Norden Dam
won't solve
the problem
.staff
A J. McClanahan is a junior majoring in Journalism.
by A.J. McClanahan .
People have been arguing about the proposed Norden Dam
for years. And it will probably be built for just that reason.
It's difficult for most groups to maintain any kind of
opposition for a sustained period, especially when the people
opposed to the dam are rather small groups with limited funds.
Compare this to those in favor of the dam who have thousands
of dollars mostly federal monies and you have a dam which
almost certainly will be built.
The dam, which would be on tha Niobrara River between
Valentine and Springview, is being sponsored by the North
Central Nebraska Reclamation District. That means it's being
built mainly for irrigation purposes.
The reason water is needed for irrigation is because people
in the Atkinson-O'Neill area have a declining water
table because they are irrigating rather extensively now.
All dams have a given life expectancy because the dam itself
traps sediment, and that sediment eventually builds up behind
the dam. The reservoir pets wider and wider and sooner or
later turns into marshland. This is what is happening to Lewis
and Clark Reservoir and it explains why the town of Niobrara,
must be moved.
What's going to happen when the Norden Dam eventually
silts up and all the water creates marshland? Will technology
suddenly come up with another "bright idea" and resolve the
irrigation problem? It doesn't seem possible.
Water is one of Nebraska's most valuable resources. The
fact that people simply can say, "Well, our water table is
declining so we need a dam to solve the problem," sounds like
a doctor saying he is only going to make the patient feel better
and not worry about curing him. It's difficult to imagine. that
Nebraskans can pass over such a problem so lightly.
Those supporting the dam give more reasons than just
irrigation for the dam's existence. It is called a "multiple
purpose project," with recreational opportunities, improved
wildlife habitat and more annual income to attract young
people offered as other purposes.
Anyone who has ever hiked, canoed, or just visited the area
in question has to admit as far as recreation goes, the area is
ideal. It's ideal for anyone who wants a beautiful, unpolluted,
natural setting. Besides, there are enough dams in Nebraska for
anyone interested in water skiing or motor boating. Is riding in
a motor boat so terribly important?
A brochure published by the North Central Nebraska
Reclamation District and the Niobrara River Basin
Development Association says, "Boating, water skiing,
camping, hiking and fishing will all be of prime quality at
Norden Reservoir." But except for motor boating and water
skiing, the others mentioned are already of prime quality.
Even if any of those things could be improved, however,
how long will any of those benefits last? People have got to
stop thinking in terms of the next 10 or 20 years and consider
the next hundred. In less than a hundred years the whole
reservoir will be useless.
What about improving the wildlife habitat? According to
Sierra Club members and other concerned individuals, stands
of Paper Birch are found along the banks of the Niobrara that
normally do not grow this far south. In fact, the area is a
mixing area of many northern and southern plants and
animals. Some of these exhibit characteristics found few other
places, and most of them would be at least partially destroyed
by the dam.
The Niobrara River has high banks that other rivers in
Nebraska do not. There are small waterfalls found along the
banks that no other rivers in Nebraska exhibit to such a
degree. Proponents of the dam argue that only so many miles
will be inundated,' but botanists and biologists agree that
damming a river has numerous effects mostly adverse many
miles up and down the river. Many of the these are not noticed
until years later.
There are also fossil remains in the area which have not yet
been extensively studied. In fact the area is unique in its fossils
because it is near the southernmost reaches of the last glacial
period. Don't Nebraskans care about this type of research or is
it just riot important enough to them?
How then is the habitat improved? Even if it were possible
for a dam to improve wildlife, which it doesn't, it only lasts
until the area becomes marshland.
As far as attracting young people to remain in the O'Neill
area, it is the opinion of the author that young people are
remaining in Nebraska in greater numbers. As the demise of
large urban areas continues, it will be only natural for more
young people to remain in rural areas.
The point of all this is "that people must begin to think in
terms of more than profiting for a few years. We cannot
continue to destroy areas by damming rivers and simply
hoping the reservoir will not die in our lifetimes. And even
though the proposed dam is some distance from Lincoln, it is
not something the University can simply overlook. Damming
affects all Nebraskans.
Letters aftU? WW fealty NebVaikan at 'the difdVAi',0'vl
discretion. A letter's appearance is based on its 1 timeliness,
originality, coherence and interest. All letters must be
accompanied by the writer's true name, but may be
submitted for publication under a pen name or initials. Use
of such letters will be determined by the editor. Brevity is
encouraged. All letters are subject to condensation and
editing.
Dear editor.
As I was striding nonchalantly across campus
yesterday (Nov. 27th) I was suddenly confronted by
a foreign obstacle-a veritable barrier, so to speak.
Being astute by nature, I was quick to discern that it
was a fence. The strategic location of said fence
succeeded in separating me from my chosen
destination. I quickly concluded, therefore,
the necessity of surmounting the obstacle.
Lacking the agility of a pole vaulter, hurdler or
other miscellaneous and sundry jock, I surmised the
wisdom in locating a portal through which I might
gain entrance. Following that plan of action, I
therefore began a quest for just such a gate. Much to
my chagrin, however, I discovered that such an entry
did not exist and that to travel a distance of what
might ordinarily be a few yards (and a very speedy
journey at that) one must hike completely around
said fence. While I am not adverse to exercise per se, I
can see little reasoning behind the quasi-obstacle
course created by this latest addition to our fair
campus.
. Therefore, I hoped that perhaps a few well chosen
words from you might possibly result in
incorporating within the fence merely a small door
through which students, faculty, straying cattle, etc.
might pass.
Deanna L. Dittmar
Editor's note: There's now an opening in the fence,
but its creation was not due to Daily Nebraskan
influence. Sorry.
Misconceptions
Dear editor,
The Student Council on Health (SCH) is an active
advisory group working with the University Health
Center. Lately we have noticed that there have been
several misconceptions about what we do.
The council was organized in an effort to improve
communications between the students, as consumers,
and the Health Center, as the providers of health care.
This is intended to prevent misunderstandings by
students about their health care, along with
attempting to inform the Health Center about the
needs and concerns of students.
The council is a partnership between students and
staff, aiming for the common goal of a healthy
student population.
""' s,''t fl ! " :
i mm ' i fe-'Q M
White House reorganization
Contrary to a misconception that the SCH only
"searches for gripes," we view ourselves as a positive
aid to the students and the staff in providing needed
services. In this capacity we have found the staff to
be very open and receptive to suggestions.
For example, we feel we have been helpful in
initiating the new intake procedures which reduce the
time and information required in processing at the
reception desk. We also are involved in investigating
the evaluation procedures of the Health Center (e.g.,
suggestion box, gripe phone, evaluation sheet,
medical ombudsman).
We recognize that there are other areas of student
interest and concern about their health.
Consequently, we urge students to share with us any
input they have. This can be done either by attending
our regular Friday meetings at 3:30, 4 University
Health Center or by sending a letter to Suite 345,
Nebraska Union.
Few students are concerned about their health
until they are sick, troubled or injured. We feel that a
constant communication between the consumers and
the providers will greatly improve the functioning of
the University.
Student Council on Health
Wayne Svoboda, Chairperson
thursday, december 7, 1972
daily nebraskan
page 5
