The morning call., 1892-07-25
NOTES FROM NILES.
The Question of Riparian Rights
to the Front.
Condition Of the Orchards - Preparing 9
Worlds Fair Exhibit Growth of
the Town.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALI.


through Niles, is again dry. Riparian
rights as they concern the Individual or
corporation are far from being understood
by able LAWYERS. and as matter of course,
are not by people generally, but the law of
justice to both individual and corporation
should prevail. That in a sense the laws of
nature must have much to do with the max
Ing and enforcing OF riparian laws was
never more forcibly exemplifed than just
here in this fruitful valley, watered by the
Alameda Creek.
1t is no small matter that the water has
been taken by the Spring Valley Water
Company, deprviDg a large acreage of the
valley OF the supply which nature gave TO
support its products.
There are several curious and interesting
points concerning the creek aud the flow Of
water which are worth mentioning, and
which, too, would doubtless make local leg
lslation necessary. Upon each side of the
creek, but particularly the southern side,
Tor distance OF several miles is an under
ground gravel lake with clay bottom much
lower than the bottom of the creek bed.
ms lake has been kept filled. not with the
overhow from the creek. but by sinks, the
water draining through gravel beds found
occasionally In the bed of the creek.
This lake has always, therefore, kept so
lull that water has been constantly In the
soil. Without the slightest doubt the great
ana con ntlnued productions of this valley has
been dependent upon this underground
lake, the surface of which has been so near
the surface OF the soil that fruit trees have
drawn their supply from 1t. The creek has
never been empty until the past three years,
ana as consequence the underground lake
has always kept uniform level.
There are two sinks IN the canyon which
stlll supply limited amount Of water to
this lake, thereby keeping the wells sup
pled. 1he surplus rises to the surface
about SIX miles west Of Niles, at Bells
ch bridge in the creek, and flows on,
emptying Into the bay.
The surface of the soil along the creek
bank at Niles is 81 feet above tide-water;
al Bells ranch only about 80.
The water IN the wells In this section is a
uniform distance from the surface, and rises
and 1aiis as the creek rises and falls. Meas
urenients have been kept by different peo-
pie which absolutely prove this fact.
Data taken while the stream ran perma-
neutiy IN Its bed proves that the water
never fell below 40 feet lower than the sur
face Of the ground. This distance fruit
trees VIII readily send their roots to be fed
Now, each summer aud fall the water falls
far below this. and the fruit and trees suf-
Ter III consequence.
map Of this lake is in possession of the
officers OF the water company, and its exist
enee has never been denied by them
Two years ago the company lowered the
wells al quite an expense on 10 or 10
ranches, which had gone dry as a direct con-
sequence OF the taking OF the water from
the creek; AMI upon the same date (Janu-
ary 81. 1889 that the order was given to
lower the wells the president of the COM
pany, Charles Webb Howard, agreed to
pay damages ii any should accrue 10 the
orchards as result of lack of water, il
In time such should prove to be fact 1t
mas now been three years, and therefore it
is time to consider these damages and de-
mand reparatlOn.
There is more deadwood in the orchards
than ever before. There has not been a
full crop OF almonds for three years-a
Thing unheard Of here before, where this
crop has been so permanent and valuable
Tie trees are full sometimes until July,
when the fruit fails, each time few weeks
after the water has dried cut Of the creek
reaches and aDricOts also drop when nearly
ready 10 ripen. but not as vet to any ex-
tent. The growth Of new wood Is sm a Her.
All fruits rlBening after July are smaller
than ever before. One orchaTdiSt, William
Mortimer, owns a 20-acre plum orchard.
Iylng on the north bank of the creek in
Niles. Since the water has been drawn off
this season they have begun to shriye and
fall. He estimates that he will lose $4,000
on his crop IN consequences, and but waits
the cooperation of others TO demand some
reparatlOD. Ibe people here do not want
mouey-they want the water back-but,
failing TO secure that. something must be
done. 1t Is a matter of the grayeSt tmpOr-
tance to the people of this community and
one that urovokes constant discussion. The
people ylngNon the creek bank have been paid
we'll and are allowed a certain large amount
OF water for use and can hardly complain
but Il IS those ranches which lie next adioin-
ing which suffer. and their owners have no
redress.
1t has been suggested, and the suggestion
faa hafi ha
the AlvaradO arIeSian wells and abandon
this plant, they wouid probably secure as
much water the year through as they do
now, and though they would have 10
abandon this plant from the edge OF the bay
10 the dam in the canyon, a distance OF
about six miles, the total cost 10 them would
be less than the contemplated works in the
Forks and the damages which they will be
Compelled 10 pay 10 TancheTs.
Peaches all through the valley are drop
ping, particularly the cling varieties, and
where large crop was expected a couple
Of weeks ago but half crop will remain
to be harvested.
The orchardiots have been complaining all
the spring because Of the very low prices
which have been offered for fruit, feeling that
the small amount Of fruit ought to warrant
better prices, so the sudden rise of prices
within the past ten days has given great
satisfaction, especially to the few who have
not sold, while the many had contracted
weeks ago for ~ cents for apricots and
under cents for peaches. There will be
very little fruit dried in this valley. because
of the fine prices offered for green fruit.
Mrs. {. Is. Oyeracker, who has charge OF
the art exhibit for the County Worlds Fair
Association, has recently been appointed
TO take charge OF the art exhibit for the
whole association, most admirable ap-
pointment The lady Is a orker, and un-
der her supervision the exhibit cannot fail
90 be a success.
1t IS interesting in looking over the list of
exhibitors who have promised displays for
the County Fair to find that fully three
fcurlhs of all the names from the entire
county are OF people who live in this little
valley lying about Niles.
For the busy season there has been an
unusual number OF entertainments.
The Tuesday Evening Whist Club had its
last meeting for the season last week at
Mrs. Oyeracker's. The large rooms were
gayly trimmed with sunfi0N erS, and the re-
freshment table looked unique indeed un-
der its golden burden of snnfioweTs. The
games have been so greatly enj yed that
the club will probably reorganize for an
other series of games N the fall
The guests at The Walnut gave whist
party last Saturday evening, there being
five tables of players. The favors were
daintyisouvenir water-cOlor sketches. done
by Miss Sara Bienenfeld of San Francisco.
The town has been full of strangers
through the summer months. One or two
cottages are being built, two or three are
soon to be built. and the place still shows q
healthy and vigorous growth.
MRS. l.. E. THANE.
Niles. July 20. 1892
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Decide edIy Inaccessible.