Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-05-26
LITTLE VALLEY RESERVOIR.
The Views OF n Citizen On Its Need,
and the Desire of the Dry
Renchers.

ED. DEMOCRAT:- Much has Deen SalO
and written on the subject OF water fol
the "dry benchers," pro and con. The
DEMOCRAT has published several articles
in behalf of those people, for which they
are duly thankful. In its issue of Satur-
day last an editorial appeared under the
caption which 1 have quoted above,
which, though no doubt intended to OPP
crate in the interest of the dry benchers,
NAV not have that effect, for the reason
that it does not put the question OF water
for their benefit in its true light, and
may lead to a misunderstanding.
1t is believed by them that the pro-
jected reservoir is feasible, practicable
and ought to be carried out. That it is
eminently practicable is most clearly
demonstrated, they think, by the evidence
of the several skillful engineers to which
the DEMOCRAT refers. But, if the posi-
ton which seems to be assumed, is the
true one, to-wit That ''the scheme only
contemplates the outstanding of the
water which now goes to waste" then it
becomes a question whether the
scheme" ought to be adopted or not
This reservoir is estimated to cost
5000.
The dry benches are now assisting in
the payment of $3.50, 900 for q canal which
never has and never will benefit them to
the amount of single dollar, and they
do not feel disposed to be charged with
the cost OF reservoir which may not be
Of ,aG+ 10
If the expenditure of this amount
would be certain to accomplish the de-
sired end, it ought by all means to be
But the question is, would it do so? If
none but "surplus water" is to be stored
in the reservoir when it is completed, the
volume of this water ought to be defin-
itely ascertained before so much money
is expended; but how this is to be done
is an important question.
The amount of surplus water in 1885
would not be as great as in 1880, and in |
1890 there might be no surplus at all, be- |
cause as the city expands and water
mains are increased in the lower wards. !
as the increase of business on what is |
known as the business streets would, in !
the future as in the past and the present. |
create loud call for street sprinkling;
and, as increasing prosperity and wealth |
would naturally call for more lawns and |
more water with which to keep them
alive, of course the surplus in the channel
IF the creek would decrease, and the re-
suit might be an empty reservoir, and the
try bench still day.
The DEMOCRAT is believed to be in error
when it says that all the dry benchers
Isk IS the surplus water OF City Creek.
As understand the matter, what they
.sk and expect, is to be placed on an
quality with other inhabitants and tax
layers of the city. They constitute
probably one-twelfth of the population.
nd contribute their quota of the CITY
evenue as assessed against them. and
Xpect some benefits in return for their
bedience to law
They see that the city claims the right
D control, and does control, the water j
owing into it; and this right has been
cquiesced in for many years by the in
abltants OF the lower wards, who now
aem to deny the right of the benchers '
a single drop of water which the t
,rmer may claim. Whether the right i
aimed by the city is legal one, the '
ry benchers do not now express an opin- {
N. '
In view of all the circumstances. the t
ry benchers believe that they have a
ght to be served by the city with
instant supply OF writer, at least for
omestic purposes, and while they believe
lat such supply may properly come from =.
lty Creek, they do not insist upon it as
lie only source OF supply. They believe t
rat a reservoir ought to be constructed O
the interest of the entire city, but if .
instructed, it should not be considered :.
done IN the interest of the dry bench Ii
one. .
The opinion expressed by the DEMO Il
RAT, ''that all the water which can be a
ven the dry benchers from City Creek Il
the surplus or waste water" may pos t.
bly, be true, but is not concurred in by s.
the dry benchers. This is legal &c
lestion which they do not propose to "
scuss at present. is
Yours ttp TT n I'll