Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-08

filling or widening of the levee base in this
manner, with the exception Of about fiftesn
hundred feet. beginning at the head of Burns
slough. There is little or no current along the
levee. therefore the sediment is not carried
against the levee, but Is left where the cur
rent is first diminished. From Burns slough
up there is a large reservoir formed By thick
growth OF brush along the river bank on the
one side, and the levee on the other. The
waters OF this reservoir are nearly at rest,
consequently carry no sediment. The outlet
is along the levee from Burns slough down,
and here for a distance of 1,590 feet there is
a strong current, but the water is nearly free
from sediment.
Q.-What point or points do you consider
the weakest in the levee, and how would you
treat them?
A.-The point have just referred to-that
is, from the crossing of Burns slough, down
for fifteen hundred feet-the current is quite
strong along the base of the levee. It can
easily be protected, first. by cutting channels
through the brush, leading from the levee to
the river, and by brush distractions to throw
the current away from the levee secondly,
by arevetmentw on the slope OF the levee
built of willow brush in addition to planting
Bermuda grass this will afford a certain and
cheap protection. At point opposite Mrs.
Waldron's place the river is fast approaching
the levee, and unless checked, will, in short
time, prove serious menace to the security
of that portion of the levee. It can be pre-.
vented from further encroachments by sys-
tenn of brush spur dams, constructed in such
manner IS to throw the current away from
the bank. The only other weak point, in my
estimation, is that portion of the levee across
the Norristown tract, where the levee is con-
structed Of red earth, and has steep slope
on the river side. This should be reinforced
with sediment, and, as has been suggested,
planted with Bermuda grass, which will
afford sufficient protection.
Q.-What do you regard the present con-
dition of the city drainage canal, and what,
if anything, is necessary to make it sufficient
to carry off the city sewage and surface drain
age, and can that be successfully done?
An its unfinished condition it affords
but poor facilities for drainage, and when
flashed to Snodgrass slough will not be as
effective as the needs of the city require,
while there is a strong possibility of inter-
ference with the outlet of Snodgrass slough
from the deposit of mining debris brought
down by the Costumes river.
| Q.-What is your opinion of the proposed
plan of pumping the sewage and drainage
water of the city?
| A.-That eventually the city must depend
on system of pumping to secure drainage,
seems to me inevitable How far the sum
asked for for this purpose, will go toward
the commencement of this system l have not
estimated, but would advise the commence.
ment of such works that will prove effectual,
when completed, in pumping all the sewage
matter and drainage water of the city either
into the river or into a canal constructed on
higher grade than the present canal
Q.-What about the city helping to build
the levee from Y street to Frseport; what is
your judgment about that?
A.-That if the city is to depend on the
present canal for drainage purposes, it is to
its interest to protect the canal from over
flow from the river and 80 avoid pumping at
Y street by helping to build the levee from
should, think, have control of the levee SO
as to be able to see that it is sufficiently
/ guarded during high water. In case the
drainage canal is abandoned and the pump
| ing system is adopted, which will be done
eventually, l think then the interest of the
city in that levee in a manner ceases.
The views of j. r. Wilkinson were given
as Flows:
O-What is your opinion in regard to
plans proposed of raising the city levees to a
uniform hight of four feet above high-water
mark of 1881?
Al believe it wise precaution to do so.
think the north and east levees perfectly
secure at present, but the action certainly
will do no harm and will tend to give greater
confidence From Seventh street to the
American river bridge the levee is at no
place less than three feet and six inches above
the highest water mark, and the width of the
levee at the highest lie the water reached is
not less than 80 feet. This is true of the en-
tire distance from Seventh street to the
! bridge, and it is solid beyond question from its
use as a railroad track for the past 16 years.
This leyee is also protected on the river side
ninety per cent. of the way by dense growth
of small timber and brush, which will pre-
vent injury occurring from north wind.
At the point opposite Mrs. Waldron's place,
! or the Burns slough locality, the statement
made by Mr.. Knox l regard as correct, and
the river should be prevented from coming
nearer to the levee. The danger would come
| from the river cutting into the quicksand for
nation beneath the base of the levee, and
this can be prevented by taking steps to keep
the river channel from approaching the levee.
From the American-river bridge to Brighton
the levee is even more secure than it is on
this side. Ii any person will take the pains
to go along that levee from the bridge to
Brighton he will see that there is no sign
Of washing or cutting by the current from
| last winters food, and a person going there
to make repairs would be unable to find a
place requiring any attention what
ever. AS to the hight or strength
of that portion of the city's defenses,
| luc WdtcI GU ho pihSO OCs"S'sA VIZ DAANoc
and Brighton came nearer than seven or
eight feet of the top of the levee, at the
| highest point reached last winter, and the
| levee was not less than 80 feet in breadth at
that line in all places. The only thing from
which any damage would be likely to occur,
would be a strong and long-continued north
east wind during a very high stage Of water,
and, as all know, winds from that direction
| are not heavy nor of long duration.
I n-Wbat do think Of the nlap
posed of facing the levee with cobble or
rubble stone?
! Al don't think it is necessary nor adj
visable, for the north levee, from Seventh
street to the American river bridge, is amply
protected by the underground of trees and
| brush. which have referred to, except per-
haps in a few places. These can be protected
at a very slight expense. by the appli-
cation Of stone judiciously placed,
along the slope and letting it turf over. 1t
would do no harm to face the whole levee
with this grass, and, in fact, it would be de-
sirable to do SO, and it could be done at a
very small expense compared with facing it
with stone. By raising the track to a uni
form hight of four feet above the highest
water, as proposed; facing the levee with
grass, and perhaps with stone In few places
/ as mentioned by protecting this growth OF
small trees and brush, SO they may form
barrier against this action of waves when
driven by strong winds, and by keeping the
river from approaching nearer in the vicinity
of Burns slough or Smiths gardens regard
this levee as in every way perfectly secure.
| Q-How about the city front?
Al think the lesee below r street should
be raised and strengthened as proposed by
the Trustees, and also for short distance
above @ street, which I understand is to be
raised independent of the propositions to be
voted upon.
Q-What do you think of the proposition
In regard to pumping the sewage and drain
age of tie city?
/ Al think the city will have to come to
that in the near future, as other cities SINH
larry situated have already done. / am salts
1 fed that within few years the outlet of the
present drainage canal will be filed up from
the raising of the beds of the Costumes and
Mokelumne rivers, thus destroying what little
fall the canal at present possesses and rem
deripg it entirely useless. 1t is only ques-
| ton. therefore, whether the plan of pumping
shall be adopted now or be deferred for a few
| years longer.
| AUCTION SALE.-Martin Plug & Co. will
sell at 1880 A. NJ. to-day, at salesroom, 10l6
Fourth street, tine assortment of household