Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-22
FOR A FULL WATER SUPPLY.

The agitation on the question of wa
ter supply for this city. will doubtless
result in something practical for the
public benefit. Theories and plans must
necessarily precede definit action. The
views OF different individuals, no mat
ter how conflicting. should be ventllat-
ed and light be welcomed from any and
every source. The problem is knotty,
and its final solution is likely 10 be ex-
pensive. But the cost Is a secondary
consideration In view Of the prime ne
cessity. An ample water supply is es-
sential to the present welfare and flu
ture growth of this city, and the ada
cent districts OF this county,
There seems to be a consensus OF
opinion among the experts practical
engineers and experienced old settlers,
that Utah lake is. by all odds, the best
and most certain source Of water sup
ply for our present and prospective
needs. To make that body of water a
permanent reservoir TO increase its
depth. reduce II possible its surface
area so as to avoid so much evapora-
ton, and. at the same time. TO protect
the rights of Utah county people and
settlers along the streams which feed
the lake, and also to find funds sufIl-
Client TO finance the undertaking, form
serious subjects for contemplation.
That government aid will have to be
invoked seems inevitable But the first
thing TO do in this direction will be to
. settle on some definite plans. which will
be recognized as practical and fitted to
the end in view. The steps now being
taken In that direction are praisewor-
thy and should be encouraged.
There is still talk about a reservoir
In Parleys canyon, to store body Of
water for city purposes, II is all right
to investigate that matter, and to in
quire into its feasibility But before
any large amount Of city money is ex d.
pended In that direction. there are sew
eral points TO be considered. The cost
IS one thing, the capacity Is another,
The kind Of bottom that can be secured
to avoid percolation and loss. the sub
stantiality Of the dam or dams to be
constructed, are others. and all need
careful inquiry. II is serious question
whether the site now selected is really
good one, and whether a better can
not be found for the same purpose.
We urgently direct the attention o.
the city authorities TO the opportunities
afforded for reservoir purposes at
Lambs canyon. We are Of the opinion
that at far less outlay than Will be
necessary TO make the site now con-
templated successful. and with greater
assurances Of absolute security a re-
geryoir can be built In Lambs canyon
that viii be safe, permanent and COM
paratively inexpensive. The springs
arising there warrant the soundness OF
the bedrock formation for the bottom
OF the reservoir. dam can be easily
constructed to arrest the flow OF The
stream. the water in the creek is Of
excellent quality, and years ago II was
picked out by practical men as an idea
srot for water storage. Let the ad
yantages offered by that locality b
Thoroughly examined, before the ques
zion OF a Parley's creek reservoir i
finally passed upon.
The water OF the Cottonwoods Il
needed for domestic purposes IN th'
clty. II anything is done as TO ina
water. this requirement should D
considered. To attempt to turn IN
ioodwaters above, so as to run INT
Utah lake would be an Immense an
sery expensive undertaking. ana w
believe would be taking the very oppo
,lte course to thai which 's dess...''''
An exchange OF lake water for the So'