Bandelier Historic Structure Report: CCC Buildings

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
COOLIDGE, ARIZONA
HEADQUARTERS SOUTHWESTERN MONUMENTS

April 29, 1941

Memorandum for the Regional Director, Region III:

We are considerably concerned over the early abandonment of the CCC camp at Bandelier National Monument as it appears that some of the urgently-needed work cannot be completed prior to that time. The diversion of flood waters back of the Lodge area has never been completely worked out, and in this connection the following is quoted from Custodian Thomas' letter of April 24:

"The steep sandy slope behind the Lodge is very unstable. Not much grass or shrubbery is present to hold the loose soil. Heavy rains during last summer brought down great quantities of sand, gravel, and ash, completely filled the drainage structures back of the Lodge and overflowed the retaining wall. After one storm last summer we hauled almost a hundred truck loads of sand out of the hotel yard. Water flowed into the operator's garage, through the employees' dormitory, and came within inches of flooding four or five cabins at the back of the hotel grounds. In spite of all the hauling we did last summer, the drainage structures are still completely filled. A heavy rain this summer will undoubtedly do considerable damage and cause large expense in removing debris. I believe that the chief difficulty is no provision was made originally to divert water which falls on the mesa above the rim of the canyon from coming directly aver the canyon wall end down the sandy slope. If this water were diverted I believe that drainage structures could be constructed to care for what water falls on the actual slope. Heavy planting would also tend to control the slope itself, but the present structures will not accommodate the run-off from above added to what actually falls on the slope."

It will be appreciated if a representative of the Branch of Engineering of your Office can study this problem to see if it is feasible to correct this condition with CCC forces before this camp is disbanded. Will you advise us when we may anticipate the receipt of this information.

cc: Chase Thomas

Superintendent