The record-union., 1893-03-22
Special to the REconD-USIoS.

olONh1ON, hdICu Als-I IC lhol VI
water from the mountains was so great
last night that many of the low blocks in
Stockton were covered with water.
Minor Channel, Mormon Channel and
other streams passing through the city
spread out with such force that in one or
two instances the water, which could not
pass between the banks. ran out on the
adjoining streets. While a considerable
portion of the city is covered with water.
the damage, if there is any damage, is in
considerable.
Nothing could have averted the over
flow, for the continued rains and the
melting snow together brought such an
enormous quantity of water down the
Mokelumne, the Calaveras and other riv-
ers that it spread out in one vast sheet on
the level valley below.
Stockton appears to have escaped with
less annoyance than any of the other
cities in this part of the San Joaquin Val
ley. 1t is protected by high streets in the
outskirts, and the water was kept back
by these for many hours.
However, the water became so deep at
O'Clock this morning that it commenced
running over the railway embankment
on Mormon avenue and over East street
and from the north into the asylum
grounds. Some of the people in the low
blocks moved out of their houses, but
their alarm was needless. There are
many easements flooded. A little lum-
Der has iloated away and the high water
has compelled the schools and one or two
factories to close.
The trouble is merely temporary, as
some of the island levees have already
broken and more will go, relieving the
press of the waters here.
The water kept rising till noon, when
it appeared to be at a standstill. 1t came
in rush from the mountains, running
through the town from the east and flood
ing all the streets except Main, Market
and Washington streets in the business
portion Of the town. The water is run
ming through at a depth of two feet, but
seems to have reached its greatest hight.
1t is running away fast, going westerly
on the trend of the land. Many base
ments are flooded in the businesspart of
town and merchants will suffer some
loss from damaged goods. The break in
the island levees will carry Off the flood
very fast. At present the water is the
highest since 1882.
The flood water remained higher than
ever seen here since 1862 up to noon,
when it commenced to fall, and ran down
very fast, showing breaks in levees on
the islands west OF this city. The main
reclamation work is on Roberts Island,
containing $1,000 acres. That island is di-
al I, IA;
farmers call the upper and lower divis-
ions.
A bad break was reported in the upper
division levee this afternoon, while the
water was running over the embank-
ment in places, but was being held in
check. The steamer Leader was sent
down with piledriver to work at the
break, and while large gang of men was
busy they saw across the tract, on stream
known as the Barns Cutoff, a break a
hundred feet wide, through which a river
of water was rushing. The island was
then given up to the flood, and the farm
ers say il is only question of time till
the lower division must go, too.
\ big break occurred in the levee on
the east side of the river in District No
H. which will soon be flooded. Rough
and Ready Island, a splendid fruit and
vegetable producing tract, is being filled,
and the water is pouring into the Webber
reclamation tract of 800 acres, which will
be under water by tomorrow night.
These breaks, added to the flooding
of Senator Boggs' tract, which was in
undated several weeks ago, make total
of 5000 acres of reclaimed lands which
must be given up to floodwaters.
The loss to this county by breaks,
roughly estimated, will be a million
dollars. The only reclaimed land in this
section that is believed to be safe at this
time is Union Island. owned by the
General Williams estate. The steamboat
men say no break has occurred there. but
no direct information can be obtained.
as the telephone line is down.
The people feel easier tonight than
they did during the rise of the flood. To-
night the gas works and electric light
works are running, and the city is lighted
at all points. y steam fire engine is at
work pumping the water out OF the base
ment of the New Yosemite Theater. and
the announcement is made that a per-
fcrmance will be given Saturday even
ing. The water raised in the orchestra
within three inches of the stage, but the
chairs were taken out in time to prevent
much damage. The water filled the
pumping station at the Insane ASYLUM.
and u water famine was feared for a time
hut portable engine was brought into
use, and the institution is now supplied
with water.
WATER HIGHER THAN FOR YEARS.
LopI. March 2l.-The water is higher
than for years. The wagon bridge near
Woodbridge and the railroad bridge on
Bear Creek were washed away during
the storm. The water in the Moll llelumne
River at Woodbridge at ) o'clock this
afternoon lacked only few inches OF be-
ing on top of the levee. If the levee
breaks thousands of acres of grain will
be ruined, and no telling how much
property will be destroyed. y bridge on
the narrow gauge road that washed out
Sunday has been repaired, and trains are
running on time again.
THE CALAvERAs OUT OF ITS BANKS.
MILTON, March 2l.-The Calaveras
River is out of its banks, overtiowing Il
large section OF farming land, all in crops.
Word has just reached here that the
county bridge at the Hunt crossing had
been washed away, aso the one at Belleta.