The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-03-11
THE RESERVOIR SITES
Advantages Possessed by Each
Of the Locations.

I.f~OFiN 80 " WudI was DelnB uOne Dy
the water commission in reference to
selecting reservoir sites and other mat
ters looking to the better facilities for
supplying the city with a greater
amount of water. a reporter of The AS
torian was detailed yesterday to visit
In company with members of the water
commission, the several reservoir sites
In contemplation, and give to the pub
lie thorough understanding of the
situation.
The commission have, as stated in
these columns few days ago, bonded
three different sites, as follows: In
Shively's, one on Cass street and third
on Main street, on property owned by
A. }. Megler The commission had first
selected block 1853, in McClure's, and had
most Of it bonded, but some Of the own
ers asking such exorbltant prices and
the title being in doubt, it was deemed
advisable to abandon the idea of pur-
chasing that site.
The site in Shivelys is 800 feet above
the level of the river, little higher
than desirable, but as it is intended to
use the old reservoir for low service
the slight drawback could be over
looked. This site is on sand ridge or
knoll at the old sand pit and about 400
feet southwest from Mr.. Shively's resi-
dence. The knoll would have to be cut
down some Is feet in order TO get sufii-
cient surface for the size of the reser-
voir, before the excavating was begun
The formation here is all sand, with
the exception of point in the north
west corner, where 1t is blue soapstone,
below a depth of 10 feet The site is an
excellent one for q reservoir, free from
the danger of slides, and convenient to
the present reservoir, being opposite the
south end of West Seventh street, on
the south side of the ridge, or, rather,
on Coxcomb HILL 1t would be the
means, if purchased, of great saving
in conduit pipe, for the reason that it
is some 1000 feet farther east than the
other sites under consideration.
Some objections to the location may,
of course, be urged. These are, first, its
proximity to the cemetery. This, how
ever, is a purely imaginary drawback,
as there is a deep ravine running be-
tween the cemetery and the site, so that
there could be no possible connection.
Secondly, a long, deep cut would be
necessary, and tunnel of considerable
length, in order to get through Cox
comb Hill in which may be found bas-
attic rock In the latter contingency the
cutting and tunneling would be very ex-
pensive; otherwise the removal of yell
low and blue soapstone would be a
matter of small moment. The grading,
also. of this site would be expensive.
The Cass street site is in basin on
block 5, in Hustler & Aiken's, just on
he south side of the ridge. The forma-
ion is white sand for eleven feet, over
ying a hard sandstone, which would
make an exceedingly good bottom for
/ reservoir. For half its depth a reser-
yoir at this point would be above the !
ground, while the remainder would be
made by the grade of surrounding {
treets. The cost of excavating would,
therefore, be very light. There would
,e some 800 feet of tunneling, from. the
to near Eleventh street, on the {
lorth side Of the ridge, and short cut
It the north and south ends of the tun-
lel. The distributing pipe could be laid
o Ninth street for much less cost than
rom either of the other sites, there be-
ng q ravine running down Cass street
o Ninth. This site is $50 feet high,
title low, perhaps, but having other t
wise many advantages. 1t is owned by '
our parties, Is 25Ox25O feet. after an
ulling streets, 1900 feet west of Shive-
y's, and is nearly level
The third site, that owned by A. j.
Iegler, is ON Main street, being one
uarter of block 4, in Hustler & Aikens !
nd Is about 2s0 feet high. The forma-
ion is earth and bose trap-rock on the
nitro block, with the exception Of that |
ortlon near the east line, along Main !
treet There 1t is sand to a depth Of IS
eet, and blue soapstona below that
oint. 1t slopes gently to the south, and
a very desirable location in all re-
poets but one, namely, the amount of :
onduit pipe which would be required.
eing located abapt 800 feet still far
leE vest. and long, deep cut and a
hort tunnel for distributing or outlet :
lpe necessary. The title is perfect.
All Of these sites have been surveyed r
y city Surveyor Harry, have been L
arefully examined and many borings
iade on EACH The results Of the sur [,
ay and organizations have been for b
arded to Engineer Adams for his in 2
ocction and recommendation, and on !.
,ceipt Of instructions from him enc Of 2
le sites will be selected and the com a
isslon WIN proceed to business In real Il
Lrnest
It may also be stated that the COM v
ission have in contemplation the ex- ;;
OF a block cast Of the ceme- g
ry and on top of the ridge; also, block 4,
2, between Olney and Genevleve 4
reefs. The latter is also on top Of the Z
ige. The cost Of either Of the latter
cations would be gTeatsr tnan that Of q !,
~ az me three aforementioned. but q
cir purchase might result in a saving e
the long run. the deep cutting and :
nneling features la the others being p
,ssat :
Whatever may eventually be done.