The change in administration from Shunk to Lieutenant Colonel Potter was dramatic. As Division Engineer, Potter had been Shunk’s superior. Potter was tough-minded conservative. Moreover, conditions had changed. The Corps’ mission was to improve navigation, but water use had become recreational rather than commercial. Steamboats ceased operating on the Red River in 1912, and the era of large-scale logging ended in 1915. Consequently, Potter began no new projects and abandoned many questionable projects initiated by previous district engineers. The District essentially performed only an operation and maintenance function.