The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-04-01
TONGUE RIVERS MOUTH eoReED
ONCE MORE.
LOSS THREATENED GREAT
Muddy Stream Cutting New Channel
May Necessitate Construction
Of Other Railroad Bridge.

Trainmen and others from there
bring reports of another flood at Miles
City, caused by the blockading Of Ton
que river, which empties into the Yel-
lowstone at that point. The mouth OF
of the tributary stream has number
of channels through each OF which
runs a small body OF water. This
freezes every winter to such a depth
that ice is formed in them to the
bottom. When the spring breakup
occurs the water from above backs
up and an annual inundation follows.
Several weeks ago goodly part Of
the town was under water and con-
siderable damage was done. Then
followed colder weather and the flood
subsidized, causing the belief to be
entertained that the danger was over
for the season. Now the roaring Ton
que is on another rampage and even
greater danger exists than did dur
! ing the first rise.
Forming New Channel.
The river has left it's banks south
of town and is cutting new channel
south of the railroad bridge. Only
short distance to the east is an old
channel which runs around the city
ir a semi-circle and it is feared that
unless something is done to turn the
will soon leave the town to the west
and follow it's original course. This
would necessitate the construction OF
new railroad and county bridges,
probability that is not viewed with
euuanimity by either of the parties
mostly concerned.
Superintendent Gibson Of the Vel
| lcwstone division was at Miles City
last Wednesday and made an investi-
Fgation. While nothing definite was
decided upon, it was agreed the easi-
est way out of the difficulty would
be to build dyke and make a I'LL.
| between the railroad and county
bridges and turn the water into q
ditch that was partially dug on the
west side of the river some years ago,
on the Fort Keogh reservation. At
the time the ditch was undertaken the
Milesians became possessed of the
fear that unless the stream was turn
ed in that direction they would wake;
, up some morning and find themselves
! floating down the Yellowstone. Other
counsel prevailed and several costly
wing dams were built and the work on
the canal abandoned. These answered
their purpose for only little while
and now the danger seems to be-
greater than ever.
Mr. Gibson left, after expressing
his intention to make recommendation
to the railroad company that sur
vey be made and such steps taken as
were considered the most advisable.
/ If the suggestion of the Miles City
people is carried out and the river
diverted lHIO CAc CoAoi VIM"
started to build on the west side the
LAND donated by the government to
1.-THE city as park, but most OF which
by the constant shifting OF tne
streams channel has been made
mart of the military reserve, will then
revert back to them, as the Tongue
is the eastern boundary OF the reser-
walton.
small county bridge and severaf
private bridges constructed by per-
sons living in the, extreme eastern
mart of the city have been carried
ont When The Gazette's informant
left there yesterday that portion q
town was almost completely cut on
from the rest.