Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-03-09
oon1aelllno TtlG RivlR.
Meeting at the Court House last
Night Reports of Committees
Discussion OF their Plans-The
Plan OF Levees Recommended.


Plan OF Levees Recommended.
Mayor Thom called the meeting to Or
der and desired to know the wishes Of
the meeting.
Governor Downey called for the read
ing of the reports Of Committees that
had been presented at previous meet
Ing. These reports have been published
already in the HERALD. In addition to
the reports previously presented, Don
Antonio +. Coronel presented another
report. All Of the reports
were read by the Sestctary. Mr.. w. J.
Brodrick and discnsse by Messrs. l.. d.
Gavitt, John r. Humphreys. H. D. Bar
rows, Governor Downey and Others.
Mr.. Gavitt explained his wing dam prin-
ciple and showed its adaptation to the
deposit of sediment by eddie, behind the
wing dams, and thought the current
would be kept clear by his system.
Hon. A. F. Coronel suggested the
planting Of willow stakes, four feet apart.
in two rows ten feet apart, filled in with
brush and stone between them, such a
plan as was used in the mining camps in
early days. and in Mexico
The following is the
REPORT OF HON A. +. Cor ,NEL.
."I. the undersigned, having been one Of
those requested to give my opinion in
regard to the most proper way of avoid
ing the destruction OF properties that
threutvns a large part Of this community,
caused by the swell Of the river during
the rainy season, in compliance Of this
commission, l have O right to express
what seems the most convenient, sub
jecting my ideas to persons more capable
in this matter. The course the water
took during the last rains in the river Of
this city, threatened the destruction Of
many valuable properties. There is not
a single hands breath of land in this
valley free from being injured by said
motive. It is absolutely necessary to
take prompt measures to hinder this.
The construction of levee on both
sides Of the river ON the line officially
marked, composed Of sand taken from the
channel Of said river, stones and brush,
with a base of no less than thirty feet
wide, and a height Of no less than
seven feet above the level of the current.
planting willow, sycamore. or other
kind Of trees, ten feet long, burying
them FIVE feet, at distance Of foot and
half or two feet from each other, ard
on the parts where the water rikes by
the curves Of the current, to cover said
levce with this brusb and stones.
This work in most part can be done
with dredge. taking the earth from
said channel, commencing this operation
at the places most in danger, the use Of
wagons would only be necessary in
handling stores, mortar and brush, we
fortunately have plenty of it in the said
river, which is also necessary to be
taken away SO as to clear the channel.
Under this system the cost is not as
great as is supposed, considering the
great benefit resulting from it, the
mechanism, l have indicated, / think,
cannot cost more than two dollars per
linear yard.
After being constructed in this manner
the Council can order, that all trash and
dirt taken from the streets be put on
said levec, as this will make it more
solid every year.
In my opinion the width Of the river
should be three hundred feet, as marked
by ordinance, and the levee to be put
on land Of property owners, close to said
river, aud that they should permit it for
their own benefit; moreover, these lands
were given to the first property owners
under the condition that they should
plant live trees, or trees that would
sprout. If they have not done so their
titles are not perfect; but shonld this
circumstance hinder the work the width
can be reduced. Once or twice year,
during the summer months, the water is
turned into the river 30 as to clean the
bitches, and if way is opened so that
the trees planted along the side Of said
river may get this water. it will do them
great benefit. Having seen and know
ing that the accumulation of rubbish al
the bridges caused, in great extent, the
inundation Of some Of the land, and tax
ing into consideration that if these bridges
had not been broken the river wonlt
have taken its course, with great de
struction Of property, recommend tina
some measure be taken SO that at leasf
two of the arches of all the centra
bridges may have space not less thar
sixty feet"
A motion to adopt the majority re
port met with spirited opposition OF
account Of the use Of willow wood ant
stakes in its composition, showing tina
the willow was an unclean tree, abound
ing with moths. caterpillars and arm!
| -, e~,.. IT,. ...ooI .vo. .ot J.,.~ III /,
but would rot and be q cause of deadl,
disease, and the water would follow tn
stick through the levee, making per
petual swamp on the outside Of th
bank, while the sticks projecting from
the side next The river would make
bank Of rough and shaggy surface tina
wuId be sure to catch floating driftwood
and soon fill up the stream. The sub
stantial and proper bank should be o
clay, with rock facings next the waite
and made smooth, so as to catch n,
drift, and sloped at an angle Of about 8
degrees.
The material is already in the hills
ready to roll down an inclined track b.
its own gravity to the bank Of the river
Moro than half the bank can be mad
from the gravel out Of the bed Of tn
river, the inner side being made of clay
and ON the top Of the bank publ
highway should be established.
Mr.. Barrows thought there wer
no sticks recommended in the repor,
but the Secretary read that portion Q
the report, showing that this mixture o
earth and sticks was there. Mr.. Abbot
Kinney apparently "didn't like sticks j
his'n." aad suggested that instead I
swallowing the report. sticks and al
that they approve the principle Of leves
and leave the necessary details to comps
tent engineers.
Mr John Rurns. who nooved th