Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-07-17


much longer than at Vicksburg, as Vieks-
burg is high point, and if there had
been a erevasse this season. the district
would still be overfiowed. The water
came against Holly Brook, Reed, Biggs
ard Kempe and some other places
in February, ard will be against them
some time yet, but the levee authorities
by surveys and experience knew the
strain which would be on these places
and the levees there have been made
stronger in section and higher in grade
to withstand this strain,
There has not been an acute danger
anywhere, although the levee authorities
have felt uneasy all the time, for when
the water is from ten to fifteen feet
against the levces there is an element Of
danger, some hidden defect may develop,
IA slough may occur-these are the dam
gers to fear; overlapping is a rare oc-
currence, except in extreme high water;
wave-wash looks worse than it is, but
whenever saturated levee begins slough
ing there is great danger, and trouble
which needs an expert doctor TO handle.
The levees in the Fifth District need
charging in section in a great many
stretches, and raising in some; the COM
fort of mind and freedom from "high
water fight" expense during the siege
Just passed, encourages the effort to go
on with the work and put the levees in
the condition recommended by the Mis-
sissippi River Commission, so even in
extreme lifgh water the same feeling of
security will be had.
The last high water several new loops
were under construction, and some
emergency loops had to be built; this
year not single emergency loop was
needed, which was a great relief rs well
as great saving of expense, for emer-
gency loops and high water fights are
great consumers of money and of no
permanent good to the levees; they are
simply protection against immediate dan
ger.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION.
The Mississippi River Commission met
in st. Louis in June, but in the notihca-
ton sent out of the meeting it was stated
that there would be no Appropriation to
allot Therefore did not attend.
|. REVETIENT.
The United States engineers report that
they have sufficient funds to keep theil
plants at work this season, but the late
ness of the high water will be very much
against this class of work. The engi
neers report that their plants are in read
mess to begin work as soon az the fall il
the river will permit.
LEvEE WORK. j..
All levee work has been stopped sine,
March, except small loop at Duckport
built by the convict force, which hai
heen completed, and loop begun a
Cottonwood in East Carroll parish, anC
a new levee being built by the Unite,
States at Hard Times in Tensas.
| LEVEE CONDITIONS.
Wave-wash this year, from the con
tinued high water softening the slope
and from severe winds, has been very
active; this will necessitate great dea
lof repair work. The siepe water has beer
bad too, and confirms the recommends
ton made in my January (l90S) repor
that land side canal should be consid
cred and undertaken, digging it in tn,
worst places and completing il as rapid
| ly as possible. This season should con
vince every riparian owner that lanG
side canal would do great good to hi.
property as well as benefit to the levee
but local interest will have to open the
bayous, bitches and other drainage t.
the swamps and lakes to carry the water
from the canal. This latter is the dut,
of the police juries as shown by the fol
lowing Act 1l9 of 1902:
"Section l. Be it enacted. etc., tina
it is hereby made the duty of police jul
ries of the several parishes in the State
OF Louisiana, to thoroughly drain al
public roads in their respective parishe.
which are parallel, or contiguous to an,
public levee, and to cut across said pub
lie road, bitches AMI. drains at such
points, as may be necessary to effect the
complete and perfect drainage of such
road and levee, and to connect the same
with the drain bitches on private prop
Iertp abutting on such road.
Section =. Be it further enated, ETC.,
That any proprietor owner, lessee OF
possessor of lands abutting upon sn,
such public road in this State, who shall
in any manner close or place any OBJ.
struction in such drains or bitches wheth.
er on private property or on such public
road or leyee adjacent thereto, as will in
any manner interfere with the effective
thorough and continuous drainage OF
such public road or levee, shall be guilty
of misdemeanor, and on conviction there.
of shall suffer fine or imprisonment, OIL
both, in the discretion of the court"
There has been some objection that the
siepe water from the land side canal con-
nected with drains leading from the levee
would raise the water on the back OF