The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-12-02
Engineer Schuyler's Report on
the proposed System.
Few CHANGES ADVOCATE.
An Interesting Bit Of Reading Re-
garding the Undertaking that
Means SO Much to Astoria.

Schuyler, ON the plans and specifica-
tions for Astorias proposed water
works:
To the Water Commission Of the City
Of Astoria, Oregon
Gentlemen: With due sense Of APP
probation of the distinction with which
you have honored me by calling upon
questions involved in the planning and
construction Of new water works that
shall nicely fit all requirements of water
supply, future demand, and available
means, shall endeavor to give you
the result OF of my studies Of your pro-
ject system as clearly as possible, and
present my views in a manner that
will, trust, prove Of possible value to
you.
The expediency Of building new water
works for the supply Of Astoria is APP
parent on the most superficial inspec-
tlon. The present six inch pipe line is
inadequate to the supply Of the town.
1t starts at an elevation of 2S10 feet
above sea-level, and terminates in a
reservoir 100 feet above the city base
1t Is twelve miles long, and has an
average hydraulic grade of about 10
feet per mile. 1t never did carry over
100000 to 225,000 gallons per day-less
than 25 gallons per capita where you
need 100 to 150-and 1t has cnly been
increased In capacity to about $4,000
gallons per day by cutting the pipe near
sea level and pumping up to the res
ervolr. A large part of the town has
no water at all except from wells.
and the supply Is too short to afford
irrigation to lawns or gardens in the
summer Evidently the city has out
grown its first primitive waterworks,
and has reached the point where fur
ther growth must be accompanied by
a corresponding expansion Of its water
supply.
The topography of the city and its
general physical conditions as well as
the growing wants OF the community,
demand an extension of water privilege
to the higher levels and over greater
areas. while a general revision Of the
arteries OF distribution and the estab-
lishment OF sufficient number of fire
hydrants in all parts of the city to
afford adequate fire protection, Is i'm,
peratively necessary. The city is 80
entirely built of wood that 1t requires
q very perfect system for the extin
guishment of fires and the reduction
OF insurance rates. That devastating
confiagration has not already occurred
during the 'lry summer months is due
entirely to good fortune; the fire de,
partment, although said to be an efll-
cient one, would be seriously crippled |
and practically helpless In case of an
extensive fire, as there are no fire
hydrants In the city, and sole reliance
is placed on pumping the supply direct
ly from the river. 1t might easily oc-
cur that fire on the water front, II 1t
got start, would drive the flremen
back and render the river unapproach-
able.
The new water supply, as designed
by your engineer. Mr.. A. l.. Adams.
is admirably arranged In regard to
fire protection. and when completed
IL will inaugurute a new eya In the
history OF the town.
Water Supply
Astoria Is nbundantly provided with
sources OF water supply thanks to the
copious rainfall and the dense forests {
Of this region. Young's river. ana nu- !
other large streams to the south
Of the city, would afford practically un-
limited supplies, but there Is no stream
80 favorably situated for this purpose
rs Bear Creek "a tributary OF the .
Columbia entering the river some 10 s
niles above Astoria) because OF the high q
continuous ridge extending from upper Y
Bear Creek to Astoria. the lowest por =
ion OF which is over 200 feet above $
'ea level, affording most favorable sup, ,
portlng ground for pipe conduit on a 0
,early direct alignment, by any other I
quite than along the ridge pipe line I
lntering Astoria must at some point be
lown to sea level elevation. and sus- $
ain very high pressure II the high G
,arts of the city are to be supplied. b
Along this same ridge route can be a
the waters OF Rig GREGG and (,
he North Fork OF the Klaskanlne- to 81
supplement- the supply for the city at (,
my time In the future that 1t may q
AYE outgrown the Bear Greek supply. N
o that IN round numbers II may be- Il
aid that there Is In sight by this route Il
supply OF about so.OOO.OOO gallons Il
ay, or sufficient supply for 100000 II
nhabisants. The watershed Of Bear 4
sreek above the proposed Point OF Il
INVERSION, Onciuding the little trlbu, T
ary Of Cedar Creek, which Is to be "a
lverted into Bear Greek above the fe
am). Is fs2 square miles. according to in
he county map. Big Creek. by the fr
anne authority. has 22s5 square miles II
boya The point OF probable diversion M
nd the xlaslsanine 1910 square miles.
pc total ARIA of watershed Of these pl
ire streams y about tis7 square "a
|llsa d which that 81 Bear Greek il sls
q Il ~ pr cent Ii Is gratifying "a
) eentenplasa tie fact that the sup- ga
E. Il ..I|I& ....1t ..4.,t..... =. nss. u L..