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Show and flow forecasts along the lines of present inter- agency recommendations will contribute to im- proved operation of reservoirs so as to provide a higher availability of water for power generation and other beneficial use. According to some observ- ers, an adequate forecasting service might permit the use of reservoirs on the Cascade slopes of the Willamette Valley for a greater power generation than is now possible. Flood Plain Zoning Flood plain zoning in the area, in combination with a complete flood forecasting system, has in- teresting possibilities. The actual areas susceptible to flood, although numerous, are relatively small. Restriction of further building on the flood plains, with a possible retraction of already established building upon some areas, might be found to offer compensation in a decrease of storage needed for flood control, and increase of storage available for other beneficial use. More Efficient Use of Irrigation Water The Department of Agriculture estimates that irrigation practices on approximately 75 percent of the presently irrigated lands in the region can be improved so as to conserve water, as well as main- tain fertility of the lands and reduce erosion. Introduction of sprinkler irrigation systems on pres- ent irrigated acreage, if costs are found to be justi- fied, would extend the area which could be irrigated by a given water supply, possibly adding as much as a third to the acreage supplied by the amount of water now used for irrigation. Even such minor measures as the control of weeds in irrigation ditches offer contributions to the avail- ability of water in the sections where it is needed most. Domestic Stock-Watering Facilities A minor water supply problem from the stand- point of quantity, but of major importance for effective land use, is the problem of stock water on the range. The Bureau of Land Management has developed springs, wells, and reservoirs for better stock-watering facilities on the range. In several irrigation districts where livestock pro- duction is or will be important, such as the Roza Division of the Yakima Project, parts of the Co- lumbia Basin Project, and parts of the Snake Val- ley, the need for livestock water is reported to be particularly urgent. Development of ground water or other supplies to meet domestic and animal needs must be undertaken to make the best use of water delivered for crop growing. This problem is primarily one of creating and distributing numerous small local sources where they are needed. Organization of Facilities for Farm Development On newly irrigated lands, such as those in the Columbia Basin, and those in the Deschutes and Snake Valleys, settlers need initial assistance in land preparation, laying out of irrigation systems, plan- ning cropping systems, and applying conservation practices. Assistance is now being provided by the Bureau of Reclamation and by State colleges. The Soil Conservation Service and the Farmers' Home Administration are giving some aid in these develop- ments. However, all of these services need to be greatly expanded. Many settlers need credit on a long-term basis to develop lands in a satisfac- tory manner. Market possibilities need investi- gation. The ultimately efficient use of water in agricultural production thus is dependent in part upon the organization provided for guiding the farmer initially. Pollution The usefulness of water in some localities of the basin is much lowered by unnecessary pollution. Polluting wastes reaching the Columbia River and its tributaries are equal in effect to the raw sewage from about 8,825,596 persons (actual basin popula- tion, 3.1 million). About 77 percent is contributed by industries in the basin. In addition to industrial wastes that contain putrescible organic matters of sewage-like character, others contain toxic and otherwise objectionable substances such as mining wastes, logging and sawmill wastes, sediment, oil, and other complex compounds. Thousands of tons of mine tailings from lead, copper, zinc, and other mining operations and from coal washeries are dumped into the river and its tributaries daily. Treated radioactive wastes also are discharged into the river. The Willamette River in Oregon is the most heavily polluted stream in the Pacific Northwest. More than 800,000 people reside in this watershed. Raw sewage from most of this population presently 25 |
