Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-04-14
Changing Bed of Creek.

EDITOR CITIZEN:-The recent floods
in the Connoquenessing at this place,
and the damage done by same, have
naturally called the attention of our
citizens to the matter and to the remedy
if any can be found. In former years
the floods in our creek might come and
go and no particular harm be done.
But now the beautiful valley west OF
the old town is filed with residences.
factories and work shops, which may be
overfowed every year, and hence the
demand for remedy il pressing. the
Borough, as municipality, conld not
be neld liable for damage as the matter
stands at present, and therefore the
great need for action,
Tne remedy most generally spoken OF
ia change in the channel Of the creek,
commencing at the dam of the Walter
Mill and passing westward between the
tracks OF the two railroads until the
creek was again struck at a hillside
short distance below and south of the
second Bessemer bridge crossing the
Connoquenessing at that point. But to
take that route would require a far
greater amount Of excavation and ex-
peDse that would be necessary, for the
reason that the ground is higher there
by at least fifteen feet, than it is short
distance north of the Bessemer track.
Besides it is hardly supposable that the
railroads could or would allow the new
creek channel to be run between their
tracks. as the space between them Is
quite narrow for some distance. High
stone walls and much masonry would
also be necessary there. SO that channel
would seem to be impracticable and too
expensiye.
A better channel can be had by COM
mencing shortly below dam. at point
in the creek known as the fording, and
opposite the lower end OF Brewery lot
and Negley avenue. The ground there
is low bottom. and continues such until
it reaches a higher or second bottom on
which is the Roessing and other prop
erfy. Then passing along Negley ave,
or little south Of it. until it reaches
Roessing ground and thence continuing
west along or near the Bessemer track
TO about the garbage stack and then on
along Bessemer to sthe creek at SAID
Bessemer bridge oyer the same This
route would be almost straight The
earth obtained from the higher part Of
it would be more than sufficient to
make the embankmentS that will be
be made. The bridge referred to could
be heightened to say double its present
length 80 that new channel could safely
enter the old one there; and from there
on down would only be the Lead Works.
the Car Works and Lyndora exposed to
high water in any event. They doubt
less would be glad TO then protect them
selves, having had all danger from
future floods shut off above them. The
damages also on this route would be-
less than any other, not more than half
a dozen owners Of land being effected in
its construction.
The project of changing the channel
Of the creek is one full OF interest. The
enterprise bas about it novelty that
creates lively feeling in all our people.
III carried out 1t will be a kind OF little
Panama canal to Butler. not just unit
ing two oceans. but shortening by ut
least half mile the now tortuous and
winding ways Of the old COnnoquenegs-
ing. And in this connection II may not
be known TO many Of our present citizens
that this IL not the first effort 10 change
the bed Of the creek. The late Judge
John Bredin did actually change its bed,
about sixty years ago. The creek be
fore then wound away west to Fair
ground avenue, near 10 Stamrn prop
erty. He cut its channel this side of
where Sulliyap's Run entors the creek,
thus forming what il now known as
Vvgeley's Island He made but small
channel at first, leaving time and the
natural current 10 do the rest, with the
result as we now see IL.
We notice meeting Of citizens has
been held on the subject and, as others
may be held, these few observations are
thrown ont in the hope OF doing some
good in the matter. j II NJ