The record-union., 1896-03-28

whereas, the closure of Steamboat
Slough at its head-in its present con-
dition, and there not being a circulation
of tidal water through it-would re-
suit in its complete destruction as a
navigable channel, to the detriment of
lands along its borders.
''Sixth-Cache Slough, which, as be-
fore pointed out, is an important trib-
utary, as draining the Yolo Basin, en-
ters Steamboat Slough Channel and ma
teriaIly aids in clearing 1t at its lower
end, while it has just the reverse effect
upon the Old River Channel, as our
studies of the tides and surroundings
reveal.
'It is proposed to close the head of
Old River gradually by means OF brush
mattrass sills laid in during successive
seasons, one on top of the other. until a
dam is formed, the whole to be held in
position by piles and weighted down
with stone.
I'm the meantime Steamboat Slough
must be improved by opening a new
head to 1t, and dredging through deep
channel to start the securing action,
training its currents to cut off the
points, straighten it and to wash out
it's bars
1.-THE material obtained by the dredg-
ing operations to be used in raising and
strengthening the existing levee. and
constructing one to correspond with it
on the north bank.
"As the forcing of Steamboat Slough
will cause temporary super-elevation
of the flood line of the river above, all
y 81 north n
to meet this, as far as Sacramento at
least, before this work is commenced >
The Examining Commission on Rivers
and Harbors, in their report to the Gov
ernor of California, September q, 1890
report upon this proposition, the Com
mission consisting Of c. F.. Reed, G. E
Grunsky and j. J. Crawford, on page
119:
Steamboat Slough should be made
the principal channel of the Sacra-
mento River. This is to be accomplished
by correcting the head of the slough
by means of a cut about 1000 feet
in length and by widening the slough
for distance of four and a half miles
from its head to the lower end of SutteI
Island to a width of 500 feet.
This work involves the moving OF
about 100000 cubic yards of earth
most Of which could be removed by
the erosive force of the water. 1t also
involves the acquisition of a strip Oh
land adjacent to the slough and now in
the hands of private owners.
1.-THE correction in the upper portion
of the slough will, in all probability
result in the complete cutting out OF
Hogs Back shoals. Some dredging will
then be required If this result is moi
realized The effect of this channel cor
rection would be to increase the capac-
ity of the Sacramento River at al
points below the Feather River, about
% per cent. 1t would cause at least
three feet of the silt now in this part
of the Sacramento River to be swept
out.
1T would. therefore, by adding to
the capacity of the river, cause less
water to pass down the Yolo Basin
Consequently there would be less mass
ing of water at the lower end of Grand
Island, and there, too, flood nights
would be reduced.
'It would improve the outfall of the
Feather River by lowering the water
in the Sacramento River at that point
and would thus be a benefit to the navi-
gability of that river and of great ben
eft to 1t as drainway.
''This work ought to be undertaken
at once, and 100000 should be ex-
pended upon it annually until it is COM
pleted."
Report of Commissioner of Public
Works to the Governor of California
December Is, 1894, pages 64-65. Re-
port of Consulting Engineers, Marsden
Manson and c. E. Grunsky, reads as
follows:
"The channel correction of Steamboat
Slough involves the making of a cut
about 1000 feet long, 500 feet wide
and the widening of the slough for a
distance of four and a half miles from
its head to the lower end of Sutter
Island Throughout this distance ii
should be made 500 feet wide. This
work involves the moving of about
100000 cubic yards of earth. 1t also
involves the acquisition of a right OF
way, as it would be necessary to ac-
quire an improved strip of land ad-
jacent to the slough and now in the
hands of private owners"
The effect of this Improvement is
thus referred to in the report of the
Examining Commission on Rivers and
Harbors $500:
"The effect of this channel
correction would be to increase
the capacity of the Sacramento
River at all points below Feather River
about % per cent. 1t would cause al
least three feet Of the silt now in this
part of Sacramento River to be swept
out It would, therefore, by adding to
the capacity of the river, cause less
water to pass down the Yolo Basin
consequently, there would be less mass
ing of water at the lower end of Grand
Island, and there, too, flood nights
would be reduced. 1t would improve
the outfall of Feather River by lower
ing the water in Sacramento River al
that point, and would thus be a benefit
to the navigability of that river, and
of great benefit to it as a drainway."