Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-28
coNcgRs1NG TIE LEvEEs.

An interesting report concerning the levse
system of thu city was recently made to the
Citizens Association of Sacramento, as fol-
lows:
To the Citizens Association Of the City of Sacra-
mento-Gentlemen Your Committee on LeVee
beg to make the following report
On the l4th Of November your committee, with
the three Levee Commissioners, started out to
make an examination OF the levees. We first struck
the leyee at the American river railroad BRIDGE
where the road crosses TO Smiths Garden. From
there We went through Mrs. Waldrons farm, ana
the evee at her crossing to inspect the recent
works put in the American river, such as wlng-dams
breakwaters etc, TO check and change the current
to prevent the banks from further wasting and
make the leyee more secure. After a full eNplana-
ton and thorough examination 1t was the unanl-
nous opinion Of the committee that 1t was com
plete job, and the money Coout SheOe) had 0een
judiciously spent. We then went back to the levee
and made thorough examination Of its hight,
base, SLOPE width at high water and width on top.
We found the slope the outside about to l, base
about leo feet width at high water 70 feet, and on
top 20 "a feet railroad track Is on top OF the
levee from the bridge TO Brighton, and there is
plenty of room for double track most OF the way.
There is good roadway on the leYee for carriages
from the bridge past Burns slough. Our three car
riages drove back the levee to the bridge, and
then down the road 10 Rabei's tannery. few years
ago this was considered one OF the NEST dangerous
places on the river. great many carloads OF stone
were thrown in here, wing dams were built, new
channel was cut for the river, which worked adj
mirably and today this is the safest place on the
river. We then went DOM to Seventh street.
where the Commissioners wish TO widen the levee
running east far as the American river railroad
bridge
Your committee started out again on the goth to
make further examinations. We drove top Of
the levee at American river bridge, and up as far
Brighton and made close examination. We found
two men under the direction Of Levee Commits
nh a pN-
preston that the north levee was higher wider and
stronger than we anticipated, and We pronounce it
almost impreguable
We inspected the levees at the junction of the
north and r street or Folsom railroad. We found
them in good repair, and would recommend at some
future day that the Folsom track or eyee he raj ed
beyond the junctiJn to prevent any possibility Of
the water ey.r going around 10
We drove back 10 Thirty first, and along that
street beside the drainage canal to the intersection
OF street. and along street to Sacramento river
We found street in good repair, and making fine
driveway. N-stIeet levee would work very well to
keep out back-wAter if the leyee should not break
this side Of Sutteryillc. But ii the leyee should
break within half mile below street we fear tn +,
water would overtop il. We walked from street
up the evee to q street, and inspected the levee to
the waters edge, and found it in good state OF re-
We next visited the break at Washington, oppo.
site the mouth of the American river. One-half a
mile above the town we found the leyee completely
eighteen or nineteen feet OF water to tlO8 through
1t. This is the place, from turning the channel OF
the American river, that caused the destruction Of
Mr. Hoagiaud's property and caused the extensive
and costly lawsuits against the city Of Sacramento.
The furious current from the American strikes the
NolO bank 30 abruptly it viii be almost imposs Die
to construct a eyee, unless at great expense, tina.
can withstand il. While this break or gap remains
i'm this condition it will carry off such vast volume
OF water that we need apprUhend but little dan.
ger On the Sacramento side. In order to make
assurance doubly sure and to provide against
tirgCncts for the safety OF growing city, and o.
further establish confidence I'M the minds Of its
terurising citizens, feel it our duty to recon-
mend to the Levee Commissioners TO raise OF,
say forty thousand dollars $4,000 to be spent
the leyees the coming season Ii the citizens that
interested IN the prosperity and stability of this
city will make visit to the leyees and what
strougholds we have, satisfied they viii be well
paid for their trip and will most heartily vote and
advocate the raising OF the amount recommended
by this committee.
In conclusion, we fully believe that il the recon-
mendations made fully carried out, and the
work in contemplation on the north levFe is com
peted, Sacramento city is as safe from overflow
AS any city similarly situated on rapidly rising
stream in a large valley like the Sacramento.
The Levee Commissioners were courteous and ever
ready to answer all our numerous questions in re
gard to Uheir acts Of the past, present and future,
and our citizens may now congratulate themselves
on having a viglnt Board Of Lavee Commissioners,
who viii leave no duty to this city unperformed.
Your committee would further report that Ia the
examination Of the leyecs and interviews held with
the L wee Commissioners, their time has been most
pleasantly and pruft,hly spent, and 1t has added
materially t. our conf ience In the s3fcty and future
greatness af our city. Respectfully submitted
DANIEL FLINT,
JAMES MCGUIRE,
DAVID LUBIN.
JOHN MCsEILL,
SILsS earle,