The San Francisco call., 1897-10-03


stream and as indicated on maps herewith
presented.
Secondly-I would recommend the construc
tlon OF three miles of jettieS having mini
mum length of 76S feet and maximum Of
1865 feet, 10 be constructed in the same man
ner as the first above-described jetties except
that in place OF fascines there snail be subsIi-
tuted d system of trees anchored TO the wire
cable and floating with brush end down
stream. These trees shall be weighed as
to check the velocity of the stream to the sat
isiactlon of the engineer in charge. 1t will
require 1888 feet in length of these jetties, as
SHOWN on map herewith prese ented The num-
Der OF trees 10 each jetty shall be determined
by the size and effectiveness OF the same.
estimate the cost of construction OF fascines
sys TEN OF jetties at $12,7S0. the cost OF the
.ree jetties at $5719; total, $1S, 499.
The present channel between Wood Island
ana the west shore line of the river is not OF
such dimensions as would safely discharge the
volume OF water presented by the channel
formed by the jetty, system ard should be en-
larged by the excavation of ], 1903. .000 cubic
yards of earth. The securing power of the
water will not be adequate TO this task or at
least Will take several floods to adj ust the
channel 10 the required capacity
am OF the opinl ion that this work should be
prosecuted coincidentwith the building of the
Jetty system, in order That the securing power
of the water may be more effective in the jeIty
department
Again, il may be necessary to assist the jetty
channel by system of dredging. In view of
these facts it leads me TO a consideration OF
the best and cheapest p an OF operation.
am persuaded by personal inquiry that no
machine except one than will deliver the
spoils from 500 TO 1000 feet from the presen [
location OF the earth will satisfy the condi-
uons to be met. In view OF this fact, If the
work Is to be let by contract TO the lowest re-
sponsible bidder, 1t Will cost not less than 10
cents per cubic yard TO remove the same.
This, in view of the fact that 1t will require
the excavation of probably not less than
100000 yards on the shoals, convinces me
that some method other than by contract for
dredging should be adopted. To make the
work efectual and at the rate above stated il.
would proba bly, cost $3.50 900 to make the
necessary excavation.
L am Convinced by investigation that the
dredging work Will cost much less if the State
should see proper 10 purchase and equip a
hydraulic dredge of its own and operate the
same under efficient and skilled assistants
The rectitica ton OF the channel at the con-
Huence OF Steamboat and Cache sloughs and
al Old River with Steamboat Slough should be
accomplished if possible the former work re-
| quiring some dredging; the latter can be done
by the construction OF jeIty.
The construction OF the necessary easement
as stated In the work required III the begin
ming OF this report, on the right bank OF the
Sacramento River. above Elkhorn ranch, in
wolves a knowledge of the surface of the
ground on " which il is TO be located, and neces-
ssrily the proper survey to determine the
same. Not having been authorized to proceed
with the survey, can only give general plan
OF the easement would use and the probable
cost OF the same.
The plan OF the same is shown in cross-sec-
tion and plan herewith presented. 1t win
consist OF concrete walls with rock filing and
concrete apron.
The presumption is that between the con-
crete walls, as shown on plan, heavy stone
will be placed weighing 500 pounds or more
we'll wedged with smaller rock.
L estimate that a weir constructed upon the
p an here shown and OF 5000 feet in leng th
Will cost not less than $4,000. The amount
of work required to render the river front in
good condition to support the weir has not
been considered for the reason above stated,
aud that no survey has been made. Respect
fully submitted, NJ. A. NURSE,
Engineer in Charge.
Commissioner Leake suggested that a
copy of Engineer Nurses report be for
warded TO the United States engineers and
that the latter be requested to desi gnate a
time for a conference between the repre-
sentatives o: the Government and the
me m bers OF the Auditing Beard and Com
missioner of Public Works. a time was
fixed and the meeting was held in San
Francisco a few days ago
Colonel Charles r. Suffer- U. S. A, di-
vision engineer of the Pacific. and ior
Charles Z. l.. u. Davis. who has immedi-
ate charge of river work, met Ed f.
Leake, Com missioner OF Public Works,
Engineer Nurse and members of the Aud
iting Board.
Speaking of this conference. Colonel
Suter said yesterday that the State an
thorities were requested TO prepare plans
Sacramento, as outlined in the report OF
the State Engineer. The subject was dis
cussed at length and many suggestions
were introduc As a result of the meet
ing the Commissioner of Public Works
was advised that the State Engineer
should complete the plans on the line OF
the report and submit the same to the
United States Engineers. In order to
carry out a system of work on navigable
streams the consent OF the Secretary OF
War must be obtained.
Colonel Suer remarked that il the plans
submitted by the Stale authorities were
such as the Engineers of the United States
could approve there would be no delay in
approving them and forwarding the ap-
proved plans to the Secre, ,ary OF War.
1t is presumed at the office of the United
States Engineers that the State repre-
sentatives are putting the plans and draw
ings in shape for official ins pectlon, and
that the finished papers will soon be re-
ceived in this city.
The outlook for en- early beginning of
work under the direction of the Commits
sIoner of Public Works is encouraging.
The impression obtains that Colonel Suter
and Major Davis will approve the plans
of State Engineer Nurse. They recog-
niZe the importance OF the work and per-
ceive that 1t is necessary for the Federal
and Slate authorities 10 act in harmony
with one another. Colonel Suter did not
say in so many words that the plan pro-
posed by the Commissioner of Public
Works would receive the instant approval
of the United States Engineers, but he
ind icated that prompt action would be
taken. Before the proposed Investigation
o. the plans are finished Major Heuer
may arrive here and succeed Major Davis
The Legislature at It's last session appro-
priaied $500, 900 for the improvement OF
the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.
The money is 10 be expended under the
direction OF an auditing board and a Com
missioner of Public Works. Before Gov
ernor Budd approved the measure be ex-
acted a promise from the men whom he
subsequently, appoin ed to the auditing
board that they would not expend more
than $50 600 during the first fiscal year.
The amount so FAR expended does not ex-
ceed $4,000. 1t has been ascertained since
the adjournment of the Legislature that
money will be availabl ior this river i'm
provement and Governor Budd may not
insist on n fuliillment of the promise which
was made when the bill was signed.
The proposed work is highly important
and its value to the State can hardly be
overestimated. Perhaps the State has
entered upon a policy of river improve
ment and land reclamation which may be
continued Tor many years at great expense
4 T.