The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-06-30

ReservOirs..TheirM Mode of COnstruc-
ti0m.-Their Influence upon Health

From the State Journal.
ReservOirs-.Their Mode of COnstruc-
ti0n..Their influence upon heaAIA'
EDITORS JoURNAL:-Arlifcial Reservoirs,
for the supply of Canals, have been con-
structed extensively in several States.
In Indiana, three Reservoirs have been
formed for the supply of the Wabash and
Erie Canal--the Birch Creek, in Clay coIn.
~, covering near 1000 acres-the SPunge
Creek, in the same county, covering near
1000 acres, and the Pigeon Breek, in Gibson
county, containing 1900 acres.
In Ohio, for the supply of the two main
Canals, six Reservoirs have been constructed;'
one of which, in Mercer county, two miles
from the town of st. Mary's, covers the large
area of 1900 acres.
I'm New York, for the supply OF the Chem
ango Canal, five small Reservoirs we con-
struc'ed, containing 200 to 800 acres each.
In Pennsy lvana, there are two Reservoirs,
for the supply of their main line OF Canal, one
at each base of the mountain
Tn the case of the small Reservoirs in
New York, the little timber that may have
stoud upon the ground, in that well improved
regi IN, was removed, probably In conse-
quence of it's value, as much as for any Uther
reason. The health OF the country has not
been impaired. Only one, or at most, two OF
the Ohio Reservoirs were cleared; on the
OTHERS, the timber was lett standing. No ill.,
crease of sickness is attributed to these
Reservoirs by those living near them, nor is
any difference in this respect discoverable,
between those which were cleared of timber
and those not cleared.
In the great Mercer County Reservoir all
the timber was left standing. The testimo-
ny of persons residing ON it's banks for tif-
teen years, taken under oath, proves that the.
health is rather improved, than otherwise.
The fact that the County Seat. (the town
of CeIinn,) has been located and built upon
its margin, since the construction of this
Reservoir, ia proof sufficient on this point.
la the case OF the Lewistown Reservoir, on
the Big Miami River, authorized by the leg
sature OF Ohio only three or four years ago,
after ali their experience, it Is understood
that the timber has pot been cleared off
The question of the influence OF standing
timber upon the health # the country, was
referred in that case, to Board Of promi-
nent Physicians appointed by the Govern
or of Ohio, and it was upon their report,
that the clearing was dispensed with.
In the construction of the Indiana Reser-
vors, the timber was removed from the out
skirts, where the water is shallow and lett
standing on the remainder. At the solicit.
alton of citizens near the Birch Creek Res
ervoir, and upon their pledge to be content
Herewith. a contract was subsequently made
with citizen Of Clay county to clear the
whole area, and a large sum expended by the
Trustees thereon. But the want of time,
before it became necessary TO fill the Reser-
voir for the next Sc; sons navigation, proven.
ted the entire removal of the timber. Enough
has been expended in the qualification OF this
fancy. The Trustees have promptly paid
the Contractor for this clearing as it has pro-
crossed, upon the estimate of the Engineer.
In the vicinity of the Splunge Creek Re-
servoir, the unhealthiness, resulting from the
vast extent of low and marshy ground at this
point, which before the construction of this
work as alternately overlooked and exposed
to the sun, has beer diminished since this
ground was permanently submerged. And
there is no reason to doubt but similar re-
suit would follow at Birch Creek, if the wa
ter were allowed 10 remain in the Reservoir.
At this work, the scene of repeated violence
and wrong. there has, as yet, been no test OF
its influence upon health. During both sea-
sons, since its construction, the bank has
been cut, and the water drawn of, before
|
cient to cause the least impurity in 50 large
a body of water. By cutting the bank. and
suddenly exposing 1000 acres to the sum.
mer's sun, the people may have brought suf-
tering and death upon themselves-a result
generally following the indulgence of wicked
passions.
| Under an act of the Legislature, approved
March 4th, 1853, board of five physicians
were appointed by the Governor TO examine
the Reservoirs in Clay and Gibson counties
with reference to their effect on the health
of the country. From their report to the
Governor, found in the Legislative Docu-
ments, the following extracts are made:
Speaking of Splunge Greek Reservoir,
they say:
ave are of the opinion, after carefully
comparing and investigating the present con.
dition of the Reservoir, with it's previ, us
state, that there is far less cause OF disease
at present, than before the grounds were per-
manently submerged"
In reference to the Birch Creek Reservoir
the following language is used:
"The frirges of this Reservoir are also
being cleared of their timbe-, WI ich ca have
but little good effect. Permanent submerg
ing is all these grounds want to greatly i'm
prove the health of their immediate neigh
borhoods."
This Board of Physicians, in the prosecu.
ton of their duties, visited the Reservoir il
Ohio, and with a short extract from thei
Report thereon, this communication vii
close.
J "These Reservoirs lin OhioJ have beer
constructed from twelve to fifteen years
where time sufficient has elapsed to see tn,