The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-29
A LAKE is PROPOSED
PARK COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANEW
AND ATTRACTIVE SCHEME.
Fall Creek to He Damned at Indiana
Avenue and Acres of Low
Land Flooded. 4

II lake Wnlcn snail ada 10 the park attrac-
tions CT the city as well as insure the city
a water supply for years to come, were un-
folded TO the city officials last evening at
the regular monthly meeting. The idea Of
the commissioners is to build a dam across
Fall creek. near Indiana avenue. and food
about three hundred acres of low ground
above. The sides of the lake are to be i'm
proved and made into a park The pumps
Of the water company are but a short dis
lance below the proposed lax and by means
of filters the company could be assured Of a
sufficient water supply for the city should
the population be doubled. The plans of the
commissioners are set forth in the following
which was presented by them to the cabi-
net:
The Board Of Park Commissioners come
before you this evening with the following
suggestions for your consideration and adj
vice: In the management Of a city one OF
the most important problems to be solved
Is the question OF water supply. Natural
fuel af f64 2 Wood gas as can can Be eiec substitutes dur4ents as fo a
light and power, and many other necessities
may find substitutes to supply their places.
mand for water. Good and pure water is a
necessity. Cities require an ample supply
Streets. purify Sewers asarsS and in various other
ways to promote the health, pleasure and
happiness of their citizens. The drought that
NV ~ lnLOQ5nO0l d idI6S l@OA u
the country is giving many cities a severe
test as to their water supply. We have felt
its effect, SO much so as to cause considera-
Die comment and anxiety. III there is suffl-
Gent cause for alarm now what may we
city's limits have been enlarged
two or three times it's present numbers?
Then, is it not time now to give that ques-
ton proper consideration and to proceed at
once to action by the best means We have
to meet the coming emergency?
"Other cities like Indianapolis throug bout
the country, such as are not provided by
natural advantages. in the way of large
bodies OF water, lakes, ETC., are alive 10
the impending necessities that await them,
by providing for themselves capaciouS
reservoirs for ~impounding therein as much
water as possible to be drawn from at times
when such contingencies arise.
1T is the opinion of our board that as a
matter Of protection our city should adj
vance with as little delay as possible, while
the expense will be much less than at any
time in the future, TO procure a sufficient
White river and Fall creek. in close prox-
unity to the water works and build dams
across those streams so far as to form ar
tificial lakes in area of not less than three
hundred acres. Such a. volume of water
can there be maintained during the dryeSt
seasons.
The members of our board, in company
with some Of the representatives of the
water company, made a recent survey OF
the premises, and We are of the opinion
that such an undertaking is not only prac-
IlCGDl6 out 1t Is a very QeSlrdDle one 10 Dc
accomplished. The topography of the land
in that vicinity has shown US that a dam
can be constructed of sufficient height that
will form a lake of from four feet to fifteen
feet in depth over the number OF acres
stated. And the water line OF the lake Will
be several feet above the gallery of the
works from which the city now procures
its water supply, so as TO afford ample
pressure for flowing wells, with sufficient
capacity to keep the gallery well supplied
With pure sand-hltered water.
1.-The object of the nark commissioners in
this matter is many fold. First, to secure
for the city for many years TO come an
ample supply Of pure water. Secondly,
such a body of water so near the city
would be a very desirable acquisition as a
pleasure resort for our citizens during all
seasons of the year. And. further, it would
provide a desirable feature of our proposed
system of public parks, one the public would
enjoy, one that would give character to our
city, add value to its property and stimu-
late its growth and prosperity, and at the
same time secure TO the water company
ample resources to meet the demands in
the future of a iargely-increaSed population
and TO increase its earnings, so as to give
the best possible service.
W. believe that IL is a dire necessity on
the part or the company 10 procure such adj
diuonal advantages, and that it is incum-
bent upon the city to see that it is consum-
mated, and that the best and most feasible
method of doing so is by and through the
power invested in the Board of Park Com
missionerS, viz, in the condemnation of the
lands for park purposes. should such pro-
4 0CNAAAAE OC1OiIC C(Eood1 II OOldlll A l Ill d
fair consideration, and for the surveillance,
care and protection over the streams and
lakes from pollution and otherwise pow
er not possessed Dy the water company.
Such advantages. in connection with 9TH
erS already mentioned, are, in our opinion,
ample consideration to the company to war
rant IL taking a part in such an enterprise.
The law under which our board is organ
lied gives ample power by n with the aid
of the Common Council to order and accom-
plish the work.
Now, gentlemen, in conclusion, we desire
to impress upon you the Importance and
necessities of our suggestions. We are well
advised as to the financial condition of the
city, and We know there are many avenues
leading to heavy expenditures OF money
that require your attention. We know OF
the disposition OF many to do nothing and
TO wait until the calamities are upon them.
But we know of no other enterprise that is
of more vital Importance to our city. and
none that will in the end tend to better
and more satisfactory results to it's citi.
zens, than the subject of this communica-
ton"
Messrs. L. F. Claypool, Oran Perry, F. 4.
Maus, W. II. Leedy and H. c.. Allen, of the
park commission. signed this.
1t is thought by the commissioners that
the ground north of the proposed dam car
be secured at a reasonable expenditure. II
is thought that the water company viii
great benefit TO il. The company has al
ready approved the project, but 1t is mo-
penditure. The plans of the commissioner
were discussed by the members of the cab.
met. The members of the Board of Health
present said il was but a question of time
until the city will have to adopt sons
other means to insure a better water sup.
ply and the sentiment of those present wa:
that the plans should be carried out be
fore the price of real estate advances.
The scheme of Cal Darnell and others Il
straighten the bed Of Fall creek so tha'
street TO White river was settled ad-
versely, without much ceremony. The cit,
engineer explained what the project would
cost. 1t would interfere with the sewer
system of the district now benefited by III,
creek below Fourteenth street: and il Woult
necessitate the building Of new sewers anC
alterations in the main interceptors nov
under way. Mr.. Brown estimated that Il
straighten the creek bed would cost $4,000
The change would cost something like 5000.
900 for additional sewers and ii would throw
much OF the material from the ewers ii
the river north OF the water works. Presi
dent Davis. of the company, said the com
pany would fight any project which woul
pollute the water of the river north o
their Pumping station. The discussion
turned 10 one upon the water supply an'
Mr.. Davis vas kept busy for a tim
answering questions. DIR. Hays, of tn
Health Board. asked about the pFesen
pollution of the river and the method o
obtaining water. Mr.. Brown suggested
that the water works be removed furthe
up the river and thus insured from pollu
ton from the northern part of the cit,
which is rapidly building up. Some one els