The record-union., 1891-02-20

California. The process of hydraulic
mining, the scale of its operations, its
enormous contribution OF eroded material
to drainage lines, and the injury to navi-
cation and other interests that ensued
have been described in previous reports,
and need not here be repeated. This kind
of mining was interdicted by the courts
in 1884, and since that date it has been
largely if not entirely discontinued. Cur
rent proceedings in the courts and pres
ent discoloration Of water indicate that
the process is yet carried on, but the scale
of operations must be insignificant as
compared with those of former years.
Owing to this change the rivers begin to
show signs of erOsive power. Formerly
the rivers in their mountainous portions
were confined between high banks, as well
as in the valleys, and elevated their beds
year by year. Now tendency, under
diminished supply of detritus, to lower
the beds is exhibited.
SOME HOPE FOR THE FEATHER RIVER.
In this state of affairs there is some
hope that properly directed engineering
efforts may be effectual in ameliorating
the condition of the channels, result
which was not probable during the period
of enormous artificial erosion of gravel
deposits. The Feather is a navigable
stream for distance of thirty miles, to
the junction with the Yuba. Marysville,
town Of 4, 900 or 5000 people, is the head
of navigation.
THE ENGORGED YUBA.
For eight or ten miles above the town
the bed of the Yuba River is sand-bank
several miles in width, the hight Of
which is few feet above the adjoining
land, which, and including the town, is
protected from overflow by enormous
levees, built and maintained at great cost.
~1.,,x
low stages, meanders at will, and in flood
disperses over the whole expanse of its
| wide bed. The navigable river is en-
gOrged with detritus, which has increased
! its slope several inches to the mile. The
pools of former years have been filled,
and the number of places of difficulty in
navigation has been largely increased by
shallow. Delays are thereby much in
creased.
RESTRAINT OF DETRITUs.
Restraint of detritus to such degree
| that no amount shall enter greater than
| the river can care for seems to be essen
tial for betterment of its present state. It
is thought that the treatment most appro-
pirate in the present condition of affairs,
OF the wide and deep deposits already
mentioned as being in the bed of the
Yuba near and above Marysville, is to
| train and control the Yuba, beginning at
Daguerre Point, nine miles above Marys-
vile, so that the stream shall excavate
during its low and controllable stage a
bed for itself, through which the rising
river shall flow, widening and lowering
the channel.
RESTRAINT OF DETRITUS PRACTICABLE.
The board is encouraged to think that
such treatment is practicable, and that it
will be successful by reason of the fact
that the stream has begun unaided to
lower its bed, having sunk recently about
four feet at Daguerre Point. The engi-
neering operations needed to aid and Sc
cure the final result must be directed to
protection of the banks of the stream,
| mainly by means OF brushwOrk, the ma
terial for which grows conveniently. 1t
does not seem eXpedient to attempt at
this time to in1icate the details of the
work which will be needed for this pur-
pose. They will best be determined by
the intelligence and observation of the
engineer who will conduct the improve
| ment.
| COST OF THE YUBA WORK.
The board is of the opinion that the
work herein indicated can be done over
the distance of nine miles, extending
from Daguerre Pointlto the Feather, for
the sum of $500, 900, and if not greatly in
terfered with by freshets, for sum con-
siderably less. When this work shall
have been accomplished and the yearly
contribution of detritus to the nayigable
channel shall have been thereby con-
trolled within moderate limits, improve
ment of navigation in the Feather can be
successfully initiated and maintained. In
the meantime it is recommended that a
yearly expenditure of about $4,000 be
made in maintaining present facilities.
| SUMMARY OF COST OF RIVER WORK.
The board accepts for this part of the
river, as well as for the Sacramento be-
| low the Feather, the estimates for low
water improvement of navigation pre-
pared by the Commission Of Engineer
Officers provided for by the Act of Con-
gresS approved October /, 1888.
| This commission has made detailed ex-
aminations of these rivers during the past
two years, and is fully acquainted with
existing conditions. We may summarize
recommendations so far as they relate to
appropriations, as follows, namely:
l. A permanent yearly appropriation,
not to exceed So, 900, for the Improvement
and conservation of channels and banks,
by use of Snag-boat and crew. on the
Sacramento River above the city of Sac
ramento.
2. A specific appropriation of s275, 5,oOC
for removal of distractions in the lower
Sacramento, and S25, 900 for the closure OF
Jacobs Slough, on the east bank of the
Sacramento above the city of Sacramento
3. A specific appropriation of $500, ,OO(
for treatment of the Yuba near and above
Marysville.
4. A specific annual expenditure OF
S20,0 900 for improvement of the nayigable
channel of the Feather River.
5. In closing. this report, the board de-
sires to say that a levee system, in great
part already existing, needs to be pro
jected and completed for the Feather
River, in order to secure the maximum
improvement of which it is capable. Re-
spectfully submitted,
G. H. MENDALL,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers.
A. MACKENZIE,
Major, Corps of Engineers.
DAN. G. KINGMAN,
Captain of Engineers.
The entire California delegation viii
make united and determined effort to Sc
cure the appropriations above recon-
mended during this session of Congress
AS there is no river and harbor bill thi:
session, the appropriation must be Sc
cured, if at all, by an irregular procedure
1t is possible that the appropriation may
be tackled on to the sundry civil bill.
G. G. CARLTON.
i METEOROLOGICAL
Another Revolving Storm up North
Snow East Of the Rockies.
The Signal Service temperature at A
NJ. and P. NJ. yesterday was $50 and 500