The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-07-19
MONDAY, JULY 10. 1909
THE LESSON OF THE ELo0DI


While the consequences of the flood
which recently covered part of the
Lower Rio Grande Valley with good
deal more water than was needed for
irrigation purposes were not actually
disastrous, yet they were of sufficient
Importance to make the land and ca
nal owners, as well as owners of other
interests in the valley, hope that such
an event may not happen again. Out
of a total of over thirty canals in OPP
Grafton in the valley, only three suf-
fered any damages of consequence.
While millions of dollars are invested
in these canals, yet the damages prob
ably will amount to a comparatively
Insignificant figure. Aside from the
losses of the three canal COM
panies referred to, a small number of
planters on these canals and the rail
road company, which will perhaps
lose something more than a few pen
MES on account of the damage to
track and bridging in the overlooked
district on the Hidalgo branch, there
we're no other losses of any conse-
quenee in the valley from this flood
Yet the anxiety of mind which all I'M
derwent, and the losses that were sus-
tanned, together with the absolute GER
tainly that unless proper precautions
be taken in time, such conditions are
more than apt to reeur, and similar
losses, if not greater, be sustained by
some interests or other in the valley,
should bring home to all the great
lesson of this flood.
The necessary precautions must be
taken With a comparatively small
amount Of expense and labor, the
flood might have been averted. The
river overfowed only in a few low
places. The greatest damage was done
by the breaking of the canals and by
the back water through the old river
beds or resacas, which ian over and
flooded the land By the construc-
ton of levees at those points where
the waters of the Rio Grande seem
most likely to break from its confin-
ing banks and spread over the land,
all danger of floods in future might
be averted easily and at comparative
" small expense. 1t is imperative
that these precautions be taken. The
property interests of this valley have
attained such important proportions
that it is simply absurd and imebcile
for the people to sit with hands fold
ed and take no steps to prevent pos
sible damage from overfows.
II is estimated by competent en-
gineers that for the sum of s175,OO0
sha. entire river front of both Cameron
and Hidalgo counties could be levied
so as to make it perfectly safe from
overflow. The new law governing le-
wee and drainage improvements in
Texas is considered both practicable
and efficient. A system of leyees and
drainage ditches,such as will be ade-
quate to the protection of this river
front cannot be built ma day, how
ever. Extensive surveys must first
be made, estimates secured, and then
elections held to authorize the neces-
sary bond issues, before the actual
work can be done. 1t would be advis-
able therefore for the people of the
valley to go to work without loss of
time, and get the work planned sys-
Dramatically. 1t is necessary. Ali rea-
lie it. Then let it be done in time.
Kingsvile is preparing to cele-
brate in great style the laying of the