1938: River And Harbor Improvements

Congress in June, 1938, passed a Rivers and Harbors Bill for the fiscal year. In the bill was stated: 'Federal investigations and improvements of rivers, harbors, and other waterways shall be prosecuted by the War Department, except as otherwise specifically provided by Act of Congress.' The bill authorized the expenditure of $37,105,950 on 52 projects, and $500,000 for surveys of 66 proposed projects. Among the authorizations were improvements in: Delaware River from Philadelphia to sea; Houston ship channel and Buffalo bayou, Texas; Sabine-Neches waterway, Texas; Hudson River and New York Harbor; Missouri and Mississippi rivers; and the continuing of studies along the line of the proposed Nicaragua Canal. In the Flood Control Bill passed by Congress in June 1938, the Corps of Engineers was given authority over the investigation and improvement of rivers for flood control, but water retardation and prevention of soil erosion on watersheds was placed under the Department of Agriculture.

Of the proposed large river developments was one prepared by the Secretary of State, Washington, D. C., for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basin, and submitted to the Canadian Government for consideration. It proposes a 27-foot channel for ocean-going vessels to Duluth, Minn., the building of hydroelectric stations, the opening up of ore beds in northern New York, and improving the resources of Niagara River.