Examination of Broad Creek, Virginia: A Look Back at a 1939 Army Corps of Engineers Report
A recently resurfaced document from the Congressional Serial Set, specifically House Document 76-381, offers a fascinating glimpse into a 1939 preliminary examination and survey of Broad Creek in Virginia. This report, transmitted by the Secretary of War and authored by the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, was ordered to be printed on July 6, 1939, and referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors.
The document details the findings and recommendations stemming from an examination and survey of Broad Creek, a waterway that has undoubtedly played a significant role in the region’s history and development. While the specifics of the survey’s scope and the accompanying illustration are not fully detailed in the provided metadata, such reports typically delve into aspects like navigation, flood control, erosion, and potential improvements to the waterway.
The context of 1939 is particularly noteworthy. This was a period of significant public works projects and infrastructure development across the United States, often spurred by the need to stimulate the economy and address evolving infrastructure requirements. Army Corps of Engineers reports from this era were instrumental in guiding these efforts, providing technical expertise and recommendations for federal investment.
The referral to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors underscores the focus on maritime commerce, transportation, and the economic impact of the waterway. Rivers and harbors committees played a crucial role in authorizing and funding projects that facilitated trade and connectivity.
While the original purpose of this report may have been related to specific navigation or improvement needs at the time, its re-emergence allows for a historical perspective on how waterways were assessed and managed in the late 1930s. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the past, potentially informing contemporary discussions about waterway management, and appreciating the long-term evolution of infrastructure planning. Researchers and historians interested in the waterways of Virginia, the history of the Army Corps of Engineers, or public works projects of the pre-World War II era will find this document of particular interest.
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govinfo.gov Congressional SerialSet published ‘H. Doc. 76-381 – Broad Creek, Va. Letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, dated June 13, 1939, submitting a report, together with accompanying papers and an illustration, on a preliminary examination and survey of Broad Creek, Va … July 6, 1939. — Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed with an illustration’ at 2025-08-15 18:10. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.