The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-02-13
JORDAN OVERFLOWS
AND FLOODS FIELDS
Portion of Southwestern Part
OF City Inundated YeSter-
day BY Flood.
GRAVE DANGER IN SIGHT
MOUNTAIN STREAMS SWELLED
WITH SURGlNG WATERS.

Many acres in the southwestern part of
The city were inundated yesterday with
the first overflow of the Jordan river,
spreading the word of warning to resi-
dents along the river from the south to
the north limits of Salt Lake No dam
age was done yesterday as only fields
We're flooded, but the rise of the waters
yesterday proved a pOrtent which will
lot be without It's warning to the resi-
dents, especially Of the northwestern part
or the city. During period OF 10 hours,
inches.
The first waters of any abundance from
the canyons was seen, owing 10 the thaWs
OF Friday and Saturday, with the light
SHOWS Of last week. Much Of the snow
IN the lower part of the hills and in the
canyons melted during the last few days,
ana the result made itself felt in the rise
OF the river
1t is feared that with continued warm
weather the water will reach serious flood
stage today and tomorrow overlooking
the banks of the river and causing much
damage. Fields to the southwest were
flooded with the first break of the river
yesterday, but the most serious damage
will come when the water overflOWs its
banks to the north, as far Ninth North
street.
\. I. Cooley, who lives at Ninth North
and the river, said yesterday that the
water was much above any level last
week, and that perceptible increase was
SHOWN during Friday night and saturday.
Mr. Cooley is watching the rise of the
water as an agent for the city, and in
case of threatened danger, close at hand,
will call upon the street department. A
series Of such sentnels have been set
along the river by Jake 7. Raleigh, street
supervisor, and news OF The rise of the
stream viii be conveyed TO him when any
new change is made.
Street Supervisor Ready.
Arrangements have been made by the
street supervisor to rush a large gang of
men to the river at the first note of dan
ger from residents north of Ninth South
street. In past years there has been COM
paratively little damage done to the prop
erty in the southwestern part OF the city,
though hundreds Of acres have been
flooded.
The fact that nothing was done with
the surplus canal adds TO the danger of
a sudden rise in the Jordan. It was
hoped that the surplus canal could be so
deepened and widened that it would carry
she water of the Jordan river from Utah
lake, and thus leave the river bed to
take care of the water from both Cotton
wood canyons, from Parley's, Mill creek
and City creek. But with the surplus
canal in the same condition, little hope is
held out against the worst flood in the
history of the city.
All Of the mountain streams, too have
begun to rise, and yesterday showed
something approaching flood proportions,
These streams are tearing down at fair
y turbulent rate, and it is believed that
within another few days the water which
-hey carry to the Jordan, added with the
oUtpOurings Of Utah lake and the streams
10 the south, will have but one result, a
flood of enormous proportions
Flood Cannot Be AVerted.
city Engineer George +. AIcGonagle has
been investigating the condition Of the
river TOR some time, and said yesterday
that he felt certain a flood would come
within a short time. The JoEdan river
does not now carry much more than halI
the water it did a few years ago. 1t is
claimed by experts who have been in
vestigating the matter. This is explained
through the fact that the river has car
ried great quantities OF sediment down
the stream from the south, which, added
TO the sewage from salt Lake, as stopped |
the flow of the stream to great extent. |
The Jordan river, running through SAT-
Lake, is seldom more than sluggish |
stream. and the force is not great enough /
10 carry off the amount of waste matter
which comes down the waterway.
The first notice Of the flood year ago |
came in the rising of the mountain
streams, but this year the great quant-
ties of water pouring into the Jordan rom /
Utah lake is given as the cause OF the
overflow thus early, The lake at the
present time is 10 inches or more ABOVE /
the stage a year ago and enough water
is coming into the Jordan TO nearly III
ii to TIE tops of its banks. Thus, with the
first IIruSh or waters rom Ile lAtlSs I-4o
overflow came at once.
May Inundate Many Homes.
The slight thaws Of the past few days
are considered very small TO what will be
felt within another day or two, and with
warm weather or a warm rain, nothln5
can be done to prevent a flood such as
was never before experienced in the his
tory of the city. Preparations are already
being made to combat the flood as well |
as possible, such as heaping earth upon
tie river banks in places where great
damage would be done If no fight were
mace but for the most part there viii be
little effort made TO stop the surging wa
tiers more than keeping them out OF
houses.
In fact it is feared that in many places
residents along the river VIII be flooded /
out of their homes, and warnings have /
been sent to all of them by the street su- /
Tervisor. It is felt certain that the water |
from the river and mountain streams Will /
fnundate many of the homes, and some |
residents have already announced their 4
intentfon of moving away from the river /
IN case the water continues to rise,
Pyhian Sisters Dance.
Tuesday evening, February Is, Unity |
han, 13S South Second East. Tickets, 90 /