Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-21
RAGING FLOODS
THREATEN OGDEN
Much Damage Already Done to
Railroads and Highways
Big Dam in Peril.
FAMILIES RESCUED BY BOATS
from Inundated Dlstrict--Flood Re.
ported In Ogden Valley Greater
Than Previous One.

Ogden, March 21---For the second
time this season the Ogden river over
flowed its banks and flooded THAI part
OF the city known as the Riverside and
Glasgow additions. Many families
We're forced from their homes by the
high water. boats being brought into
the rescue work, A portion of the Ore
gon Short Line track at Twentieth
street was washed away ana a part of
the Southern Pacific track is threat
ened Late last evening the water had
reached point In height equal to what
1t was during the previous food and
was sim rising, A heavy rain storm,
followed by high wind has set In and
aid materially in making the situation
more critical.
Considerable apprehension WAS felt
last evening concerning the durability
Of the power dam of the Utah Light e
Railway company at the head of the
Ogden river, a force OF more than
80 men were stationed at the dam and
about III O'clock they succeeded in get
ting open the food gates. This great
ly Iessened the possibility of a catRstro-
phe, Is being ecCompi shed when the
water was within q few inches OF going
over the top OF the dam. Had the wa
ter passed over the breastwork of the
Gam 1t is believed that 1t would have
Been washed away, thus releasing the
great body OF water chat backs up into
the river for miles. The destruction
TO property and the loss of life III the
event OF such an occurrence would be
appalling.
Reports received yesterday from Os-
den valley were to the effect that the
Hood appeared 20 be more dan Eerous
and of greater proportions that the pre-
wiOus one. Much Of the new work that
has been done on the roads Since they
were washed out several weeks ago has
been destroyed Men employed az this
work were forced 10 give 1t up on Tues
day by the high water, So tar no ad.
ditlonal bridges have been reported out
In the Ogden canyon the water has
already done much damage AT the
Oaks resort the river overlooked It's
banks and flooded the place. The road
between the Oaks and the power dam Is
also reported 10 be considerably dam
aged. A large boulder rolled dowp the
mountain side at the entrance Of the
canyon yesterday morning and crushed
the pipe line running from the ho'
water spring 10 the sanltartum building
This cut off the hot water supply for
the resort. The break was repaired
later IN the day.
early yesterday afternoon calls for
aid began 10 reach police headquarters.
The departrnen called into service the
street supervisor, who immediately
pressed into action several boats and
teams. A number OF families were TAX
en- from their homes hut others refused
10 leave, Notwithstanding that there
were 10 or more inches OF water cover
ing the lower flooss- These cases are
mostly among people of moderate
means who have ne place other than
their homes 10 go to for shelter.
Early In the Afternoon the water
washed from 80 to so feet OF the road
bed OF the o =gon Short Line away
The piece of track affected is one
used as a connection with the Southern
Pacific track at the foot OF Twentieth
street. It was used mostly for the move
nent OF freight trains to and from the
yards. While 1t is out of commission,
the main line via ;he passenger yard
will be used.
Several of the teams used In the Tas-
cue work In slie afternoon got mired
and were rescued with difficulty. a
careless driver who insisted on driving
through the water on lower Twentieth
street. narrowly missed having his
horses drowned. The assistance OF
dozen men was necessary to get the
horses out without the wagon. which
viii remain In the water Until II re-
Cedes. The county road near the Slater
willie bridge Is Threatened. 1t Is feared
that the water Will cut through the
road and form a new channel, leaving
lie bridge high and dry.
Forces of nien were stationed AT Vari-