Carroll H. Dunn
A
Well, I think the most challenging part of it, other than the scope and complexity, was
the problem of dealing with a heavily silt-laden river. We were trying to develop and
maintain the channel without excessive dredging. I had a number of studies
studies at WES at Vicksburg-for each of the major structures to be sure
that the alignment of the channel was the best we could devise.
We looked at the effect of the major dams upstream, such as Keystone and Eufaula in
Oklahoma, to see how much silt they would remove in their impoundments of water.
Technically, the biggest question really was how to establish and maintain the
navigation channel. We had a
authorized depth of channel. I had the design made
so that the sills of the lock were set at12 feet. This meant that if ever there was a need
to deepen the channel, the locks would have already been established so that they could
provide a
channel without major revision.
Q ..
I wanted to ask you about the Trinity River project. In 1962, when you first got to the
Southwestern Division, a study of the whole project that had been started in 1958 was
completed. guess it was subjected to congressional review. One thing that the
committees Congress objected to was the navigational features of the project. I'm
wondering if you can comment on the project in general and how it fit in. I guess you
would say it was a less important project than the Arkansas project.
A
It was somewhat different. Basically, the Trinity River (so-called canalization project)
was primarily a navigation project with very limited flood control benefits. It, of course,
was strongly supported by the local interests as represented by the Trinity Basin
Association in Texas.
The study was, in my opinion, a good one and a worthwhile project. It was reviewed
and approved, after some revision, by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors
[BERH]. It had, I believe, a good economic basis.
There were some special factors involved. A large number of bridge relocations would
be required. Through some means that I don't remember exactly, without the project
ever being authorized by Congress, there were several appropriations that allowed
bridges then being built on new highways to be built with final clearances so that they
wouldn't have to be raised if the Trinity River project became a reality.
The project was politically controversial. This controversy involved both a very strong
disagreement by the railroad interests and considerable in the way of environmental
questions.
had been raised late since [environmentalists] had become more active
at about the time that this project study was finished. I don't remember all of the
details, although the study did indicate a favorable economic ratio based on the
parameters
which we had to operate.
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