The San Francisco call., 1909-01-17
RIVER LEVEES
GIVE WAY NEAR
SACRAMENTO
Railroad Crews and Trains Held
Ready to Cope With
Situation
Island Districts Threatened by
Flood and Warnings
Sent Out
Country Around Biggs Inundat-
ed and Residents Move to
Higher Ground


should the levees fail TO hold high
water. The loss to property would
reach into many thousands OF dollars,
however. because almost all this vast
delta section IS devoted to truck gar
dening and to fields OF asparagus and
potatoes.
telephone message from Free
port tonight said that levees were
holding, but could not withstand
rise Of more than few inches. At
Walnut Grove gangs Of workmen were
placing bags Of sand on the levee
where dredger cut was made dur
ing the summer. Water has been flow
ing over slightly, but it was not be-
lieved a serious break would occur.
Many reports Of serious breaks at
several points in the lower section
came to the city, but none could be
verified because OF no telephone COM
munication.
Swollen Streams Falling
The situation in general throughout
the valley above the city is believed
to be much improved tonight. With
snow from the mountains washed away
the food supply has been cut short, and
swollen streams are slowly falling.
The Sacramento, however, viii be at
8 high mark for some time. or until
the northern freshets have passed off
TO the country below.
Reports late tonight from Marysville
and Yuba City indicate that the worst
has been passed in those places. The
Feather river broke restraints late this
afternoon. thus relieving the situation
Of threatened towns. The water first
broke through the levee at Shanghai
. bend, and this break afforded a good
outlet for swollen streams When the
levee gave way at Shanghai later the
Feather river began to drop rapidly and
residents Of MarysvilIe and Yuba city
felt easier. Yuba river is also dropping
slowly.
Building Temporary Track
Railroad conditions are not improved.
but no worse than yesterday. Breaks
in the mountain divisions are being
repaired, and the Southern Pacific has
q gang OF $50 men building tenn
porary track from Ben Ali to connect
with the Northern Electric at Del Paso.
This viii be ready for the operation
OF trains by tomorrow. AS soon as
this is completed the delayed over
lands and other trains now at Rose
Vile and at points farther east will
come into the city over the Northern
Electric bridge, the only railroad bridge
over the American river standing.
All day the Southern Pacific was
transferring mail and passengers by
wagon and auto from Ben Ali to Del
Paso, where they We're met by the
Northern Electric and brought to the
city.
The Northern Electric is the only com
pany able 10 operate out of the city
north. The service is maintained be-
tween Oroville and Chico The track
between Chico and Thermalito has al
ways been passable, and the only trou-
bic between that point and Oroville was
washed out trestle on the Feather
river. Passengers are being trans
ferred around this point. A few days
work VIII put the entire road in work
ing order. it is reported. A few breaks
between Oroville and AIarysviIle and
between Marysville and Sacramento are
bOthering the company. The tracks from
this city north are submerged. and un-
til the waters subside little work can be
accomplished
Feather River Falling
OROVILLE. Jan. I6.-The Feather
river at this point is fan. .pidly