The record-union., 1896-06-29
Trustees, Colonel McNasser being in the


after contests in the courts, lasting over
period of about four years, they con-
cluded that the only way in which this
work could be accomplished would be
by cutting loose from the original dis
trict
NEW DISTRICT FORMED.
On proper petition and showing before
the Board of Supervisors, District 673
was set apart from District $50 as a
separate and independent Reclamation
District in November, 1895. They or
ganizedby the election of Col. James Nc
Nasser PresidenD and F. ]. Luiz and ].
c. Baumgartel as Board of Trustees,
and j. c. Boyd Engineer of the District.
Surveys and estimates were Immediately
made, and an assessment of S39, 399 80
was levied upon the lands of the dis
trict, embracing an area of 1923 7-10
acres.
This district embraces practically all
of the lands of Colonel McNasser in the
Pocket-consisting of 1,O16 acres-the
transportation company's land and
that of about twenty-five other owners.
Their original petition to be set apart as
a separate organization was signed by
the total area of the district (3,023O,
and the best Of feeling prevails for the
success of the entire work.
On the death of Colonel McNasser the
district swayed and staggered for a
time, the timid ones missing the bold
ness and answering business ability Of
the Colonel in the consummation of
their wishes, until James O'Neil took
hold of the reins and as Manager imme-
diately set about taking up the task
where Colonel McNasser dropped it.
Contractors were at once notified of
the proposed work, and contract was
entered into with the Pacific Coast
Dredging and Reclamation Company
for the construction of the cross levee.
about two and one-quarter miles liz
length and approximating in cost about
$13, 900. In pursuance of that contract
the actual work of construction has be-
gun, and it is expected will be com
pleted by November 1st of this year.
The east boundary line of the district,
along which the cross levee extends.
was fixed upon with the view of per-
water through and along the drainage
of from one-quarter mile wide at its
point of greatest contraction, and then
spreading out one-half mile wide.
The top of this levee is designed ulti-
mately to be county road, having a
first class roadway fourteen feet wide,
and with good fiat side-slopes to admit
Of teams turning out or passing at any
point 1t will be thoroughly patroled
with guards during times of emergency,
and any attempt to disrupt this levee
will possibly result in a funeral. This
road, when completed, will afford an
easy, direct route from Sacramento to
Freeport over the Riverside road as far
| as Oak Hall, thence by the levee to the
| junction with the cross-road, about a
mile northwest of Freeport.
PUMPING PLANT
A suitable pumping plant, located on
the river bank about three miles below
Oak Hall, and capable Of dischargine
about 10000 gallons per minute, will be
contracted for at once, ,andit is the inten-
tion to construct such main drains
through the district as will convey all
of the drainage and sipage waters to
the pump.
| 1t is expected that all of the lands
| now covered by water to a depth of
from three to five feet will be entirely
| dry by next winter and the ground
| broken up and put in state Of culti-
walton at once.
THEN AND NOW.
While it is a fact that only a few
years ago. not to exceed twelve years
at the farthest, nearly all of the lands
in the Pocket were in a high state Of
cultivation, alfalfa and vegetables being
the principal crops, roads extending
through it in various directions and
the entire tract garden spot, beautiful
to behold, and its output in crops per
acre exceedingly large.
And now the casual observer, to be-
hold the vast stretch of lake, tule and
swamp land, could not but wonder at
the causes leading to this extraordinary
change. The existing condition of the
Pocket is directly and positively trace
able TO three causes: First-The drain
ing of the various county roads and
ranches lying contiguous thereto from
a point east of Perkins and including
the entire watersheds Of Willow Creek
and Burns Slough. Second-The drain
ing of Sacramento City. Third-The in
creased amount of sipage from the riv-
er, due to the filling in of its bed and
the attendant increase in the elevation
of high water.
Of the three causes noted, the first
is the main reason for the effects pro-
duced. While it is true that the lands
of the Pocket, from their surroundings
and typographical features, are so situ-
ated as to form a natural repository
for surplus drainage waters for the ad-
jacent watershed, yet Notwithstanding
up to ten or twelve years ago, before a
continuous system of road ditching was
inaugurated by the county, but a very
small percentage of the drainage of the
surrounding country ever found it's
way to the Pocket. 1t stood in the in
Vulnerable depressions in the roads,
covering them to a foot deep for long
stretches, and at frequent intervals,
until finally the water would evaporate
or sink into the soil.
So, also, along the ranches adjacent
to the roads. From time to time each
landowner along these roads would
fill up the low depressions in his land
and construct ditches to lead the water
to the adjacent roads. tThis water had
to be gotten rid of by the county in or
der 10 make many of the roads at all
passable in wet weather. Without any
definite plan of drainage, bitches were
constructed along these roads, increas-
ing the size of them from time to time,
cutting through high hidges and hard
pan to afford a ready means Of escape
for this water and leading from road to
road, until it was eventually
FORCED INTO THE POCKET.