Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-10-23
TIE NORTH LEYIE.
A Description of the Wing Dams on the
American River

American River.
James Touhey, the contractor who is en-
gagged in constructing the wing dams in the
American river northeast Of the city, on
Peter Burns land. is progressing rapidly
with his work. IL the early part of the sum
mer the Board of City Trustees tried to
make arrangements with J. B. Haggin to
allow the city to cut through peninsula on
the Norris giant, and allow the river to make
for itself new channel in and through
Brushy Lake. This could have been done
for a small outlay, and in consequence of the
fall gained By the shortening Of the channel
a mile and half, the river once through it
would form a course from which it could not
be easily turned, and would have been a sure
protection of the entire north levee. At first
Mr.. Hsggia consented, but afterwards re.
fuaed. The next best thing to be done
was 10 endeavor to throw the
current of the river-which on Burns ranch
comes close up and sets toward the le7ee-in
q different direction. After the place had
been surveyed and thoroughly examined, it
was determined to construct in the river from
the bank q system of wing dams, or jetty
work, 80 feet apart. Piles, Oregon pire 30
feet in length, are driven to the depth OF ~
and % feet and 10 feet apart. The first dam
consists of two piles driven in the water and
attached to one driven into the solid bank by
a 6x12 Oregon pine cap. This latter piecs OF
timber is firmly bOlted to the piles. This
first dam extends 20 feet into the river, the
top of the piles being about II feet out of
water. At the bottom, extending II feet
above and 10 feet below is mating OF viii
lows weighted down by guuny sacks
filled with sand. These mats are in-
geniously interviewer, and are also
wired together, and long stakes are driven
through them to depth of several feet, and
the whole mass is 80 securely lodged at the
bottom of the river that it seems impossible
that they can ever be carried out by the cur
rent. Large willow trees are stood up close
together, their butts being sunk several feet
in the river bottom, and their tops resting on
the plate or cap that connects the piles.
These are thatched and securely wired, and
present a strength that is thought will resist
the force of the strongest current. These
willows will grow, and each year nature viii
add to mans ingenuity, and instead Of the
levaes rotting and decaying, they will live
and grow ia strength. The first series of
dams, breakwaters. or whatever called, con.
sists of FIVE, fifty feet apart. They sre all
constructed as the one Just described, except
that they increase 10 length, each one extend
ing one pile farther into the river than the
one immediately above it, and thus defect
iRg the current against the opposite bank.
Eighty feet below the first series commences
the second, consisting of seven dams, aad ex-
tending into the river a distance of six and
seven piles each. The last pile was driven yes
terd " afternoon, and by Saturday all the mat
ting work will be completed. The pile-driver
is on boat, and owing to the low stage of
water, Captain Dewey, who is in charge, has
experienced some difficulty in moving from
point to point. The boat will be fosted
down stream about quarter OF mile to-
day, where similar works will be constructed.
Two long brush dams, in sizs just high
enough to control the present volume Of
water in the stream, will be thro wn across the
present channel Immediately, so as to make
the water cut away the ssndbar on the oppo-
site side of the river and leave no obstacle in
the way of the current that the dams Just
described will set towards the opposite shore.
Frank Houghton represents the city and sees
that the work is properly done. A large
number of visitors go there each day, aud the
general opinion is that the work is well done
and will answer the purpose for which it Is
intended. All the pile. driving has been &C.
complished in thirteen days. which, taking
into consideration the difficulties encoun-
tered, is remarkably quick time. Thirty five
men are employed aud the work will cost in
the neighborhood of $4,000. The entire con-
strucsion is under the supervision of Trustee
Nielsen, who has given it his personal atten.
ton.
THE METROPOLITAN THEATER. Owing to
the SUCCESS of the venture of the Comique
dramatic troupe at the Metropolitan Theater
last Friday evening and Saturday matinee,
they have been solicited and have consented
to appear in that theater again Fridsy even
ing and Saturday matinee of this week. The
verdict of all VINO witnessed the performance
Of this troupe last week was that it was one
of the best variety troupes that had appeared
in front of the footlights at the Metro politan
for many day. They promise an entirely
new programme. Bobby Gaylo-, one Of the
finest Irish comedians on the stage, who, in
fact, is q whole show of himself, will produce
his lauehable comedy, entitled McGin,ey
and His Son." supported by the entire
Comique company. Prices of admission,
when it is considered they are only one-half
of the usual prices, should insure o crowded
house. Admission, % and 80 cents re-
served seats, IS cents. Matinee, same
price.
AMERICAN SCHOOL DISTRICT REPoRT.-The
report Of the American river school for the
month ending October 18th is as follows
Number of pupils enrolled. 90; average num-
Der belonging, q; average daily attendance,
265 number of times tardy, ;. The follow
ing are the names of the pupils and their re-
spective standings: Ettie Klotz, 100; Lulu
Warner, 9S; Lille Cutter, 9S; Frank Car
penter, Sc: Elmer McMulleD, 49, Addie
Clark. so 4; Laura Foote, 81 Eddie Csrpen-
ter, so Irvie MchLullen, 81 Albert Pool,
80; Amelia Fullar, SO !; Emma Daily, 81;
Ella Klotz, 81 May Goodman, 80; Charles
Browning. 81; Max Fullar. so Mary Nc
Intyre So Minnie Dunning, 81 ; Annie Pool,
80; Minnie Pool, 81 Elmer Goodman, so
Willie Klotz, 81 ; Theodore Pool, 80; Willie
Mcintyre, so; Steven Cooney. so; Echo
Goodman, Alice Pool, Alice Goodman.
POLICE CoURT.-The following business
was transacted in the Police Court yesterday
morning Eugene Derr, charged with dis
turbing the peace, dismissed on payment of
costs ct the request of the prosecuting wit
ness; All Fong pleaded guilty to charge
of battery, and will be sentenced October
swer to his name, and his deposit Was de-
clared forfeited; Mrs. Burns, disturbing the
peace, upon payment of costs, was dis
missed; Frank Clark, drunk, was SEN
tencsd to 50 or five days in the city Jail; Mary
Nee pleaded guilty to a charge of drunk and
was sentenced to twenty-four hours in the
city prison; B. Rswles, pstit larceny, con-
tinued until the 24th; James Jackson and
Lewis Fisher. petitlarceny, continued.
AUCTION To.DAY.-W. H. Devire. who
has been ia the grocery business on the corner
of Tenth and Q strests for several years, has
concluded to quit the business, and proposes
selling off st auction, to-day, his large and
well.azsorted lot Of groceries. Sherburn L
Smith, the suctioneers, will commence the
sale promptly at 1880 a NJ and sell all con-
T. . L.