The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-15
PROBLEMS OF DRAINAGE.
S. Dolman Discusses What Should Be
Done.

The floods in North and South and
East Topeka bring forcibly to us the
problems of draining and protecting
the lives and property of large por-
ton of our citizens, the problem can
not be put off or ignored any longer.
Some definite policy must be adopted
at once to restore confidence and give
stability to values of property in the
flooded district If we expect our city
to continue to prosper.
We have had sufficient warning in
the past to make the present disasters
almost a case of criminal negligence
excusable only on the grounds of lack
of knowledge as to the best methods
of furnishing the absolute protection
required.
Assuming 1t to be a lack of know
ledge take the liberty to suggest
methods that are entirely practical.
In the case of North Topeka five
years ago 1 suggested that we build
a dyke three feet above flood line of
that year and 40 feet wide on top with
fiat slopes all the way around North
Topeka; the points coming in contact
with the current of the river and
creek could be rip raped with rock
and the high entertainments could If
considered necessary, have an or 10
inch concrete core through the center
extending from the natural earth up.
This would make North Topeka abso-
lutely safe against any flood equal to
the one of 1903. This should be made
drive way so any deterioration would
be Immediately noticed and repaired,
had this been done then the last two
disasters would have been prevented
and it should be done now without
any delay. Some have expressed
doubts as to the stability of earthen
dykes. To those 1 would cite the gov
eminent levees some so feet high and
not near as wide on top as the one
proposed along the Mississippi river,
also the numerous embellishments by
4 corporations, individuals and railroads
for impounding waters in the arid dis
tricts which hold the water the year
around and sometimes 25 or 35 feet
deep. They are made of earth and
many of them the same kind of ma
terial we have in the Kaw bottom, in
fact, all over the world you will find
earthen dykes, they are no expert
ment, they are as old as man him
self.
In the case of South and East To-
peka where they are flooded by
Shunganunga and Biddle creek a good
substantial overflow ditch running
from Kansas avenue bridge and
emptying into Deer creek where il
the Shunganunga about three mile:
and increase the carrying capacity
from four to eight times, dependent
on fall, width and depth and the same
ditch would take care of Biddlt
creek. The dyking of North Topeka
would cost probably seventy-five oil
eighty thousand dollars. the ditchinf
of Shunganunga and Biddle creel
would probably cost fifty or sixty
thousand dollars and these drainag,
problems properly belong to the cit!
at large as much SO as the gradinf
Of streets and the payment for paving
street intersections and should b,
taken care of by the city at large.
But in conclusion 1 would sugges
that the city form itself into a drain
age district and cooperate with tn,
various drainage districts in ant
around the city that have alread,
made appropriations and provide tn,
necessary surplus funds to assist IL
carrying out these improvements.
S. DOLMAN AND SON.