The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-01-16
HELD
Narrowing of River Bed to Be
Opposed.
Congressman-EIeCt Davis and County
Attorney Stone Visit North
MankatO by Request.

Congressman elect G. r. Davis and
County Attorney A. A. Stone of st.
Peter were in North Mani alto last eve
ming to consult with President Nels
Anderson of the village council in re-
gard to the suggestion of the board of
trade that the levee be extended into
the river bed few feet to admit of
greater facilities for the railroads.
Their visit was in response to the
resolution Of the village council
Mr.. Anderson stated the reason why
the village council opposes the sug
gestion, which is the fear that the viii
lage would be overofwed during high
water more than with the river bed as
it is now The matter was talked
over, and the ST. Peter gentlemen
stated that they would Investigate it
thoroughly. Even If the levee should
not be extended, steps may be taken
tc protect North Mankato from the
river.
People living in Manksto find it
difficult to understand why the North
Mankato residents are 80 afraid of
high water in case the levee was to be
extended to the first pier of the
bridge. While there is no probability
of anything being done along this
line, at present at least, still some of
the people on the north side seem to
be quite stirred up over the matter.
A gentleman remarked today, in
view of the action of the North Man
kato council, which held a special
meeting to consider the matter and
passed strong resolutions against the
proposition. "The people of North
Manksto seem to be more scared than
hurt. The proposed widening of the
river bank on this side would cniy fill
in little dry ground, an Bnsightly
hole grown up to willows, while it
would make the bridge little less
long. The river runs under the end
of the bridge nearest North Msnkato,
except when the water is very high.
when it backs up under the end of the
bridge nearest the city.
"North Msnkato has never suffered
from high water except when an ice
gorge has formed below the city and
backed the water up so that it has
raised several feet higher than it
would otherwise have done. The fact
of the river bed being trife narrow
er at one point would not raise the
water any, as it finds its level and
if the channel is narrower it runs the
more rapidly, scooping out the bot
tom. The government narrows rivers
where it wants to have navigation, as
the swifter current keeps the bottom
from filling up with sandbars, but does
not raise the surface of the water.
"There has been some talk on the
other side of the.-river about changing
the channel to the bluff Did anyone
ever stop to estimate the expense of
this? There would be the same dan
ger from high. water. the present
bridge would have to be moved, and
the citys sewerage system would
have no outlet except through long
and expensive.t tunnel Warren's creek
and the other creeks leading into the
river would. have to be taken care of
in wet >times, and there would be
trouble all the time. No, this scheme
is impracticable., North Mankato
should get.annexed TO Mankato and
then Greater. Mankato could take care
of the river to tie satisfaction of both
sides, while allowing plenty of room
for new railroads to Iun through the
city" =