The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-11-28
THE EAST BENCH RESERVOIR.

A city correspondent writes: II was
very much pleased with your article
published in the issue CT the
23d, on the east bench reser-
voir idea. Now that the city has
control of Farley Greek, and can con-
trol the surplus water as well as
the main stream at all seasons
of the year, a reservoir can be con-
structed if the wash formation be
closely studied, that will store from
three to twelve months water supply
for the eastern portion OF the city, but
it must be built high near Emigra ton
! Canyon, where the wash has become
solicited through the agencies CT
water, so that seepage will not cause
complaints from those below, and an
expense to the city as a resultant.
! 1t is a good idea and one that have
cherished for a good many years.
I also suggested that the old Arsenal
Hill-Capitol Hill, believe, is the
modern name fer it-Hould make q
most excellent site for a reservoir,
because of its exalted position, and the
immense pressure that would ma
turaily follow. 1 well remember,
also, that 1 was laughed at. ard
wise savaits told me that the
idea of reservoir being built on Capt. oil
Hill was mere dream, freak of the
Imagination, the result of mince pie
and disordered stomach. l was told
that the land was too porous; that seep-
age would follow to such an extent as to
drown out The lower portions of the
city and necessitate the use of boats as
means of navigation; that land i des,
tree slides and house slides would fol-
low, and that sheol generally would be
to pay. However, he laughs best who
laughs last; asserted years ago thar a
reservoir would ultimately be built
there, and from present appearances, |
am now on the way to point from which,
once reached. l can tn N around and with
d voice of scorn say, 81 told you SO
didn't 2" Seriou sly, tt ough, the ca t
natural locations for the reservoirs to
supply the city with local water, but
the parent supply is Utah Lake, where
we can obtain endless quantities OF the
lifa-giving fluid. We may go on in the
old way, tinkering with the water ques-
tiou for the next ten, fifteen or twenty
years, but eventually, just as sure as
we are here, we will be forced 10 tap
that great nj tural erYoir in Utah
County. l believe tuat this tapping
should be done in our own time. 40
matter what the cost; but if We haven't
the nerve to tackle the question-it it
is too rich for our blood, so to speak
WHY let US take hold of the reservoir
scheme and leave the lake for our
grand children, VITO will be CO npelled
to acquire water rights in it at far
greater cost than they can now be
secured, but they will do il, and after
wards, if we happen near, we may hear
some remarks to the effect ''WDat
o hide-bound fossils and moss. backs our
prandpas were" | wish to deYiate q
little from my starting point by refer
ing to the project OF making reservoirs
in City Greek Canyon. Since writing
my last objection, have been over the
ground, and was not able to see ten
consecutive rods suitable for construct
ing the CT mines for any body of water
such as would be ne-dsd, without en-
dangering two-thirds of the city with
destruction sooner or later. Since nay
chic hood have been familiar with the
freaks of the elements To view
the canyon in summer sunshine
is viewing an army on dress parade
but to view it as | have done in storms
with thunder crashing, rain descending
from the clouds in torrents, tearing fur
rows down the mountain SIDES until th'
debris in many places would change th,
current and bed of the stream. ant
where Main Street is today WOE g
torrent of angry water, would be To Be-
an army advance to the charge OF dealt
and destruction.