Delta chief., 1884-05-21

The Flood.

Early last week the Gunnisnn river com
menced to rise in earnest, and by Wednesday
was the highest ever known at least since the
settlement Of the country by the whites. The
Indians have a tradition that about twenty
two or twenty three years ago the river COW
cred the bottom lands from bluff TO bluff, but
nothing certain of this is known. The pres
ent rise was not altogether unexpected, and
was, in fact, anticipated by many Of the
ranchrncn, who made all due preparations for
high water. From the accumulation of snow
in the mountains it was morally certain that
when the weather turned warm the streams
would be bank full and running over.
The first damage done was on Tuesday of
last week, when the ferry at Robadoux ford
louscned at one end, letting the boat go adrift.
1t now lies mOored at the mouth of Alkali
creek, having been caught and towed in there
by some section men.
"Wednesday afternoon three spans of the
bridge across the Gunnisun at this point vent
oul two Of them being caught and moored TO
the bank "a short distance below, but the third
finatcd on down before it could be secured.
This shuts of all communications with the
north side OF the river except what can he
had by one or two small skiiis. \ large force
was at work at the bridge when it went out,
and they barely had time to get to land after
il commenced sinking before it was on its
voyage down the river, so quick did ii go out.
One Of the middle piers undermined, toppled
over and went TO pieces, pulling down the
south pier and span.
On the North Fork the food seems to have
done more damage than in the valley of the
Guuuison proper. IN fact nearly all the water
seems to have come from this stream. The
bridge at Hotchkiss went out week ago last
Monday morning. cutting oil communications
from the east side of the river. The bridge
timhcrs that were being tloated down the river
for the bridge at Paouia broke away from the
control Of the men in charge and are no"
scattered along from that point to the Gu
OF California. The dam and boom of Brlce
Drake is said to have gone to meet the bridge
tmbcrs.
From the mail rider who came in sunday
evening We learn that the river covers sam.
Nair's ranch from his house west. Tn"
ranches of sam. Angcyinc, David stephens
aud L. 4. Adams are more or les under vat
cr Levi Wtlmot, Judge MCbougal, Jay +.
Smith, :. NAndrriord. i. VI. Smith and j Il.
Smith have left their dwelling and moved 10
higher CruuUd back. The river is running
over forty acres Of lloichkiss' wheat and
oats field. From below H"tchkiss no reports
have been received. Smiths Fork IL said to
be running bank full, but what damage has
been done if any, has not been asccrtaincd
Above Wnic's several ranches are more or
les, under water, bpi the rider could give no
information ~ a. the extent Of the damage.
Thursday the weather turned cool and the
water began tn suhSide and Sunday morning
(, WAS two aud half feet lower than on
Wednesday. SUNDAY Il ernoon the river be
gan raising again, and mas gained notch or
two every day since.
The worst has not vet come. Plenty Of
suuw vet remains In the mountains. Sh"u!d
a long continued hot spell come the Guunis,n
will discount its previous effort.
The uncompahgre river has not rs yet risen
higher than usual. but people along it, hanks
may rs well prepare for the worst. 1t is cx.
pectcd the two bridges over this stream will
bc ready for travel this week, which will re.
licyr those who live ON the other side very
much.
At the time of going to press the Gunnison
is higher than last week, and still rising.