The herald., 1894-09-19

In only one case will the aevistios from the
present channels be SO great In the plan OF
county road and railroad bridges. notable
instance of the necessity of Strengthening the
channel at the expense OF new ground occurs
bend in the channel that the course OF the
waters is actually reversed, and the stream
flows north for some distance. The river mere
is constant menace to the county farm, which
has already been damsged to considerable ex-
tent
In concluding these preliminary remarks, we
may add that there are great difficulties OBJ
vious to every one in the way OF the accom-
plishment of complete protection from the
freshets of these rivers, especially from imam
cial staudpOi.t
When it /, considered that this is a work for
all time; that we may reasonably expect a
grea, increase of populations; that The time is
not so far distant wheu far smaller nodlnys
than now deemed sufhcient Will comfort.
ably support q family. then will the wisdom OF
a policy which secures nm absolute immunity
from danger by flood be duly acknowledged and
appreciated, let it cost what it may.
but If funds cannot at present lie raised Tor
carrying out plans for permanent improve
ment; il it shouid be deemed impracticable to
do more than de clare official cham Is for these
rivers, upon which each proprietor interested
in the Improvements adjacent to his property
can expend such time and means as he cun al
ford in the way of Keeping the chsnnel clear OF
distractions within prescrl bed limits, even then
we shall have taken a step in the right dlrec-
ton and the work can be supplemented in a
more permanent manner as moro prosperous
times may make poss BILE; but in any event; as
has been advised by one of our number In
former report upon certain proposed improve.
ments, we ,nnot recommend that the limited
means at Notwithstanding that the county
has any funus for such purposes-be expended
upon plans of cheap constructions. In other
words, II there Is not money enough to pay for
thorough work, 1T is better that none be at
tempted.
In this connection we would again suggest
the plan and urge its adoption of taking the
necessary steps to establish official channels
for these rivers from the mountains to the sea
OF the width and upon the lines herewith pre-
sented upon the large maps.
The beds of the many channels OF the San
Gabriel river, near Azusa known as the great
wash, consist about entirely of smooth granite
boulders, with but little soil or sand. These
boulders can be used to advantage in the con
struction of Ievees in that vicinity on account
OF the short haul necessary to put them in
place Their extreme smoothness is objection
able. however, and probably rough stone which
could be Obtained from quarries at the mouth
OF San Gabriel canon would be enough better
as riprap face to an earth levee to pay the
difference in expense of longer transportation
by railway laid temporarily from the quarry
along the levee while in course of construc-
ton.
By devoting very wide strip of this wash to
the river bed there probably would be no need
of a levee upon the east sioe OF the river for
space of several miles be ow the santa Fe or
Cnlifornts Southern railway. A small lev:e
few hundred feet long, on the west Lide of the
main channel, just above the Santa Fe rail
way, was built of boulders few years ago
1t Is evidently not OF The proper cross section
Ions. distance to protect the country down ; asst
the nj Monte break.
Some cheap bo ding material, like asphalt
| wall or levee.
Plans are presented of walls both of rough
stone and bouldsrs, with estimated cost of
| each.
| Tables showing TIN rates of grade. vo.ume of
| flood water and width of channel for the dif-
lerent rivers also statement showing acreage
| walch will be protected and reclaimed, aud
| acreage in different townships ltsO,e to dam
| age from overflow; also estimated cost of per-
| manent works. consisting of ,arth leyees rip
raped with rough rock, which it is proposed
| to procure from San Gabriel canon, az before
referred to; also es mated cost If bo lders
| used, and plans and estimates for timber
| structures are herewith pressnte
The proposition to boulders for riprap
| WORK in the Azusa wash Is only presented as
| substitute for the e neral permanent plan II
| ea.e the latter is not carried out, as the build
| ing of railroad would not be jus ified. except
| in the case of the construct of the entire M
| provement, cGnsistins of earth levee faced with
| rough rock riprap, which Ia the only plan to
which we give our unqualified appreciation.
/ The report then gives numerous
! tables OF grades end estimates. From
them, it seems that the number of
acres, outside of washes. liable to dam
age from foods in the San Gabriel and
Los Angeles rivers is "a, $40. or inclEd
ing the acres in wash, llS.400 acres.
1t is estimated that the confinement of
the rivers VIII protect and reclaim llO,-
265 acres.
The table of estimates OF cost of the
work, according to the plans of the com
mission, is as follows:
Levee work on san Gabriel river
from canon to Division points, 1896, 900
Levee work on Old san Gabriel river
from Division poins 10 VII
mington faIs observation-disclosures. S64 300
Levee WORK on Los angeles river
from the south charter bonnd-
aries to junction with Old San
Gabriel fiver...., .,................ $4,000
Levee work on Ne~ San Gabriel
from Division point to bridge
near the Alamitos rauch house. SIS, 9,540
Condemnation of 8ll5 acres OF
land at $40 per acre. ............ 32l,G00
Excavations on San Gabriel above
Division point nt................... Is 600
On Old San Ga brie river .......... 100000
On Los Angeles river 49,. .......... 100000
Total cost of entire work. So, 761 ,440
The report was filed.