The record-union., 1891-02-20

them, while the alignment is variable.
Permanent increase of the channel can
not be had at moderate or justifiable cost.
Permanent improvement, in short, can
only be had by maintaining stable banks
and a fixed alignment. The cost being
SO great to make permanent channel i'm
provement in these reaches of the river,
snagging and the erection of temporary
wing-dams only should be the policy for
the present, and $4,000 is the estimated
yearly cost.
Coming to the question of controlling
the flood waters of the river between its
banks, the board considers the present
capacity of the stream insufficient by half,
and suggests that sufficient data does not
yet exist as to the maxims of drainage to
be provided for. The problem is one of
great magnitude, and no estimate of the
cost of an adequate system of drainage
can, i'll the opinion of the board, be now
made. A levee system alone can accom-
plish propep drainage, and in that the
United States is concerned, that the river
channel may be secured out. The board
recites the well-known fact about patch
work levee protection, the absence of a
harmonious system, and the failure of
our levee systems to be at all beneficial,
and leaves us to conclude that our district
levee and reclamation system has its con-
tempt.
Concerning the Feather River the
board finds that hydraulic mining is still
injuring its navigation, but that it is
greatly less than formerly, and that the
rivers are showing renewal of erosive
power, so that the hope is thrown out
that under proper engineering efforts the
condition of the channels may be greatly
improved, result improbable when
mining deposits were unrestricted.
The condition of the Yuba, engorged
with detritus, is described, and it is set
forth that restraint of this detritus is
necessary, that no more may enter the
rivers than they can care for. The
board would have the Yuba trained
from nine miles above Marysville,
so as to make it excavate a bed
for itself during its low stages, so that as
it rises it will widen the channel and
lower its plane. Such treatment, The
lieves, is practicable and will be success
full, because the stream has already be-
gun the work of lowering its bed. The
work for the nine miles can be done for
100000, and, if there are no remarkable
freshets, for less. This work done the
Improvement Of the navigation of the
Feather River can be undertaken, and
until then $4,000 year is sufficient to
expend upon that river to maintain it's
present facilities.
The board therefore advises for annual
snagging above Sacramento S25, 900 year;
for removing distractions in the lower
Sacramento, S275,000; for closure of
jacobs Slough, $4,000; for treatment of
the 4uba, as suggested, $500, 600; for the
maintenance of the channel of the
Feather, $4,000 year. Thus we have
Congress advised by the engineers to ap-
propriate specifically for work indicated
100000, and for annual application be-
sides, $4,000.
There is therefore very much reason to
be pleased with the report, and to look
upon it as indicating and advising the
committing of the Federal Government
to performance of duty long neglected,
and as forecasting at a not distant day the
adoption Of a policy ofsystematic levelling
of the Sacramento River, and the control
of its flood waters benefcially for naviga-
ton and drainage.