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Show tional manner than at present. In spite of the organization of soil conservation districts in many of the farmed areas, only a beginning has been1 made in proper erosion control on cultivated lands. An intensified program of erosion control and other forms of proper watershed management is essential if the best use of reservoirs is to be made. In areas where reservoirs are threatened by high rates of sedimentation, serious consideration should be given to retarding construction of reservoirs un- til watershed management can be brought into step with, such construction. Preservation of the Columbia River Fishery The impending completion of several dams across the Columbia and the Snake have placed in doubt the maintenance of important runs of anad- romous fish in those streams. These streams and their tributaries are breeding grounds for fish caught as far afield as British Columbia, and the poten- tial damage to the fisheries of Washington and Oregon is substantial. Development of a program of adapting the fishery to the needs of main stem facility construction is vital to the continued pro- ductivity of this resource. Rehabilitation of former spawning grounds on the lower river and tribu- taries and careful study of management possibili- ties are needed immediately. Treatmen t of Old Irrigated Land Moderate to critical deterioration has taken place on a significant part of the 3.7 million acres of irrigated land. Considerable areas have been waterlogged by the application of excessive water, or by seepage from higher lands. In some cases older, privately developed projects at lower eleva- tions than, newly watered areas have been ruined, and largely abandoned. An example can be found along the Payette River Valley, Gem County, southern Jdaho, where proper provision was not made to prevent seepage, or to install drainage facilities on lower-lying lands. A large percentage of the 17Q organized drainage districts in the area, comprising 1.3 million acres, serve irrigated lands. The Department of Agri- culture considers that many of these systems need rehabilitation. Study of these needs and their place in the agricultural economy of the Pacific North- west is desirable at the earliest opportunity. Adverse Effects Associated with the Construction of Reservoirs or Other Facilities Reservoir construction, particularly in mountain- ous areas, may increase the cost of exploiting a valuable resource by cutting off access to it. The new means of access may make it more expensive to provide the same service, since two roads may be needed (one on each side of the reservoir) where one served before.3 Maintenance of even a single road may become much more difficult when moved onto a slope from a valley. To mention one exam- ple, unless adequate relocated roads are provided, the construction of the Hungry Horse Dam in Mon- tana will make 750 million board-feet of timber inaccessible. Similar situations are likely to arise for other projects, as is the case at the Libby Project in Montana. Planning for and construction of re- placement facilities for the utilization of another resource appear to be a needed part of project formulation. Reservoir construction, on the other hand, may improve access to resources, as to mineral deposits via the pool of the proposed Hells Canyon Project. Disadvantages are associated with project con- struction in the displacement of wildlife refuges, and with lands from which reservation Indians may derive their livelihood. In such cases provision for replacement will be required. Opportunities for Enhancement of Present Water Use There are a number of opportunities for improv- ing the availability and enhancing the quality of water in parts of the basin. Most relate to the use of water in drier parts of the basin, but a few con- cern the basin as a whole. Some are accepted and proven needs, others are interesting possibilities de- serving serious consideration and trial. Water Yield Forecasts In view of the future complex system of Colum- bia reservoirs, most of which will be operated for at least three purposes, accurate forecasts of water flow and yield for all parts of the basin can enhance the value of the resource. Enlargement of the present organization for water yield (snow surveys) 8 Although use of the reservoir surface can assist in some operations. 24 |
