The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-18
BOYD ON DRAINAGE.
The Ex-County Surveyor interviewed
on an important Subject.
some Facts About the Drainage Canal
and the Farmers Complaints
Results of Surveys.


Old canal, which is about TO give the city
some trouble, and knows something
about the feelings and the situation of
those owning land south of the city.
"The landowners living between this
city and Freeport, despite the fact that
the winter is upon them, can look with
out fear and trembling at every rise in
the river" said Mr.. Boyd, in converse
ton with reporter yesterday.
RECLAMATION WORK.
'These landowners" he continued,
realizing that in union there is strength,
nave recently organized in accordance
with the State laws as a swamp land rec
Lamation district, and Immediately there
after began vigorous operations in ac-
eordance with the plans submitted by
their engineer, contemplating a thorough
reclamation of the 5000 acres embraced
Hithin the boundaries of the district
though the season was already we'll adj
Yanced before the first contract was en-
tered into, yet three-fourths of the work
outlined has been completed, and the en-
tire system of leyees between this city
and Freeport has been materially
strengthened, so that no further fears are
entertained from any rise of the river.
Contracts for building the levee were en-
tered into between the trustees of the
district and the various landowners hav-
ing frontage on the river, and by them
prosecuted till completed. The result
mas been that the district has been en-
abled to contract to these various land
owners at a mere nominal tigure-just
sufficient to cover the labor and expense
incurred-and it has also gained materi-
ally through the fact that the landowners
IN every case have done the work with
extreme care and without stint of mate
a
quired.
The result is that they have to-day
thoroughly secure levee wherever the
new levee is completed-ten feet wide on
Top, the crest three feet above high water,
and with good fiat slopes.
SPENDING MONEY.
The estimated cost of the reclama-
zion, including a food gate-which has
recently been constructed near Freeport
was about $4,000. A large portion of
his sum has been paid in to the County
Treasurer, and by him paid out to those
presenting warrants against the district
1und, after they have been approved by
he Board of Supervisors. In several
places the new leYee encroaches on the
riverside road, so that at no distant day
he road will have to of necessity be
Tldened by moving its easterly line fur
ther eastward.
''As disclosed by the plan of the en-
extend further than mere leyee construc-
ton. 1t will embrace: Eirst-The di-
version of the drainage from the various
county roads Immediately southeast Of
the city into Elder Creek, and thence into
sims Lake. This viii take up also a
large portion of the Willow Slough
waters, which would otherwise find It's
way
INTO THE POCKET
And ultimately have to be pumped out.
Second-The construction of a flood-gate
10 prevent back water from the Mok-
eIumne River operating through the
canal and filling the Pocket Third
che adjustment of the Sacramento
drainage canal as sewerage and drain
age canal for Sacramento City; the Board
OF Trustees to be first respectfully solic-
tied to cease using the canal and if the
request be not granted that it be carried
10 and tested before competent tribunal
1.-The first proposition is at present be-
lore the Board ofSupervisors, but has not
as yet been definitely acted upon; the
1loodgate has been constructed, and the
iast proposition is now being agitated
and in preliminary hearing decided by
Justice Henry adverse to the city. How
ever, the end is not yet. The people liv-
ing along the line of the canal are united
IN their opposition to the city's using the
canal as means of disposing of its sew
age and drainage.
HISTORY QUOTED.
''In order to appreciate their claims it
will be necessary to review our history to
some extent. In 1861 the Legislature
passed an Act giving to the Board Of Su-
pervisors of Sacramento City and County
The right to construct and maintain a
canal leading from II street to Snodgrass
Slough, or to Blooms Lake. In that Act
it was made a misdemeanor for any per-
son to impede, to interfere with or to de-
ttroy said canal. In 1863 the new charter
was adopted, Board of Trustees for the
city and Board of Supervisors for the
county succeeding the original Board OF
Supervisors of the City and County. This
charter, it is commended, had the effect of
repeating the Act of 1863, and under
which no work had been done.
In 1868, the people, realizing the ne
Cesslty OF securing certain rights and
privileges, caused an Act to be passed
authorizing the construction of a drain
age canal from Il street TO Snodgrass
Slough, or to Blooms Lake, the right of
way to be secured from the adjacent land
owners, and the cost of construction to be
borne by the city and by the landowners
of Reclamation District No. 2, the pro-
portion which each should bear to be de-
termined by the TRUSTEES of the city and
by the Trustees of the abOve-named dis
trlct, and in the event of their failing to
agree, then the proportion of expense
which each should bear to be decided by
the District Court.
1.-The construction was begun in 1865.
and prosecuted as far as Beach's
lake, and partially constructed further
south. Owing to the rains setting in the
work was suspended in its incomplete
condition, and since that time nothing
further has been done by the city, except
ing to have the canal cleaned out annually,
as far south as Sutterville.
WHAT Is COMPLAINED OF.
"The landowners living along the
route of the canal have in various WAYS
endeavored to remedy the evil inflicted
nn them by reason of the canal being
allowed to remain in its incompIetef con-
oiition. They have made applications to
the Supervisors and to the City Trustees
Tor relief on several OCCASIONS Their con-
tention and argument is in effect: First
Chat the city has never fulfilled its obliga-
tions as set forth in the statute authoriz-
ing the construction of the canal, mas
much as the canal in several sections is
not dug to its proper grade. Second
That by reason of this incomplete condi-
lion sewerage matter is allowed to run
down the canal till it fills the lakes along
The route till they have become high
enough to flow over these ridges on its way
10 SnodgrasS Slough. Third-That the
canal has become filed up to a depth of
about three feet with the most foul mat
ters discharged from the city's sewers,
thereby reducing the efficiency of the
canal. and causing it to be useful only to
The city, and of material detrimental TO adj
jacent lands. Fourth-Yhat this sludge
carried down the canal causes the most
zouI and noxious odors and disease
breeding gases to arise therefrom, caus-
ing sickness and death, and necessitating
the closing of all doors and windows in
The Il wellinpS of the landowners liyinp