Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-26


pose one loyal worker has resolved
himself into a general information
bureau and does nothing all day but
answer questions.
AS a part of it's educational cam
paign the committee has had prepared
what it calls it's "Owens River Primer" I"
This little booklet, which is to be
placed in print and sent to every voter.
contains twenty four pat questions an
swered in equally pat sentences. No
attempt las been made to answer other
than the great vital questions and to
answer those in such terms that they
will be readily understood and remem-
bered. Questions which have not been
asked and answered in the Primer"
and which the reader is desirous Of
knowing, should be directed to the
campaign headquarters.
The Owens River Primer
The primer is as follows:
What is the proposed Los Angeles
aqueduct?
It is an undertaking by the city to
construct, own and operate an aqueduct
rs miles long, with a daily capacity
of $4,000, 600 gallons, to bring to Los
AnSelSB water supply IIOIu lIlC IllSA
Sierras CThe present consumption of
the city is 100000 gallons daily.
Where is the Owens vaIley7
Owens valley lies entirely in Inyo
and Mono counties in this state. 1t
receives the snow and glacial waters
of the highest range of mountains In
the United States and has a drainage
area of $500 square miles There are
forty-three peaks over $4,000 feet in
elevation in the drainage basin.
Why go so far for water?
No sufficient amount of water can be
obtained near home without con-
demning towns and orchards COM
mercially tributary. Our future growth
is limited by our available water sup
ply.
How long can present source be
made to supply city?
Limit to present source has been
reached. However, enough water can
be developed south of Los Angeles to
provide for city's increase for five or
six years. This source is temporary.
Why not store the San Gabriel flood
waters?
There are no reservoir sites. There
are no flood waters in dry years. We
would have to condemn a property pro-
ducing $2,OOO0OO annually and would
not then get enough water.
How much water is there in Owens
valley?
An average flow of about 10000
inches. Owens river flows into Owens
lake, which has an area of 10000 acres
from which the average evaporation
annually is about 10000 inches. A min
er's inch equals $4,000 gallons per day,
or one-fiftieth of cubic foot per sec
ond.
Is not Owens lake salt?
Yes, all lakes having no outlet, even
though supplied with fresh water, are
salt or alkaline. 1t is proposed to di-
vert the river fifty miles above the
lake, where the water is good,
How much water does the city own?
The city has purchased 1882 acres
of water bearing land in Owens valley
at the average rate of $14S9 per acre
for land and water The total COM
missions paid on these purchases were
$13, 900. On average years this viii
yield II 900 inches continuous flow, oil
143, 100000 gallons daily. With reser-
voirs now proposed to be built, or
average years this will be increased
so that from $4,000 to 10000 inches car
be obtained. When the great Long
valley reservoir is later constructed the
supply will be 10000 inches on al
years. Provision has been made fol
the purchase of more water If neces'
sity requires 1t.
Is the water pure?
Yes. All river water contains some
mineral salts, commonly called alkalf
All other water purchased in Owen:
valley is still better so that the aver
age water obtained will be about twice
as pure as our present supply from thf
Los Angeles river.
How do you know the water is good
The government has sampled ant
analyzed owens river water at Char
| leys Butte, where the river will be di
yerted, every week for the past si1
months, and has officially reported
favorably thereon. Three other chem
lists have found the water satisfactory
No analyses made for the city or b!
any investigating bodies have been un
favorable.
Is it possible to bring this water t.
Los Angeles?
Yes. All the engineers who have ex
amined it say the project is feasible
and should be undertaken.
How much will It cost and how lon!
will it take to get the water here?
A board of the most eminent hy
draulic engineers in the United State
| estimate it will cost $2S, 900 900, al
/ average of over S21 per lineal foot