OCR Text |
Show Flood control is urgently needed in certain areas, and a higher degree of flood protection is required in other areas. Most of the basin area subject to flood damage already has received a certain degree of protection, but the rapid economic growth in recent years has increased the need for flood control. Municipal and industrial water is critically needed in a few limited areas. Navigation should be maintained, and extended as need develops, insofar as it does not conflict with uses of water for beneficial purposes of higher pri- ority. With the foregoing background regarding the water needs by function, it is suggested that in the advancement of the program by all interests con- cerned, the following criteria be applied to project selection: 1. Preference should be given to those units which are in a position to meet several of the needs through construction of a single facility. 2. Preference should be given to water conser- vation projects which incorporate power develop- ment. It would be desirable not only to eliminate present water supply deficiencies but also to keep the iConstruction of reservoirs (water-conserving features) in appropriate balance with canals (water- consuming features). This will involve construc- tion of reservoirs at least as rapidly as water demands increase, but in cases where irrigation demand promises to develop slowly, the reservoirs could appropriately be constructed ahead of the canals. If reservoir development includes power, it can be operated primarily for that purpose dur- ing the interim period while the water demands build up. In that way it can help meet the power needs of the area and conserve fuel resources. Furthermore, the construction of reservoirs ahead of the canals would permit greater flexibility in providing additional irrigation. 3. Effort should be made, as early as possible, to make use of feasible underground storage. 4. A high order of priority also should be given to power developments needed to fill any gap be- tween aggregate power requirements and the amount to be provided through multiple-purpose projects. 5. Consideration should be given to specific projects which will fill critical local needs. Watershed management programs also should be intensified at an early date throughout the basin. Appropriate land management programs are needed in the headwater areas, in the foothills, and in the valley proper. The general purposes of the several programs would be to conserve the soil resources, to promote better water-flow conditions, and to increase agricultural and forest production. Specific attention should be given in headwater areas to those measures which would increase water yields during periods of low flow and would prevent or control erosion. High on the list of specific needs in the drainage basins are intensification of forest fire control, reclamation of denuded and depleted land, and better management of forest and range lands, both public and private. Intensification of soil and water conservation practices on the presently irri- gated land are needed also to obtain better returns from the amount of water used in agricultural pro- duction. Such programs would increase produc- tion, raise the efficiency of both water and soil, and reduce losses. Positive steps must also be taken in water and land programs to maintain the desired level of fish and wildlife production. Such levels can be pro- duced by operations designed to enhance these natural resources through improvement or main- tenance of the habitat, and managing the resources in accordance with sound conservation principles. Further, positive steps in pollution control should not be deferred. Such steps should include not only the maintenance of adequate flows, but a reduction in the various pollution hazards. Asso- ciated with this phase of the program is the main- tenance of the mosquito control effort. Provision for growing recreational needs must be kept in step with other development. Provision should be made in water resources projects for all types of recreation practicable at the speed con- sistent with availability of funds. Available data should be supplemented by an expansion of resources surveys in practically all fields of effort. More data and research are needed. The availability of maps, all kinds of physical, economic, and social data, and the results of research, are essential to the proper planning and the successful construction and operation of the many projects which are involved in or related to the use and control of the water resources. Addi- tions are needed to the information already avail- able to assure full success of these undertakings. 153 |