The record-union., 1896-11-28
So Say Captain J. B. EadS and
Other Engineers.
Effects Of the CreyaSes in The YolO
LeVeeS.
Danger to The Suttcr Basin if the Present
Conditions Arc Permitted to Go
Unchecked.

Below the "Record-Union" publishes
the second installment of the report of
Engineers Price and Nourse to Com
missioner of Public Works Leake on
the very important subject Of the i'm
provement of the Sacramento River
and consequent reclamation of the fer
tile lands along that stream. Say the
engineers:
EFFECT OF RIVER Sitting.
A water gauge placed at the foot of
X street, Sacramento city, has been
maintained ever since 1S49; the zero OF
the gauge marking the elevation Of low
water of that year From a perfect sys-
tenn Of levels from New York Landing
or Black Diamond to this point, We
find that the zero of the Sacramento
gauge Is SsS5 feet above mean low tide
In Suisun Bay; therefore, the low water
Of lS49 was 8.S5 feet above low tide.
From a record of gauge readings the
low water Of 1895 at Sacramento City
giYes. vs. reading 1926 feet above low
tide Id Sunsun Bay, or a raise of 50
feet tn the low water line since 1S49.
From 1S49 to 1854 the same gauge in
elevation at that time OS54) $50 feet
above low tide in Sunsun Bay. In 1878
the low water mark, registered at Sac
ranento, was 9.35 feet above low tide,
and in 1886. 11.35 feet Thus we see
gradual increase in the elevation of
the low water mark all along through
the years Of observation, but most rap
Idly during the era of extensive by
drauIic mining.
From the above data we can infer
that the low water Of 1S49 at the foot
of Grand Island must have been very
little, if any, above low tide in Suisun
Bay. 1t is unnecessary to say that the
cause of the increase Of elevation of
low water line is the sitting Of the bed
of the river.
By system of cross sections Of the
Sacramento River taken in 1854 in
front OF the city of Sacramento, we
have been able to compare subsequent
conditions of the bed of the river This
comparison shows a contraction and
filling of IL, 720 square feet in front OF
K street from 1854 to 1895.
It is safe to say that the Sacramento
River, in front of Sacramento City, has
lost, since 1854, not less than 40 per
cent Of its water capacity. Between
Sacramento City and Elkhorn Ranch il
has probably lost over one-half its
water capacity.
II, then, we had deep tidal river in
ao49 at Sacramento City and all along
the line, there can be but one reason
assigned for the change, and there can
be but one conclusion as to the remedy
A deep river is what is required; a re-
turn as nearly as possible to the con-
ditions Of nature before the sitting OF
the stream. Can the remedy be ap-
Piled? The history of river treatment
answers in the affirmative with facts
and results that cannot be questioned
The Improvement Of river channels
has been SO scientifically treated and
studied that a law has been demon
strated which, in it's effect is as GER
tain as the laws that govern the move
ments of the planets. The locomotive
engineer, by the twist of the screw OIL
the movement of the lever, can either
direct his iron horse to move on OF
reverse his pace and move backward
The pilot can, by the turn Of his wheel
either direct his course to the right OF
to the left. So the civil engineer, by
the direction of the power of water, car
either deepen or shoal stream.
Here follows numerous extracts from
engineering reports on river improve
ments)
APPLICATION TO THE SACRA-
MENTO.
Will the principles discovered in the
foregoing facts apply to the Sacramento
River? By an inspection of the condi-
tions, we find low-water flow of the Sac
ramento River is about 1900 cubic feet
per second. making 1t itself an aggres-
sive power which, If properly trained
viii, In It's unioaded condition, assist
very materially In deepening the stream
Eight months of the year the fresh
water discharge is increased from 1900
cubic feet per second to a vast torrent
of 100000 to 200. 600 cubic feet The We
looity is increased from to miles pei
hour, giving ample force to erode In
stead of shoal any portion of the river
If the alignment of the river should be
corrected and its channel properly
trained.
An examination OF the bed of the river
In 1S41 compared with the present time
indicates an extensive filling of the same
and consequent destruction of its drain
age and securing forces. The indica-
tions point very strongly to the fact
that the river. at the present time, from
Rio Vista to Colilnsville, is deepening it
channel. With a deep river from Col
linsville to Cache Slough; with the goot
tidal area that we can command above
the confluence of the three rivers-Olc
River Steamboat Slough and Cache
Slough--and in the light of the results
accomplished on less favorable streams
we may confidently expect grand results
from the work proposed.
Let us quote the language of James
3. Eads upon this point. Speaking o.
the whole Sacramento River. he says:
The effect of such an increased vol
ume will be to deepen the bed after the
rectification Of the channel is effected
and this process will continue until 9
lower surface sio7e reduces the veloeity