Abstract |
The report submitted to the committee discusses the flood problems of the United States, and tabulates past and expected future damages by river basins. The historical and legislative background of Federal efforts in the flood control field is given, and possible solutions for flood problems are discussed in the light of the fact that it appears that overall flood damages appear to be increasing more rapidly than it has been possible to reduce them by construction of control works. The Corps of Engineers suggests that the Federal flood control program could be improved by expanding the present program to encompass provisions designed to encourage regulation of the use of the flood plains and to preserve important reservoir sites for future use. Suggestions are also made for more effective coordination of all activities affecting the development, use, and conservation of the water resources of major river basins, and for the elimination of differences in basic policies between the programs of Federal agencies on such matters as cost sharing and procedures for authorization of projects. |