The morning call., 1891-01-10
RIVERS AND HARBORS
Report of the State Examining
Commission.
Condition Of the Sacramento and San Joa.
quin Streams and Their Tributaries.
Changes Advised.

The condition of the Sacramento and San
joaquin rivers and their tributaries is ably
presented in the report of the Examining
Commission on Rivers and Harbors, APP
pointed by an act OF the State Legislature in
1889. The Commissioners are: C. f. Reed,
G. E. Grunsky and j. j. Crawford.
The report is prefaced by regret that
limited time prevented the study of the char
acteriStic features Of the river systems of
California with that attention to detail
which the subject requires. Complete to-
biographical data concerning the Sacramento
aud San joaquin rivers were secured, but
sufficient photographic data were not pro-
cured because not then available.
The report describes in detail the portion
of the Sacramento River from the head of
the great central valley, few miles above
Red Bluff, to its mouth; and also that por-
ton of the San Joaquin River below Hills
Ferry.
Reporting upon the Sacramento River,
the commission commends the use of the
snag-boat. The building Of levees is not
favored generally, owing to the resulting
contraction of the waterway in many pl aces
where broad channel is necessary. The
necessity for leveeS at various places is
accepted on account Of the valuable prop
erty TO be protected.
CHANNEL BUILDING SUGGESTED.
Channel building is suggested as a remedy
preferable TO raising leyees during high
water. Nowhere on California's river
system are the protection works better con-
structed or maintained than in the
vicinity of Marysville and along portions of
the west bank OF the Feather River.
The fact is noted that the l0w-water plane
OF the Sacramento River has not risen mate
rally In the nine years preceding 1880,
which seems to indicate that the equilibrium
between the quantity of silt entering the
river and the transporting power of the
river has very nearly been restored.
The commission is of the opinion that the
waters drawn from the San Joaquin River
Tor irrigation purposes do not cause an in
terruptlon OF navigation of that stream, in
asmuch as navigation ceases before low
water and depends upon tidal influence On
this river, as on the Sacramento, land rec
lamation works Interfere with a general
valley drainage system. The present svs-
tenn OF reclamation work, it Is urged, pro-
tectS lands on one side of the river to the
INJURY OF lands on the other side, Separate
reclamation districts are advised. Had the
State, before authorizing the sale of any
swamp and overfowed land, made proper
provision for complete and systematic
drainage the lands could have been sold at
prices sufficiently advanced to cover the cost
OF such improvement.
A POLICY SHOULD BE DETERMINED.
The report asserts that the time has come
when the policy of river treatment should
be finally decided upon. All expenditures
for improvements authorized by Congress
have been made solely in the interest of
navigation. The work has been done prin-
cipally by the United States Army engin-
GERS, who have, with few exceptions, di-
rected their entire attention to the low
water condition of the navigable streams,
and have effected merely temporary bet
ternent OF the lOw-water channels of the
rivers. The appointment of Board of En-
glneers, composed OF army and civil engn-
GERS, is recommended, in order that high
water relief may also be attended to.
improvements necessary at several points
are stated, the cos. of which is placed at
81, 200. and III an appendix to the report
there is much Interesting information upon
the quantity and value of produce and mer-
chandlse transported upon the navigab.e
streams OF tie State, and the statement is
made that only by continued improvements
to the channels of these rivers can cheap
transportation rates be main tanned.
The commission adds that no appropria-
tlon having been made for the employment
OF engineers to carry on field work, and
owing TO the insufficency of the sums loaned
the commission by its Individual members.
1t has not been possible to make all such
proper and necessary surveys, examina
lions, designs, drawings, estimates, specif-
cations and exhibits as will enable Congress
TO clearly understand the condition Of the
rivers and the cost and expense of properly
rectifying and improving them.