Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-14
now is THE TIME,
Editor peseret News:

reservoirs for the storage of water
seems TO be calling for consideration, |
direct the attention Of those interested
TO proposition which was formulated
by that eminent hydraulic engineer, the
late Charles l.. Stevenson, and en-
bodied in report to the Mayor and
Council Of Salt Lake City, dated March
81 1885.
1T liz well known that there is a
large amount of water running to
waste In almost every creek In the
country, and is the most at season
when the water Is not required for ir-
rigation II this large body Of waste
water could be stored II would be of in
esiimabe value 10 all concerned.
"As 10 making dams for impoundlng
water 10 be safe and substantial II Is
simply the question Of doing the work
well or otherwise, there Is not neces-
sarily any risk or uncertainty in the
natter
"The natives OF India have stored
water for a thousand years back with
no batter appliances recorded than car
rying the earth for a dam In baskets
on the backs or heads Of men and wO-
men, and II has been chiefly from the
neglect Of the British authorities ia
letting these works 60 10 ruin, that the
terrible famines which have desolated
some districts Of that country have re-
suited.
In Colonel Stevenson's reports Of
the date above referred 20. he proposed
to utilize natural depression, known
as Little Valley, situated on the east
side of the creek, one and three-
fourth miles due north from Brigham
street al Its junction with Seventh East
street.
II would have a surface Of eleven
acres, and with but little expense could
be converted into q storage basin to
hold GOO00,00j gallons. and its elevation
rs such as TO command every part of
the city, although II would probably be
better TO supply the higher levels more
especially He also proposed 20 utilize
some OF the fall for water power. and
estimated the cost OF the works at $685.
co.,
lIs proposed to store the surplus
waters OF the creek until such time in
June or July as the minimum supply
from That source Is reached. and then
shut or the water for that season.
i went over this location with Col.
Stevenson and consider II most adj.
mirable location for the purpose. We
dug pits IN several places and found
good bottom, the side toward the city
Is the highest and Is apparently very
solid bank. the side toward the creek
-. - .. Loot and would require
dam. II Is entirely out Of the way Of
freshetsr hut might not be secure
npafngt an aarthuual<p
''wM. ]. SILVER
We give prominent place to the fore
going, because 1t presents a subject Of
very great Importance TO the people Of
this city and also of the entire state,
The building OF safe reservoirs at con-
yenient places, for the storage OF water
during those parts Of the year when the
streams are not utilized for the pur-
poses Of irrigation, has been frequently
urged In the columns Of the Deseret
News. II Is really surprising that the
work has not been undertaken in many
spots which seem prepared by nature
Tor the purpose. They are to be found
scattered all over the State. at points
Of elevation which render them admir-
ably ADAPTED to the end In view, and
requiring but little labor and expense
to make them secure and capable of
holding large supplies of the precious
iuid for irrigation. OF course some
engineering skin would be necessary in
their selection and construction. for
they should be rendered absolutely se-
cure, so that no disasters may occur
Ike those terrible catastrophes that
nave overtaken some places In the
country, resulting in great loss Of lie
and property.
salt Lake City cannot be supplied
with too yolumnous provision Of wa
ter Every available source should be
atllized. This city is bound to extend
Is populated districts, and win be.
'ome one Of the big centers Of trade. as
well as a most desirable place Of resi-
ienee for the many thousands Of PEG.
ole who will YET make II their abode
Il IL a matter of great regret that there
20 much contention over the city's
water rights. II has been largely caused
~ the obstinate obstruction Of officials
Who have seemed TO be bent ON hedg.
ng up the way OF an Increased supply
which would benefit people outside as
vel as inside OF the city limits. II is
g p ho'oa thst the tangle will be nm.
aveled before long, even il the settle
nent mas to be made through the
.ourts.
The News" has all along counseled
'onciliation and regard for mutual in
srests. We believe that n the respec.
I've owners Of water rights IN this city
una county were represented by COM
'e'ent persons. really DESTROYS Of end.
ne disputes and settling claims on an
nultable lasis, the trouble ~ feeling
Expense and dissa tsfactlon that have
esulied from recent litigation might
ave been entirely avoided. II ia
'ot yet TOO late 20 abandon the hostile
'pirit and measures that are encour.
ised By few ag'tntors. and take solid
ground on the principle Of arhitra-
lion.
the idea that the city desires to rob
he county or any part Of a. or thar
he rural claimants want 10 steal the
iiy's water ought to be oblilorated.