Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-10-18
TO FILL TULE BASINS.
DIR. SHIELDS PLAN FOR UTILIZING
THE DEBRIS DEPOSITS.
He Would Make Artificial Cuts in the
Levees and Fill Up the Low
Lands With Sediment.

EDS. RECORD U MON: No question affects
the vital interests of the Sacramento valley
more than the restoration of the bed of the
river of the same name, and the reclama-
ton of the adjoining swamp lands. The
channel of this stream has been partially
filled already, and the loosened soil of the
mountains still in some measure finds its
way within its banks, with no outlet save
into the bays near the ocean, which are
Swallowed by their arrival, with no Ger.
tainty of removal therefrom.
The alarm has been sounded in our ears,
that vast deposits of the same material
that fill our river and Swallowed our bays,
is stored in the mountain canyons, and
that year by year it is slowly being moved
toward our river and bays, threatening
their destruction and the interests sustained
by their navigation and harbor facilities.
These alarms have been taken up and
sounded in the ears of our General Gov
eminent, which will doubtless apply a
remedy upon proper reports from The
engineers charged with the duty of ex-
amining their condition and the suggestion
of remedies. Judging from the degree of
success of these agencies and their work on
the Mississippi river, the mind cannot rest
in the firm belief of perfect success Even
New Orleans, at its mouth, seems in dan.
ger of inundation.
will say that in this valley, as there,
the remedies suggested relate principally
to the control of water, with little allusion
to the clearing of the river channel, and if
the latter is successful here, by increased
currents in the river, it must result in
shoaling the bays in an injurious degree.
A glance at the situation here shows the
need on our low lands of the material that
Ellis our rivers, and that this is situated as
conveniently for transference az a saucer
for being filled with coffee from a cup
standing within it. The Paine break be-
low our city has the past season demon
strated that the material filling the river
can be carried to the low land by the force
of the river current, for it has deepened
the channel thirty feet in front of the city,
and no doubt to considerable depth for
distance above it.
The Paine break has done in an uncon-
trollable and irresistible way and injurious
manner work of much importance to our
river front that might, with the help of q
dredger and river pillow, ETC., have been eX-
tended, had one been ready, TO the mouth
of the Feather river with like success.
This thought embodied in question,
forces itself upon my mind for analysis
and conclusions: Cannot we Tor the Cen
eral Government) repeat the Paine break
operation with economy and success, and
with benefit at once to river and lowlands
and bays? Say we prepare the levee and
river bank when the river is low-prepare
levee conduit thence to the low lands;
prepare for stopping up the break to be
produced by timbers substituted for the
piles Just used; prepare lumber TO be placed
on these timbers with incest art for a
dam temporary; prepare dredgers and
river plows and force currents in large
numbers; appoint for the waters an harbor
day; then remove the levee and send the
water and debris upon the lowland border
ing the stream; then replace the levee.
That the size of the artificial break can
be limited is proven by the fact that the
Paine break limited itself to about 300 feet
or, if assisted, the means used were
primitive and feeble. The Paine break
was nearer 200 feet across.-ED5
That the wash from the bottom of the
break could be controlled is proven also
by the fact that the soil was removed only
to given depth, and there the apron is to
be placed. Then all that would be required
to limit the width and depth would be to
place suitable material at the ends and
bottom of the artificial break. Having
secure ends, and bottom and timbers in
place, with lumber to slide on the timber,
the break may be closed at will. and the
levee material replaced, to be again opened
when found necessary.
Lest it may be thought that this structure
would be liable to accident by seipage and
therefore washing away, let me say that
the ends and apron (both of asphalt) could
be easily cemented tightly to the facing of
asphalt or bituminous rock-not the slight
est danger If several of these breaks are
required the lumber of one could be used
for each of the others, saving much cost.
This asphalt facing, of right strength. can
be placed there for cents per square foot
as l am informed by al agent of a COM
pany. The material can be put on ends Of
levees when ready-say, thirty feet high
and seventy feet wide, for $500. The apron
800 feet wide and 800 feet long-the ground
being ready-would cost about $4,000. The
removal of the earth in the levee and re-
placing it would cost, at Is cents per cubic
yard, about 81 900. Timbers and lumber
and work of placing is not estimated, bu
can not be very high. The number o.
these artificial breaks from the mouth o.
Feather river to the bay may be three Oh
five, and will not decay, but serve for many
emptyings.
Lest some may think this device toe
weak to stand the strain that will be placed
upon it, will recall the fact that it i;
placed below the point of greatest strain
deep as Paine break.) Also lest it may
be said if such a deep break is made, WI
can as well stop it if made by food waters
let me repeat that the device is made anC
placed in position before the waters an6
debris are started through it, and can bt
made of any strength and degree of adsp
tation required to insure success, and a
low-water mark.
1t seems TO me that the end to be gaineC
is worth many ten thousand times the cost
even if this should be great which it reeC
not be.
Some of this material thus loosenet
would of course pass the artificial breal
and remain in the river; but more of i
would find egress in the second break, IN
til finally but a minimum would be lef
within the river or emptled into the bay.
Whether levee faced with asphalt anC
Joined to an apron little below the danger
mark might not relieve the swollen stream
is question worthy of investigation, fol-
the waters running over are of limited
quantity and the weight moderate; thu
cost being light, the apron and its earth
supports could be made more extensive.
If these could substitute regular Govern
ment works the saving would be enormous
and the safety equally promoted. 1t nigh
be made to benefit other rivers flowing int
the Sacramento; and even the Mississippi
may have low lands on which their allu
vium could be emptied.
F. NJ. SHIELDS
THE BAUQUIER ESTATE.