The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-24
DRoCGHTs AND FLOODS.

F1S76..,.. ....s!.....................
1s7a.t... s7a
..i...@..@ DROCGHTs AND FLOODS.
We have still eight days OF this month to
our credit, and we may have cOpious show
ers in that time; but, as it stands, this year
is the dryest Of all since the commencement
Of the record:
The fall OF 1870 was time Of drought and
also OF great floods. The James rose from
what was then regarded as its least to its
greatest depth. In July, 1872, there was
another great drought. On many OF the rail.
roads the tank-wells gave out. and supplies
of water were with difficulty obtained. And
again, in the fall of 1877. the drought was
very severe, and the james repeated its eX-
ploit OF lS70--swelling from small, clear
stream into great yellow flood.
RIVER LOWER THAN FOR FORTY YEARS.
Mr.. James L. Davis, Superintendent of
the Water.W Works, states that the river is
now lower than he has known it to be within
fortylyears. The serious decline commenced
about the 10th OF July, and the river has OF
late been falling at the rate OF about an inch
q day. 1t is now about six inches below the
level OF the stone dam. The pumps are
lust moving. The turbine wheel is able to
makeb four strokes minute, and the other
wheels three. The 'pump-house raceway is
thirty-six inches below the usual level. The
reservoirs are only about half full, though
the steam-pump has been at work for q
week.
Mr.. Davis said Yesterday afternoon, as he
looked out anXiousy at the balf-clOuded
sky, "Unless we get rain in eight or ten
days the hills Of the city will be without
water''
The leaks In the dam have been stopped,
and very little water now escapes.
SCARCITY OF WATER.
The Superintendent OF the City Water
Works has already called attention to the
low condition OF the water in the reservoirs
and river, and urges ali citizens to be very
economical in The use of the city water.
This is timely suggestion OF his. There
is vast quantity OF water wasted in Rich
mond. The authorities hardly know the
extent Of The waste. but IN investigation
will show il. Hundreds OF water-closcts
are allowed to run without stoppaGe, and
the use OF hose OH streets, though 4 great
luxury and one for which citizens are re-
oured to pay, dispose Of much water likely
to be needed for better purposes. Our
pcople will have to be economical in the
use Of city water until such rains fall as
will raise the river TO the needed height to
allow the wheels and pumps to be worked
to their full capacity. Under tbs most fa-
Yorable circumstances our water-supply is
barely able 10 meet the public demand.
G BE CAREFUL WITH WATER.
1t seems to'be the business OF nobody in
particular to 60 around and see that the
water supply is husbanded. Therefore ii
Is left to the good people OF the city to take
care of themselves in the matter, and tc
| stop waste whether it. be from hose, foun.
taiDs, or closets. ssG,
At the worst it will only be temporary
deprivation. sAti1"f
q, THE CANAL. Es.-
The water on the first level of the cana
| is eighteen inches lower than usual. The
dam at the Three Mile. locks does not now
afford sufficient supply for the level, and
| so it is being partly fed from Bosher's dam
The canal company's hands have been al
| work stopping leaks in the tirst-named dam
| but have only been partially successful in
increasing the supply.
The crops in the James. River Valley, ex
cent on fine low-grounds, are very badly in
iured by the drought, and even on the low
grounds rain is needed.
REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY.
All accounts agree that crops have sui
fered sadly from the drought. The corr
crop will certainly be very small one. To
bacco is even worse. The conviction OF tht
almost total loss OF that crop is so stron4
that within the past few weeks the price Q
| Virginia leaf has advanced considerably.
Many mil-streams have dwindled doWl
to such a size that the wheels cannot b.
worked q day In week. The Chickabom
my in the neighborhood OF Richmond i
now very Insignificant stream. 1t can nov
be called running water only By courtesy.
THE RECORD.
| The average temperature during thi
month has been about $40.
On July 9th. in the forenoon. there was
| light rain. On the 9th there was another
and on the morning OF the 18th another
These scarcely laid the dust for the tim
being. " ls,t
About O'Clock yesterday morning ther
was shower-brief and lscanty. Shortl
| before 9 O'Clock last night-the clouds hay
ing been gathering for hours and the atmos
phere being heavy, close, and oppressive
4 o. rain began falling in grand style. On
hopes were sprouting vigorously, but wer
l cnt down by the cessation OF the rain afte
q very few minutes, The clouds rapidl
vanished. and the stars appeared in beaut
and :brIliaacy which was but poorly apprt
ciated, it is feared ,,..l, s..es .l;se
LATER RAIN PROSPECTS. s
i Att O'Clock this morning the sky was ver
cloudy, with occasional lightning, and Il
yorable prospects for considerable rain.
q For THE HEALTH OFFICERS. The sewe
q opening. on Fourth street between Ma!
and Franklin is throWiRg out terrlb