The record-union., 1896-11-22
AN INTERESTING REPORT.
commissioner Of Public Works E. E.
Leake Makes Il.
Effect of Restraining Dams on the De-
bris Caused by Hydraulic
Timing.

The Commissioner of Public Works,
Ed. E. Leal1e, has handed in his report
to the Anti Debris Association on the
effect of restraining dams, in accord
ance with the instructions given by the
Governor on March 26, 1896.
On that date Governor Budd received
the following communication from the
And-Debris Association through it's Of
hcers, which led to the issuance of the
instructions:
10 his Excellency James II. Budd,
Governor of California-Dear Sir: The
counties of Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter,
fuoa and Colusa, represented by their
respective Boards of Supervisors in an
organization known as the State Anti
DEBTS Association, whose object is to
prevent injury by hydraulic mining to
the navigable streams of Northern and
central California, and to adjacent
Iarmdng lands, respectfully ask that you
investigate, in accordance with law
through the office of Commissioner of
PUBLIC Works, whether the building of
dams, as proposed by measures now
pending in Congress, will result in the
Improvement of the rivers.
We would, in addition to the above
particularly ask that a report be made
as to whether existing conditions re-
Qulre the building of dams as proposed
as plan of river improvement
Whether the same, if built, would,
under present conditions result in in
jury to the rivers.
whether the material they were once
attending to impound has not al
ready passed the point where such dams
were intended to be built.
whether it would be safe to allow hy-
oraulic mining to be carried on behind
these dams, from the standpoint Of
river preservation.
whether, If built, successive dams
would not have to be built if hydraulic
mining were to be resumed
Ihe probable cost of the same. and
any other fact bearing upon the ad-
VlSaoAl1ty OF building dams for the pur-
pose OF improving the navigable rivers
we would urge that a report be made
as speedily as possible, as we consider
tne information desired of the utmost
Importance; and if any of the matters
enumerated would require much time
We would ask that a report be made at
once on the main points involved Re
spectfualy yours,
STATE ANTI-DEBRISA ISASSOCIATION.
j. M. Morrison, President; Robert
CosneT. Secretary; Robert T. Devlin.
Attorney.
The report is of the greatest interest
to citizens of the counties interested
and Is given In full
THE REPORT.
To His
Governor of the State of California
Dear Sir: The communication address,
ed to you by the Anti-Debris Associa-
ton, and by you referred to this office
was received In due time With a.
view to complying with your direction,
as nar as practicable, Chief Engineer
Price and Assistant NJ. A Nurse. and
myself, made an examination of Yuba
River from Marysville to Smartsville
directing especial attention to the site
or the proposed dam at Daguerra Point
L herewith submit the report of the
engineers. Your request was for a.
careful investigation. 1t was impossible
to furnish all the information desired
In the allotted time
All the diligence, care and thorough
ness that was possible under the cir
cumstances have been exercised.
Very respectfully, your obedient ser
want, ED E. IEAKE
commissioner of Public Works
To Hon. Z. e. Leake, Commissioner
Of Public Works-Sir: Herewith we
present our report upon the subject
matter contained in a communication
signed by the President. Secretary and
attorney of the State Anu-Debris As
ISOLATION, dated March 20, 1896, a copy
of which is herewith transmitted.
We resolve the matter into the fol-
lowing questions to wit:
First-Whether the building of dams.
as proposed by measures now pending
In Congress- will result in the improve
n1ent of the rivers.
Second-Whether existing conditions
require the building of dams as pro-
posed, as a plan Of river improvement
Third-Whether the same If built.
would, under present conditions, re-
suit IN injury to the rivers
Fourth-Whether the material they
were once intended to impound has
not already passed the point where
such dams were intended to be built
Ffth-Whether it would be safe to
allow hydraulic mining to be carried
on behind such dams. from the stand
point Of river preservation.
SlXth-Whether, II built, successive
dams would not have to be built If hy-
draulic mining were to be resumed.
Seventh--The probable cost of same,
and any other fact bearing upon the
advisability of building dams for the
purpose Of improving the. navigabie
rivers.
The communication closes with the
request that If much time should be
involved in the investigation, a report
be made at once on the main points
involved.
The communication was forwarded
TO Governor Budd. and was by him
indorsed as follows:
Commissioner of Public Works:
Have made a careful and impartial in
vestigation, and report as speedily as
possible on the within"
The Governor, evidently appreciating
the vast interests involved in the solu-
ton Of the questions propounded, de-
sires a careful and impartial investi-
CATION" and has by this procedure