Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-08-18
CITY WATER SUPPLY
ADVANTAGES OF Big CREEK ARE.
POINTED CUT.
On:rs, Best Solution of the Problem,
SAYS Nan Familiar with Conditions
In the Upper WYnOOChe Valley;
Stream Fed From Melting Snow In
Fountains.

Declaring that. if the combined Cit
les of Aberdeen and Hoquam shall
go to the Wynooche for a water sup
ply, they should investigate the sup
ply to be found in Big Creek, Perry
PennOyer, of Aberdeen Gardens, who
is familiar with the conditions of the
upper WynOOche watershed. is of the
opinion that in the creek named can
be found a supply Of water SO much
better than that in the Wynoche riv-
erNitself that it will pay the city to
go to the extra expense.
"The Big Creek to which / REFER"
said Mr.. Pennoyer, flows into the
WynOOche just about the big canyon
and is about 35 miles from Aberdeen.
understand that, as the proposition
is now considered, it is the idea to
place the intake of the pipe line at
the mouth of the canyon, which is
about five miles this side of the mouth
of Big Creek. This would permit only
of the use of the water in the Wynoo-
che river. While this water is un-
doubtedly pure it is often roily. es-
pecially after heavy rainstorm, or
when the stream is swelled from any
cause. This is because it's source lies
much further up in the foothills and
also because it drains large scope
OF country and there are several small
streams flowing into it.
Source in Snow Fields
"In Big Creek, however, the condi-
tions are different. This is a pecu-
liar stream. 1t has it's source at the
very foot of snow capped mountain,
in fact the water flows direct from
the immense snow fields and there
is always sufficient supply within
it's banks to furnish city the size of
Portland, and the quality of the water
would be equal to that of Portland or
any other city in the country. After
it emerges from the immense snow
fields the water, curiously follows
high ridge until it empties into the
WynOoche. 1t has no tributary
streams and it's location on the crest
of the ridge is such that it does not
drain any intervening country and
consequently rainfall has no effect up
on it. The water is always absolutely
clear and cold l have frequently
seen the Wynooche, when the water
was muddy and discolored, but al
ways the waters of Big Creek are
clear and pure. Occasionally, in the
summer months, when the snow on
the mountains is melting rapidly, the
volume of water is greater and the
stream becomes raging torrent, but
even then it is clear and cold.
"While the mouth of the creek is
five miles further up the stream,
am confident that, if the matter was
thoroughly investigated by the en-
gineers who will make the prelimin-
ary plans for the proposed new sys-
TEN for Aberdeen and Hoquiam, they
would decide that the extra expense
of laying the pipe line few miles
further would be more than repaid
by the quality and volume of the wat
er thus secured. The contour of the
country is such that the pipe line
could easily be extended to Big Creek
and l am confident that, if you do not
go to the creek at first, you will do
so eventually"
Wants Route Extended
The people of the Aberdeen Gra-
dens are also desirous that the rural
free delivery route be extended up
the east of the river ito the Forks
and say that this plan will be entire
ly feasible with the completion of the
new steel bridge across the Wishkah
at the Gardens, construction upon
which has begun. 1t is pointed out
that a route of this kind could easily
be established and, once in operation,
it would serve at least 80 families
that now secure their mail irregu-
larly and after considerable delay.