1938: Water-Power Developments

These in general comprise the building of dams and employing the water impounded for generating electricity, for irrigation, or for flood control. Under the Tennessee Valley Authority, the building of several dams has served for flood control, for improving the navigation of the Tennessee River, and for generating electricity. Most of the developments in the Middle West have been for flood control and irrigation. In the extreme West are some for flood control and generating electricity; others for improving river navigation and generating electricity. Many are of outstanding size and importance, involving the construction of dams and hydroelectric power stations ranking among the largest in the world.

Nearly all water-power developments in the United States undertaken or in progress in 1938 were financed by Federal money and were started largely to relieve the depression and to give employment. Additional appropriations were made by the Public Works Administrator, in July 1938, to the Santee Cooper power project in South Carolina. This project includes the building of dams on the Santee and Cooper rivers, a hydroelectric station, and a system of electric transmission lines; estimated cost, $34,300,000. Of the large foreign developments are those of the Japanese on the Yalu River, Manchuria, and of the Soviet Union near Lake Baikal, Siberia.