The Hawaiian Gazette

LARRISON SURVEYS
KAUAI RESERVOIRS
Discovers Sites At High Elevation To Impound Water
For Waimea

In his report to the board of agriculture and forestry D. K. Larrison, hydrographer, stated that "during the period September 5 to 15, an investigation was made to determine the possibility of storing Waimea flood water at elevations exceeding 3000 feet above sea level.

"Agriculture without irrigation in the Waimea district is negligible and many thousands of acres of rich lands now lie idle for lack of water.

The Waimea River discharges at times heavy floods of more than six billion gallons per day. These floods cause much damage in the lower valley and have been the chief cause of a river wall being constructed to protect the village of Waimea. The mean low flow of the river at the point of diversion of the Kekaha ditch is less than fifty million gallons per day.

"Should means be devised by which these flood waters could be stored and utilized, the two-fold result of greater agricultural output and reduced flood destruction would be obtained.

Reservoir sites: The investigation resulted in the location of three possible flood storage sites on which it is believed could be constructed, at reasonable cost, reservoirs having a total capacity of five or six billion gallons of water.

The stream flow records of the Mohihi, Waiakoali, Kawaikoi, Kaunikinana, and Kokee streams which, with the Koaie and Waialae streams supply the Waimea River with practically all of its flow, indicate that the flood flow of these first five streams is sufficient to justify the construction of these three reservoirs.

Much more stream flow data, topographic surveys, and test borings for dam sites are needed to determine the feasibility of this project, and it is recommended that sufficient funds to cover these investigations be included in the appropriation asked for this Division from the next legislature in order that all preliminary work may be completed by the time the present land lease terminates in December, 1920."