Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-30
TEE RIVER FaOHT.
CITY ENGINEER PERSONS REPORT ON
ITS CONDITION.
A Soft Spot at the Foot of street-How
the Channel Was Deepened
Last Winter.

When the high water in the river began
to recede few months ago it was discov-
cred by City Engineer Pierson that there
was spot in the levee at the foot of 7
street where the embankment rested par
TALLY upon bed of quicksand, and consid-
cradle erosion had been caused by the cur
rent last winter. The matter was brought
to the attention of the City Trustees at the
time, but action thereon was deferred until
more thorough examination Of the spot
could be made.
This was done by Engineer Person few
days ago, and yesterday he submitted his
report to the Trustees, explaining the ma
ture and extent of the injury done to the
embsnkme1t and recommending that Ger
tain work be done to restore it and prevent
| further damage Not the least Important
| statement contained in the report is that in
| reference to the deepening of the river
channel at that point. Mr.. Persons in.
sDection revealed the fact that the deposits
in the bed of the river opposite the lower
end of the city were secured out by last
winters freshet to such an extent that,
where last summer there was ten feet of
is as follows:
SACRAMENTO, September 90, 1890.
To the Honorable Board Of City Trtistees-GEN-
TLEHEN: Having made a preliminary survey
and examination of the levee at the foot of Y
street, herewith present this report upon its
condition. It was discovered soon after the
high water had receded that considerable dam
sge had been done to the ievee at this point,
and steps were taken to determine the extent
and cause in order to apply the proper remedy.
By repeated and careful soundings it is found
that the channel of the river at the point
named, and for a long distance below has been
deepened, until there is now at the low stage of
water depth of thirty feet Of water. One year
ago there was less than ten feet, showing
securing of the channel of twenty feet in depth.
All indications 20 to show that this was caused
by the Paine break, as this point of the river
was in direct line with the break, being in the
| draw caused by it.
This part OF the levee has heretofore been
considered the weakest point in our system, and
{ has repeatedly given trouble and has been ex-
| pensive to maintain. l hare been informed
that about ten years ago extensive repairs were
made here. a number Of pile and brush jetties
were built out from the foot of the levee and a
| pile training wall extending down stream some
distance was constructed. This work has been
almost entirely demolished and carried away,
| Only one or two piles and small portion of the
upper jetty remaining to show where the work
was done.
It is Immediately at the upper jetty that the
| deep cutting of the channel begins, This has
| undermined the foundation of the leyee and
| caused the breaking off and sliding out OF the
slope and outer fsce of it, until some $3.50 cubic
| yards of earth forming the slope has been car
Iied away in addition to the pies and jetties, a
distance OF $40 feet. The cutting at its greatest
| width has extended back nearly to the crown
of the levee, and presents q vertical face about
fourteen feet in hight from the waters edge, and
| from here extending on slope of 45o angle to q
| depth of thirty feet at a point thirty feet out
| from the water edge.
| The levee, resting as IL does on 8 foundation
Of quicksand along this part of the river front,
is especially liable TO accidents OF this kind, and
| can best be protected by adding weight to the
| foundation in the form Of material that cannot
| be washed out by any force OF current likely to
be experienced The futility Of driving piles or
! constrrcing timber and brush jetties has here
| been demonstrated, and such work should not
| now be considered. An outer wall o. granite
rock on the line OF the toTmeT foot of the leyee
Of sufficient size and weight TO be stable and act
as a retaining wall for the earth filed in behind
| il, viii add the necessary weight and form q
! bank no current viii wash out. This wall, to be
eftectuel must be carried Up 10 .OTwatar mark
and the leyee restored with earth to its former
| condition, and then faced with granite rock,
rip-rap to above high-water mark. To do this
Will require abOut $500 cubic yards CT earth and
2,250 tons of clean broken grauite, free from de-
composed rock.
| This ! would recommend, and also that the
| work be commenced as soon as possible, in or.
der to be prepared for the next high water.
Il. T. PIERsoN,
City Engineer.