The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-23
THE PROBLEM OF THE DAY
How Can Pogue's Run Be M.de Equal
to All Emergencies.
A Variety of Plans Proposed for Increasin e
Its Capacity-The Distinctions
in It's Channel.


The overflow of Pogue's run on "Wednesday
night, with the usual extended damage to prop
erty, has again aroused public interest as to the
best means to be adopted to prevent a recur-
renee of such disastrous visitations. A number
OF plans have been suggested to attain this re-
suit, but none seem to meet with very general
favor Indeed there is commonly re expressed
opinion that while some plan might be adopted
, that will tend to diminish the danger from. such
overhows, they cannot be entirely prevented
without an eaorInous outlay-more, in fact than
would be justified by the exixencies of the case.
One scheme suggested is to build a canal to
empty Pogue's run into Fall creek, north
OF the city; but this is said to be
wholly impracticabie by those who are we'll in
formed in such matters. Yesterday a Journal
reporter talked with number of officials and
business men, particularly those who had suf-
fered by the f1eod, and their opinions, which are
printed below, are widely diversified.
CITY ENGINEER sHERER's PLAN.
Mr.. Samuel FL. Sherer, city civil engineer who
has given the subject considerable attention,
when asked if there any way to prevent
these overfows, said: There certainly is a way,
and an effectual one, although it would cost a
great deal of money. But the work will have to
be done at some time in the future and it would
for it is, probable that the city may have
to pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars in
judgments if something Is not DONE I have con-
sldered two plans, one for temporary relief and
the other for permanent. The first may answer
all the purposes, but doubt it. To start with,
everything thattends to obstfuct the course Of
the stream must be removed The piles, abut-
mepts and foundations under the bridges and
culverts must be so changed not to stop the
II ow OF the water Tie railroad companies and
the city are both to blame in this regard. Then
uniform
width of at least forty feet, with stone walls on
the side at least eight feet high. Iregard this
rather a temporary expedlent, although 1t
might prove sufficient for all purposes. My
opinion is, however, that much greater work
must he undertaken in time. The bottom of
Pogues run shoulc be dredged out q depth of ten
or twelve feet, all the way through the city,
aud then paved with powders, so as to pre-
vent % concave surface. The banks should be
securely walled up with stone, to be forty
feet apart at the bottom and slopins outward an
inch TO the foot, toward the top. Eventually all
this should be arched over so that houses and
railroad tracks could be built over if, if neces-
; sary, and there wonid be no loss of ground
Then there would be possibility
of an overflow, and Pogue's would afford
the finest opportunities for sewerage imagi-
nable. l know the cost OF such work would be
very large, but it would pay in the long run, and
would greatly increase The value of property in
the eastern portion of the city. Then a large
branch sewer could be built up to the vicinity of
The Atlas Works and drain all that region into
the run, thus saving property owners in the
northern part of the city from damage by the
overfiows of the State ditch Ihave given this
subject considerable attention, and L am con-
WINGED that this permanent Improvements should
De begun as soon as possible. OF course the city
mas no money to do il now, but the Legislature
should be petttioned to allow an increase of the
tax levy. About year ago, at the request of
the Council, prepared plans and specifications
for the work, but did not make any estimate of
the probable cost, and Rave not SIN ce. The
drawings are still In my office.
GEN. MORRIS CoNcURs
Gen. Thomas A. Morris was asked if a ditch
from the northeastern section OF the city to Fall
creek, has been proposed, would relieve
Pogue's run and give an outlet to the water,
which would prevent overhows in times of
| heavy rains.
Morris. water cannot be made to run from the
+ Northeastern quarter of the city to
| Pogue's run. When made a survey
of the Peru road, thirty years
ago, found that the dam of the creek north
east of the city a level with the site of
the Madison depot, IN the lower part of the city
! The idea of running any such ditch to Fall
| creek is impracticable, because the wafer, to
| get there, would have to be made to run up
| hill"
| How can the water be given an outlet so as to
| prevent the overhowsf" was asked
! '"The only feasible plan, Think" General
Morris said 'ls to make use of POgue's run. If
| the recommendations made by the city civil
! engineer in his report to the Council in
relation to the drainage of Pogue's run are car
| ried out think all trouble would be ohviated.
| 1t is the most feasible plan, and will cost less
! than any other. 1t is the natural way, and the
| only proper way. The improvements need not
! all be made at once. In time, Pogue's run will
| be covered over to large extent by buildings,
| and it will become kind of sewer l am salts
! fled that its Improvement, as the civil engineer
recommends, will give an outlet to all the water,
| and there will be no more trouble.
|