Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-17

known natural laws controlling the ac-
''tion of all sediment-bearing rivers. ("
Having promised thus much he proceeds
to explain the natural laws which govern
the situation to be dealt with, and he does
this so lucidly and graphically as to
give complete assurance of his grasp and
mastery of all the considerations involved.
This part of the report is indeed clear
and at the same time simple exposition of
scientific deductions which should be
studied carefully by all who desire to un-
derstand the problems before the people of
California. 1t is summary and elucida-
ton OF elementary principles comprehen-
sion of which will render the whole scheme
of improvement Ineligible to ali. Nature,
when LETT to her own methods OF solving
problems forced upon her by Man, pro-
ceeds without any regard to the effect her
processes may have upon Mans handi-
work. When mining debris is poured into
the rivers she undertakes to recover the
force of which the current is deprived by
this obstructing matter, by Increasing the
slope of the river surface. The result
of this remedial operation is to restore
the force OF the current at the expense
of the surrounding country. The neces-
sity for specified discharge capacity re-
mains the same, and to attain it the
rivers are gradually changed into torrents
at their heads, and they avenge themselves
for the obstruction of their original chan
| nels by spreading their waters far and
| wide over the country. In treating the
results of this natural proct S. it is impos.
sible to work with any other laws than
those which Nature supplies, but it is
possible to employ those laws for the re.
lief of the mischief which Nature has
wrought How this is to be effected il is
the purpose of Captain Eads to show, and
also why it is necessary to proceed in GER
tain ways To restore the rivers to their
original condition, to enahls them to carry
the flood waters without injury to the sur
rounding country, it is necessary, first, to
check the deposit of debris in the river
beds; then to increase the momentum of
the current by Strengthening and deepen.
ing the channel, and in variety of ways
diminishing the friction, and enlarging the
discharge capacity of the streams.
=
Captain Eads shows very clearly the flu
tility of all attempts to solve the problem
by dividing the volume of water to be
carried. Every effort of that kind dinin-
ishes the force and increases the friction of
the current. The only scientific solution
of the question consists in making the
present channel of the river tthe Sacra-
mento being meant) able to carry whatever
volume may be poured into it. 1t is salts.
factory to know that Captain Eads coin
cides in the opinions of State Engineer
Hall, to whose ability he pays generous
| compliment at the end of his report. He
has filed, together with the latter, an APP
pendix, consisting OF memorandum drawn
up by Mr.. Hall, embody ing his suggestions
for the details of the work. This appendix,
which we shall take an early opportunity
of publishing, shows the full scheme as at
present agreed upon, and Captain Eads
concludes his report by saying "If the
"entire system be properly executed
"and fully completed as proposed, have
"no hesitation in asserting that the results
twill be most gratifying andremunerative. "
The entire system comprehends a series
of highly important though not necessarily
expensive works. The closing of the Old
River channel, the gradual closing of
all the small sloughs higher up the
river, the removal of shoals by means of
brush mattresses so placed as to divert the
current, the multiplication of brush dams
for the holding of the debris in the Yuba
and Feather Rivers, the raising of the
levees below Sacramento in order to meet
the temporary rise in the flood surface of
the river which will be caused by
the narrowing OF the lower chan
mel until they have been SO secured out
as to carry off the food waters easily !;
these and other improvements are pro-
posed after the most careful examination,
and the details as we'll as the general plan
are cordially approved by Captain Eads.
The public will gather from his report,
first, that there is absolute need for these
improvements, and second, that they may
be relied oa to give the security demanded.
Unless they are carried ont, and carried
out completely, it is only question of time
for the Sacramento Valley, the navigation
of the Sacramento River, Suisun Bay, and
San Francisco harbor, to be destroyed
This is the verdict of science, and it can.
not be appealed from to any higher
tribunal We know now what we have to
apprehend, and what measures we must
take to avoid the dangers impending. We
trust that there will be no hesitation in
adopting the methods of relief which ara
recommended by our scientific advisers.