The San Francisco call., 1904-03-20
STORM SCARES
RENO PEOPLE
Fear Waters of Lake Tahoe
VIII Break Through and
Cause Irreparable Damage
DAN BEING REPAIRED
L0Wlands Near Grass Valley
Are Flooded and Stockton
Sloughs Overflow Banks

TRCCKEE. March 19.-The heavy
Iainstorm raging to-day caused the
waters OF Lake Tahoe TO rise with
alarming raDldity. Last night it was
thought that the danger point was re-
moved al least a week. it being figured
that IL would take that long for the
water 10 reach the top OF the dam.
Several expert dam builders began
work this morning TO strengthen the
dam and 10 prevent undermining. If it
is deemed necessary steamers and
lighters viii be used to gather rocks
from the lake shore 10 build a new
dam below the cid one. The snow on
the ground prevents the procurement
of material by Quarrying. Last night
the electric lights in town were extin-
guished after g o'clock, the high water
in the Truckee River rendering the tur-
bine wheels OF the electric light plant
powerless- The fOod-gates were kept
wide open nearly all day. A few were
closed early this evening on account Of
the current washing away embank-
ments and increasing the danger. Man
ager Duane Bliss at Tahoe sent word
last night that there is no immediate
danger.
People at Reno are making constant
inquiries about the condition of the
dam A tidal wave would do immense
damage here; FIVE miles Of the Southern
Pacific Compsny's track and many
bridges would be destroyed, and four
teen miles Of the Tahoe narrow gauge
road would be carried away
Manager Bliss states that the lake
was higher once before the dam was
constructed than now, and that the
carrying away Of the dam would not
necessarily cause the lake to cease ris-
ing, because the outlet would be too
small.
The lake has a circumference of more
than 100 miles, and more than 400
square miles Of watershed. The surface
water is now seven inches from the
top Of the dam.
GRASS VALLEY. March 1e.-The
heaviest rainstorm experienced in this
section for years visited this city to-
night from 10 6 O'Clock. The rain,
driven By a fierce wind, came down in
binding sheets. Wolf Creek, which
flows through the city. is out of its
banks and flooding sidewalks and the
surrounding Iowland. More than 81
inches have fallen this season TO date,
q figure that has not been reached in
ten years. The surrounding roads are
in fearful condition, and a washout
occurred on the narrow gauge road be-
tween here and Colfax, but repairs were
made in tine 10 enable trains 10 pass
on schedule time.
STOCKTON. March ia heavy
rain began falling shortly before noon
to-day and a protracted storm is
locked for More high water is ex-
rected. as the waterways are so full
al bout here that there is no current to
carry of the surplus. Stockton and
Mormon channels have risen since yes
terday and the continued wet weather
is causing considerable anxiety.
Los ANGELES, March ia bare
trace was the amount of rainfall re-
corded in Los Angeles last night. 1t is
stiu cloudy ar 10 o'clock this morning
and the indications are for continued
showers
RIVERSIDE, March 1s.-Rain fell at
intervals here during last night and at
6o'clock this morning the gauge regis
tered II. Clouds hang about and give
prospect OF more rain.
SAN JOSE, March 19-Rain began
falling here early this morning and has
continued at intervals during the day.
Up 70 2. N. .13 Of an inch Of rain
had fallen. This makes a total of 1015
for the season, against 1923 up to the
same date last year. The rains OF Feb
ruary and so far this month assure one
Of the best years in the history Of
Santa Clara County. The whole val
ley is green. Grain and hay is grow
ing rapidly and big crops are certain.
There viii be an abundance of all
kinds Of feed in the foothill ranges. and
the late rains viii insure plenty of
feed until late in the summer. The