrete then began to drop but as the offshoots of the Skagit reached their high marks the level came back up to 33.74 yesterday at 1 p.m. . . .  A group of 90 sailors was at the Fresh Water slough through the night while 30 more were plugging a threatening break at Fisher’s Slough, about 3½ miles above Conway. The Great Northern Railway sent up a crew of 40 from Seattle with a load of rock to re-ballast the roadbed near the South Fork which had high water seeping through it. . . .  The dredge from Seattle, hired by Dike District Two officials for repair work, was still tied up at Whidbey Island, unable to cross the channel in the rough water. Very little erosion was reported on the Burlington Dike and the Lyman-Hamilton detour was back in service after being washed out Thursday.	12 Foot Tide Slows Flood Waters 25.7 downtown Mt. Vernon gage. 33.5 new gage. The tide at the mouth of the Skagit acts as a dam against the outflow of the flood river, slowing down the flow of water…
11/3/55 Argus	Flood Loses Held Down By Unsung Heroes The break at Freshwater Slough has been rebuilt with the dike set back on the Lundeen land.  The state is cooperating with the dike district in putting in 1,500 feet of new dike but not all will be done now.  State money is expected t pay for 40 percent of the cost.  Roads Escape Damage—Hardly any damage was done to roads although several bridges upriver didn’t come through unmarked.	November 4, 1955 flood event. Evidently not a very serious flood event.  First setback levee in Skagit County?
11/10/55 B.J.	XIV. New Dike Withstands 8-Foot Wall Of Water During Last Weeks Flood Local officials, particularly the members of the dike commission, are very happy over the way the new dike withstood the recent battering of flood water. According to Robert Schroeder, dike commissioner, the dike withstood an eight foot wall of water in most places and although a few places were roughed up slightly and sluffed off there was no apparent damage to the dike itself.  . . .  Previous to and during the flood conditions considerable comment was heard concerning the removal of the old dike. Some people were very indignant over its removal. But these same people can now be assured that it was a good and sensible plan.  . . .  First, if they will only take the time and trouble to go out, now that the waters have receded, and see what good condition the new dike is in they will see that there is better protection than the old dike ever gave, even when new.  Secondly, had that new dike broke an the old dike remained in place, people and property between the two would suffered much heavier loss than they would have with the old one removed because the water would have been that much deeper.  Thirdly, the dike commission saved the taxpayers, according to Schroeder, considerable money by using dirt from the old dike. Had they had to buy dirt and possibly haul it a considerable greater distance, the cost would have been several thousand dollars more than the plan used.	November 5, 1955 Flood USGS level 33.5 at new gage.  107,000 cfs
11/17/55 Argus	Editorial—We May Have To Modify Our Defenses Against Floods The raging old Skagit (Wildcat in Indian language) has cooled down and now flows meekly along as if nothing ever disturbed it or ever will again.  But the Old-timers know better.  . . .  Seems to us we will have to alter our plans but no doubt engineers are aware of this.  Higher and stronger dikes and dredged channels no doubt are the answers.  Sometimes modern conditions are not all they are cracked up to be.  At least when they come to greater threats that were not so serious in the old days.	Skagit means “Wildcat”? Dredging and Dikes
11/17/55 C.H.	dam aids in holding back recent flood water Ross Dam again helped reduce flood damage in the lower Skagit Valley during the high water recently by holding back 66,000 acre feet of water. The flow of water was reduced Monday, October 24 and completely shut off the following day until 5:00 p.m. to reduce the flood waters. The shut down cost City Light about $11,000 in electricity that had to be purchased from Bonneville and Tacoma City Light.	Ross Dam Completely Shut Off
11/18/55 MVDH	Dike Funds Hit $17,445 State tax money totaling $17,445.20 will be spent by the Department of Conservation and Development in the rip-rapping of a salt water dike and two Skagit River dikes in the county whose final cost will total $43,613. George R. Thompson, assistant director of the department, notified State Sen. Paul N. Luvera of Anacortes today that the state will pay $2,965.20 of the $7,413 cost of having two rock revetments built on the Skagit River near Burlington. The Wilder Construction Company completed the job last week at both the new and old Darigold intakes. Dike District No. 12 and the county river fund will pay the remaining 60 per cent of the job.	Rip-Rap Dike Projects
12/5/55 MVDH	$7,000 Provided – State’s Funds Aid River Job The state will participate in the cost of a riprapping project on Fir Island on the north fork of the Skagit River. . . .  Rock for the job is being taken from the Fir Island quarry and is being placed on the river bank on the west side of Fir Island in Dike District No. 13. Walberg said the state is paying 40 percent of the cost while the county and dike district each pay 30 per cent. This, he added, is the normal arrangement for such projects. . . .  Walberg said the county this past weekend accepted as complete another riprapping job on the Skagit River in Dike District No. 12 near Burlington.	Rip-Rap Dike Projects
12/15/55 Argus	Flood Control, Navigation of Skagit to Be Studied An emergency meeting of the Skagit County Flood Control Council has been called for Friday at 1:30 p.m. . . . to discuss feasibility of cutting a new channel at the mouth of the Skagit River.  Supporters of the proposal claim that a new channel at the North Fork of the river substantially would control flooding in the Skagit flat area and open the river to navigation.  . . .  Hughes pointed out that the new channel could be dredged in a westerly direction, taking of from Valentine’s Bend, across state owned land and tidal flats, and arriving at deep water, after covering a distance of about four miles.  . . .  County Engineer H.O. Walberg…revealed that the water level was as high at the North Fork bridge during the November 3,4, and 5 flood threat as it was during the more severe 1951 flood.  Silting at the present mouth was one of the factors which accounted for this.  . . .  According to Asst County Engineer Harold Strombom, 147,000 cfs of water rolled down the river in 1951 high water as compared to the lesser figure of 110,000 cfs in last Novembers danger period.	Cutting a New Channel at Mouth of River Dredge a new channel. Could this be because there weren’t any levee breaks in the last November flood?
12/17/55 MVDH	Panel Named to Seek Federal, State Help for River Channel – Increased Traffic Sought Old man river, stay away from my door. That was the theme of yesterday’s meeting of the Skagit County Flood Control Council in the Skagit County Courthouse. Over 50 persons, including representatives from 11 diking districts in Skagit County, were packed into the small courtroom to discuss the possibility of creating a new channel for the mouth of the silt – choked north fork of the Skagit River. Up-shot of the hour and a half meeting was a unanimous resolution by the council to support an emergency program with state and federal powers to dredge the new channel. . . .  A proposal to cut the new channel from Valentine’s Bend proceeding westerly past Bald Island to deep water was the main topic of discussion. . . .  “We used to be able to enter drawing 5 feet 8 inches. Now we can’t get into the river drawing 5 feet,” Captain Spencer commented. LaConner area farmer Jim Hulbert said that the effect of the heavy silting was to raise the level of the mouth of the river which then backed the water upriver endangering low-lying farmland. . . .  Chairman Hanson noted that the water level at the river’s mouth during the Nov. 3-5 flood was as high with a 25-foot level at Mount Vernon as it was in the more serious flood in 1951 when the Mount Vernon reading was 28 feet. . . .  Several of those at the meeting noted that the same idea had been proposed to the Army Corps of Engineers after the 1951 flood. “If we are going to get anything done we have got to be of one mind and get on the ball and get this thing rolling,” said County Commissioner Lowell Hughes, who is a Fir Island farmer himself.	Dredging Mouth of River Proposed
12/29/55 Argus	Editorial—Its Up To Flood Council To Spur Engineers Into Action Since the first white men settled in the Skagit Valley there has hardly been a more irritating or time-consuming problem than flood control.  The river, aptly named Skagit by the Indians, goes on a rampage now and then and in so doing often provides materials that practically choke the stream, thereby setting up the stage for further floods.  . . .  We are indeed fortunate to have on that Control Council men who understand the situation—men like Earl Hanson, Lowell Hughes, Nobel Lee, Leo Beckley, Jim Dunlap, Dan Sundquist and Charles Christenson.  County Engineer HO Walberg will be adviser to the Council.  . . .  We no longer have the great forests that sop up rain waters and let them seep out slowly.  We still have a great expanse of rainshed, regardless of the fact that dams do some good in holding back excessive water.	Names of committee members. Logging recognized as impacting floods. Dams recognized as helping during floods.
1/3/56 SVH	‘Skagit’ Again used for name             “Skagit” may seem new to the present generation of Mt. Vernon daily newspaper readers as part of the name of  their publication, but actually the usage dates back 71 years.              The original predecessor of the Skagit Valley Herald was The Skagit News, a weekly established in Mount Vernon on March 4, 1884, by William C. Ewing, who announced, “This paper was due a good while ago . . .”	History of the Skagit Valley Herald
1/4/56 SVH	Steady Rains Fail To Cause Flood Threat . . .  The gauge reading at Mount Vernon at 11 a.m. this morning was 10.7 feet, about a feet higher than the reading taken 24 hours previously. . . .  The gauge reading at the Dalles station on the Skagit River near Concrete at 7 a.m. this morning was 18.14 and rising. Observers for the power station said, however, that most of the water is surface runoff and would not prove dangerous unless the temperature rose and snow began to melt.	Flood Scare Flood never materialized.
1/5/56 Argus	Hanson Reports Emergency “Out” On New Channel Other Aspects Encouraging To Committee of 8 Hanson said that Col. Mathius told the committee that the matter could not be handled as an emergency measure but must get necessary and direct appropriation from Congress for the survey and, if approved, money for the actual work of forming the channel to salt water.	Corps had to study it first.
1/6/56 SVH	River Group Awaits Information By Army In Planning New Move The answer was no, but they’re not done yet.  Such was the feeling yesterday of the eight men from Skagit County as they left the Seattle District Army Engineers headquarters in Seattle after having their proposal to declare an emergency to have a new channel  in the mouth of the Skagit River turned down.  . . .  Gives Resolution  Hughes presented resolutions from the 11 dike districts in Skagit County to Col. Norman A. Matthias asking that the work be done in order to provide a faster runoff of the Skagit’s water and lower the river level by a foot more.  “You can’t realize how important the difference of a few inches on the dikes during a flood mean to us,” commented Hughes.  Members of the colonel’s staff pointed out that their studies showed that the river bottom of the Skagit has remained more or less stable in the past 18 years.    . . .  Funds Sought  . . .  George Kurttilla, civil engineer for the Army in the planning section for navigation projects, pointed out that their office has a report on flood control and navigation made on the Skagit now in Washington D.C. before the Chief of Engineers.  He said action is expected on the report in the next two years.  . . .  Kurttilla said that some of the main recommendations in the report were for extension and raising of the dikes from Burlington down to the mouth of the river.  Agree to Study  In addition to this information, the Army Engineer agreed to have his staff make a comparative study of 1937 soundings of the river and the tide flats as against those taken in July, 1955, and forward the report to the Skagit County engineer, H.O. Walberg, next week.	Corps Says No To Declaration Of An Emergency To Have River Dredged Corps study says river bottom hadn’t changed in 18 years.
1/24/56 SVH	State Agrees To Help Pay for Dike Job The State Department of Conservation and Development announced today that the state will pay 40 per cent of the cost of a$14,800 rip-rapping job on the Skagit River opposite the north city limits of Mount Vernon. . . .  The Skagit County engineer’s office located the job as being between the old Skagit River bridge and the new span now under construction. The north bank of the river will be rocked between these two structures for a length of 1,600 lineal feet. “This is a project that Dike District No. 12 has asked for because of the high velocity of the river which is tearing the bank away at that point.” Assistant County Engineer H. C. Strombom explained.	Rip-Rap Dike Projects
2/1/56 SVH	Senator Jackson Drafting Bill To Allow River Mouth Work – Lawmakers To Seek Plan for Engineers To Speed Projects The drafting of federal legislation which would release U.S. funds for the deepening of the mouth of the Skagit River for flood control and navigation purposes has been disclosed in Washington, D.C. . . .  Senator Jackson said he is drafting legislation which would authorize the Army Engineers to undertake flood control projects costing $500,000 or less which they determine to be justifiable. . . .  The Senator pointed out that he and Itschner agreed that no work could be accomplished without new legislation. . . .  Jackson writes: “My purpose in sponsoring the new legislation will be to eliminate the procedural bottleneck which now prevents work on small but vitally needed flood control measures. Passage of this legislation by the Congress will provide the means by which federal assistance for flood control on the Skagit – now apparently hopeless – can be gained.”	Dredging Mouth Of River Proposed See 8/8/55 MVDH article.
2/2/56 SVH	log jam removal helps city grow Strange are the quirks that sometimes dictate the destines of a town or a region.  Consider the Skagit Valley, where the removal of old log jams from the Skagit River hastened the death of one town and undoubtedly contributed much to growth of the thriving modern community of Mount Vernon.  The huge log barriers from time immemorial had blocked the river and affected early fortunes of the valley after the white man’s arrival.  Had it not been for the initiative and perseverance of pioneer settlers, who bent to the almost insurmountable task of eliminating the jams, the demise of Skagit City, then the area’s principal town, would have been postponed, and Mount Vernon might not have become the sizable city it is today.	Log Jams
2/9/56 C.H.	upper valley sportsmen to battle closures of skagit river Sportsmen of the upper valley, long tired of being deprived of fishing rights in the Skagit river while the same rights are returned to pressure groups in the lower valley, are going to make a fight on the latest ruling of the game department to close the Skagit to steelhead fishing from May 20^th to July 1^st.	Fish Issue
2/16/56 C.H.	freezing of ground is part of unique method of construction Above is an artist’s sketch of Seattle City Light’s Gorge Dam now under construction at its Skagit Hydroelectric Project. The dam, to be located on the Skagit River two miles above the Gorge powerhouse, will be a concrete structure approximately 670 feet long and 285 feet high. It is being built by Merritt-Chapman and Scott Corporation of New York and the Savin Construction Corporation of East Hartfod, Connecticut, a joint venture who obtained the contract on their low bid of $14,731,107. . . . A unique feature in the construction is the freezing of an ice barrier in the river-fill material down to bedrock to keep upstream groundwater from flowing into the excavation. The ice wall will be approximately 4 feet thick and reach a depth of about 240 feet.	Gorge Dam (Picture available) Dam 285 feet high, cost almost $15,000,000. The dam was scheduled for completion in early 1959.
2/20/56 SVH	River Vessel To Continue Skagit Trips The stern-wheeler river boat, the Skagit Chief, will continue to ply the waters of the Skagit River indefinitely, according to word received today by the Skagit County commissioners.  . . .  It was brought out at that meeting that lowering the height of the fixed-span bridge from 55 to 36 feet would reduce the cost of construction some $58,000.  However, it also was noted that the Skagit Chief and some types of pile drivers and dredges required a 55-foot clearance height in order to enter the river beneath the bridge.  H. E. Grimison of the river navigation company said in part in his letter: “It is our intention to indefinitely continue operating using our present equipment.  We might also point out that, even though we should switch to the use of barges at a future date, the height of the clearance would not be materially altered, inasmuch as the freight elevator on a barge would be approximately as high as our vessels.”	Stern-Wheeler Skagit Chief
2/29/56 SVH	first settlers begin moving into skagit By John F. Conrad, Historian, Skagit County Pioneer Association The first white person to see the shores of Skagit County is believed to have been Lt. Salvador Fidalgo of the Spanish Navy in 1790 on one of Spain’s claiming expeditions which had begun 20 years previously.  The English reached our county two years later in 1792 when Capt. George Vancouver made such a thorough exploration of the whole Sound area and contributed so many lasting names such as Puget, Baker, Rainier, Townsend, Bellingham and Whidbey.  . . .  March’s Point, where history is being made today by the oil industry, is reported by good authority to have been first settled in 1853 by Enoch Compton and John Carr on what later became Munks’ place.  But due to dangerous Indians they were forced to move to Whatcom where Carr died.  The Indian war came to a head with Compton enlisting.  Then in 1859 he returned to find William Bonner on his old place.  . . .  One mill man William Bonner, went to March’s Point in 1859 and settled on the place vacated by Compton and Carr five years earlier, then sold his rights the same year to William Munks for $60 and a silver watch.  Munks was the first postmaster at the post office called Fidalgo and is still credited with being the first permanent settler.	Skagit County Pioneers
3/1/56 C.H.	steelhead closure arguments reveal many-sided theories …The up-river fishermen protested the closure in a widely circulated petition, urging that instead of closing the river to catching of the adult steelhead, a size limit be placed on the small steelhead fry that are caught in great numbers each spring as “trout”. Mr. Pautkze explained in great detail the history of the steelhead run on the Skagit, what they were now doing in the way of planting a new run of the fish in the river and what their plans were for the future. He explained that the partial closure of the river was in the nature of an “experiment”. But when finally pinned down to any specific reason why the river above Grandy Creek to the Marblemount bridge had been singled out for the sole closure in the experiment, he could give no reason except: “Because we don’t want you to fish there.” … Witham Tells Steelhead Story Ed Witham of Marblemount, who has lived on the Skagit all his life and is an ardent fisherman, was quick to take up the biologists challenge for someone to explain the cycle of the steelhead run. Witham stated that the steelhead fry come out of the upper spawning areas as minnows during July, August and September, then disappear until the next July when they show up in great numbers as small trout from 4 to 6 inches in length. After a month or so going upstream they again turn back down and in October appear again in sizes up to 9 inches long. After that they go into the salt water for two years and return as adult fish. … Mr. Pautkze differed with Witham on the length of time the small fish are in the upper part of the river. He said they moved down into the lower water quickly and did not return as small trout. His opinion was that they spent their entire second year on the lower river. In explaining the present experiments on the Skagit the biologist said that it had been the opinion of the department that the Skagit would never need plantings, but as the runs began to deplete from the changes made by dams, logging, etc. It was discovered in 1934 that a definite dropping off was in process. Through experiments on the Green River it was found that the Skagit was just not producing as many steelhead as its waters were capable of maintaining. So the experiments began here.	Fish Issue—Steelhead Fisheries Dept. knew in 1934 that steelhead were being diminished in numbers due to dams and logging.
3/16/56 SVH	Rock Strengthens Section of Dike A 3,000 foot long section of dike on the east side of the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Conway is now stronger by some 14,000 cubic yards of rock, the Skagit County engineer’s office reported today.  County Engineer H.O. Walberg said the rip-rapping job in Dike District Three headed by Daniel Sundquist was expected to be finished today.  Weymouth and Wheeler, Seattle contractors, did the work for Dike District No. 3 as part of the district and county’s continuing flood control program.	Dike District #3 Rip-Rap Project
3/16/56 SVH	Engineers Get Plans For North Fork Span Skagit County has submitted for approval its plans for the new fixed bridge on the north fork of the Skagit River to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle.  . . .  However, the colonel probably already is aware of possible objections as a result of a meeting held Feb. 14 in Mount Vernon to which interested parties were invited.  It was brought out then that certain river craft such as large dredges would not be able to clear the proposed bridge if it were built.  The site of the planned bridge is three-eights of a mile downstream of the existing highway bridge across the north fork of the Skagit, and the bridge, if built, will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 120 feet, normal to channel.  . . .  The application from Skagit County to the Army for permission to build the bridge, as required by the General Bridge Act of 1946, shows that the earlier suggestions to lower the height of the fixed span bridge to below 40 feet to save construction costs have been dropped.  . . .  Matthias said the decision as to whether or not the plans will be approved must rest primarily upon the effect the proposed work will have on navigation and/or flood control.	North Fork Bridge Plans Large dredges would not be able to pass upriver.
3/29/56 C.H.	test for fishway dam on baker …Since building of the Baker dam here the transportation of the fish run over the dam has been done with a trap at the powerhouse and hauling the fish in a tank of water by cable from the trap to the top of the dam. When the new Upper Baker Dam is built, the plan is to carry the fish by truck above both dams. To make this possible a permanent fish trap dam would be constructed here somewhere between the two bridges. The proposed dam would be a roof-like structure that would permit a ten-foot barrier to the fish going upstream. A pool underneath would permit the fish to rest and then enter a trap at the east side of the river from where they could be loaded into tank trucks for the trip to Baker Lake. Test drilling found no bedrock as far down as 40 feet, but this was not deemed important in the construction of the light structure. All plans are tentative and will depend entirely on construction of the new dam.	Lower Baker Dam Fish Issue Once Upper Baker was built the “fish ladder” (See 7/15/26 C.H., 5/19/27 C.H.) was no longer in operation.
4/12/56 B.J.	Will Start Skagit River Survey Soon A telegram from Congressman Jack Westland this week stated that General Louis H. Foote, U.S. Army Engineers, Portland area, states that army engineers will be able to allot enough money to start the Skagit River survey this summer. The full survey is estimated to cost $20,000 but only about one-fourth of this amount will be spent this year. The survey is to be made in the interest of flood control program in the Skagit valley.	Another Corps study.
4/14/56 SVH	Not Worried About Flood – Bulson Scoffs At Snow Pack As the warm weather spreads throughout the Skagit Valley this week residents greeted it with mixed emotions – joy that Spring is arriving and fear that a heavy snow pack in the Cascade Mountains might melt rapidly and cause a sudden spring flood. To 88-year-old E. E. Bulson, a Skagit County pioneer, such fears, however, are not justified. “Only a strong, hot wind from the southwest will cause a really serious flood situation,” he says. “Otherwise I think we will make out all right.” . . .  He came to Skagit County in 1892 and has been farming off and on in the Conway area area since that time. He will be 89 on May 9. His memory reaches back some six decades when the Skagit River had few if any of the controls that it now had is dikes, revetments, and dams. “When you farmed on Fir Island in those days, the ground was always wet. It was so wet that we had to put ‘tooley shoes’ on the horses’ hooves to keep them from sinking into the mud. What are tooley shoes? Well, they were round pieces of board that were fastened to the hooves kind of like a snowshoe. When it was real wet down there we used to kid each other and say we had to put tooley shoes on our wives when they went outside,” Bulson recollected. . . .  He can remember the year that they had seven floods on Fir Island in the month of January. Then, too, there was the big flood in 1893 when the river became clogged with logs from Scorndal Slough for three solid miles backed up to Mann’s Landing. Bulson, a former “white water man” from Michigan where he worked on log jams on the White River near Muskegon was contacted by a “fellow name of Hanson for the Tacoma Boom Company to help break up that drift... we worked until the next spring with a donkey engine on a scow pulling logs out on that jam.” . . .  However, Bulson does believe that there would be less danger of a flood if certain improvements were made on the south fork of the Skagit. “All those old pilings should be taken out. They act like a dam and those jams in Steamboat Slough should be cleared out also,” Bulson. . . .    Engineer Walberg has spent many hours with the elderly gentleman recording historical facts about previously floods and high water marks in the county.	Heavy Snow Pack Doesn’t Worry Skagit Pioneer E.E. Bulson came to Skagit County in 1892. Ground was always wet on Fir Island. Used “tooley shoes” on the horses to pull a plow. One year they had 7 floods on Fir Island  in January.
5/1/56 SVH	Fish Runs Increased, Schoettler Declares Salmon runs in Washington and British Columbia streams have been substantially increased after years of depletion, according to Robert J. Schoettler, director of the State Department of Fisheries. . . .  Rehabilitation on the other hand, he said, was the restoration and bringing back of the resource. In the case of the salmon that has been the reclaiming of lost spawning areas for the migrating fish and establishing new runs with hatchery plants. Dams, pollution and the loss of the forest cover are some of the main reasons which have closed streams to the spawning salmon. . . .  The Washington Fisheries Department embarked on a long range program of clearing streams, building fishladders, and restocking runs in the new spawning areas.	Fish Issue Salmon runs increasing by reclaiming lost spawning areas and hatchery plants. Runs depleted by dams, pollution and loss of forest cover.
5/3/56 B.J.	XV. Ross Lake Dam Holds Water Back Ross lake is being kept at a reduced level in order to hold back some of the heavy runoff anticipated for the next few months, City Light Executive Assistant Superintendent John M. Nelson reported today.  Ross Reservoir on the upper Skagit River is down to about 100 feet below full level, providing a storage space of about 900,000 acre-feet of water.  Snow surveys made April 1 indicate that the runoff of the upper Skagit River will be the highest in 27 years for the period April 1 to August 31. The 900,000 acre-feet of storage space in Ross Reservoir represents about 1/3 of such runoff thus allowing a substantial amount of storage with which to reduce the discharge of the upper Skagit during the peak flows in the lower reaches of the river.	ROSS DAM STORAGE Ross Dam lowered 100 feet.
5/3/56 C.H.	ross lake being held down as flood relief Ross Lake is now being kept at a level about 100 feet below the full mark in order to hold back some of the heavy run-off expected from melting snow in the next few months. Ass’t. Supt. John Nelson reports that the water level as held at present will provide the storage space for about 900,000 acre feet of water. Snow surveys made April 1^st showed that the run-off of the Skagit will be the highest in 27 years during the period from April 1^st to August 31^st. The 900,000 acre-feet of storage space in the Ross reservoir represents about one-third of such a run-off, which allows a substantial amount of storage with which to hold back the flood peaks on the lower river.	Ross Dam Ross Lake lowered 100 feet to provide storage for flood run-off.
6/7/56 C.H.	construction starts on upper baker dam project “At long last” as royalty once put it, the announcement of the granting of the license for the new Baker River dam was made yesterday by the Federal Power Commission and the Puget Sound Power & Light Company. The news was received rather calmly here due to the fact that it had been so long in the rumor stage and it’s receipt had been heralded the first of the week by the fact that a crew of men started work at the dam site. . . . This is the largest power development ever undertaken by the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. The total cost is estimated to be $35 million dollars, part of which will be in installation of another generator at the present Baker power house in Concrete. Specifications on the dam itself call for a structure 300 feet high and 200 feet wide at the base, to be constructed of concrete. The dam will be 1,200 feet long and will have a 12 foot roadway across its top. Behind the dam a reservoir over nine miles long and storing 980 billion gallons of water will be created. North of the dam a 1,260 foot long dike 50 feet high will have to be constructed of earth and rock fill to maintain the lake level at dam height.	Upper Baker Dam Cost now $35,000,000. 300 feet high and 200 feet wide at the base. Will store 980 billion gallons of water.
6/14/56 C.H.	editorial Now that the upper Baker dam is a reality, the worrisome uncertainty of the future of the valley for the next few years is over. In it’s place we have the worry of being able to keep pace. The dam, itself, is just an item of the long list of new projects. It will mean increased logging, a 350,000 barrel order for the cement plant and eventual unlimited possibilities in recreation facilities on the new lake. Elsewhere in the valley the Gorge dam is yet to be completed and the Forest Service is contemplating opening a road into the rich timber above Diablo dam – such road to follow quite closely the route of the long-sought North Cross-State Highway. After many years of waiting and talk the promise of the upper Skagit valley is beginning to come true. As the pieces fall into place it will mean a complete revision of life as it has been. A great deal of the charm of our valley has been its quiet roominess. We’ve been discovered. The settlers are moving in.	Charles Dwelley on Upper Baker Dam “As the pieces fall into place it will mean a complete revision of life as it has been. A great deal of the charm of our valley has been its quiet roominess. We’ve been discovered. The settlers are moving in.”
6/21/56 C.H.	start on new dam A request has been sent out from the Stone & Webster office for local people to list with them all spare rooms that may be rented, or anyone wishing to provide both room and board for one man or more. … Superior Portland Cement, Inc. will furnish half of the cement to be used in building the dam, the other half to be purchased from Olympic Portland Cement in Bellingham – making a fifty-fifty break between Skagit and Whatcom counties. Some 700,000 barrels will be required during the job. … Most businesses are counting on the increased logging activity behind the dam to provide most of the local prosperity.	Upper Baker Dam Housing was started for construction crews working on the Baker Dam.
7/12/56 C.H.	stone and webster still on preliminary work The big construction job on the new Baker Dam by Stone & Webster, is still in the stages of preparation of facilities to handle the men and equipment that will be required. The local engineer’s building is now completed in the Puget Sound yard in East Concrete and a skeleton office crew is now busy there. . . . Mr. McKenney stated that there are now eighty men working on the dam site. Of these six are carpenters and the rest are clearing land, doing road location, and clearing and burning of right of way. The men are using a logging road north of Koma Kulshan guard station for the present to reach the site, which is about 1½ miles from the Baker Lake road.	Upper Baker Dam At this point in time only the roads to the dam site were under construction. Ultimately would hire as many as 1,500 workers.
8/30/56 C.H.	skagit tops in steelhead runs Final compilation of steelhead catches for the 1955-56 winter season show that the planting of migratory sized young steelhead in the Skagit River has produced a marked increase in the return of adult fish. The catch for the season, as indicated on the punch cards, was 161,624 steelhead, which was topped only slightly by the record catch thus far of 162,663 in the 1953-54 winter season. . . . The whopping last seasons’ catch of 21,792 steelhead in the Skagit topped by a large margin all previous records and appears to be a direct result of the first migratory-sized release of steelhead in this stream. From a catch of 16,170 fish in 1953-54, the Skagit dropped to 10,284 in 1954-55 as a result of the low water periods of 1952-53. The 1955-56 catch of 21,792 fish was the first returning cycle of the migratory-sized fish, and lead all other streams in the state by a wide margin. The Skagit is one of the perfect migratory streams, having extensive feeding areas in the many sloughs which make up its outlet to Puget Sound. The limitation to the steelhead runs in the river has been the loss of valuable spawning and rearing areas in its feeder streams.	Fish Issue Steelhead Skagit River tops in state. 21,792 Steelhead caught by sports fishermen.
2/7/57 C.H.	city light facing choice of new dams Delays in the construction work at the Gorge Dam above Newhalem is causing City Light a lot of headaches these days. Faced with a need for additional power to handle the requirements of the expansion of Bethlemen Steel in Seattle, the power officials are desperately trying to work out a quick solution to problems facing the expansion of generating facilities on the upper Skagit. The Gorge dam job is now a year behind schedule, due to the difficulty in solving a “leak” underground at the Gorge site. … Thunder Creek Speeded Long range plans call for use of Thunder Creek as a storage reservoir by use of a new dam. … At present Thunder Creek flows into Diablo Lake and is used for power there and at Gorge. Three alternate plans have been proposed for better use of the flow. No. 1 is to dam the stream, tunnel through the mountain and let the water go into Ross Lake for extra power all the way down to Newhalem. No. 2 is to put a complete generating plant on Thunder Creek. … No. 3 is to dam Thunder and divert the water direct to Newhalem by tunnel. … If the dam at Ross is raised another 125 feet, as projected, the present decisions must take this into consideration. As raising of Ross is up to Canada’s decision of whether or not they will permit territory there to be flooded, the problem of future expansion on the upper Skagit is now a tangle of conflicting ideas.	Seattle City Light Gorge and Thunder Creek Dams Gorge Dam had a “leak”. Thunder Creek looked at as possible site for new dam. Raising Ross Dam another 125 feet up to Canada.
5/2/57 C.H.	new city light dam will cover up evidence Following our custom of getting old landmarks and bits of history down in black and white so that some record will be made for future years, a recent trip to Diablo found the old water wheel powerhouse of the old Davis ranch still standing and awaiting to be covered up by water of the new Gorge high dam. The water wheel started as a pipe dream of Frank and Glee Davis back in the 1900’s and was first conceived as a method of powering a saw mill for cutting lumber in the inaccessible upper Skagit area. Over the years the idea took shape and form, but it was not until 1921 that the project was completed. Then it was found that the wheel failed to create enough power for cutting much timber, so in 1925 the men installed a 1½ h.p. generator and the mill wheel went into the power business as the upper Skagit’s first permanent hydro-electric installation. The water powered generator furnished lights for the Davis homestead for several years until the place was sold to make way for City Light.	Gorge Dam Davis Ranch First permanent hydro-electric power generator in Skagit County was built by early settlers.
10/10/57 C.H.	upper baker dam project now rising from bedrock An ironic situation has developed on the Upper Baker River dam project the past week as lay-offs were necessary due to lack of cement – and the local cement plant is still closed by strike with its storage bins full of the precious commodity. However, work continues at the dam and during the month of September the employment averaged about 850. Highest total workers on the project, including subcontracts, during the past year was 1,004. The pouring of concrete has been under way on four of the 25 blocks, or sections, of the dam. Block nine, which is the farthest along, covers an area 50 feet by 200 feet and now stands 50 feet high. The dam when completed will stand 300 feet high, 1,200 feet across and 200 feet wide at the base.	Upper Baker Dam Lack of Concrete held up construction. Hired over 1,000 construction workers.
1/16/58 B.J.	XVI. House Will Be Moved Making Way For Dike HOUSE WILL BE MOVED- The residence of the Harold Halvorson family will be moved the make way for the construction of the new dike. The house sits on a rise and has been flooded only once since the Halvorsons took up residence there in 1939. The surface of the river can be seen behind the house.  Plans are underway for the construction and extension of the river dike this coming spring. The Sterling Development Area has requested that they become part of District Twelve and that the State will assist with funds for the dike construction. Between 400 and 600 acres are involved in the new area.  The make way for the new dike, Harold Halvorson’s house, machine shed and garage will be moved. The Halvorsons plan to move their home back from the river, but will not make the move until March at the earliest. At one low spot on the Halvorson property, the dike will have to be 10 or 12 feet deep, while at other parts a minimum of 5 feet will suffice.  When asked how they felt about moving their house, Mrs. Halvorson answered, “We’re for the dike! Naturally we don’t like to move the house, but we want to do what’s best.”	Halvorson house to be moved for new dike in Sterling.
1/23/58 SVH	Meeting Sought By Council On State Flood Control Funds Mount Vernon City Engineer Denny LeGro was asked by city council members last night to attempt to arrange a meeting with Gregory Hastings of the Washington State Department of Conservation and Development to discuss the possible availability of state flood control funds to assist in the financing of the proposed dam on Maddox Creek. THE DAM is part of a city-advanced plan for the draining of storm water from the proposed south hill area storm sewer local improvement district – and from the area south and east of the city limits – into Maddox. . . .  LeGro explained that the county board has consistently maintained that “the county should not be involved in the drainage business.”	Maddox Creek Dam Proposed in Mt. Vernon
1/30/58 B.J.	XVII. Dike Construction Will Continue The two new projects include the addition of another 1,000 feet of extended dike work west of the new highway and another 400 feet west of the old highway. These two new projects will supplement the work already done along the river. Projects already completed include an added 3,000 feet of dike west of the new highway and approximately 2,500 feet north of Carl Johnson’s farm.  The dike was raised 29 inches from in back of the Mapes farm to the Great Northern bridge 14,000 yards of dirt was used to widen and raise the dike.             While members of District twelve continues their efforts and plans, their counterparts in District 17 across the river are also busy. Don Bordner of District 17 reports that their district has completed another $60,000 worth of construction work along their side of the river. $10,000 was used for the fill dirt and $50,000 went for the rocks used. Next year the district hopes to extend their project to the Great Northern Bridge. Plans now call for the planting of greens along the dike, Bordner says this will add to both the scenic beauty and the stability of the dike itself.	DIKE 12 & 17 PROJECTS 1,000 FT extension to 3,000 ft new dike. Dike raised 29 inches. Dike 17 new fill and rip-rap.
5/1/58 C.H.	city light hires rainmakers City Light has announced that Seattle City Light, in an effort to cut down on its power purchases, has signed a rain-making contract with the Water Resources Development Corporation of Denver, Colorado. The contract extends from now to the end of August. … Past experience of the Water Resources Development Corporation, shows that their operations have increased rainfall 10 to 20%. … The activities will be centered back of Ross Dam so that any additional rainfall will drain into Ross Lake where it can be stored.	Seattle City Light Hires Cloud Seeders And of course we all know that the clouds would just stay behind Ross Dam.
7/31/58 C.H.	photo feature – baker fish dam works well on sockeye run A good run of Sockeye salmon is giving the new fish trap installation on the Baker river here a through testing as to efficiency. The trap was put into use a few weeks ago and since that time has done very well in providing a method of getting the salmon to the spawning grounds on the upper Baker. To date the number of Sockeye taken in the trap and transported by truck to Baker Lake has been more than double the entire run of last year. The low dam, which is located just below the highway bridge on the Baker at Concrete, seems to be low enough for the salmon to jump but the construction has been such that the overflow strikes an obstruction of large rocks on the lower side that produce such a turbulence that the fish can not get a chance to jump. For further protection against the fish getting above the dam in periods of high water in the Skagit, the low dam can be raised about two feet mechanically to provide the extra height.	Lower Baker Dam Fish Issue The new “fish trap dam” seemed to be working very well.
9/4/58 C.H.	skagit drips from top rank in steelhead catch The Skagit River, due to weather conditions and the presence of above normal silt in the water from the Sauk River, dropped from first place as a steelhead stream for the state of Washington this year. For the past two seasons the Skagit has topped all other streams in the number of fish produced, the 1955-1956 season producing 21,942 fish for the highest peak. This past season the Skagit only produced 10,764 steelhead. Tops for the state was the Humptulips river which found 11,404 as the total catch. In second place was the Green river with 11,381. The Humptulips came up this year from fifth place due to a big hatchery plant made in the spring of 1956.	Steelhead Fish Issue Silt from Sauk River blamed for decrease in Steelhead run.
10/23/58 C.H.	city light problem of border flooding studied The International Joint Commission, which passes on disputes along the United States-Canadian border has agreed to take under consideration the proposal of City Light to flood some 6,000 acres of land across the Canadian border when Ross Dam is raised to extra height. An agreement was made in 1942 with British Columbia provincial officials to pay $255,508 for the flooding. Later, however, the Canadian authorities decided there should be additional payment in the form of electric power. Issue was reviewed Wednesday in Ottawa. Final decision will be made by the Commission after a study.	Ross Dam Flooding Canada 6,000 additional acres of land to be flooded in Canada if Ross raised.
11/13/58 C.H.	baker hatchery building to go on auction block The old bunkhouse of the Baker Lake Fish Hatchery will be up for sale next week when the forest service puts the building on the auction block to remove it from the site to make way for waters of the new Baker Lake. The sale of the building will just about mark the end of the pioneer hatchery site. The building is the last of several that served the crew that operated the hatchery that was first started in 1896 and reached its heyday in 1924. Then the construction of the lower Baker dam so diminished the salmon run that by 1933 the hatchery was out of business. Most of its time in operation the hatchery could only be reached by trail and the buildings were constructed from timber on the site, sawed in a saw mill that had been packed over the trail from Concrete.	Baker Lake Hatchery 1896 to 1933. Only be reached by trail. “…the construction of the lower Baker dam so diminished the salmon run that by 1933 the hatchery was out of business.”
2/12/59 C.H.	upper baker dam nearing completion Two unprecedented open winters have paid off handsomely for the Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation now at work completing the Upper Baker River Dam for Puget Sound Power & Light Co. Work is far ahead of schedule, as the above photo shows. According to records, 515,000 cubic yards of cement had been poured at the time of this picture a week ago, leaving only 125,000 yet to be poured to bring the dam to full height. . . . By September the contractors expect to have most of their job cleaned up and the dam ready to begin turning out an additional 158,000 kilowatts of new power for the company. The dam will be 300 feet high, 1,200 feet across and some 200 feet wide at the base. The weight has been estimated at 1,200,000 tons.	Upper Baker Dam Dam almost done. 515,000 cu yds cement already poured. Only 125,000 cu yds left to go.
5/14/59 C.H.	skagit slated to be best steelhead stream in u.s. Prospects for steelheading on the Skagit River in future years were looking up considerably last week as a big truck from Tukal Creek hatchery, near Snoqualmie, made several trips here to plant 65,000 young steelhead. First plants were made on the upper part of the Skagit, with two made in the vicinity of Concrete. In the picture above, Don Gibson is holding the nose as the tank sprays out 12,000 of the lively fish at the bar on the upper side of the mouth of the Baker. Another 12,000 were planted on Friday at the big eddy just above the Ovenell place on the South Skagit road.	Steelhead Fish Issue 77,000 Steelhead planted in Skagit River system.
7/9/59 C.H.	drop plug The Baker River will go to work at the Upper Baker Dam this afternoon at 2:00 P.M. This is the hour set for “dropping the plug” that will close off the flow of the river beneath the huge structure. Water has been diverted through a spillway since construction was started. All that remains to be done for final completion is to close the entrance to the spillway and pour the gap full of concrete. A rather formal occasion is being worked up for the ceremony with engineers and power company officials gathering here to see the Baker River harnessed once again. The lake will start filling immediately, but will not reach it’s full height until some time in the fall. As soon as the water has reached sufficient height, a test will be made of the new generator and power house below the dam.	Upper Baker Dam The lake will start filling immediately, but will not reach it’s full height until some time in the fall.
7/16/59 C.H.	new baker lake is forming There was no actual ceremony, no speeches or flag waving, but a large number of visitors crowded the observation points at the Upper Baker River Dam last Thursday to watch the workmen “drop the plug” to start the lake filling. Company officials from all parts of the district were on hand for the first big milestone in completion of the project. The 30 ton cement and steel gates were dropped shortly after 2:00 P.M. and by the time the visitors left the water had covered the Baker River outlet portals and was rising rapidly on the dam.	Upper Baker Dam The lake begins to rise.
7/23/59 C.H.	new baker lake to be center of large recreational area During the past week water of the new Baker Dam began to raise the level of old Baker Lake, thereby starting the process in which all old familiar landmarks will soon be deep beneath the waters of a new and larger lake. The area has been logged off and cleared until there are few recognizable spots, the most notable one being the old fish hatchery grounds. Here the waters will rise over a most familiar spot for campers, and one not too much changed. The old Bagnell camp across the lake, however, the spot looks little like it was known by so many thousands of visitors who have camped there over the years. All that remains are three of the original cabins, including the old Ruth homestead house and these will soon be demolished. . . . In the program of setting up a recreation plan for the new Baker lake, the public camps will be of first consideration. After these are developed to fill the needs, next consideration will be given to organization camps. Last in line will be areas for private homes on government leases.	Baker Lake Public camp grounds a big part of the new lake. “Whatever the havoc wrought by building the dam and clearing away virgin forests, the replacement will come in the way of a huge lake, plus all the mountain recreation. The possibilities have yet to be completely explored as the entire country is ideal for horseback trips, boating, hunting, winter sports and fishing.”
7/30/59 C.H.	editorial A bit of quiet contemplation of the approaching development of the upper valley as recreation area that will draw tourists from all parts of the country is an interesting hobby for this writer. Our thoughts run far ahead of these now just building logging roads, dams and normal developments based on commercial value. The logging roads become driveways for people who wish to see some of the country now hours away by trail. The dam provides a lake that will be the envy of the state for accessibility and rugged beauty. . . . Another is the fact that the formerly deep and cold Baker lake, which only the hardy found suitable for swimming, will soon have many acres of comparatively shallow water that will conceivably warm up. . . . A public resort, the splendid opportunities for horseback trail trips, the many beautiful mountain lakes and streams, the undeveloped hot spring, winter sports all will reach a point of decision in time. Discovery of our assets by those us who live here should come first.	Charles Dwelley on Baker Lake Resort Encouraged the local people discover the beauty of the new Baker Lake.
10/26/59 SVH	(picture caption) – at anchor The W.T. Preston, Army Engineer Corps snag boat which has been in Mount Bernon since Sept. 4, is slated to depart this area today or tomorrow. It is pictured at anchor beside the Moose Hall. The last stern wheel paddle steamer in the Puget Sound area, the Preston comes up the Skagit River at least once a year to keep the channel free.	Picture of the Preston Sternwheeler Last sternwheeler to come up the Skagit.
10/27/59 SVH	County sees no dangers to flood plan Skagit County commissioners yesterday explained that diversion of about $45,000 in river improvement funds to the county’s current expense account will not jeopardize any flood control projects. . . .  SKAGIT COUNTY official had planned projects involving about $300,000 of state, county and dike district money during the last six months of 1959. But the state provided only $21,000 in matching money for this period and thus cut the volume of work planned.	State Matching Money Dries Up
11/21/59 SVH	Washington rivers flood – Skagit River level drops during night The Skagit Valley faces no serious flood threat, despite the chance of more rain tomorrow, county officials said today. . . .  The Skagit River apparently crested in Mount Vernon at mid-morning at 22 feet. At Concrete the crest passed before midnight. Readings at the Dalles Bridge showed 25.7 feet at 8 a.m., a drop of two feet since midnight. THE COUNTY engineers office reported that the Sauk River left its banks and covered the Concrete – Darrington Road between Concrete and the Forest Service bridge over the Sauk. The Arlington-Darrington Road between was also under water, isolating the Snohomish County community of Darrington from the outside. . . .  Some 2.47 inches of rain fell in Concrete during the past 24 hours, with Sedro-Woolley reporting 1.37 inches and Mount Vernon 1.25 for the same period.	Flood Scare
11/23/59 SVH	Not afraid River no threat to Charlie Storrs Charlie Storrs has lived alongside the Skagit River for all but two of his 87 years.  . . .  Storrs, who lives on Penn Road just a stone’s throw from the west dike along the Skagit, has seen the muddy river leave its banks several times.  He’s seen all of the valley floor, from a point about a quarter of a mile west of his farm all the way to the Swinomish Channel, covered with water.  . . .  This was the “big flood” of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 1890.  It’s been the last really big flood in Storr’s memory.  . . .  “Now, our high water usually comes in November,” Stoors said.  Since there isn’t much snow to melt, winter floods usually aren’t too bad.  . . .  His father was the man who broke the Skagit’s famed log jam, coming here from Cedar Rapids, La., on March 9, 1874, when Charlie was only two years old.  The jam was one of the worst in the history of the Pacific Northwest, extending for a distance of four miles up the river from what is now known as “Storr’s Bar”.  This is a bend in the river about two miles below Mount Vernon famous for its steelhead and salmon fishing.  The log jam, which was a solid mass of logs completely across the river, thus extended two miles beyond Mount Vernon.  It took the elder Storrs and his crew of timber workers 4½ years to clear the channel.  “They worked by hand,” Storrs said, “They had no dynamite, no cables, nothing.”	Charlie Stoor’s Flood Memory Last really big flood was 1890??? His father worked on the old Mt. Vernon log jams. Storr’s Bar (Young’s Bar?) Took 4.5 years to clear log jam.
11/23/59 SVH	Skagit River Seen Threat Rains, which fell almost continuously this weekend, sent creeks and other small streams over their banks and posed a possible flood threat along the Skagit River if there are any dike breaks or deluges of rain. The Skagit County Engineer’s office expected the rain-swollen debris-laden Skagit to reach a crest of 24 feet at Mount Vernon about 7 or 8 p.m. tonight. A SPOKESMAN at the office said an additional three or four feet of water could be taken care of without any serious effects if there are no dike breaks along the river. . . .  AT CONCRETE, at 31.8 feet, was some five feet over the flood stage level of 26 feet, but it was falling rapidly and there was no great danger from flooding. In the Nookachamps Creek area most of the roads are underwater and only slightly passable and farmers are cautioned to keep livestock. State Highway 17-A was blocked just east of Lyman today by about three feet of water flowing across it where a dike on Cockerham Island and across Muddy Creek broke during the night an sent the creek over its bank. . . .  At Concrete, a slide covered the backyard of the John Stadlman home in Crowfoot. Addition. Also the Shannon Lake Road on east side of the lake was blocked by a slide as well as several other roads in the area. Several small creeks in the Baker Lake area were up over their banks.	NOVEMBER 24, 1959 FLOOD USGS 89,300 cfs, 32.17 Concrete; 91,600 cfs, 31.58 Mt. Vernon 24 feet Moose Hall gage.  31.58 new gage. Flood stage 26 feet (downtown)?  Could handle 3 or 4 more feet. Flood stage 26 feet Concrete? Dikes on Cockerham.  First mention of them. Slides in Concrete.
11/23/59 SVH	Marblemount, Rockport hit by big slides . . .  Rockport, where a section of a Sauk Mountain bluff broke away was the hardest hit. Mrs. L. K. Buchanan, Rockport resident, said the slide spilled mud, rocks and logs across Highway 17-A and rolled timbers and debris into the small business section of the community. . . .  Mrs. Buchanan said another slide had blocked the highway at Jackman Creek near Van Horn. Jackman, as well as Swift, Sutter and other creeks in the area were over their banks.	Sauk Mountain Slides
11/26/59 Argus	Power Dams Help Spare Skagit From Flood Skagit County was not without its high water hard work and individual hardships this week but it could thank a gentler weather man up this way, the Skagit and Baker river dam operators, and the various dike builders, that this area escaped the disaster that befell Snohomish and other counties.  . . .  Residents of the Nookachamps area took scant solace from the situation, after suffering two backups from the Skagit and seeing many of their farms once more flooded.  . . .  Seattle City Light’s Ross plant was partially shut down from Thursday morning, Nov. 19, to Monday noon of this week to reduce the amount of flood waters in the lower Skagit, Supt Paul Raver advised the Argus.  Flow at Ross was cut to the point where even with the additional water from streams feeding into the Skagit below Ross, no water was spilled over the Gorge diversion dam.  The only flow permitted at Newhalem was the normal amount necessary to operate the Gorge power house.  During the Thursday-Monday period level of Ross lake increased 2.33 feet, or by 26,000 acre feet of water.  Raver said power was cut by about 6,000 acre feet and the lost power replaced by purchase or interchange of about three million kilowatt hours of energy. A like contribution to Skagit valley flood protection was made by Puget Sound Power and Light company with its two dams on the Baker river, one in use this winter for the first time.  Division Mgr. John Wallen in Bellingham reported to Mt. Vernon Mgr. Loft that Puget also began holding hack water early last Thursday and stored 27,000 acre feet of water that ordinarily would have gone on downstream.  It closed gates to raise the level at Upper Baker by 5 ½ feet and at the old Lower Baker dam at Concrete, another foot.  By terms of the federal power commission license, the company is not required to use the Baker dams for flood control but was glad to be ale to do so, Wallin said.	11/24/59 Flood Event USGS figures show 89,300 cfs at Concrete or 32.17 ft river; 91,000 cfs at Sedro-Woolley; and 91,600 at Mt. Vernon or 31.58 on gage. Residents of Nookachamps “suffer two backups” from the river. No water came from Ross. Baker dams not required to provide flood control but did so anyway.  Upper Baker held back 5 ½ feet of water and Lower Baker another 1 foot.
11/26/59 C.H.	5 in. rain brings flood-slides The storm that struck the Northwest Sunday found the upper Skagit valley all soaked up and waiting. And as the skies poured a total of 4.98 inches more water on the soggy hills during the day things began to happen. Water went over the roads at many points from Lyman to Newhalem, slides began popping across the roads as the evening wore on. A slide on the Van Horn Cut finally shut off up-river power to add total darkness to the difficulties of the residents battling surface water and slides. . . . Official figures from the cement plant weather station gave the rainfall the past week as 11.85 inches, which plus the snowfall already on the ground would probably mean close to 14 inches of water. The record lists 1.19 last Tuesday; 1.31 Wednesday; .96 Thursday; 2.24 on Friday; none Saturday; but 4.98 inches on Sunday!	11/24/59 Flood Event Rain USGS Concrete 32.17, 89,300 cfs.; Mt. Vernon 31.58, 91.600 cfs. 11 inches of rain in 6 days.
12/3/59 C.H.	City Light Dam Credited With Holding Flood Seattle City Light’s Ross Dam has again helped control the flow of the Skagit River during flood conditions. Supt. Paul Raver has revealed that Ross plant had been partially shut down from Thursday morning, November 19, to Monday noon, November 22, to reduce the amount of flood waters in the lower Skagit river. Flow at Ross Dam was cut down to the point where even with the additional amount of water from other streams feeding into the Skagit river below Ross, no water was spilled over the Gorge Diversion dam. The only flow at Newhalem was the normal amount necessary to operate the Gorge Powerhouse. Water flow at Ross plant was reduced Thursday morning and not increased until some hours after the flood crest had passed. In the interval the level of Ross Lake went up 2.33 feet (from elevation 1584.36 to 1586.69 feet). This amounted to 26,000 acre feet of water. Actual storage of flood waters was much greater as under normal conditions City Light would have drawn down about 6,000 acre feet to produce the power to carry the Seattle load.	11/24/59 Flood Event USGS Concrete 32.17, 89,300 cfs.; Mt. Vernon 31.58, 91.600 cfs. Water level behind Ross was 1584.36. That is 8 feet below where it is during flood events now. Ross November 20^th level is 1595.6 Ross minimum winter pool at 1592.1
12/3/59 SVH	Grocery Store Ads	Apples 10 cents per pound.
12/17/59 C.H.	to start immediately on plans for brand new rockport span More details on the bridge to be built at Rockport next year were furnished this week by Commissioner Brown Wiseman of the third district, who has already set things in motion for an early call for bids next year. … Negotiations are under way to have test drillers on the job shortly after the first of the year to furnish specifications for the two piers which will be out in the stream and the two ashore, so that the details may be included in the architect’s plans. Site of the bridge is now expected to be just east of the old City Light depot, and the north approach will be about at railroad grade. The approach will tie in with the present street into Rockport, and the connection with highway 17-A will be at the “Y” below Benton’s store. … On the south side of the river surveys are complete to bring the bridge approach in a direct tangent from the intersection of the Sauk river and Illabot Creek roads. The bridge will span the river at an angle to eliminate any abrupt curves. … Boat Landing Promised The bridge right-of-way deal includes a trade of property with City Light, who will take over the present ferry site on the north side of the river. An agreement has been made to keep this open for a sportsman’s boat landing as long as it is not needed for use by the City.	Rockport Bridge

2/12/60 SVH	Drainage Solution Expected (Editorial) At long last it appears that a solution to at least part of the Mount Vernon storm water disposal problem has been found.  . . .  Now the City Council has worked out a program with Drainage Dist. No. 17, to the south of the city whereby a 7,000 gallon-a-minute pump will be installed to lift water from the ditches of the district into the Skagit River.  . . .  The pump with a capacity well in excess of the run off from the 200 acre hill area now makes possible, if it works according to plan, a continuance of street paving projects.  However, the agreement does propose that if for any reason the pump does not accomplish its purpose in a manner satisfactory to the Drainage District, the project can be halted.  For this reason complete installation of a storm sewer system must await the outcome of one year’s experience with the new pump.	Drainage District #17 Pumped water from ditches into the Skagit River.
3/3/60 Argus	Inter-county Flood Control Work Urged Herman Hanson, Mt. Vernon superintendent of public works has called for inter-county planning for flood control as a major discussion topic at the 25^th annual meeting of Washington Flood Control council being held today in Renton.  He is council president.  It is obvious to anyone connected with river work that most of the river work done to date has been piece-meal construction, seldom accomplished in accordance with any over plan,”  Hanson wrote in his call for the meeting.	Flood work between counties has been “piece-meal.”
3/31/60 C.H.	editorial The last Skagit river stern-wheeler sits on a sand bar below Mount Vernon while owners ponder whether to junk it or try to salvage it for sale as a dockside eating house. It has become unprofitable to use it for freight on the river. And so another tie with the past disappears. The old paddle wheel boats can’t run on our four-lane highways.	Charles Dwelley on Stern-Wheeler
7/7/60 C.H.	254,000 steelhead planted in barnaby slough If everything goes according to plan the Skagit river will become the best steelhead stream in the world. The plan belongs to the State Game Department, whare now starting the program of raising steelhead in their 27 acre rearing pond across the river at Rockport in what is known as “Barnaby’s Slough”. The slough is stream fed with good water and has been cleared, diked and equipped with a releasing trap for permitting the mature fish in migrate naturally into the Skagit River. . . . In addition to the Barnaby fish plant a summer run will be started from Lake Shannon. The first plant of summer run steelhead was of 60,000 fry. Another 100,000 will be planted in hopes of assuring a continuing steelhead run from this spawning area.	Steelhead Fish Issue It appears that at least 400,000 steelhead were put into the Skagit River system in just one year.
7/28/60 C.H.	old gorge dam site disappears from site as new skagit lake builds up behind growing high dam Only the tops of the sluice gate towers of the old Gorge Diversion Dam remain visible as the waters continue to rise behind Seattle City Light’s new high Gorge Dam. The crest of the concrete spillway of the diversion dam was about 35 feet under water at the time the accompanying picture was taken. It will be about 100 feet under water when the reservoir behind the high dam is filled.	Gorge Dam
8/18/60 C.H.	steelheading on skagit best in state last season Steelhead fishing is definitely on the upturn last season and figures to date from the punch cards show that 148,281 fish were caught in the winter season. This is 21,751 more steelhead taken than in the previous season. This was tempered a bit by the fact that 3,417 more punchcards were issued last year but still shows an increase in the steelhead runs. The Skagit River again topped all rivers in the state with 18,568 fish counted. The Green river was next with 11,774 and the Cowlitzs third with 11,075. The previous winter season on the Skagit netted fishermen 14,803 fish. The Green was listed with 9.914 and the Humptulips third with 8,601.	Steelhead Fish Issue 18,568 fish caught.
11/3/60 C.H.	county backs jackman creek project A flood control project set up for Jackman Creek, which has been awaiting a sponsor before the U.S. Army Engineers and the federal government would take action, finally found one this week in Skagit County. The commissioners have agreed to set in the case, and to take over the maintenance of the project after the work is done. Jackman Creek due to erosion of a gravel bank a short distance upstream from the state highway and the G. N. railway bridge, has jumped its banks a few times the past few years, causing damage to nearby property, but threatening much more serious damage in the future to highway bridges and private property unless some control work is undertaken. The county had balked at taking sponsorship of the project due to the fact that no county roads or property is involved and that the sponsor is to accept future responsibility for the control of the stream in flood times. The federal government has set up a $30,000 project for the repair of the stream bed, and a contract has now been let for the work. The county will have to secure the ownership or right of way.	Jackman Creek Project And from this day forward the County taxpayers have been paying for this project.
11/25/60 SVH	Results Show Scattered Vote On Dike Issues Results from 18 of the 24 diking and drainage district commissioner elections held Tuesday had been turned in to the office of Skagit County Auditor Al Johnson by this morning.  Light voting was the rule in all but one of the districts – Diking District One, where 121 voters turned out.  In other districts not more than 30 persons voted in each, and the average was nearer 15.  In Diking District One, there was no apparent reason for the heavy vote.  Mrs. Howard Persons, an election judge, thought a “get-out-the-vote” campaign might have been responsible.	Dike District Elections Voter turnout very light except in Dike District #1.
12/1/60 SVH	Open Skagit To Navigation Being Pushed The Waterways Association meeting in Portland Nov. 21 and 22, passed the Skagit resolution along with 31 other resolutions backing various waterways proposals, mainly on the Columbia River.  . . .  “The Skagit Valley already has exceptional natural advantages that favor economic growth.”  U.S. Army Engineers would make the river study, determining if navigation would justify its cost, explained Magnuson.  A report on the study would be submitted to Congress “at the earliest possible date,” he continued.  Brief initial studies have indicated navigation on the Skagit will show economic justification, engineering soundness and relatively minor dredging costs, Magnuson recalled.	Navigation Project for Skagit River Proposed
12/1/60 Argus	River Dredging Backed Funds to study dredging of the Skagit river from the Sound to Concrete, for navigation, may be asked of the next Congress, Senator Warren Magnuson has advised Leo Sullivan, chairman of the Mt. Vernon chamber of commerce industrial committee.  . . .  The project, said Sullivan, “has hearty endorsement from 36 business firms and chambers of commerce in the area,’ as well as the waterways association.  . . .  He said brief initial studies have indicated economic justification for the project could be shown and it would be engineering-wise sound.	Dredging Study This was actually done and the study was published 1/18/63 as FEASIBILITY REPORT, SKAGIT RIVER (Dredging barge channel), Col. Ernst Perry, Corps of Engineers
12/1/60 B.J.	Survey Funds Sought For Dredging Skagit Funds for complete study of the feasibility of dredging the Skagit River will be asked at the next session of Congress.  Such a study would be made by the Army Corps of Engineers to appraise the economic benefits and estimate federal costs entailed in dredging the existing course and channel of the river for shallow barge transportation.	DREDGING STUDY River was to be dredged from Concrete to Fir Island.  This was actually done and the study was published 1/18/63 as FEASIBILITY REPORT, SKAGIT RIVER (Dredging barge channel), Col. Ernst Perry, Corps of Engineers
12/13/60 SVH	Indians’ Fish Test In Court Trial of a minor criminal case – of major importance to Northwest Washington Indians – started in Skagit County Superior Court at 9:30 a.m. today. More than 100 persons, a majority Indians, were present in Judge Charles F. Stafford’s courtroom. Only one Swinomish Indian, Joe McCoy, is on trial, but the outcome of the case will affect fishing rights of all Washington Indians west of the Cascades and north of the Duwamish River. McCoy is charged by State with catching salmon during a closed season near the mouth of the Skagit River. THE STATE alleges Indians have unrestricted fishing rights on, but not off, their reservations. . . .  The State, represented by County Prosecutor Walter J. Deierlein Jr., says the 1855 treaty, and another augmenting it in 1873, does not put the boundary out into the Skagit River channel. DEFENSE COUNSEL, Harwood Bannister, however, said he would show that the reservation reaches out into the channel. . . .  The State is pressing this case because the rights of all fishermen, whites or Indians, sports or commercial, are involved, the prosecutor said. (MILO MOORE, State Fisheries director, has said the State mist be able to regulate the taking of salmon headed into rivers in order to halt the decrease in salmon runs.)	Fish Issue A Prelude To The Boldt Decision
12/14/60 SVH	Battle Lines Drawn In Fish Test Fishing closures are a necessity to the conservation of salmon in Washington, top officials of the State Fisheries Department testified in the Indian fishing rights test case yesterday afternoon. Testifying, for the State, were Milo Moore, director, and Edward Mains, research division supervisor. On trial in Skagit County Superior Court is Joe McCoy, Swinomish Indian. Arrested near the mouth of the Skagit River’s North Fork, he is charged with salmon fishing in a closed season. Moore, who said he previously lived along the Skagit about 40 years, said he feels the only way salmon fishing could be effectively “rehabilitated” would be a halt to all salmon fishing for two full salmon life cycles. In lieu of such a drastic measure, he pointed out, temporary fishing closures at certain times are a must. REGULATION OF fishing at certain places, particularly near river mouths and immediately below falls and dams – places fish congregate – is a necessary tool in the conservation of salmon runs, Mains said. . . .  “A few individual fishermen unregulated on the Skagit could definetly destroy its salmon runs,” he emphasized. “By gill net they could take up to 98 per cent of a run.”	Fish Issue The only way salmon fishing could be effectively “rehabilitated” would be a halt to all salmon fishing for two full salmon life cycles. “By gill net they could take up to 98 per cent of a run.”
12/22/60 Argus	U.S. Engineers to Advise During Floods The US Engineer Corps has assigned Frank B. Metzger and two aids to come to Skagit  county in event of a flood and give advisory, or more direct, assistance . . . Because the county is more self-reliant in time of flood emergency, with its county and dike district personnel and staffs, the army engineers sent here will sit in only in an advisory capacity unless and until the flood situation becomes so critical that local authorities formally ask them to take chare, Metzger said.	Corps to be advisory during times of flood events.
1/12/61 C.H.	dedication of gorge high dam of many years of construction on upper skagit Formal dedication ceremonies at the new Gorge High Dam, above Newhalem on the Skagit River, was held last Friday afternoon with two bus loads of dignitaries and guests making the trip from Seattle, and many others also present from the Skagit projects. Guests included Mayor Gordon Clinton of Seattle; members of the Seattle city council and other officials; Dr. Wm. A. Pearl, Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration; Henry Heckendorn of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce; City Light officials; newspaper and television men from Seattle and from Skagit and Whatcom County. . . . The Gorge plant was the first of the three Skagit plants built by the City of Seattle and was started in 1919. The first generator was started by President Coolidge in September of 1924. A second generator was installed later the same year and a third in 1929, giving the plant a capacity of 60,000 kw.	Gorge Dam Started in 1919 as a diversion dam. Produced power in 1924.
1/15/61 SVH	Valley Gets Head Start On High Water By early evening, four members of a flood-fighting team dispatched by the United States Army Corps of Engineers had established themselves at a headquarters in the Courthouse at Mount Vernon.  . . .  Fred Metzger, of Seattle, a spokesman for the Engineers’ flood team, said he expected the Skagit River to crest in Mount Vernon at 24 feet about 8 p.m. today.  . . .  At 1 p.m., when flood readings began, the river stood in Concrete at 26.85 feet.  At 6:30 p.m., the Concrete reading was 28.09 feet.  Then at 7 o’clock last night, three gates at Baker Dam, normally closed from Friday evening through Sunday evening, were opened.  Engineers at the dam immediately forecast a normal river rise of half a foot.  Then half a foot and additional water created by downpours of rain in the upper Valley served to increase the river’s level to 29.27 feet by 8:30 last night.  Early this morning, at 12:30 a.m., the Skagit County Sheriff’s office reported the Skagit at Concrete had hit 30.08 feet – less than three feet below its predicted 6 a.m. crest of 33 feet.  . . .  Mount Vernon itself apparently faces no imminent flood threat, Metzger indicated.  He said normal flood stage in the area along the city’s dike is 28 feet.	JANUARY 16, 1961 FLOOD USGS 30.61, 79,000 cfs Concrete, 29.40, 76,000 cfs Mt. Vernon Baker Dam Opened During Flood Normal flood stage in Mt. Vernon 28 feet?
1/17/61 SVH	Skagit Harbor, River Projects In New Budget Skagit Valley rivers and harbors are included in the outlay of funds sought in President Eisenhower’s fiscal 1962 budget.  Second District Congressman Jack Westland told the Herald last night.  . . .  Swinomish Channel, operation and maintenance, $125,000.  Skagit River, navigation project, general investigation, $9,400.	Navigation Project Study $9,400
1/17/61 SVH	Road Flooded As the Skagit River crested late yesterday afternoon, a sheet of water swirled across Francis Road just north of its intersection with Lindgren Road and isolated much of the Nookachamps Valley.  Several hundred acres of low-lying pastures and other farm land in the area was inundated.  A group of chorus spectators can be seen watching the water pour east across the road.  The camera is looking north.	Picture of Nookachamps Flooding
1/18/61 SVH	Higher Dikes Plan Hit by Flood Group The Skagit County Flood Control Council is definitely opposed to building dikes any higher along the Skagit River, Lloyd Johnson, county flood control coordinator, said today that the group feels such action, because of the built up underlayments of sand, logs and general debris, would only mislead public trust and possibly end in a major break-through by the river at a weak point.  Following the council’s planning session at the courthouse yesterday, Johnson said the organization will not endorse any one of the particular flood control plans, but will vigorously oppose the higher dikes thinking.  . . .  Johnson said that the Faber Dam proposal is recognized as an ideal solution to the flood control problem.  However, such an undertaking would require from 300 to 400 million dollars, and the complete cooperation of people in the affected upriver area, and the sanction of the state fisheries department.  . . .  Another plan that warrants strong consideration is the proposed spillway near Avon to the bay.  Johnson said that such a channel would completely eliminated flood dangers from Sedro-Woolley south.  Above that point, he felt the condition could be controlled with dikes.  The county flood control coordinator pointed out that the threat of floods is hampering the Valley’s economic growth.  He said that it has been indicated that several large businesses have rejected sites here because of the danger.  Johnson said that the Riverside Bend area which has been zoned for commercial development is very poorly protected against rising waters because the dikes are as high as practical on such shifty underfooting.	Higher Levees Opposed Higher levees would lead to a false sense of security. Endorsed Faber Dam proposal and Avon By-Pass. Riverside Bend area very poorly protected against floods.
1/23/61 SVH	Legislator Backs Upriver Dredging State Senator Fred J. Martin today disclosed he has written a letter supporting the dredging of the Skagit River as far east as Concrete to permit the stream’s use by shallow draft vessels and barges.  . . .  IN HIS letter, Sen. Martin listed five reasons for his support of the dredging proposal.  They are as follows: 1. Dredging will “substantially lower the cost of transporting cement from the plant at Concrete to market and enable it to better compete with other plants more centrally located and will perhaps insure that the Lone Star Cement Plant at Concrete can operate full time, which it is unable to do at the present time because of the handicap of high freight rates.”  2. Dredging will “make feasible and profitable the transportation of lime rock from the large deposits in the Upper Skagit Valley to various other cement plants in the state.”  3. “It will make profitable the mining and transportation of marble, silca, talc, olivine and other non-metallic ores of which there are large deposits in the Upper Skagit Valley.”  4. “It will lower the cost of transporting alder, cottonwood, maple and other pulpwood varieties from the Upper Skagit Valley to markets.”  5. “The dredging of the Skagit River channel would have immense value for flood control as it would greatly reduce stream-bank erosion above Sedro-Woolley and thereby substantially reduce siltation of the river bed from Sedro-Woolley to its mouth.”	Dredging Proposal Supported “The dredging of the Skagit River channel would have immense value for flood control as it would greatly reduce stream-bank erosion above Sedro-Woolley and thereby substantially reduce siltation of the river bed from Sedro-Woolley to its mouth.”
1/26/61 B.J.	Martin Cites Reasons for Skagit Dredging to U.S. Congressmen             Additional support for dredging the Skagit River east to Concrete to facilitate shallow barge transportation has been voiced by Senator Fred Martin.  . . .  The Senator’s letters follows: “I believe that a proposal has been made to you that the Skagit River be dredged as far as Concrete, Washington, to permit the use of shallow draft vessels and barges.  This proposal has a great deal of merit for many reasons which I list as follows:  “It will substantially lower the cost of transporting cement from the plant at Concrete to market . . . “It will also make feasible and profitable the transportation of lime rock . . . “It will make profitable the mining the transportation of marble, silica, tale, olivine and other non-metallic ores . . . “It will lower the cost of transporting alder, cottonwood, maple and other pulp wood varieties . . . “The dredging of the Skagit River channel would have immense value for flood control as it would greatly reduce stream bank erosion above Sedro-Woolley thereby substantially reduce siltation of the river bed from Sedro-Woolley to its mouth.	REASONS FOR DREDGING Help the mining, timber and cement companies make money. Stop erosion of river banks.
2/2/61 C.H.	baker lake level takes up bulk of flood water The 9.6 inch rainfall on the Baker district on January 14-15 resulted in a seven-foot rise in the water level behind the Upper Baker Dam. The dam held back about 9.7 billion gallons of water, helping to avert a flood on the Skagit River. Records show that during the week ending January 20^th the run off raised the Upper Baker reservoir 16 feet and the Lower Baker three feet containing a total of about 67,000 acre feet. The total storage of the two is equivalent to 34,000,000 kwh.	Upper and Lower Baker Dam Rainfall January 16, 1961 Flood Event USGS Concrete 79,000 cfs 30.61; Mt Vernon 76,000 cfs 29.40. 9½ inches of rain in less then 48 hours. Lower Baker provided at least 3 feet of flood storage
2/9/61 C.H.	flood control hearing develops little demand in faber high dam The large courtroom in the courthouse at Mount Vernon was filled to capacity yesterday morning as Col. R. P. Young, District Army Engineer, opened what was to have been an all-day hearing on flood control problems of the Skagit River. At the last moment, however, the Colonel decided to cut off hearing those present at noon. . . . During the morning session only one speaker, representing a diking district, favored the Faber dam as the only solution. Speakers against the dam included the state game department, fisheries department and commercial fishermen. Also a number of speakers from the upper valley. A short but vehement telegram from Senator Fred Martin calling a dam at Faber ridiculous. Most of the testimony heard was on need for better diking in the lower valley and projects to dredge the river on the lower reaches to give the water a better flow. . . . The 1951 estimate on a 300 foot dam at Faber was $218 million, including only $2 million for land purchase. At this height the dam would back water to Darrington and cover approximately 35,000 acres. Land in the lower valley considered threatened by floods was estimated at about 60,000 acres. Thus the cost of building the dam would far outweigh the benefits gained. On a per-basis the benefit cost ration is figured at 81 or a loss of about $2.5 million per year. The upper Sauk dam site listed on the report is 9 miles above Darrington and would cost about $48 million. Here again the balance of benefit makes the dam impractical.	Faber, Sauk, Cascade Dams Dams not feasible due to cost and environmental impacts. “In view of the costs and distinct lack of profitable operation, it is not expected that any immediate move will be made to use any of the dam sites in the present flood control program. It would seem from listening in at the hearing that the concentration will be on diking, dredging and possibly a secondary channel for the river in the lower valley.”
2/9/61 C.H.	editorial The fuss over Faber dam, we predict, will quickly subside under the light of thought and close scrutiny of the basic facts. Unfortunately it is down on paper in a government report and will be raised from the file cabinet each time someone asks for a study of the river for many years to come. We were glad there was a prompt response in the upper valley when the subject appeared in print, but we must admit we were also shocked by the number who believed that our upper valley would be of more benefit to the county under water. But, as one man put it after a quick study of the original report, “None of us knew what we were talking about.” The report does not favor a dam at Faber, or Cascade, or Sauk. It merely states that the sites are there and what would be required to develop them. The findings on the latter showed none of the projects as sound investments, and most of them as huge debit items unfeasible except in dire emergency or sudden unlimited wealth. There are more sound and economical ways to end the periodic threat of floods in the lower valley. The thing is, don’t relax your vigilance in warding off danger to your valley and your homes. Someone is always ready to offer someone else as a sacrifice. Until we have more voters than the lower valley, we are expendable.	Charles Dwelley on Faber Dam
3/16/61 B.J.	Editorial--Our Greatest Asset Needs A Push!             Recently it was announced that money had been appropriated in Congress for a survey of the Skagit river by Army engineers.  Purpose of the study would be to determine the feasibility of dredging the stream for shallow barge transportation.  To many people the full import of this project may be lost in the present day era when government survey funds are allocated for a multitude of programs ranging from rehabilitating the gooney bird to effecting world-wide birth control.  It should be pointed out, however, that the proposed dredging of the Skagit is not just another crackpot scheme or a ridiculous proposal fostered by dreamers.  On the contrary, the possibility of opening the Skagit for limited navigation is most real, the need most pressing, the potential most exciting and the impact on the economy of this region most promising.  . . .  In the vast regions of its headwaters lie timber, minerals and rock deposits, many of them virgin assets that call for dependable, economical transportation to market before they can be put to use.  . . .  Unlimited deposits of some of the finest limestone rock to be found anywhere in the world are located nearby.  . . .  Transportation by river barge would cut deposit-to-plant costs and mean more business and jobs for Skagit county.  Limestone is but one of the many raw materials that might find its way down the river once the stream was deepened for navigation.  Added flood control and soil conservation could be considered bonus benefits that would automatically ensue.	MORE REASONS FOR DREDGING Help the mining, timber and cement companies make money. Flood control would be a bonus factor.
5/25/61 Argus	Our River:  Keep Navigable! The Mt. Vernon city council is going to guard the “navigable” status of the Skagit river.  . . .  Councilman James Kean brought up the question after Mayor Don Lindbloom had read the letter, drafted by the county engineer’s office, in which the city would sign in requesting that the old Riverside bridge be declared a fixed span.  On first reading, nearly everyone thought the letter also was asking the engineers to declare the Skagit river to be non-navigable.  But after considerable discussion and careful rereading of the letter, it was concluded the engineers were being invited only to declare the river “non-navigable” for vessels too big to pass under the Riverside and the Great Northern Railway bridges in closed position.	River declared non-navigable (to big ships).
6/7/61 SVH	Left and Right: Seattle Needn’t Worry, Skagit Valley Still Remains On Map Seattleites may be surprised to learn that Mount Vernon hasn’t yet been washed away . . . a Seattle radio station carried the report over the weekend that the Skagit River was due to crest at 20 feet in Mount Vernon and that flood stage was only 21 feet . . . the report was attributed to the river forecasting division of the Army Corps of Engineers, which either was having a bad weekend on the job . . . flood stage in Mount Vernon is 27 feet . . . and if the river is going to flood, it’s always heartening to realize that all the disc jockeys in Seattle will know it long before the residents do.	Flood Stage at Mt. Vernon Flood stage 21 feet or 27 feet?
6/21/61 SVH	Skagit Bridge Contention Bone In State’s Teeth The owners of five movable bridges across the Skagit River want to cross them when they come to them.  That’s why the State Highway Commission, Skagit County, the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway have asked the Army Engineers for permission to lock the bridges permanently in place.  THE APPLICATIONS were based on the fact that no commercial ships now operate on the river which cannot pass under the spans while they are closed.  In Mount Vernon opposition is shaping up to protest the fixing of the spans.  Members of the industrial development committee and the Chamber of Commerce are actively seeking to navigatable [navigable] depths for commercial vessels, in an effort to further open up the eastern section of the county.  NONE OF the bridges have been opened since 1959.  Two of them haven’t budged for 14 years.  The two Highway Department bridges are in the Mount Vernon area, the Great Northern bridge is near Mount Vernon, the Northern Pacific bridge near Sedro-Woolley, and the Skagit County bridge at Fir.	Railroads Want To “Lock” Moveable Bridges None of the bridges had been opened since 1959.  Two of them hadn’t been opened for 14 years.
7/6/61 SVH	Army Engineers reply to writer Geasey disputed the report and noted that the rivers flood stage at Mt Vernon actually is 27 feet.  The Army replied today that 21 feet is decidedly a flood stage for the river at their gauge in Mt. Vernon.  They explained the USGS operates another gauge upstream one mile where the zero damage point or crest is 27 feet.  . . . To avoid confusion residents may note that 21 feet on the gauge at Skagit River at Mt Vernon means zero damage, but anything above 21 results in some flood damage.	Difference Between USGS gage and Corps Gage
7/13/61 C.H.	editorial The new Baker Lake, promised to be unspoiled and even improved by the new dam, is in danger of becoming a public disgrace. We speak of the driftwood now making the water hazardous to boats and a menace to its usefulness to the public. According to the agreements, the power company is to see that no such condition is allowed to exist. So far they have had a perfunctory contract for sweeping the main debris, but since have ignored sensible suggestions of burning the drift as it please along the shores and low water periods. The lake is now high and the accumulation is at the mercy of the winds. It has been just a year since completion of the dam. We’d hate to see this beautiful lake go the way of Lake Shannon – one reason for all the pre-construction clearing and sweeping agreements. Apparently the public is going to have to get good and mad. Our suggestion is that they do it now, rather than complain periodically over a 30-year period with no results as in the lower lake. The Forest Service has not released the company from their commitments. What is occurring is just plain lack of active compliance. Besides the bad effect on visitors to the lake, condition of the water may cancel Cascade Days plans for boat races. A few well-placed letters might build the necessary fires needed to get immediate action. Delay can mean a long time grind. * * * The curse of money is a national problem. The poor are cursed by lack of it, the rich by too much of it, the government by the power of it, the world by our careless use of it.	Charles Dwelley on Baker Lake and The Curse of Money
7/14/61 SVH	The Army way is still wrong way Today, on a whim the Herald began checking gauges.  The Moose Hall gauge showed clearly that flooding would not begin until the water level reached 27 feet.  A query at the County Engineers office disclosed that this is the correct gauge.  County Engineer Frank Gilkey said, “I can’t understand what all the controversy is about.  Normal flooding does not begin in Mt. Vernon until 27 feet.	Gage Argument Continues Nookachamps an overflow basin.
7/20/61 Argus	Volunteers Installing River Gauge for Fisherman . . . The big black numbers on a white background will be set in place to match the US Engineers gauge located on a piling behind the Moose Hall.  The fishermen’s boatmen’s-river gauge will start at 5 feet, run up to 28 feet, with every fifth foot against a yellow background, and “21”, the engineers official flood stage set against slanting orange lines.  . . .  “Local residents may note that 21 feet on the gauge at Skagit river in Mt. Vernon means zero damage, but anything above 21 results in some flood damage.  Residents would be living with a false sense of security if they believed 27 feet meant zero damage—for a stage of 27 feet on the Moose Hall gauge used by the Corps of Engineers and Skagit county personnel concerned with flood situations, would result in severe flooding and a critical situation in the lower Skagit river.” (Ed.—The zero damage point at 27 feet sometimes heard of is on another gauge, maintained by the US Geological Survey a mile above Mt. Vernon. And A Historical Note—Last major flood crested at 28.2 feet Feb 2, 1951.  Main street was sandbagged when the water came within six inches of spilling over into the downtown area.  . . .  Two years earlier, in November, 1949, the river surged up to 26.05 feet, gave the valley its first real flood scare in many years.	Mt. Vernon River Gage 1951—USGS—36.85—Moose Hall—28.2 1949—USGS—34.2—Moose Hall—26.05 NOTE:  Is this due to an 8 ft fall in elevation or different datum?  If the answer is elevation we could now determine at about what level the river was during 1917, 1921 floods when levees broke which would be about 31 feet.
7/26/61 SVH	power production Puget Sound Power and Light’s 285 foot Lower Baker River Dam near Concrete has been in operation since 1924, when it was the seventh highest dam in the country.  . . .  Puget Power officials say the Baker River is the first major river in the state to have its water resources comprehensively developed for multiple use of power, flood control, domestic and industrial water supply, fish preservation, and recreation.  Lake Shannon is formed by the dam and is nine and one-half miles long.	Lower Baker Dam Picture In 1961 flood control provided by Upper Baker only was minimal.
8/31/61 C.H.	skagit river still tops for steelhead fishing The Skagit River still fed all streams in the state for steelhead last season. Although the catch for the entire state showed a decrease of 21 per cent from the 1959-60 season, a total of 117,750 fish were reported through the punch card returns. The Skagit River produced 12,566 steelhead, according to the figures reported back by the sportsmen. Next highest stream was the Green River, which had a total of 8,448. Last season the Skagit showed a total of 18,568 fish caught.	Steelhead Fish Issue 12,566 fish caught. 18,568 the year before.
8/31/61 C.H.	editorial Along the Skagit River in these parts, there is a comic opera feud raging between the ‘revenooers’ and the ‘natives’ over salmon fishing. Local fishermen contend that they are being discriminated against by being denied the right to catch a salmon at their door step on hook and line, while at the entrance of the river commercial fishermen catch more in a single night than all the fishermen up here would catch in a whole season. On the other hand the fisheries men feel that a salmon feel that a salmon who has escaped the nets and the lures of down-river should be home free when they reach here. There is also a difference of opinion on whether or not it is legal to play a salmon on sports tackle if it is turned loose without being harmed. Big fines are sought for law-breakers over the loud protest of those who are hauled into court. The result is a break-down in respect for law on one side and sportsmen on the other. It seems to us that the situation calls for a sensible get together at a public meeting where all angles can be discussed and a compromise reached that will give local anglers some fishing and still keep the fisheries men happy. To continue the feud merely widens the gap of discontent over a bad law. And bad laws are those that can not be enforced with fairness.	Charles Dwelley on Fishing and Bad Laws
9/14/61 Argus	Old Log Jam Dike Rebuilt Nearing completion this week is a mile and a quarter of bank protection and dike bolstering that should mean “we won’t ever have to worry” about a flood, to quote one commissioner of Dike District No. 1 . . .  The extensive project extends from Edgewater park in West Mt Vernon to Penn road.  . . .  The downstream half of the improvement is at a sharp bend in the river, site of the tremendous log jam that kept the stream impassable for years after the settling of Mt. Vernon.  The jam was removed by blasting and much hand labor.   . . .  To Commissioner Helde, dike work and concern about the river are remembered back to his childhood, including the big floods of 1909 and 1917.  At his parents home, next to his own on Jungquist road, he recalls watching flood waters creep upward “one step away from being in the house.”	Dike 1 never has to worry about floods. Site of old log jam. Jam removed by blasting. NOTE:  If we could find Helde residence on Jungquist Road we could determine how deep the flood waters were in 1909 and 1917.
9/20/61 SVH	Salmon run record seen A record breaking silver salmon run is in the making on the Skagit River with 11,434 silvers counted at the Lower Baker Dam to date this year.  In the record year of 1935, only 4,307 silvers had been counted on this same date, and a total of 19,000 were counted for the entire season.  . . .  Sockeyes, 450 slightly below average.  Puget Sound Power has maintained fish count records since 1929.	Fish Issue Record year for silvers.
10/19/61 C.H.	rockport bridge dedication at 2:00 saturday All roads will lead to Rockport this coming Saturday, as that little community plays host to the entire county, and as many from outside as want to come, at the dedication of the new Rockport bridge. When the ribbon is cut following the ceremonies at 2:00 P.M., the Rockport ferry, which has provided transportation across the river since 1903, will no longer be needed. The people at Rockport feel this calls for a celebration and they intend to provide one. The opening of traffic across the bridge ends an era that once saw eighteen current-operated ferries in operation on the Skagit River. There were crossings at Skagit City, Burlington, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Skiyou, Lyman, Day Creek, Hamilton, Birdsview, Pressentin, … Concrete, East Concrete, Van Horn, Faber, Sauk City, Rockport, O’Brien’s and Marblemount. County Engineer Frank Gilkey once estimated that to maintain those same ferries today would cost the county at least a quarter of a million dollars a year. The new Rockport bridge contract was let for $258,433.00 to Croy Construction Co., just a little above what could been a year’s ferry costs.	Rockport Bridge Skagit Ferry “Actually the first ferry in operation at Rockport was built in 1903 by Ed Carniele, valley carpenter. It was first used to bring children across the river to school and was operated by Skagit Bill Pressentin. After the ferry had proved it’s value, the county aided in the operation by paying the magnificent salary of $12 a month to the operator.”
10/26/61 Argus	25 Year Flood Plan Said Favorable A 25 year flood protection program for the Skagit Valley appears practical, through diking improvements, the Skagit County Flood Control council was told in Mt. Vernon.  Ray Scrinde, Stanwood Army Engineer reserve colonel reporting on progress of the engineers’ restudy of the Skagit, said a longer flood protection program, such as 50 to 100 years, would involve major works such as a bypass channel or a storage dam upstream.	25 year flood plan.
11/16/61 C.H.	rancher jim ovenell tells historical society of early days on the skagit flats A good crowd turned out on Tuesday evening for the Skagit Historical meeting to hear Jim Ovenell tell of the early days as he remembered them. He spoke briefly of his grandparents and of the trip his grandmother’s family made from Connecticut around the Horn to the west coast which took six months and ten days. His grandfather came to Whidbey Island in 1858 from England. Nelson Ovenell, Jim’s father, was born in 1861 on Whidbey and came with the family to Skagit County in 1866, settling on what was later known as the Downey farm.	Local Pioneer Tells of Family Journey
1/4/62 SVH	river makes 20 foot crest, begins to drop The Skagit River, high and muddy almost a week as the result of heavy winter rains, crested last night in Mt. Vernon at 20 feet and began dropping.  . . .  Johnson said the Skagit River had crested at 25.7 feet at Concrete early yesterday.	High-Water
2/8/62 C.H.	forest service pleased with work of clearing ross lake, recently completed by city light Satisfactory completion of the creation of Ross Lake, begun 25 years ago, was acknowledged this week by the United States Forest Service. The announcement that the 24-mile-long lake behind Seattle City Light’s Ross Dam had met strict Forest Service requirements was made jointly by Mt. Baker National Forest Supervisor H.C. Chriswell and City Light superintendent Paul J. Raver. “As a result of your cooperation we now have a 24-mile lake which helps produce electric power provides a beautiful recreational area with excellent sports fishing and also aids in controlling floods. . . . Raver explained that preliminary clearing began in 1937 with start of construction on the dam. “The clearing operation began in earnest in 1943. Logging was completed in 1955, and the clearing of debris was completed in 1961. Cost of the clearing operation to City Light was over $3 million.”	Ross Dam Preliminary clearing began in 1937 with start of construction on the dam. “The clearing operation began in earnest in 1943. Logging was completed in 1955, and the clearing of debris was completed in 1961.
2/8/62 C.H.	shredded gill net draped at city hall monday morning warns of battle over river fishing It remained for colorful Concrete to provide the incident in the present controversy over Indians gill netting steelhead in the Skagit. . . . Game man. Ole Eide said at present there are eight Indians setting nets between Sedro-Woolley and Loretta Creek and that last week they landed 256 fish. They are selling the fish for about 25¢ a pound. Until the rights of the Indian to fish freely is changed by federal laws, Eide said nothing can be done to stop the netting. . . . The big complaint on the Skagit is that this year the steelhead run is 30 per cent above normal due to an extended planting program paid for by game fishing licenses, and there is a belief that the run can be killed completely in a few years if the river is fished commercially with nets. In their visit here the Game Department officials warned the local sportsmen not to create an out-and-out war against the nets as evidenced by the city hall display, as this could only make negotiations more difficult. They suggest that each sportsman contact his congressman to ask for immediate federal action to clear up the treaty rights for all time.	Tribal fishing controversy Local residents believed Tribal fishermen could exterminate steelhead runs by using nets.
7/26/62 SVH	Fish Expert Testifies At Indian Trial Testimony this morning in the trial of Indian fishermen Lawrence Joe and Raymond Boome was confined to the opinions of Edwards Maines, assistant director of Fisheries in the State of Washington.  . . .  He spent part of the morning giving a detailed accounting of the life cycle of the five types of salmon.  Indians claim that there are six types of salmon–classifying the steelhead as the sixth type rather than as a game fish.  . . .  Interrupts  . . .  When Deputy Prosecutor Paul N. Luvera Jr. asked Maines if he felt set nets should be prohibited in order to conserve salmon.  After lengthy arguments Maine was allowed to answer and said “Yes”.  He said that set nets lend themselves to such a variety of construction that it is conceivable that one could be built that would imperil the whole salmon run.	Fish Issue – Indian Trial Nets in the river could imperil whole salmon runs.
7/27/62 SVH	Jury Given Fishermen’s Case Early The trial of Lawrence Joe and Raymond Boome, who have been charged with violating state fishing regulations by fishing with a set net in the Skagit River, is being heard in Skagit Superior Court.  . . .  Defense attorney Malcolm McLeod, Seattle, called just four witnesses in the Indians’ defense.  He had indicated earlier that approximately 35 would be placed on the stand.  Request Denied  McLeod, known for his dogged determination that the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 be interpreted in favor of Indians, asked the court to dismiss the charges against his clients on the basis of fishing rights granted them by the Treaty, but it was denied.  . . .  McLeod had Carl Boome, chief of the Upper Skagit Tribe, take the stand and testify that tribal members had always fished the Skagit form the Conway Bridge to the Diablo Dam.  . . .  Final Witness  Raymond Boome, the other defendant, said that the Gilligan Creek location where he was fishing with a set net when game protectors arrested him, is an usual and accustomed fishing place for Indians.  Taken in its broadest interpretation the Treaty states that Indians may fish in their usual and accustomed fishing grounds.  . . .  Second Surprise  This morning the second surprise came.  The state waived its right to rebuttal after the defense had finished presenting its witnesses, so steps were begun to instruct the jury on what it must consider in considering the evidence.  . . .  Each side had prepared instructions and Judge A. H. Ward had selected from each set [of] those instructions that he thought best fitted the circumstances.	Fish Issue Upper Skagit Chief testified his tribe had fished the River from Conway to Diablo. Today Seattle City Light says no fish made it past Newhalem.  Could they be wrong or did the Chief not tell the truth?
7/28/62 SVH	Jury Says Fishermen Are Guilty Two members of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe were found guilty by a superior court jury Friday night of violating state game laws by net fishing for steelhead on the Skagit River. The two, Lawrence Joe and Raymond Boome, both of Sedro-Woolley, contended they held the right by treaty to fish in the river. . . .  The Chinook gillnet catch in the Skagit through July 20 was 4,500 fish, said Starlund, about the same as in the record low years of 1956 and 1957. He noted, however, that in those years there was no fishing during closed periods, permitting some fish to escape upstream to spawning grounds.	Fish Issue Tribe members found guilty of netting steelhead.
7/30/62 SVH	Indians Ask Fish Rights Conference A plea to Indian fisherman to observe state laws, made Friday by the director of the State Department of Fisheries, has brought immediate response from the Swinomish Tribe.  Speaking for the tribe, Tandy Wilbur replied to Director George Starlund’s plea today, and announced that the Indian fisherman have agreed to comply with the state request.  Starlund had asked in a telegram made public, that Indian fishermen comply with closed periods and help “provide seed for future runs”.  He said Indian gear has placed the 1962 run in great jeopardy.  Asks Meeting  Wilbur’s reply said that the Indians would like to meet with Starlund and his staff and work out a better understanding of their mutual problems.  “Indian fishermen are greatly outnumbered and so compelled to exercise their treaty fishing rights to gain a livelihood”, he said.  “They should be given exclusive fishing times and grounds.”  . . .  “Hungry People”  Commenting on the contents of the telegram the Swinomish are sending to Starlund, Wilbur said that tribal fishing grounds have been taken away by one means and another during the past 50 years.  “You are dealing with hungry people,” he said.  “Fishing is the Swinomish peoples’ only means of making a living.  They have no year around employment.  They were granted fishing rights and it would seem to me these concessions made in the Treaty should be honored by the white man.”  “The Swinomish are not fishing for selfish reasons.  They have gone into court and claimed fishing rights on the Skagit River because their old fishing grounds on the Swinomish Channel have been destroyed through the years,” Wilbur said.	Fish Issue Tribes to comply with State law. “Fishing is the Swinomish peoples’ only means of making a living.  They have no year around employment.  They were granted fishing rights and it would seem to me these concessions made in the Treaty should be honored by the white man.”
7/31/62 SVH	Fish ruling to go before state court The case of Indian fisherman Joe McCoy will come before the State Supreme Court Nov. 19.  The nine man court announced yesterday that the decision of Skagit Superior Curt Judge Charles F. Stafford will be given a hearing in the state high court on that date.  . . .  The unrestricted right to fish is in the nature of a contractual right, reserved by treaty between the Indians and the United States government”, says Bannister.	Fish Issue
8/1/62 SVH	indians to police own fishing ban Swinomish Tribe Indians announced yesterday that the tribe will begin policing its own fishermen and hand out stiff fines to any who fail to observe salmon conservation closures.  . . .  A spokesman for the tribe said, “The Swinomish Indians have agreed to voluntarily close all fisheries for a period of 48 hours during August 3^rd and 4^th.  However, we have mavericks among us the same as any other group.  We will operate our own patrols and catch the violators.”	Fish Issue
8/22/62 SVH	avon canal to control river level A long-considered flood control project is undergoing new study in the Skagit Valley as probably the most practical means of curbing damage and offering a number of other advantages.  The project is the Avon By-Pass first authorized in 1936, frequently discussed since then and now revived by the Corps of Engineers as the most practicable solution to Skagit River Flood problems.  . . .  “For the 1951 flood the Bypass would have lowered flood stages three to five feet in the Skagit River and two to four feet in the North and South Forks of the Skagit River”, the Engineers noted.	Avon By-Pass Cost of the By-Pass put at $19,000,000
8/23/62 Argus	Bypass Could Produce New Skagit Fish Runs—Start in 1964  Is Possibility Development of new fish runs and of a several-mile length of excellent boating-swimming water are important by-products of the revived “Avon By-Pass” flood control plan for the Skagit valley that are being seriously studied.  . . .  “The experts say near-ideal conditions could be provided for natural fish propagation and it is possible completely new runs of fish could be produced.”  . . .  Johnson said it was possible the engineers could proceed with final design and construction as early as 1964.	Avon By-Pass To start construction in 1964.
8/23/62 Argus	Revised Flood Plan Eyed The Avon By-Pass…is being revised as a solution to flood control here by the Corps of Engineers. . . .  Proposed by the US Engineers in 1936, the original by-pass plan was dropped because of local costs involved and because of strong objections based on the farm lands it would have taken out of production and feared effects on adjoining lands.  Now the engineers propose a 340 instead of a 1600 foot wide channel.  . . .  About four million of the total nineteen million dollar estimated cost of the project would have to raised by the county…The by-pass plan would protect the valley from a “30-year” flood, the engineers believe.  . . .  The by-pass could have lowered the Skagit river flood stages three to five feet and the river level from two to four feet in the North and South forks in the 1951 flood, which broke dikes on Fir Island, at Conway, and lapped the top of dikes elsewhere up and down the river.	Avon By-Pass 30 year flood protection, 340 ft wide channel instead of 1600 ft channel. Bypass would have lowered 1951 flood 3 to 5 feet.
8/23/62 B.J.	Avon By-pass Pushed             The Avon By-Pass has again been proposed to Skagit County by the Corps of Army Engineers as the most practical means of additional flood control.  Many miscellaneous other uses of this by-pass other than flood control are under study, such as fish farming, recreation, drainage, irrigation and water transportation.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife consider fish farming conditions in the upper part of the by-pass as very good and they are reporting as being enthusiastic about the prospects.  The Skagit River water temperatures are near ideal for fish farming.  Plans for swimming, boating and other recreation will be utilized to everyone’s advantage. . . .       Flood damages for a flood larger than that of 1951 have been estimated at over six million dollars at today’s prices and with our present development.  . . .  The by-pass channel as authorized in 1936 contemplated a shallow channel approximately 1,600 feet wide.  The channel now proposed has been deepened and narrowed to a 340 foot bottom with 3 to 1 side slopes.  . . .  Protection for about a 10-year flood is provided by the present levee system.  With the by-pass constructed the area below the intake would have protection for about a 30-year flood.  For the 1951 flood the by-pass would have lowered flood stages 3 to 5 feet in the Skagit River and 2 to 4 feet in the North and South Forks of the Skagit River.  . . .  Consideration is being given to additional flood protection by upstream storage.  Complete protection from storage alone is not feasible because suitable storage sites are limited.  The best sites for multiple purpose storage have been developed for single purpose uses.	AVON BY-PASS Flood damages over 6 million with present development. 340 feet wide vs 1,600 ft wide. 30 year flood protection Dam storage.
12/6/62 C.H.	ross dam was able to hold much flood water City Light last week released a report of the work of the Skagit projects during the flood situation on November 19^th. Ross Dam was shut down from early Monday evening, Nov. 29^th, at 9:30 p.m. and not reopened until 2:00 on Tuesday to hold back some of the abnormal river flow. The power was replaced on an interchange basis from Bonneville and Pries Rapids dams which furnished 639,000 and 264,000 kw, respectively. The Ross station showed a rainfall of 4.41 inches from 8:00 a.m. to midnight Monday. The Dalles gauge registered a stream flow of 114,000 cfs per second from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Tuesday. A flow of 90,000 cfs is the point at which Ross Powerhouse operators are alerted to flood control action.	Ross Dam and Rainfall November 20, 1962 Flood Event USGS Concrete 35.73 114,000 cfs; Mt. Vernon 30.44, 83,200 cfs. 4.41 inches of rain at Ross in 16 hours. Ross was “shut down” for 16.5 hours.
1/17/63 Argus	Flood Study Boosted For Skagit county civil works, the budget asks $120,000 for dredging the Swinomish channel and revetment repairs, and $70,000 for continuance of the Skagit flood survey.  . . .  “Apparently, the Corps has decided a point of no return has been reached,” Westland explained.  “Otherwise, the survey would have been discontinued.  Only the possibility of a favorable benefit-cost ratio would warrant expansion and continuance of the survey from the original $135,000 to $275,000 now.	More money to study the Skagit.
1/31/63 Argus	Flood By-Pass Route Revised—Project Given State Commissioners Backing The Washington Association of County Commissioners and Engineers…passed a resolution requested by the Washington State Flood Control association asking the legislature and the state highway department to cooperate in the by-pass project. . . .  The new route will follow the line between Drainage Dist. No. 19 and Dike and Drainage Dist No. 8	New route for by-pass.
2/5/63 SVH	flood ditch plan moves from avon The Avon Bypass – a big ditch that is supposed to carry flood waters from the Skagit River to Padilla Bay – is no longer destined to be located at Avon.  Ray Skrinde of the Corps of Engineers told a gathering of county people yesterday that redesigning has placed the bypass nearer to Burlington, and extended its length to approximately 8 miles.  Compensating for the added length, however, is the fact that plans for the proposed ditch have narrowed it from 1,600 feet to 500 feet.  . . .  If the Avon Bypass is to be realized, it will require local financing of about $4 million and federal financing of $15 million.	Avon By-Pass Intake moved from Avon to Burlington and reduced in width from 1,600 feet to 500 feet.
2/6/63 SVH	avon—Burlington bypass	Picture of new location of By-Pass
2/7/63 B.J.	Skagit River By-pass Explained At Meeting             The name of the water diversion channel is now a misnomer, but came about as a result of earlier plans for a similar plan to control the river during flood stages.  Under the previous plan the river would have been diverted at Avon and flood water taken by a shallow ditch 1,600 feet wide and dumped into Padilla Bay.  Recent plans call for changes in the intake location of the ditch and a width of only 340 at the bottom but deeper than originally proposed.  The intake of the channel has been relocated to utilize Gages Slough south of Burlington and follow the hillside north of the valley keeping to a minimum the amount of valuable farmland required.  Cost of the structure estimated at $19,000,000 with the Federal Government paying $15 million of the cost.  Average annual benefits from the project are said to be $1,000,000.  . . .  The plans call for levee extension and improvement west of Burlington.  . . .  Protection for about a 10-year flood is provided by the present levee system.  With the by-pass, the area below the intake would have protection for about a 30-year flood.  The Army Engineer said river flow up to 200,000 second feet of water could be controlled under the plan.	AVON BY-PASS Intake relocated to utilize Gages Slough. Cost $19,000,000, local cost $4,000,000. Levees in Sterling. Would control floods up to 200,000 cfs.
2/20/63 SVH	developers will support avon bypass Members of the Skagit County Development Association last night went on record as favoring and supporting the proposed Avon Bypass.	Avon By-Pass
3/1/63 SVH	avon bypass foes speak at hearing Opponents of the Avon Bypass flood control plan last night expressed doubts the proposed project will offer a long-rang solution to the Skagit River’s major overflows.  . . .  Not all the 50 or more persons attending last night’s session were against the Bypass.  . . .  Several opponents leveled criticism and questions at Skrinde’s estimate that the Bypass will produce a million dollars in annual benefits for the Skagit Valley, largely by eliminating losses resulting from floods.  . . . Another opponent said Skagit River flood waters had actually made his farmland more productive.  . . .  Asked last night about a time-table for the project, Skrinde said the Army Engineers hope to start design work and detailed layouts for the Bypass by July 1, 1964.  . . .  Skrinde told his audience last night the Bypass probably will have to be used only once every five or ten years when a major flood threatens the Skagit Valley.	Avon By-Pass One opponent termed a $19,000,000 insurance policy against floods foolhardy.
3/15/63 SVH	legislative study of avon bypass resolution okayed A resolution calling for a legislative-interim study of the proposed Skagit River bypass at Avon has been passed by the State Senate, the 40^th District delegation announced today.  Representatives Don Eldridge and Duane Berentson introduced the measure in the House and pushed it through to final passage.	State Legislature Approves of Avon Bypass
4/25/63 C.H.	big river boats once were main skagit transportation – skagit river boats had mining heyday Now that there is considerable talk being broadcast about the possibilities of the Skagit River being dredged and improved so as to again make it as navigable as it used to be for many years in the past, it might be worth while to give the people of today a summary of the business, and the boats, and activities that were everyday events on the river in the early 80’s and 90’s. To begin with we will name the first stern wheel steam boats that started operating on the Skagit in the spring of 1880 in the freight and passenger business, which was brought on by the discovery of placer gold by Otto Klement, Jack (John) Rowley, Charles Pressentin St. and another man. . . . There was the Josephine, Chehalis, Fanny Lake Lily, Nellie, Glide, Lady of the Lake, all loaded trip after trip with passengers and freight bound for Ruby Creek. A few boats made runs up as far as Durand’s Riffle, which is about one mile down river from Marblemount, but most got no further than the present site of Rockport, and some not that far. . . . The beginning of 1882 saw the finish of the gold stampede so many of the first boats named sought other runs and another crop of boats took over. The Queen, Henry Bailey, Bob Irwin, Monte Christo, Indiana, Cascade, Mamie of Snohomish, The Skagit Chief, W.F. McDonald, Black Prince, and the T.C. Reed. The T.C. Reed was the largest of the lot and Mamie of Snohomish was the midget, being only sixty-five feet long. The Queen, Indiana, and Monte Christo served more years than any others except the Black Prince. . . . The Indiana was built, owned, and captained by John Hamilton, son of Wm. Hamilton, the founder of the Town of Hamilton. . . . The boats would land at any camp or any homesteaders place along the river. From 1889 to 1903 there was little business for steamers on the river. Then in 1904 there started up a little towing business with very small gas engine powered boats. By 1906 there were larger and more powerful tug boats built and put on the river and the steamers, Black Prince, the W.F. McDonald and the F.C. Reed joined the fleet of gas powered tugs in developing the business of log-towing. Then for 40 years the towing business continued. Hundreds of million of board feet of logs were towed down the Skagit.	Old Steamboats on the Skagit. This wonderful piece of history documents the “paddle wheelers” or steamboats on the Skagit River. The article goes on to discount the infamous “race between the boats” once glamorized by Corps of Engineer annual reports. This article was authored by Otto K. von Pressentin. Some of what is reported in this article is in direct conflict with early Corps of Engineers annual reports. “By 1890 there were four steamboats plying the Skagit River waters. They were the Henry Bailey 209 tons; W.F. Munro, 100 tons; Cascade, 63 tons; and the Indiana, 82 tons. The first three ran from Seattle to Mt. Vernon. The Indiana went from Mt. Vernon to Sauk City and was dubbed the “mail boat”. (Source: Report of E.H. Jefferson, Asst. Engineer in charge of the Skagit, Corps of Engineers, June 17, 1890) The Corps reports document “log towing” in 1897. ((Source: Report of Capt. Harry Taylor, Corps of Engineers, December 11, 1897)
7/11/63 SVH	avon bypass could be fishing paradise The proposed Avon Bypass for Skagit River waters may well prove to be a trout fisherman’s paradise when it becomes a reality.  Recent discussions over recreational users of the proposed bypass have been focused on its development as a virtual eight mile lake containing an endless supply of trout….	Avon ByPass Fisherman’s Paradise
7/23/63 SVH	Channel to Concrete (Editorial) A new campaign in the continuing war between conservationists and proponents of industrial development is threatening to break out on the Skagit River.  The focus of developing controversy is the proposed dredging of a 100-foot wide channel, six feet deep, to Concrete.  The channel would open the river to tug and barge traffic and connect valley towns to salt water.  With a stagnant economy, Skagit County sorely needs to strengthen existing payrolls and to develop new employment opportunities.  Initially the navigable channel would create new activity at Lone Star Cement Company’s upriver limestone quarry.  . . .  Alarmed that fish spawning grounds will be disturbed, the state Game and Fisheries Department has made an official protest, pointing out that roughly a third of Skagit River’s Chinook Salmon are spawned in the area of the proposed dredged channel.  . . .  We don’t pretend that a dredged channel will not have some small effect on fish spawning despite adequate safeguards.  There has to be a reasonable amount of compromise on the part of fish conservationists in order for Skagit County to enjoy vitally necessary economic growth.  The conflicts that may seem to exist can most certainly be resolved by calm and constructive approach to the problem by all concerned interests.	Editor Endorses Dredging Skagit Dredging good for local economy.  Would have “small effect on fish spawning”.
8/1/63  Argus	Fisheries Study Promised by U.S. Engineers As to flood control, Col. Garbacz pointed out that while the proposed Avon By-Pass would provide “partial protection,” the US Engineers felt this and existing levees would not give all the flood protection needed in the lower areas of the Skagit.  The “ultimate solution” he said, “is to provide some type of reservoir upstream from the lower valley areas.  Sauk Site Considered—Later in the interview the engineers spokesman said superficial examinations had been made on the Sauk river about seven miles upstream from the Skagit as a possible dam site.  He called it “premature to say that site is a good site.”  Dredging—The engineer did not duck the issue of potential damage to fish life from the proposed dredging of the Skagit channel between Mt. Vernon and Concrete for barge navigation.  Sports groups have voiced great concern that such channel work would ruin spawning grounds and wipe out steelhead and salmon runs in the river.  Fish Studies Promised--…”we are very much aware of the problem that dredging in that stretch of the river might cause to fishing” and promised that “we will have the fisheries experts of the state and federal agencies go into it a little bit later on.  . . .  Present thinking of the engineers is to have a river channel four to six feet deep and about 100 feet wide.  “Dredging alone doesn’t bother the run so much as it does the spawning of the sea-run fish.  This is the particular concern I think that the sportsmen out there have and so does the Corps.”	Fish Issue Sauk River Dam Dredging Fish Study Promised
8/14/63 SVH	Flood Project Study: Report due in fall An early-fall target date has been set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials for completion of reports to be presented to Congress on year-long study of the Avon Bypass flood control proposal.  . . .  Authorized In 1936  Johnson, working with the federal engineers as flood control coordinator for Skagit County, explained that the Avon Bypass project was first authorized by Congress in 1936.  It has been frequently discussed since that time and was revived in the spring of 1962 by the Corps of Army Engineers as the most practicable solution to Skagit River flood problems.  As outlined earlier by corps officials, the bypass would consist of a channel 340 feet wide at its bottom extending from the Skagit River to Padilla Bay.  From an intake structure south of Burlington, the proposed canal would run eight miles almost directly west to Padilla Bay.  Excess flood waters could be diverted into the channel during high water and emptied into the bay.  Cost $19 Million  . . .  Cost of the bypass has been estimated at $19 million.  Federal aid would provide about $15 million of this total, with local financing from Skagit County, the state, diking districts and possibly flood control zones financing right of way costs and construction of highway bridges made necessary by the project.	Avon By-Pass Study Cost 19 million dollars.
8/29/63 Argus	Cost Big Factor in Bypass Protests Warren Good and Norman Dahlstedt, farmers and truckers, and Ray Billups, custom carpet expert who lives in the bypass area, presided at the head table…Dahlstedt said he and others seriously questioned whether the flood overflow channel proposal would give adequate protection and would justify its $19  million estimated cost.  He also said there was doubt that this would be found the final maximum cost by possibly many more millions of dollars.  . . .  Dahlstedt said the questions were whether “we can afford this” and whether “we want this or something else.”  . . .  Jim Hulbert, longtime LaConner farmer, said he had seen “water from Stanwood to Edison” and warned “you are going to have some more floods someday.”  The Avon bypass is “the only thing they have ever recommended,” Hulbert went on.  “It would be very foolish to laugh this off…to turn it down.”	Avon By-Pass Protest Can we afford it?
10/16/63 SVH	swinomish close fish trap at state request As soon as Starlund’s request was received Monday, Wilbur called a meeting of all Tribal Community officers to discuss it.  They immediately halted operation of the trial trap from Monday through Thursday this week and next.  In addition, individual gillnet fishermen who are tribal members agreed to halt fishing from Friday morning to Sunday night during the next two weeks.	Fish Issue Tribe agrees to halt fishing on weekends.
11/14/63 B.J.	Editorial: Avon By-Pass… Boon or Boondoggle? From what we have seen and read, to date, we are unable to determine whether the misnamed Avon By-Pass would be a bonafide boon to our area or just another bureaucratic boondoggle. According to a recent release by Congressman Jack Westland the Corps is considering construction of the by-pass, strengthening of levees and building of a water storage facility as parts of a long-range flood control plan for the Skagit. The informational bulletin makes it plain that the bypass project itself is not intended to be up for discussion at the Nov. 22 hearing. A plan of “uniforming” the Skagit river levee system from Mount Vernon in combination with minor channel widening, and the addition of recreations and fisheries as added purposes to the Avon By-Pass will be the subjects that will be discussed, We do not know if this means the Corps has already been “sold” on the by-pass or not. At any rate, we did not know the Corps was in the business of “selling” anything. We always thought their function was to take over when a need was expressed, justification determined, and funds provided. Maybe it wasn’t intended that way, but the informational bulletin mentioned above strikes us as a first class promotional piece as far as the recreation and fisheries aspects of the by-pass are concerned. We are presented with sketches of ducklings in the rushes, fishermen netting fish out of a boat, canoeing, bird and duck hunters prowling in the banks, beach balls and beach scenes, picnickers and even overnight campers in tents.  . . .  With the levee improvements cited, and the addition of the by-pass, the engineers say we would be able to control flows of up to 180,000 c.f.s. from Burlington downstream, and would increase the level of flood protection in presently diked areas to 30-year frequency. Under this plan, the river would carry 120,000 c.f.s. and the by-pass 60,000.  . . .  The fact remains, however, that the river has exceeded 180,000 c.f.s. five times in its recorded history – 185,000 in Nov. 1896, 190,000 in November 1897, 220,000 in November 1906, 195,000 in December 1917, and 210,000 in December 1921. We’re certainly no experts on rivers but it’s reasonable to presume these excessive flows could occur again under the right circumstances. If they did, we would all get our feet wet, by-pass or no by-pass. On the other hand there have been no disastrous floods in the lower Skagit Valley since the completion of the Ross Dam in 1949. During flood periods, the Ross Plant has been shut down, sometimes entirely, to hold back the greatest possible amount of water. In 1949, from Thursday midnight until Sunday midnight, enough water was held behind the dam to cover 116,000 acres of land to a depth of one foot. At the crest of the flood approximately 50,000 cubic feet of water was impounded every second. Although the dam was built primarily for power production, it had appreciably reduced the flood threat in the lower Skagit.  . . .  We are not convinced either that the by-pass would tend to impair the free flow of people and traffic across the valley. This barrier could work a hardship on business, industry and agriculture. From a strictly selfish viewpoint we can see the City of Burlington and surrounding area locked in by the river on one side and the artificial moat on the other. It would appear that the Burlington Cut-Off would be a more appropriate name for the project than the Avon By-Pass. Before this thing blossoms into reality sufficient thought should be given to the possible consequences.	AVON BY-PASS The Beginning of the End Corps “selling” the concept. How Stewart’s figures impact flood control projects. No disastrous floods since the building of Ross Dam.
11/14/63 SVH	hearing nov. 22 for Skagit uniform flood control plan A plan for uniform flood control along the Skagit River south of Burlington will be the subject of a hearing Nov. 22 at the Elks Lodge in Mt. Vernon.  . . .  Spokesmen for the Corps of Engineers said the Avon Bypass is the subject of one of three separate studies now under way which are not of direct concern at the Nov. 22 hearing.  The other two are a study of Skagit River navigation from Concrete to the mouth and a study of upstream storage along the Sauk River and other tributaries.  . . .  Of major concern at the Nov 22 hearing will be plans to provide uniform levee protection along the Skagit from its mouth to Mt. Vernon; strengthening of the levee system, and widening of the channel at some points to remove restrictions.	New Plan For The Skagit Dredge navigation channel, dam on the Sauk and uniform levees.
11/21/63 Argus	2 Flood Plans Held “Must” …Primary subjects of Friday’s hearing are the Engineers plan to bolster dikes and widen channel of the river below Mt Vernon and their addition of recreational features to the revised Avon Bypass plan originally authorized by Congress in the 1930’s.  “We would not recommend the lower river work without the by-pass,” Robert Gedney, chief of basin planning branch, Seattle engineer district, told the special meeting group.  He explained that as now diked lands along the lower river have from two to seven year flood protection.  . . .  Also brought out at the meeting was that the State fisheries department within the last two months had asked the Engineers to consider use of part of the Avon bypass channel for migratory fish propagation.
11/21/63 B.J.	Engineers Point To Beneficial Possibilities Of Avon Bypass Highly favorable benefit-to-cost ratio for the Skagit River flood-control and Avon Bypass project is announced by Colonel Ernest L. Perry, Seattle Army District Engineer,  . . .  Under present conditions, the safe channel capacity of the Skagit River downstream from the proposed Bypass is only 90,000 to 120,000 cubic feet per second (c.f.s.). With the improvements on levees, a save capacity of 120,000 c.f.s. with 2 feet of freeboard would be obtained. All levees would be widened and strengthened to provide a minimum 12-foot top width.	AVON BY-PASS Safe channel capacity 90-120,000 cfs.  Would be raised to uniform 120,000 cfs.  Benefit to cost ratio 3.6 to 1 with recreation as added feature.
1/2/64 C.H.	editorial The state Supreme Court has given the state the right to restrict Indian net fishing, reversing a previous decision that treaty rights still held. As always, past agreements have a way of becoming unworkable when carried beyond the era for which they were inscribed. More and more the theory of law is “what is good for us now.”	Charles Dwelley on Fish Issue State had right to restrict Indian fishing.
1/9/64 Argus	Mayor Backs Flood Control Plan  -- Rescheduled U.S. Engineer Hearing Here Friday Given Letter The city of Mount Vernon is on record with the U.S. Corps of Engineers as endorsing flood control plans recommended by the Engineers. . . .  The mayor said he had consulted with City Engr. Denny LeGro and written the approval letter prior to the original hearing date, Nov. 22, canceled by the President’s death.  The letter declares the Engineers’ proposals for levee and channel improvements “reasonable and practical, . . . assuming that the costs . . . are economically feasible and that suitable and equitable financial arrangements can be achieved . . .” . . .  “If we hadn’t had the dike break below us we’d have had it,” LeGro commented, as to the 1951 flood.  RECALLS 1951 FLOOD— Mount Vernon residents clearly remember the date of Feb. 10, 1951.  The record book shows that on this date the Skagit river reached a flood flow peak of 150,000 c.f.s. (cubic feet per second).  But to Mount Vernon residents and the City of Mount Vernon’s officials, the peak flood flow of 150,000 cfs. was no immediate concern through that long night and the following early morning hours of the next day.  What our Mount Vernon officials do remember is that the Skagit river filled their banks completely in Mount Vernon and that the flood crest rose until the water level had completely covered our revetment area and was lapping at the gutter line of Main street at the Myrtle street intersection.  Another six or nine inches would have required sandbags to keep the Skagit river from spilling over into our downtown commercial area.  STORE OWNERS PREPARE—“The city of Mount Vernon, with full knowledge of what a flood flow of 150,000 cfs means to our city, hereby congratulates the Corps of Engineers for their comprehensive and forward-thinking flood prevention plan.  UPSTREAM STORAGE --“And in conclusion, with the achievement of all the plans presently under consideration for flood control on the Skagit river, that the comprehensive development of upstream storages on the various tributaries of the Skagit river, can give our fertile valley a virtual freedom from the danger of floods – and possibly in our lifetime.	Dike break at Fir Island saved Mt. Vernon in 1951 flood. Mt. Vernon congratulates Corps. More dams would give freedom from flooding events.
1/10/64 SVH	Bypass Termed First Flood Control Step The Avon Bypass is the “first essential step in obtaining flood control in the Skagit River Basin,” Col. Ernest L. Perry, district head of the United States Army Corps of Engineers told persons attending a public hearing today on flood control. . . .  DISTRICTS APPROVE Just prior to today’s hearing, the Skagit Valley Herald learned all seven Skagit Valley diking districts affected by the proposed levee improvement and channel widening program have generally approved. Confirmation came from George Dynes, president, Skagit County Flood Control Council. Dynes added that all 16 of the county’s diking districts, except one, generally favor the plan. The single exception objects to only some parts of it, he noted. . . .  Col. Perry told newsmen this morning the levee improvement project is linked to the proposed bypass in corps planning because the bypass strengthens and justifies the cost-benefit ratio of the levee job. Without the bypass as an adjunct, the levee system would lack sufficient “life expectancy” to warrant federal expenditures, he said.	Avon By-Pass 7 Dike Districts impacted approved plan.  One of the 16 Districts did not approve.  Testimony shows that this was Dike District 12.
1/11/64 SVH	Outline Flood Control Plans at MV Hearing More than 300 persons turned out Friday for a hearing in Mount Vernon on flood control proposals affecting the Skagit River.  But most of them came to listen rather than to speak.  . . .  Army Engineers’ proposals for strengthening the existing levee system along the lower Skagit River met with practically no dissent from anybody who spoke Friday.  Objections were voiced however to both the proposed Avon Bypass and to recreational use of the bypass, whose major purpose will be to divert high water from the Skagit River.  . . .  Valley Divided  Friday’s testimony disclosed the Skagit Valley still is evidently divided in feeling over the Avon Bypass.  Much of the opposition to the bypass came Friday from the Burlington-Bay View area.  . . .  At the hearing’s outset, Hastings asked his Skagit listeners “do we continue ineffectual and inefficient methods . . . or improve our program?”  He said $3,660,000 had been spent so far in this century in the Skagit Valley on flood control measures.  He also reported the Skagit Valley is the biggest user of state flood control funds.  . . .  Support for levee improvements and recreational developments in the bypass came from the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, represented at heating by First District Commissioner Scott Richards.  Representatives of a number of central county diking and drainage districts also offered official support.  . . .  Recalls 1951 Flood  In a statement prepared by Mount Vernon Mayor Herman Hanson, that city’s engineer, C. D. LeGro, strongly supported the Corps’ proposals.  LeGro recalled the 1951 flood which almost swept into Mount Vernon’s downtown area.	300+ People Attend Flood Meeting Speakers endorsed strengthening existing levee program but many spoke against Avon By-Pass. Burlington and Bay-View residents opposed Avon By-Pass. Over 3.5 million dollars had been spent in 64 years on flood control projects in Skagit County.
1/13/64 SVH	Avon Bypass is crux The Avon Bypass is the focal point in the Corps of Engineers $30 million flood control plan for the Skagit River. The official attitude of the engineers is that improvements to the levees of the lower Skagit River would not be worth the estimated $7 million cost unless the $23 million bypass is built. . . .  A substantial number of Skagit County residents prefer, in fact, that the flood control program be restricted to levee improvements. On the other hand, the Avon Bypass is highly charged with controversy. It is an 8-mile lake that would run from Burlington to Padilla Bay at Bay View and would require extensive bridging where it cuts through state and county roads and highways. . . .  When engineering is sufficiently advanced that costs can be reasonably ascertained, the Skagit County Commissioners will be faced with attempting to raise an estimated $4 million that represents the portion of the costs of construction at this time thought to be Skagit County’s share.	Avon By-Pass Local residents wanted levee improvements instead.
2/28/64 SVH	Fir Island Had Leap Year Flood Saturday, Leap Year Day, occurring only every fourth year, but 32 years ago for the residents of Fir Island it rather passed by without much thought being given to the quadrennial significance of the date.  . . .  The Skagit River was on a flooding rampage and had not reached its peak in the early hours of Feb. 28th when, due to large rotted log under original dike, a breakthrough occurred on the west bank of the South Fork at the Iverson Farms and completely submerged hundreds of acres and caused much damage especially to properties of Iver Iverson and his son Phil Iverson.  Two breaks the year previously on west side of the island from Dry Slough branch had caused much damage and now this major one was to make it a day long remembered – 3 floods in 2 years.  . . .  However, this large volume of flow from river had the usual effect of lower pressure on other area dikes, such as the Conway District directly across stream, and possibly saved the day for their hard pressed levies.  . . .  This sudden and unexpected breakthrough of 32 years ago was at east side of Polson Road which today is highly considered a future location of a new highway to North Fork Bridge and LaConner with the new planned South Fork Bridge to occupy the exact site of the bursting levee of 1932.	1932 Leap Year Fir Island Flood Recalled Fir Island…3 floods in 2 years.
4/30/64 C.H.	editorial The eventual role of the upper Skagit seems to be that of a recreation area. At least in our time we see no huge developments in minerals, such as the crowd here in the 1890’s envisioned. Someday, maybe, but not until there is a need greater than that now projected for folks with idle time on their hands. Our highway over the mountain is going to swell traffic of those who come to see. Most will want to come back again for a longer, closer look. Our potential in parks and camp grounds is a long way from fulfillment. The field of commercial food and lodging is almost untouched. Encouragement of more and better roads, development of our forest camps, and some way to interest capital in investment in tourist facilities will be the booster activity needed in the next few years.	Charles Dwelley on Upriver Development as Recreational Area
4/30/64 C.H.	rainmakers hope they have added to skagit A six-month experiment designed to drench the Skagit Valley and make its river work harder will end this week. It will be another six months before state officials know how much extra effort they got from the stream. Stuart Shumway, weather-modification supervisor for the conservation department, has been in the Upper Skagit River basin since October, directing a dozen rain-making machines. The rain makers are ground-based generators that spray silver iodide solution into passing storm clouds. The silver-iodide particles have the effect of ice crystals, causing water vapor to gather around them and descend as rain. “We hope we’ve increased the water runoff in the valley by 15 per cent,” Truman Price, conservation’s supervisor of power resources said yesterday. “But we won’t know for certain until the runoff is finished next fall.”	Rain Makers “Rain makers” were in operation from October 1963 until the end of April 1964. During that time frame there were two recorded small flood events. 10/22/63 – 73,800 cfs (29.8) Concrete 11/27/63 – 84,200 cfs (31.4) Concrete No indication rain makers were responsible.
6/11/64 Argus	Cloud Seeding Worries ‘Hysteria’  -- says State Aide’s Reply; Eldridge Says Letter Contradictory             Effects and costs of a cloud seeding experiment the state conducted in the upper Skagit river basin this past winter still remained uncertain after State Rep. Don Eldridge this week had received a reply to an inquiry he made late in May. . . . “The choice of this (upper Skagit basin) area was assured only by the complete wilderness nature of the area to be affected,” Price explained.  “We were aware of the hysteria brought on by cloud seeding operations in western Washington and, even though we were secure in the belief that a project operated in the middle of Seattle would not endanger the public, we wanted to avoid the anxiety that is usually concomitant with the incomprehensible . . . It is simply ridiculous to expect the layman, or for that matter the expert, to observe merely the effect of cloud seeding without benefit of an appropriate sixth sense.  The fact that cloud seeding has been conducted throughout the world since its inception in 1946 without positive and irrefutable evidence of success attests to the difficulty of evaluation.” . . . “Nothing in this letter gives proof that the precipitation in the Skagit valley has not been in part due to this program,” Eldridge declared.	Cloud seeding blamed for extra precipitation.
6/11/64 Argus	flood waters held back for skagit Ross dam spillways on upper Skagit river were dry Sunday, holding back water to level off late spring runoff for lower valley, when group of newspaper folk toured Seattle City Light’s project.  Joe DeLeon, City Light public relations director, above, told Mrs. Stephen Mergler of The Argus, and others, that water level behind this dam was about 40 feet below overflow point, to provide storage in case of heavy warm rains that could bring flood threat.  Excess water was being spilled from lower Diablo and Gorge dams as necessary to maintain the emergency storage in Ross lake, which extends north of Canadian border.	ROSS DAM STORAGE No flood event recorded for 1964 in USGS records.
6/15/64 SVH	protection from floods is seen in this scale model of project	Pictures of Proposed Avon By-Pass Plan
10/8/64 SVH	Black Prince Sailed Skagit Through half a century has passed, nostalgic twinges grip the writer at times as he seems to hear the melodious whistle, faint and far away, of the old sternwheeler Black Prince as she boils up the Skagit with cool-headed Captain Forrest Elwell at the wheel.  . . .  Dimensions  Dimensions of the Black Prince were: Hull, 93 feet: overall length, 112 feet; beam, 19 feet; depth of hold, 5 feet; tonnage measurement was 159 gross tons, according to the captain.  .  . .  “After completion, the Prince came back to Everett under her own power and then went to the Skagit to tow logs and piling,” Elwell wrote.  . . .  Loads  “On July 7, 1903, loaded 50 tons of machinery at Mount Vernon designated for the old Talc Mine about 12 miles above Marblemount.  . . .  This trip took three days to get up the river and unload,” the captain continued.  To negotiate Sticks Riffle (named for the old Indian, Johnny Stick, who lived there) below Bacon Creek, the crew found it necessary to pay out 1200 feet of line and employ the boat’s winch to pull the heavily laden Prince over this shallow, swift piece of water.  . . .  This trip by the Black Prince may have been the farthest upstream penetration by a steamer since the gold rush of 1880.  Reached Portage One sternwheeler, the Chehalis, is reported to have reached the Portage, a mile or more above the old tale mine, during the gold excitement.  One old-timer, who has lived on the river since 1877, is inclined to believe this.  He says that a river-wise boat captain conceivably could have made it over the riffles above the talc mine during real high water.  He added, however, that most of the gold rush steamers got no farther than Durand Riffle, a mile or so below Marblemount.  “In 1906, the Company operated a logging camp across the Skagit from Birdsview.  The logs were towed to the mouth of the Skagit and later to Utsalady by the Prince,” Elwell wrote.  “The writer well remembers towing from Birdsview, and especially through the Dalles (above Birdsview) which is like the letter “Z.”  If you were lucky, okay, but if the raft broke up, you were in a mess, as logs would be all around and under the Prince, which would almost spin like a top.  . . .  Gets Name  How the Black Prince got her name: Captain [Charles] Wright [a previous owner] had a dream that he had a boat that was all black and called the Black Prince, so that is where her name came from, Elwell recalled.	History of Sternwheelers On The Skagit 1903 Black Prince carried 50 tons of machinery to Marblemount.  Trip took 3 days. The Chehalis allegedly made it further upriver.
10/15/64 C.H.	sauk and cascade dams are urged Dams on the Sauk and Cascade rivers were again urged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at a Puget Sound Water Resources Task Force hearing in Anacortes Monday. Robert Gedney, chief of the planning branch, told the group to continue study of the dams, which he says are needed for 100% flood control on the Skagit River. . . . It was also urged that all Skagit flood control projects be coordinated under a master plan so that there would be no overlapping of expenditures in piecemeal work. The twenty diking and irrigation districts of the county now spend $250,000 a year on Skagit river work.	Sauk and Cascade Dams Only projects that would provide 100% flood control for the Skagit River.
10/29/64 SVH	Flood Control Unit Discusses Project The proposed Avon Bypass should be under construction by 1968, Skagit County Flood Control Council members learned Wednesday night.  George Dynes, of Mount Vernon, member of a specifically-appointed Avon Bypass Committee of the Council, made a report to the organization as a highlight of the Wednesday session in the Skagit County Courthouse Annex conference room.  Other Bypass Committee members are Tom Shane, Jim Hulbert, Noble Lee, and Jess Knutzen.  . . .  Also included in Dynes’ report was previously-issued information that the Inland Empire Waterways Association recently endorsed the Bypass proposal and that $3,225,000 in federal funds was authorized at the start of 1964 for a study of the proposal.	Avon By-Pass By-Pass to be “under construction” by 1968. 3 million authorized to “study” the proposal.
10/29/64 Argus	Avon Bypass: Study Authorized, Construction Due in 1968, Flood Council Told The Avon bypass flood control project should be under construction by 1968, George Dynes told the Skagit County Flood Control council at its annual meeting at the courthouse in Mount Vernon Wednesday night. . . .  Dynes said he understood the U. S. Engineers had tentatively selected a site for the first of two Skagit river tributary dams that at some future time would be built to provide protection against a “100-year” flood.  This site, about two miles from Rockport, would be for a 150-foot high dam across the Sauk river that would back water all the way to Darrington.  The other dam would be on the Cascade river.	Avon By-Pass Dams proposed on Sauk and Cascade Rivers.
1/14/65 C.H.	letter tells of trip to diablo in snows of 1907 A trip from Marblemount to Diablo, which was impossible by road a few weeks ago, was not too easy by trail in 1907. Reading of the Diablo road being closed by snow slides prompted Glee Davis of Sedro-Woolley to dig out a letter written by his mother, which describes a trip home through the snow. The Davis place was located on the flat just below Diablo – a portion of which is now under the waters of Gorge Lake.	Life In Skagit County in 1907 This is a fascinating article about how people upriver had to travel in the early days.
1/21/65 C.H.	mud slide at power house not serious The mud slide, currently plaguing Puget Power above the lower Baker power house here, is of no real danger, according to Andy Miller, local superintendent. The trouble is stemming from a mass of clay on the side hill above the powerhouse on the area cleared for the high lines from upper Baker. Mud started slipping, taking out the quarry road and dumping portions of slippery ooze over the bank and down behind the bulkhead that protects the east wall of the power house. . . . The condition of the soil on the hillside has been known since the dam was built and provisions had been made for expected small slides and runoff water from the area. An old logging road through the section slid out a few years ago. It was believed that springs and seepage at this point caused the latest trouble.	Lower Baker Dam Powerhouse Slide Begins Soil conditions were known since the dam was built. “Threat of serious damage to the building was deemed remote.”
1/25/65 SVH	District 20 Leaders Call Dike Meet A proposal to dike the entire Nookachamps Valley from Mount Vernon to Sedro-Woolley along the Skagit River will be the subject of a public meeting Wednesday evening.  Dike District No. 20 commissioners, George M. Dynes, John Petter, and Dr. Robert Thompson have issued an invitation to all property owners in the Nookachamps Valley to attend the 8 p.m. meeting at the Clear Lake School gymnasium.  The invitation read: . . .  “With the completion of the Avon By-Pass, it will be possible to dike the Skagit River from near the new bridge at Sedro-Woolley, following the river to Hoag’s Hill just East of the Great Northern Bridge near Mount Vernon.”	Proposal to Dike the Nookachamps
1/28/65 SVH	Avon Bypass Proposed Scheduled for Airing by Burlington’s City Council The City of Burlington had to put two portable pumps into almost continuous last week to keep overflow out of its sanitary sewer lines, Supervisor Frank Screws told Councilmen Tuesday night.  Reporting on measures taken to curb damage resulting from last week’s heavy rains, Screws said the two pumps went into action Thursday.  Screws added he still is accessing street damage caused by rains.  The supervisor also told Councilmen he had arranged for a formal presentation at their Feb. 16 meeting on the proposed Avon Bypass, a flood control channel which has aroused controversy in the Burlington area.  The channel would follow a route starting south of Burlington if it is established.	Avon-By Pass
1/28/65 SVH	Group Gives Its Approval of Bypass Agreeing that the proposed Avon Bypass is essential to a proposed dike extension along the Skagit River from Mount Vernon to Sedro-Woolley, Nookachamps Valley property owners Wednesday night endorsed the Bypass plan.  They also elected a committee of three men to study the dike extension proposal.  More than 50 persons attended a meeting to discuss the diking plan at Clear Lake School Commissioners of Diking District 20 called the meeting to determine feeling in the Nookachamps Valley concerning extension of the district into that area to permit dike expansion.  James G. Smith, District 20 attorney, explained the proposed diking system cannot be built without a municipal corporation like a diking district to sponsor it and deal with federal agencies which help engineer and finance such projects.  Three Elected  Elected to the interim study committee were James C. Christopherson, J. W. Wallace, and Bill Moore, all property owners in the Nookachamps Valley.  It was Skagit County Superior Court Judge A. H. Ward, himself a Nookachamps farmer and property owner, who cited the value of the Avon Bypass plan to any Skagit River diking proposals.  Judge Ward said it would be foolish to consider building any dikes unless an outlet is provided for surplus flood water through the Avon Bypass.  “I feel building of this dike is a good deal if the Avon Bypass is assured,” Judge Ward said.  . . .  Earlier in Wednesday night’s meeting, it had been explained several times that the Nookachamps area has served for years as a “reservoir” for Skagit River flood waters.  Whenever the Skagit rises to near-flood levels, its first high water usually spills over into the rich valley lying northeast of Mount Vernon.  Such a condition long has been considered a natural protection of sorts against much more severe flooding in other areas down river from the Nookachamps region.  Engineers Study  George Dynes, District 20 commissioner, explained Wednesday night that he had taken representatives of the United States Army Corps of Engineers into the Nookachamps Valley 1½ years ago to discuss possibilities of relieving the area of its role as a “reservoir.”  The dike extension scheme was thus developed, Dynes said.	Avon By-Pass Nookachamp residents endorse By-Pass concept. Nookachamps serves as a “reservoir”. With By-Pass Nookachamps could construct levees.
1/28/65 Argus	Nookachamps Group Backs Avon Bypass Committee to Study Joining Forces With Dike District . . .  The Dist. 20 commissioners have suggested that the Nookachamps basin be protected against the Skagit river by dikes from near the new bridge at Sedro Woolley to Hoag hill east of the Great Northern bridge north of Mount Vernon.  . . .  The Corps of Engineers will consider making a study of giving the Nookachamps lands flood protection if residents of the area want it and funds can be obtained, the meeting was told by Ray Skrinde, who is directing the Skagit river flood control planning. He said the Engineers hope before next fall to have their plans for the Avon bypass project and bank protection-channel work on the lower river completed.  . . .  Superior Judge A. H. Ward said he would not favor the Nookachamps plan until the Avon bypass is built because, otherwise, the rest of the Skagit valley would be endangered. He made the motion to support the bypass project.	Avon By-Pass Dikes in Nookachamps
2/11/65 C.H.	baker powerhouse slide area 24 hour job In any hill-county location the earth slide is a common hazard. In most cases the only thing done is clear it away and forget about it. In the case of the sliding hill above the Puget Power Baker River power station here, it can not be that simple. Their problem is to get the material that must eventually slide to do so gradually, and then work out a plan of attack to prevent any future sliding. Continued wet weather has kept the slide area moving for the past month. In addition to trying to clear away what comes down, the company is now engaged in long range planning of work that will be continued far into the summer to make the hillside safe for future winters.	Lower Baker Dam Powerhouse Slide Continues
2/18/65 B.J.	engineer corps to be present Avon Bypass To Undergo City Council Scrutiny Discussion of the By-Pass, which has aroused some controversy in Burlington, is expected to attract more than the usual few spectators who attend a routine city council meeting. The 8 p.m. meeting is open to the public.  City Supervisor Frank Screws said this will be the first formal presentation of the project to the Burlington City Council although various members and other city officials have attended other meetings and presentations in the county.	AVON BY-PASS
2/18/65 B.J.	engineers explain bypass at city council meeting Approximately 30 interested citizens heard an Army Corp of Engineers’ report on the projected Avon Bypass and later participated in a question and answer period at the Burlington City council meeting Tuesday evening.  . . .  Further explaining that floods run in cycles; in the Skagit’s case 8, 35, and 100 years, Holbrook said that the improved levee and channel would protect against the 8 year cycle floods, the levee, channel, and Avon Bypass together against the 35 year cycle variety, but that an improved and increased upriver storage area would have to be added to these two parts before the basin would have the needed protection against a flood of the 100 year cycle frequency.  . . .  Projected figures show that if the flood of 1921 were to occur in this area with its present state of development an estimated damage of $13,273,000 would occur.  . . .  Gedney placed the cost of the project at $24 million, two to four million of which would have to come from Skagit County. Gedney also explained that local diking commissions have spent $3.5 million dollars on maintenance and improvement since 1947.  The original cost of the project in 1936 was $4 million.	AVON BY-PASS Floods run in 8.35 and 100 year cycles. Levee improvements protect against 8 year floods, add the By-pass and protection goes to 35 yr protection.  Increased upriver storage (Sauk Dam) would provide 100 yr protection. If 1921 flood happened damages would be $13,273,000. Cost of project now $24,000,000.  1936 cost was $4,000,000.
2/25/65 Argus	Petitioners Oppose Avon Bypass Petitions opposing the Avon bypass and, in particular, any modifications for other than flood control purposes were filed with the Skagit county commissioners Wednesday by a group calling itself the Citizens Association for Skagit County Improvement.  An accompanying letter said there were 823 signatures on the petitions. It was signed by Norman H. Dahlstedt as chairman and Ray Billups as secretary.  The petition headings “oppose any plans to modify the structure of the Avon Bypass for any purpose other than flood control.” They go on to say the signers “are in fact opposed to the Bypass itself because as presented to us it will not provide protection of major floods.”   . . .  The letter expressed the belief the public was “nearly 100 percent” in favor of lower river (below Mount Vernon) improvement. The Engineers’ plans would increase the downstream capacity by 30,000 cubic feet per second, which the association contended would represent half the bypass’ capacity “for one-quarter the cost.”	Opposition to Avon By-Pass
2/26/65 SVH	Slough Area Residents Seek Relief Owners of property along Gage’s Slough southwest of Burlington are hoping for relief.  For more than five weeks, waters from the slough have been backing up onto fields.  At the farm of J. Lee Lindamood on the McCorquedale Road west of the Interstate 5 freeway, water covers almost eight acres of land.  Nearby, J. Larry Brendle estimates he has five or six acres under water.  . . .  Lindamood has been trying to do something about the water problem.  He is circulating petitions whose aim is to have the city of Burlington provide some kind of relief from the situation.  Lindamood said Burlington now is dumping its drainage overflows into the slough.  Since the slough empties into the Skagit River only through an 18-inch culver, Lindamood said, it is overtaxed.  More water than it can handle is flowing through it, the land owner said.  . . .   Lindamood told the Skagit Valley Herald he believes at least 120 acres altogether are affected by Gage’s Slough overflow.  Once before in recent years, Lindamood recalled, the slough backed up and flooded his property and others.  That was about 1948 when owners of property along the slough dumped earth into its course and blocked it.  Lindamood and others later filed damage claims which were granted by the county’s Superior Court.	Gages Slough Drainage It is reported that 72% of the City of Burlington has been engineered to drain into Gages Slough.  (Source:  Cascade Mall EIS)
3/3/65 SVH	Burlington Will Aid On Flood Trouble Burlington officially gave assurance Tuesday night of its cooperation in trying to relieve property owners southwest of the community whose lands have been flooded by backed-up water of Gage’s Slough.  . . .  Mayor Adrian Strong appointed a committee of three councilmen to work with Supervisor Frank Screws on the Gage’s Slough problem.  They are William Dynes, Marvin Cannon, and Charles Kramer.  Screws told councilmen the city’s drainage does flow into the slough is legal, Screws said, since it is a public water course.	Gages Slough Drainage Burlington Supervisor recognized Gages Slough as a “public water course”.
3/30/65 SVH	Plans Revealed For Shortened Bypass An official of the United States Army Corps of Engineers has disclosed the proposed Avon Bypass may be shortened to eliminate three bridges and thereby save construction costs.  Robert Gedney, an engineer with the Corps in Seattle, made the disclosure Monday night at a meeting of the Skagit County Flood Control Council and diking and drainage district commissioners.  Under the new plan, the Bypass, planned as a flood control project, would being just west of Interstate Highway 5, where it passes over the Skagit River north of Mount Vernon.  Such a proposal has been developed because of severe opposition in Burlington to beginning the bypass there, as originally planned, Gedney explained.  Several Plans  . . .  A grant of $30,000 was made by the Corps of Engineers to finance the study.  . . .  Another Plan  In another disclosure made Monday night, Gedney said the Corps is considering a plan which would provide for diking the Nookachamps north east of Mount Vernon and then using Nookachamps Creek as a reservoir after it is diked.  The Corps’ plan would keep low level flood waters from entering the area, Gedney said, but would utilize the creek as a reservoir at high flood peaks.  Earlier Monday night, Col. Charles C. Holbrook, Army Engineers’ commanding officer in the Seattle district, reviewed plans for flood control measures along the Skagit River.  He said the Avon Bypass would increase protection from eight to 35 years, and additional upriver dam storage, planned in the future, would increase protection to 100 years.	Avon By-Pass & Diking Nookachamps By-pass route shortened.  $30,000 to “study” new route. Nookachamps to be “diked” and used as a reservoir.
4/8/65 C.H.	editorial We wish the state government would stop trying to create the idea that taxes can be directed toward a certain segment of our economy without touching the “common taxpayer”. . . . We would appreciate it if the powers that be would for one honest moment admit that they are not the slightest bit interested how much you pay, but only in the methods used to get it away from you.	Charles Dwelley on Taxes
5/6/65 C.H.	skagit and tributaries in spawning program The State Fisheries is now conducting a study in which they hope to build the sockeye run in the Skagit River and tributaries by establishing a controlled salmon run incubation channel which would allow them to have a maximum take of eggs from the state fish hatcheries. The proposed planning would include another artificial spawning beach at upper Baker Lake, to be built this summer. The department has negotiated with Puget Power for the building of this third spawning beach, which will be the same size as No. 2 now being used and will handle another 1,000 sockeye adults.	Fish Issue Upper Baker Dam 58 million eggs could be used in Skagit project. Need to determine how successful this program was and what is its current status today.
5/19/65 SVH	slides wreck baker power house Massive slides roared down on the Lower Baker Dam at Concrete early today, virtually destroying the power house and causing damage conservatively estimated at more than a million dollars.  . . .  Other slides roared down later and apparently took most of the power house with them.  . . .  Heavy weekend rains probably caused today’s massive slides, company officials said.  . . .  At Burlington, Cleon Cornish, dispatcher for Puget Power, said all reports indicated the slides were “tremendous.”	Slides in Narrow Baker Canyon Compare what happened here to what is described in the 11/19/1896 Skagit County Times article above.  This is strong evidence that a flood caused by the daming of the “narrow outlet in the Baker Canyon” area by a slide very well could have happened.
5/20/65 Argus	whose river? whose future? An editorial in The Seattle Times Thursday that seemed to land on both sides of the fence raised a serious question as to whether that newspaper be for us or against us here in the Skagit valley.  . . .  Nothing that “Seattle’s City Light objects to inclusion of an 11-mile stretch of the river in the designation because it would rule out construction of a hydroelectric dam (Copper Creek) contemplated in the municipal utility’s long range plans to provide power for its customers,” The Times offered as its “present view” this comment:  “…unless City Light can document a case otherwise, the ‘wilderness river’ concept should take precedence on the Skagit river. Too many of our mountain-stream valleys already have been despoiled of their natural site.” While The Times was attempting to register as its main point a complaint that determination as to use of and restrictions on natural resources, such as the Skagit, were being left to “outsiders,” meaning the federal government, it seemed both to be taking a slap at its community’s own City Light and at the same time to be ignoring opinion as to the needs of the Skagit valley as to utilization of the Skagit and its tributaries, for power and industrial development, water supply and flood control.	Wild & Scenic River Designation
5/20/65 B.J.	slide damage A mudslide from the 300 foot bank behind the Baker River powerplant smashed through the plant carrying part of the structure into the Baker River and causing an estimated $1 million worth of damage. Minor slides continued to rumble all day Tuesday as loose dirt fell from the hillside carrying with it trees and other debris.	“MUDSLIDE” Upper Baker Dam
5/20/65 C.H.	editorial Disaster usually strikes swiftly, dealing its lethal blow and then departing to leave the victims wondering what happened. Nature seldom gives the kind of performance a great many people were fortunate to witness Tuesday. Before their eyes a powerful unseen force moved with deliberate menace to destroy what most of us would accept as a strong and durable bit of man’s ingenuity. Streams of seemingly powdery dirt eroded in a matter of hours what it took many men a great many months to construct. Here for all to see was a slow-motion demonstration of the ravages by the elements of the puny efforts of man. No wonder a number of civilizations have vanished from the earth, leaving only buried remnants of buildings to be discovered thousands of years later. What we saw was a natural phenomena, a demonstration of the irresistible force of many little grains of sand against a firm block of rock-hard material. The monetary loss will be great in this case, yet due to the whim of timing there was no loss of lives that normally would have added to the tragedy. People who witnessed Tuesday’s spectacle will talk for many years about “the day time gave the minutes in hours”.	Charles Dwelley on Natural Disasters
5/20/65 C.H.	overtime editorial WHAT DO PEOPLE think about when they watch millions of dollars and a familiar place disappear before their eyes, with nothing they can do to prevent it? A relentless natural force is something that can hold a person’s entire being in a grip that is hard to break. Some of those who came early Tuesday morning to see “what had happened” remained throughout the day for a sight they will probably never again see – a whole mountain moving and heaving as if alive. What did they talk about…Keith Hicks, operator on duty, “There was no excitement, just the closing down to be done. This was all as had been set beforehand.” George Theodoratus: “I thought it was just another clean-up job for the outside crews. After getting out in the boat I went home and went to bed. I came back in the morning to see how it looked and found this. Dick Gardinier: “I’ve been around the powerhouse for thirty years and I just can’t believe it is gone. I’ve done a lot of work down there. My tools are down in that mess somewhere.” Spectator: “Why doesn’t the hill stop moving? It’s eerie the way it creeps along and never stops.”	Charles Dwelley on What People Talk About While Watching A Natural Force At Work Most universal comment on seeing the destruction for the first time: “Oh, My God!”
5/20/65 C.H.	sliding destroys baker power house Earth slides from the unstable hill above the Lower Baker increased in activity due to the heavy weekend rains, and early on Tuesday morning started a series of movements that ended with complete destruction of the multi-million dollar installation. First warnings came about 3:00 a.m. and soon a gush of mud from the canyon south of the power house piled high against the building. Working according to a pre-arranged evacuation schedule, men on duty shut down the power operations and were removed to safety by boat. The last man left the building about 4:00 a.m. As the Puget Power men anxiously watched, the hill above began to move like an awakening giant, rolling and slipping with increasing violence. Dirt began to pile up behind the original section of the power station and just before 8:30 the weight of the new slides suddenly broke through the top story walls and sheared off that floor, dropping the roof onto the floor beneath. A huge cloud of dust and the accompanying roar brought townspeople to the observation post high and out of danger south of the power house. From there they watched, fascinated by the force of nature, as the continual slides gradually ground the buildings into twisted girders and crumbling bits of concrete. The process took most of the day, although the old part of the building was completely gone except for the north wall, early in the afternoon. After that forces seemed to divert themselves to the remaining building and by the cessation of slide activity about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning it, too, had been damaged beyond repair, though still standing.	Landslide Destroys Lower Baker Power House “As the Puget Power men anxiously watched, the hill above began to move like an awakening giant, rolling and slipping with increasing violence.” “No huge slides came during the morning hours after the first push took the top floor. It was the continual building up of earth that poured onto and around the damaged building that slowly pushed it out of shape until, with screaming of stretching steel and the sharp cracking of cement walls, a section would topple into the river. Once the break-through had been made from the rear, earth poured into the building and out through the other side, taking with it equipment, windows, machinery and all moveable material.”
5/22/65 SVH	Pictures of slides in baker canyon	Pictures of slide area in Baker Canyon
5/27/65 B.J.	$30,000 For Avon By-Pass Gets Support Support for appropriation requests for two Skagit County public works projects was given May 19 by Congressman Lloyd Meeds before the House Appropriation Committee.  Terming the Avon Bypass “essential to the development of the Skagit River Flood Control Project”, Meeds pointed out that it could increase significantly flood protection for the area. The Skagit River Valley has a serious flood protection for the area. The Skagit River Valley has a serious flood on the average of every seven years at present. With the Avon Bypass, protection would be increased so that a serious flood would be expected no more frequently than once in every 35 years on the average.	AVON BY-PASS 35 Year Protection
5/27/65 C.H.	upper baker power is online wednesday As anticipated, the line crews of Puget Power had the Upper Baker power station on the line Wednesday of last week after the slide had taken out the lines which were brought through the lower power house, destroyed in Tuesday’s big earth movement. A helicopter was used to carry ropes across the 2,150 foot canyon. The heavy lines were then pulled across by tractor and strung from the poles high above the power house. As there was no place for other suspension, the lines cross the entire distance in one span. Power was turned on at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. Operators and crews for the lower Baker powerhouse are now on duty at Baker Lake operating the station there manually. Previously it had been operated by remote control from the Concrete station.	Upper Baker Dam Power Back Online
6/3/65 C.H.	work started on baker slide The transformer from the small sub-station unit was salvaged this week. Officials are still studying means and methods of removing the earth slides and getting to the job of seeing what can be salvaged from the power house itself. . . . Losses to Puget Power in the destruction of their power station and the three huge generators has not been accurately determined. A $5 million all-risk policy had been carried on the installation. The $5 million risk was handled by ten insurers and written by D. K. MacDonald & Co. There is a $100,000 deductible clause. The loss will probably be the biggest insured loss in Northwest history, eclipsing the $4 million loss paid when the first Tacoma Narrows bridge broke up in a high wind. The policy was first written in 1960 and renewed each three years since that time. Coverage is stated to be on a replacement basis.	Largest Insured Loss in Northwest History
6/24/65 C.H.	much activity on baker river project Activity at the site of the wrecked Baker Rover power station was progressing in several directions during the past week. Mud from the slide has been removed up to power house, permitting entry to the building. A big drag-line scoop has been clearing slide debris from the river, a 170-foot crane was put into action to retrieve twisted metal parts from the river and to start the work of removing the girders from the damaged building, preparatory to wrecking it. . . . Soil experts are studying the hill from which the slide emerged and their opinion is that the 20-acre mass of loose earth is sitting in a sloping bowl of rock. It was felt that the earthquake possibly could have changed the position of the mass to set off the sliding. Findings of the experts will determine whether or not the power house will be rebuilt in the same location or a complete new installation erected either upstream or down. At any rate it is expected it will be at least two years before the Lake Shannon water is again producing electric power.	Earthquake Could Have Set Off Slide
7/1/65 Argus	Flood Plan For Skagit Sent to D.C. A July 30 deadline for further comment on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ recommendations for Skagit river flood control was set in an announcement from their Seattle office Wednesday.  . . .  The 124-page report re-outlines the Engineers’ plans for the Skagit and reproduces the testimony given by public officials and interested citizens at the public hearing held in Mount Vernon Jan. 10, 1964. The Engineers are recommending levee and channel improvements along the river from Sedro-Woolley down and modification of the Avon Bypass flood control channel plan to include fisheries and recreation facilities.	Levee and Channel Improvements Avon By-Pass
7/22/65 B.J.	Engineer Corps Recommends Federal Funds For By-Pass Recommendation of flood control and allied improvements in the lower portion of the Skagit River valley by the Federal Government is being reviewed by the Army’s Chief of Engineers for transmittal to the Congress.  . . .  The value of lands and improvements in the Skagit delta area was estimated at more than $113,000,000 in 1962. This flood plain is highly susceptible to flood damage which averages more than $2 million dollars under present levels of development, Col. Holbrook said. . . .  “Finally,” Col. Holbrook said. “we plan to evaluate feasibility of upstream multi-purpose storage in 1966, 1967. This project alone would be planned to control flow of the main river and tributaries so that with all three elements: levees and channel improvement, the Avon Bypass, and upstream storage, 100-year or higher flood protection could be realized for the Skagit River flood plain from Sedro-Woolley downstream.”
7/22/65 C.H.	flood control study is ready for congress Recommendation of flood control and other improvements in the lower portion of the Skagit Valley by the Federal Government is being reviewed by the Army’s Chief of Engineers for transmittal to the Congress. The plan of improvement for the 68,000 acre delta flood plain downstream from Sedro-Woolley was developed by Seattle District of the Corps of Engineers. Studies indicate that a high level of flood control is needed if that area is to progress. The project plan going to the Congress is a modification of the present Avon Bypass authorization to permit Federal participation in the construction of recreation facilities. The value of lands and improvements in the Skagit delta area was estimated at more than $113,000,000 in 1962. . . . The improvements would increase flood protection in the delta from present three-year minimum flood frequency protection to an eight-year minimum protection. . . . They plan to evaluate feasibility of upstream multi-purpose storage in 1966, 1967 and 1968. Storage would be planned to control flow of the main river and tributaries so that with all three elements: levees and channel improvement, the Avon Bypass, and upstream storage, 100-year or higher flood protection could be realized.	Flood Control Plan Value of Skagit Delta in 1962 was $113,000,000. Today it is valued at over 3 billion dollars. (Source: Letter Report , Alternatives for Compensation for Flood Storage Capacity, Upper Baker Reservoir, 22 January 2003 Review Copy )
7/29/65 B.J.	Engineers Set Conditions For Skagit Flood Control 1. Ten conditions to be met by “local interests” have been suggested by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in connection with flood control and allied improvements on the Skagit River basin.  Provide with cost to the United States, all lands, easements and rights-of-way necessary for the construction of the projects. 2. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction works. 3. Maintain and operate all the works after completion in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. 4. Provide without cost to the United States all relocations of buildings and utilities, roads, sewers, related and special facilities necessary for construction of the projects. 5. Provide assurances that encroachment on improved channels will not be permitted. 6. Notify the public annually of the limited flood protection provided by the recommended works subsequent to their construction. 7. Secure the water rights necessary for operation of the recommended works for recreational purposes. 8. With respect to recreational facilities, provide cash, equivalent work, or lands so that the non-Federal share shall be at least 50 per cent of the total first cost of the development. 9. Assure public access for all on equal terms for recreation development. 10. Submit plans for any additional recreational development of the Avon Bypass project to the Secretary of the Army for approval and determination of the Federal interest prior to construction.	AVON BY-PASS 10 Conditions on local government.
8/26/65 C.H.	men and machines find going difficult on slide nature moved in day At the Lower Baker powerhouse site and on the hill above, a million dollars worth of equipment and crews of skilled operators have been at work for several months trying to complete a job done by the forces of nature in just a few hours. At the shattered power house, crushed into debris by the sliding earth of May 18^th, it took a crew of men and two pieces of heavy equipment to pull down the walls left standing. . . . The upper hill is now shaping up in a terraced embankment that is expected to prevent any further slippage. Large drainage ditches go deep into the arrears where water seepage is present.	Slide Area Being Stabilized
10/21/65 C.H.	river navigation is turned down The request of a county group for opening of the Skagit River to navigation as far as Concrete, made at a public hearing in Mount Vernon last April, has been given an unfavorable report by the North Pacific Division of the Corps of Army Engineers. The study made by the engineers was the feasibility of improving the river for navigation by dredging from deep water in Skagit Bay upstream 54 miles to the Baker river at Concrete. The engineers found that the estimated transportation savings would not be sufficient to warrant expending the amount of money necessary for the project.	Dredging Project didn’t meet Corps cost benefit ratio.
10/22/65 B.J.	Army Crosses Off Skagit As Navigable Stream The Skagit River is no longer considered a navigable river by the Corps of Engineers, North Pacific Division, Department of the Army.  This is not an overnight decision considering the report released this week read: “Notice is hereby given that the report on Skagit River, Washington, for navigation, authorized by resolution of the Committee on Public Works of the House of Representatives adopted 13 May, 1947, has been completed by the District and Division Engineers. The report is unfavorable to the improvement. A public hearing was held at Mount Vernon, Washington on 12 April 1949.”  At issue was the feasibility of improving Skagit River for navigation by dredging from deep water in Skagit Bay upstream about 54 miles to the vicinity of Concrete.  This week’s report stated that officers engaged on the project find that the estimated transportation savings “would be insufficient to justify the estimated cost of improvements.”	DREDGING Headline is misleading.  Dredging the river for navigation was found to be infeasible. Public hearing was in 1949 and they make a decision in 1965.
6/8/66 C.H.	puget power is lawsuit winner The $4,900,000 suit involving insurance claims on the destruction of the Baker River power house here, was decided in favor of the power company by a Seattle jury Monday evening. After hearing all the evidence presented by both sides during a session that has lasted since May 23^rd, the jury found that the insurance claims should be paid in full for the loss. The insurance companies who had shared the large account had contended that due to a clause in their policies specifying written notice of any dangerous condition on the property, the claims should not be paid. They held that the company failed to contact them during the time slides had come off the hillside before the big movement destroyed the power house completely on May 18 of 1965. According to information received here the insurance firms could appeal the decision, but would be liable for $1,000 a day additional payments due to interest and other costs if they should lose the appeal.	Insurance Companies Had To Pay Puget Power $4,900,000
8/24/66 C.H.	skagit is back on wild river list The Mount Vernon Argus, a weekly newspaper which does an unusually good job of covering all aspects of affairs concerning the county, last month went deeply into the “Wild River”, proposal now in Congress. Editor Steve Mergler’s column on the subject gives a complete picture of the situation as it now stands and is herewith reprinted in full: “Those who viewed with concern the Skagit river and its tributaries as “wild rivers,” whose use and development would be severely limited, breathed some relief when U.S. Senate deleted this basin from its “immediate” list in recently passing S. 1446. “But, left out of the Senate’s list of six “wild” streams and instead consigned to future study, the Skagit is back in the “immediate” picture in a new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House bill, H. R. 14922, by Rep. John P. Saylor of Pennsylvania, changes the name of the “don’t touch” streams to “national scenic rivers” and proposes to so classify the Skagit (and tributaries) and 15 others at once. The Columbia is to be studied within three years for possible addition to the “scenic” system and, within ten years, the Methow, to name only one of the Washington state waters in a long list.	Wild & Scenic River Designation For Skagit River “A special clause in the House bill would forbid the construction, operation or maintenance of any “dam or other project,” except by special act of Congress, on not only the streams immediately designated as “scenic”, but also those in the listings for future study. It also would expand (from the Senate “wild rivers” plan) from 300 feet to a mile either side the width of river lands that the federal government could condemn, and from one-quarter to two miles the width from either bank it could put under “scenic easements”.
10/19/66 C.H.	editorial $100,000 for more study on the Avon By-Pass to provide a spillway for Skagit flood water. Also in present legislation is nearly six million dollars for flood control and improvements on our river. Apparently its “wild river” status is going to be plush.	Charles Dwelley on Avon By-Pass
2/15/67 C.H.	seattle signs ross lake pact After a number of years of negotiation an agreement has been made between Seattle City Light and the Province of British Columbia over the use of Canadian land flooded by the waters backed up by Ross Dam. In signing the pact the Seattle light department agrees to pay British Columbia $34,566.21 a year on a 99 year lease. The Canadians have given the city permission to raise Ross Lake’s elevation to 1,725 feet and put Ross Lake to a point six miles beyond the border. The project of raising height of Ross Dam is one for the future, but until that time City Light proposes to add 2½ feet to the top of the spillway gates. This will allow an increase in storage capacity of the lake and furnish about 25,900,000 more kilowatt hours a year.	Ross Dam Agreement would allow Ross Lake to be raised to 1,725 foot elevation. Cost $34,500 a year.
5/1/67 SVH	$50,000 Approved For Skagit Congress has approved a $50,000 funding to the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers for a bank protection project on the Skagit River on the South Skagit Highway about four miles upstream from Sedro-Woolley.  . . .  Skagit County commissioners and engineers had applied for the Corps’ aid in the river erosion project.  The river is undermining the highway at the point, a short distance east of where the county is currently repairing damage from Deadman’s Slough erosion.  The Corps’ project requires county participation on a matching basic of an estimated $40,000 in additional funds.  If the project does not run this high, the county money is not expended.  The State Department of Conservation is expected to share about 30 percent of the county’s cost.  . . .  The work would call for substantial reinforcement of the river bank where it bends away from the highway.  The bank is constantly being eroded at that point and eats into the road bed, said Commissioner Howard Miller.	Erosion Control Rip-Rap Project $50,000 federal expense, possible $40,000 to County taxpayers. Deadman’s Slough is where Indians used to bury their dead by placing them in canoes and hoisting them up into tree branches.  Same practice in the Nookachamps.  (Source:  Courier Times 10/20/49)
5/11/67 SVH	Long-range Flood Plan for Skagit Hold Ramifications Skagit County officials were given a tool for flood plain management Wednesday at Mount Vernon.  It was the Skagit River Flood Information Report, prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the request of the State Department of Conservation on behalf of the citizens of Skagit County.  Presentation of the report was made to the Skagit Board of County Commissioners by H. Maurice Ahlquist, director of the Department of Conservation and by Gregory M. Hastings, supervisor of the department’s division of flood control.  . . .  While it did not fall as a bombshell, the report, as expected, set forth some long-range requirements for flood control of the Skagit River which would have a profound effect on Skagit County, especially in regard to future planning and development.  . . .  The answer, given by Ahlquist, was also seen as significant, “This report is not God’s word,” he said.  “The Corps has done the best it can with the information available.”  He did not state to what extent the plan might be revised.  . . .  Hastings asked this question, “Is Skagit County being picked on?”  He then answered negatively, stating, “Skagit County has used more state flood control maintenance funds since 1943 than any other county in the state.  It has consistently had a flood control program, which speaks for the county’s interest in a constructive effort. . . .  “The answer is a flood plain management set of rules, and this report is the tool to provide those rules.  It suggests the most wise and beneficent use of the flood plain area,” Hastings stated.  The ultimate of the plan is for 100-year flood control of the Skagit River basin.  “The information, as presented in this Skagit River Report, points out the need for changing our ideas and methods of reducing the recurring flood damage in the county.  It will be largely up to you to assist in bringing about the acceptance of these ideas,” Ahlquist stated at the outset.  . . .  One theme of the meeting was that many residents underestimate the danger of floods and “build and plan as though no hazard exists.”  George Dynes, local land developer long active in water management, said local matching costs of the plan would come to $6 million.  “Without the money for that part, we’d be dead in the water,” he said.  “Right now the state has no money with which to help you,” said Ahlquist.	Floodplain Management Plan “Skagit County has used more state flood control maintenance funds since 1943 than any other county in the state. “The answer is a flood plain management set of rules, and this report is the tool to provide those rules.  It suggests the most wise and beneficent use of the flood plain area,” Hastings stated.  One theme of the meeting was that many residents underestimate the danger of floods and “build and plan as though no hazard exists.”
5/11/67 Argus	Clamp on Valley! State Report Issued Here Wednesday Defines Federal Order Restrictions A Skagit river information survey that will restrict, guide and control use of virtually all lowlands in the Skagit valley was unveiled in Mount Vernon Wednesday afternoon by Gregory Hastings, state flood control supervisor , and H. Maurice Ahlquist, director of department of conservation.  With the report, Hastings handed out to a crowd of city, port, diking district, county and federal public official’s copies of a presidential order issued last August that is key to the new valley regulations. This order directs all federal executive department agencies to approve constructions, loans, road work and other federal activities in flood plain areas, subject to some exceptions.  . . .  “Controlled use” appears key to the federal order and the Skagit Basin reports.  . . .  “The part of the flood plain subject to inundation every few years could be zoned for agriculture, including buildings necessary for farm operation. Public and commercial activities which can recover quickly from inundation could be allowed, such as parks, playfields, parking lots, and drive-in theaters. A useful method for determining the limits of this zone would be to use the high water mark on one of the larger recorded floods. For example, limits of a Skagit river flood having a frequency of 50 years…” A 50-year flood is defined as one such as occurred in 1920 when the recorded Skagit stream flow at Sedro-Woolley was 210,000 cubic feet per second. The report’s detailed maps show areas that would be hit by such a flood and also fringe lands beyond that would be affected by a less-frequent 275,000 cubic foot flood. The most severe flood listed from 1896 to date was 220,000 feet in 1909, when the dike broke southeast of Avon and the river flowed southward across the flats along the Avon-Allen road. The report points out that some areas may be flooded by a 90,000-cubic foot flood, while others would be safe up to 140,000 cubic feet. “Floods of these magnitudes,” it says, are expected to recur at frequencies of three and 14 years, respectively.” It estimates annual flood damages average $2,216,000 at 1963 prices.  . . .  Nothing that “early settlers… had the good judgment to build their homes on the highest available part of their holdings,” and, “as a result, flood damage along many streams has been confined primarily to crops,” the report warns. “The danger is the promoters of new housing sites, shopping centers, and motels may lack a long-range view point and unintentionally saddle future owners with flood-susceptible, depreciated and hazardous property.”	Floodplain Management 50 year flood defined. 1909 flood listed as most severe. Dike protection 3 to 14 years.
6/21/67 C.H.	river holding at flood stage After a week of warm weather, melting snow in the hills has brought all streams in the valley up and consequently the Skagit has been carrying the run off. The City Light dams and Upper Baker and Lower Baker dams here managed to hold the run off for the early part of the run, but all are now at capacity and spilling. The Skagit has been measured at 27.35 at the Dalles gauge, and 26 feet is considered flood stage. However, although some flooding has occurred at Rockport and at other low points along the river, the main stream has been running bank full and carrying the load well. Weather in the 80’s on Monday sent the gauge up higher but still not to the point where flood damage can be expected in the lower valley. With the steady stream flow no emergency is expected unless a storm and warm rains speed up the run-off of snow from the higher altitudes.	June 22, 1967 Flood Event USGS 72,300 cfs 29.59 Concrete; 72,000 cfs 28.28 Mt. Vernon. 26 feet was considered flood stage???
6/28/67 C.H.	baker project facts outlined Puget Power’s employee magazine last week carried pictures and the full story on the construction of a new powerhouse at the lower Baker plant in Concrete. With the story was the project drawing shown here of the construction under way. Their story, in part: “Bechtel Engineering Corporation of San Francisco designed the powerhouse and has begun construction on the site at Concrete in Skagit County. Cost of the project is estimated at $4,750,000. . . . Debris from the 1965 landslide remains in the tunnel and in the river bed itself, where it blocks the draft-tube outlet channel. The tunnel will be cleared, an old underground surge chamber rebuilt, and the river bed dredged for some 1,500 feet below the powerhouse. . . . All 23 of the spillway gates on Lower Baker dam will be modified to permit their operation by remote control from the powerhouse. At present, only three are so equipped. The others are manually opened and closed. The reconstructed plant will be designed for remote operation from the Company’s Eastside operation center at Kirkland via the microwave system.	Puget Power Dredged Baker River “The tunnel will be cleared, an old underground surge chamber rebuilt, and the river bed dredged for some 1,500 feet below the powerhouse.” This is significant due to the erasing of geologic evidence of old flood events.
7/26/67 C.H.	permit given to raise ross lake by 2½ ft. The Federal Power Commission has granted Seattle City Light the right to increase storage on Ross Lake reservoir by some 2½ feet. The additional storage is now made possible by raising the level of the Ross dam spillway gates by that height. The increased height will provide about 25-million kilowatt-hours a year in electrical power. The new lake level is not expected to affect the lake for its use in recreation. The request was made by City Light following a new agreement signed with British Columbia last January in which the new level of the lake is set for 1725 feet. This will allow Ross Dam to be raised 125 feet sometime in the future and will fulfill the original plans for adding to the height of the dam.	Ross Dam Spillway gates raised 2.5 feet.
11/15/67 C.H.	cement plant to phase out in 1968 Lone Star Cement Corporation will close it’s 61-year old cement plant in Concrete and de-activate the quarry during 1968. The plant will be down for two months starting January 1^st, then reopen to phase out over the balance of the year. It will be a gradual operation with the quarry first, then the raw end, kilns, grinding and finish end. Storage and shipping will continue until all finished product is shipped. . . . In his statement, Mr. Hutton stated that a formal economic study of the earning capacity of the Concrete plant indicated it did not measure up to the specifications of the program. He described the plant as “one of oldest ones in the Company’s system that had too many unprofitable years to justify its continued operation.” . . . The Concrete mill, which began producing cement in 1906, was acquired by Lone Star from Superior Portland Cement Company in 1957. One of the oldest plants in Lone Star’s 15-plant system, Concrete’s operating costs are the highest of all the plants.	Lone Star Cement Plant To Close Plant began producing cement in 1906.
12/8/67 C.H.	seattle bidder gets lake job Cascade Northern Company has been awarded the contract from among a dozen bidders for the first phase of Puget Power’s beautification project to clean up Lake Shannon and improve its recreational use. . . . “Our goal is to make the lake more useful for fishing and boating,” said Andy Miller, superintendent of the Company’s Baker River power projects. “At the moment, we’re not sure how much time it is going to take to complete the job or how much it is going to cost, but we do want to do the best we can to make the lake useful for people.” Miller also announced that as of last Friday, the lower Baker powerhouse reconstruction had reached about 67% completion and that the project is about a month ahead of its scheduled September 1, 1968, start-up time. The powerhouse building is essentially finished; the erection of the 70,000-kilowatt generator is about 40% completed; the surge shaft and expansion chamber, which handle the back up of water in case of a sudden shut-down at the plant, are about 90% complete; the transmission substation, which will receive power from the generator for delivery to Company lines, is about 10% completed.	Lower Baker Dam Lake Shannon Powerhouse Reconstruction Puget Power wanted to make Lake Shannon “useful for people”.
2/29/68 Argus	City Endorses County Flood District Skagit county commissioners last night received approval of Mount Vernon’s city council to proceed with formation of a countywide flood control zone district.  . . .  The Proposed district, authorized by the last legislature, would enable the county to sponsor flood control projects directly, rather than through smaller, independent districts, LeGro explained.  . . .  The new district would not necessarily mean elimination of present diking and drainage district, LeGro added, in response to a question.  . . .  The advisory council favors the proposed improved diking of the river and channel widening from Sedro-Woolley to the mouth, which would give eight-year flood protection, but has taken no stand on the controversial Avon by-pass, which would protect against a 35-year flood.  . . .  A new flood control development, possibility of having the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. reserve from 22 to 19 feet of its Upper Baker dam storage for flood control use, has been suggested and is now being studied, LeGro divulged.  . . .  This storage could step up flood protection by as much as 12 cycle years, or to 20 if combined with the lower river dike-channel program.	Countywide Flood Control Zone District Did not “necessarily” mean elimination of diking and drainage districts. Upper Baker reserve from 19 to 22 feet of storage being studied.
6/12/68 C.H.	dams helped in last threat of floods Flood control benefits of power dams were demonstrated during the weekend of heavy rains the first of the month when Seattle City Light held back part of the flow of the upper Skagit River. Between midnight Friday, May 31, to 6 a.m., Monday, June 3, City Light held back 112,336 acre-feet of water in Ross Lake because of the near-flooding conditions in the lower Skagit. Power Manager Cas Bradeen reports that Ross Lake rose 9.8 feet during that period. At one time Ross reservoir received approximately 25,000 cubic feet per second flow of water from that part of the Skagit River and its tributaries upstream of the dam. Outflow was kept down to the minimum.	June 3, 1968 Flood Event USGS Concrete not available; 68,800 cfs 28.09 Mt. Vernon. 2 feet over flood stage if flood stage 26 feet. See 6/21/67 C.H. Ross Lake rose almost ten feet in 4 days.
8/28/68 C.H.	skagit tribe is offered grant The Upper Skagit Tribe will meet this Saturday, August 31, at Hillcrest Park in Mt. Vernon to discuss and vote on accepting a proposed settlement of $384,471.42 offered the Tribe to settle its claim case against the United States, which has been pending since 1951. The settlement represents additional compensation for 453,000 acres of land ceded under the Treaty of Pt. Elliott in 1859, and is based on a value of 90 cents per acre at the time of law, such valuations are established on the basis of what the land was worth at the time of the Treaty. . . . Charles Boome of Sedro-Woolley is Chairman of the Upper Skagit Tribe and Mrs. Alice Cuthbert is secretary. They state that this is the most important meeting the Tribe has had. They emphasize that individuals must be present to vote and urge everyone to attend.	Upper Skagit Tribe Offered payment for their land that the government took from them. See 6/21/51 C.H.
9/11/68 C.H.	skagit indians accept government award The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe voted to accept the U.S. government’s offer of $348,471.42 in settlement of the tribe’s claim for additional compensation for 453,000 acres of land ceded under the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1859.	Upper Skagit Tribe See 8/28/68 C.H. and 6/21/51 C.H.
9/18/68 C.H.	baker power plant back on the line Kilowatts, which had been flowing past the Lower Baker River Powerhouse since the slide of May 1965 were being collected again this week and put to work on the power grid of Puget Sound Power & Light. The new powerhouse, which houses the 70,000 kilowatt generator salvaged from the disaster, is now in official operation although testing and the usual shakedown of “bugs” will continue until all equipment is operating efficiently. . . . Work on the project was done by the Bechtel Corporation and was started in the spring of 1967. The cost of the completed project has been set at $4,750,000. The company has been awarded $5,144,645 from insurance following the destruction of the original plant. . . . While the Bechtel Corporation was on the job, the company had them renew all 23 of the spillway gates on the dam. Eight of them were replaced with steel instead of wood and will be operated by remote control. The entire powerhouse has been designed for remote control operation from the Redmond Operation Center by solid state microwave units.	Lower Baker Dam Powerhouse Spillway gates operated by remote control. It took them almost as long to rebuild the powerhouse as it did to build the dam.
1/9/69 Argus	City To Make $4,419 Survey of River Mount Vernon city councilmen voted four to one last night to make a $4,419 engineering study of the Skagit River to clarify status of the city’s Edgewater park and garbage fill operation.  . . . As agreed on at the Dec. 6 meeting, the suggested cross-section points on the river were outlined on a map prepared by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.  . . .  The study is intended to provide data on which a decision can be made as to how much of the park riverbank should be cut back to provide additional river flow at flood time to make up for high water channel room taken by the garbage fill.	Study to clarify status of Mt. Vernon Edgewater Park (garbage dump).
2/13/69 Argus	VI. Fire Chiefs Urge Flood Preparations             Six Skagit county fire chiefs called on the county engineer’s office and Joe Cain, county civil defense director, Tuesday night for immediate planning to cope with a possible flood emergency this season.  . . .  Johnson said there was some cause for concern because the latest snow pack report lists the Skagit watershed as 127 per cent above normal. He pointed out that while record floods have tended to come in November or December, the last serious flood in this valley occurred in February, 1951.  . . .  The problem of communications, between the courthouse and the fire stations and to workers on the dikes appears in better shape than in 1951, discussion indicated.	Snow pack 127% of normal. Problem with communications between courthouse and fire departments in 1951.
2/20/69 Argus	High Water? Flood Council Decides Dike District Agency it Open Dikes if Necessary             One of the major agreements the group reached was as to who would have to right to order a dike “blown” to reduce water pressure and hold down flood damage. It was agreed this was the right of the dike district commissioners.  . . .  Other subjects discussed included how to coordinate flood control work, availability of sand bags and pay for help obtained during an emergency.	Dike Districts have authority to “blow” dikes.
4/10/69 Argus	City Pinpoints Profile Of Skagit River Bottom HOW DEEP THE RIVER? - Sketch above is profile of Skagit river bottom, between Gates street on east and Edgewater park on west, drawn from river depth surveys completed Wednesday by City Engr.  G. D. LeGro’s crew. With river holding at nine-foot level on the gauge, there was 15 feet of water at 100 and 200 feet out from the parking revetment, 9½ feet at the 300-foot point and ten feet at 400 feet. River width at this point is 500 feet. Deepest water directly under the downtown bridge was 24 feet. LeGro calculated river at this point is 500 feet. Deepest water directly under the downtown bridge was 24 feet. LeGro calculated river at this point would carry 120,000 cubic feet per second at 27½ -foot flood height, which is considered between a seven- and nine-year frequency flood.	Mt. Vernon Sounds River Depths River about 10 to 15 feet deep. Deepest point under Riverside Bridge 24 feet.
7/15/69 SVH	river widening needed in parts, report reveals . . . Some 5,396,000 cubic yards of dirt, rocks and gravel would be excavated totally if the project is undertaken.	River Widening would have been in the Mt. Vernon City Dump Area.
7/17/69 Argus	VII. river flood plan offered             A master plan for future development of the Skagit river channel through downtown Mount Vernon for both flood protection and landfill has been forwarded by city officials to the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Seattle, and the state Department of Water Resources, Olympia.  The state agency, which last year question the city’s continuing to use Blumberg island as a garbage fill, for gradual conversion to Edgewater park, replied in recent days that it would study the report.  Combining Corps of Engineers data on river flood capacity with results of the city’s actual measurement of the river bed at 19 crossings this year, City Engr. Denny LeGro has recommended cutting back the bank of Blumberg island from 44 to 98 feet between the Division street bridge and the downstream tip of the island, across from Kincaid street.  . . .  His letter suggested a plan for a minimum river channel width of 50 feet at ten-foot river level through downtown Mount Vernon, with a flaring out on below to improve the flow of flood waters. LeGro’s letter declared the proposed plan would “provide the hydraulic needs of the Skagit river through Mount Vernon without materially affecting the flood plain needs of the Skagit river at flood stage.”	Edgewater Park study completed. Mt. Vernon city engineer recommends cutting back bank of Edgewater Park from 44 to 98 feet.
8/14/69 SVH	salmon anglers!  our pink salmon (humpies) need help	Advertisement from Washington Fisheries informing fishermen to release all pink salmon.
9/3/69 C.H.	slow runoff perfect for baker river dams With snow in the hills about gone, river control is the practice at dams both on the Skagit and Baker. The Skagit River is at about its lowest point in several years, due to the lack of rainfall the past month. Power potentials have been maintained by holding the water behind the dams to the best advantage. . . . Lowest water recorded on the Skagit in August was ’41 when it ran 6,400 cu. ft. 1969 August average was 8,000. August average over the years is 9,660. Normal flow in July is 18,000 cu.-ft. per second. September is considered the low month of the year so another drop is expected unless heavy rains set in.	Upper Baker Dam Lowest water recorded on the Skagit in August was 1941 when it ran 6,400 cu. ft. 1969 August average was 8,000. August average over the years is 9,660. Normal flow in July is 18,000 cu.-ft. per second.
9/8/69 SVH	conservation group asks exclusion of skagit as wild river Letter to USFS from Skagit Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors . . .  We question whether the segments of the Skagit River and its tributaries as proposed for study in the Act, meet the requirements as specified in the Act.  The main stream of the Skagit from Bacon Creek to Mt. Vernon is not a free-flowing river since its flow is affected by the existing Skagit River dams.  The Skagit from above Concrete to Mt Vernon flows through alluvial soils which to a large degree have been cleared and are being used for agriculture or have been or are being developed for recreational homesites.  . . .  We believe that the provisions of the Wild Rivers Act would make it difficult, if not impossible, to control the bank erosion and otherwise construct dikes and other flood control works.	SCD Opposed Wild and Scenic Designation
11/12/69 C.H.	baker area earth shift brings 4.5 earthquake sunday night The Upper Skagit Valley now has its own earthquake. The first sign of this phenomenon came at about 11:40 Sunday night when a growing rumble turned into a real, house-shaking 4.5 Richter-scale earthquake that lasted for several seconds. In a few minutes came another shock of lesser intensity and more of these varying from mere rumbles to definite and disturbing tremors continued through the night until past 3:00 in the morning. As residents from Diablo down valley to Hamilton turned on the radio and TV sets Monday morning to learn what disaster had struck the state at some distance away it was found that no one on the newscasts had knowledge of the night of tremors. It was along in mid-morning before the word reached outlying areas, and around noon before word came from the University of Washington seismograph that there WAS an earthquake of strong signal and it was centered in the Mount Baker-Baker Lake area.	Earthquake -- Epicenter Baker Lake Area 4.5 on Richter-scale.
4/8/70 C.H.	first batches of sockeye salmon of season start migration to deep water Over 9,000 small fingerlings slipped into the creek at the north end of Baker Lake last Saturday as Vern Daves, superintendent of the Game Department’s fish hatchery, released the first batch of sockeye for the season. The tiny silver streaks were about an inch and a half in length and weighed out at 5 fish to 1 gram. Daves dips the fish in sieves from the trough and weighs them to judge how many he is releasing at a time. He said that 6¼ million were released last year. Mortality rate is extremely high with thousands lost over the dam and to birds and other predators in the lake. Only about one in a thousand survives to hit open water.	Sockeye Salmon Fish Issue The mortality rate is shocking. If the figures given in this article are true only 6,250 fish out of 6,250,000 survive to reach the Skagit River. There has got to be a better way.

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[1] The Skagit Valley Herald underwent many name changes. It was called “The Skagit News”, “The Skagit News-Herald”, “Mt. Vernon Herald”, and “Mount Vernon Daily Herald”. (Source: Skagit Valley Herald 1/3/56).

[1] The word describes a sort of no-man's land between a levee and the river.

[1] The Skagit County Times was the forerunner of The Courier-Times, Sedro-Woolley newspaper. It stated it was “The Only Democratic Paper Published in Skagit County.”

[1] Portions of this article were unreadable and are represented by . . . inserts. Unfortunately, this is the only article located on this flood event. The Skagit Valley Herald, The Skagit Argus and The Courier-Times have all lost their copies covering this flood event. Due to the condition of this article its transcription cannot be relied on to be absolutely accurate.

[5] This is a mistake. It should be December 1917.

[6] This is a misstatement. That was the date of the newspaper article. The flood happened on December 29, 1917.

[7] Should be flood of 1917.

[8] February 27, 28, & 29^th.

[9] The meaning of the Indian word “Skiyou” is dead man. Many skeletons rested in old canoes put up on poles or in the branches of trees on Skiyou Island and many more near the Nookachamps. They were not very agreeable places to pass on a warm day. (Source: Courier-Times 10/20/49).

[10] This story was divided into three issues. Each issue is separated by a date heading.

[11] This is a typo. It should be James E. Stewart.

[12] Perhaps there are two Stewarts. He worked for Skagit County but in 1922-23 after the 1921 flood. Typo??

[13] Unpredictable change.