Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-02-03
DAM BURSTS;
. 50 REPORTED DEAD
| AND MANY MISSING
Wall of Water Sweeps Through
Otay Valley South of San
Diego Bodies Car
| ried Out to Sea.
PROPERTY DAMAGE HEAVY
California and Entire Pacific
Slope Swept By Most Dis
astrous Storm In Years
Rivers Rising,
PROPERTY DAMAGE HEAVY

San Diego. Cal. Jan. 3i,-Relief
sion of motor trucks left here today
for the stricken Otay valley, Is miles
to the south. where the bursting of the
lower Otay dan late Thursday ioosed
l3, 000, 600. 900 gallons of water upon the
little streak of arabic land between
ridges of hills and drowned probably
so persons. The motor trucks carried
provisions for the survivors in the
valley, tools and pontoons for fording
swollen stream where bridges are
out. The pace of the relief expedition.
1t was thought, would depend upon the
slower vehicles. All communication
with the valley and the little town OF
Otay. az it's foot, remained cut OFF.
San Diego. tby radio to Los Angelesp,
Jan. 29.-No change had been made
early today in estimates fixing at 81
the loss OF life in the Otay valley flood.
When the lower dam Of the Southern
California Mountain Water company
broke late Thursday, it released a flood
of II 900. 000. 600 gallons of water into
the populous valley, which lies just
south OF here, devastating an area 10
miles long and two miles Wide The
property damage, it is believed. will
reach ST. 900. 600.
Another dam continued today near
the breaking point. threatening addi-
tional ruin &c the valley.
Scores Are Missing.
Scores of persons were reported
missing and ii was believed that n
number of bodies were carried out to
sea.
Rescue parties were striving to reach
the scene. approach to which is ex-
tremely difficult. owing to swollen
streams and the fact that all of the
bridges between San Diego n the lit
tie valley have been carried ava by
the flood waters OF the last w weeks.
All roads are virtually impossible.
Hundreds of families cut off from
communication with the outside world,
were believed to be threatened with a
food famine. Suffering among the
homeless was said to be intense.
Plans were being made here to send
relief supplies into the flooded district
MS DOR as possible.
One report stated that 25 Japanesc
including men. women and children,
We're killed when the dam broke. re
leasing a wall of water so feet high.
Twenty-Five farm houses were
known to nave been swept ava by
the waters.
Warning Not Needed.
The heavy rains curing the past two
way liz III w way hdI " lllt
first time in its history. Realizing thf
dan was weakening under the great
pressure of water. warnings were sen;
to the people in the valley to flee 70.
their lives.
1t was UNDECIDED by many according
to reports here. the residents in the
valley prefcrring to remain and en-
deavor to protect their property.
Although the cmptied reservoir was
the principal source of the San Dieg,
city wafer supply. there was no danger
of a water famine here, 1T was said by
officials. as there are other sources
from which the city car draw an ampl,
amount.
There has been no means of com
munication with the valley. either b.
telephone or by telegraph. since the gal,
and rain storm, which swept this city
early Wednesday morning. For thi:
, reason. it has been impossible to OBJ
tain but meager details.
Engineering parties n civil au
thoriticS Joined the rescue parties
! which FASTENED today to the site of tn,
lower OtaY dam. II miles southeast o
| here. An investigation OF encincerini
methods will he made, 1T was stated
and will be Of particular interest il
this case, because the lower dam wa
of unusual construction.
An Unusual Dam.
The dam was 100 feet high and wa,
of the loose rock type. with concret'
side walls. In the center was imbedde,
n core of riveted steel. the object be
ine IL make q water-tight dam, with
out building q solid concrete one. TIL
| masonry structure. in fact, was frs
intended and foundations We're lai'
for it. The change created consider
able interested speculation among en-
e%ineers at the time. and n text o.
reservoirs, d~iscussinr 1t. declared tina
| unless the dam had filled and rename,
filled for a considerable period. no on
| would be able to say whether or no
the design woul be a success
Whether any money was saved b
making the change. the same %authorit
said could not be determined.
The dam stood 40 feet from f0unda
tons. The outlet, however, was at 4
foo contour. making only the uppe
50 feet effective for staage OF wate,
The 'ty. some Is miles up San deg
bay from the entrance of Otay creel
! was in no direct danger from the floo
| at ans time. hut its water supply, com
ing largely from the system Of whic
the lower OtaY dan was a part. wa
curtailed today and National City an
| Chulavista. suburbs. were reported Gu
| off from usual water sources alto
| gether.
Persons familiar with the countr
! said odav that the loss of life an
! greatest damage undoubtedly occurre
close to the dam. and hat in the lowe
| valley. which IS broad. property dam
age would he great. but loss of lif
unlikely.
News DELAYED.
Otay creek eupties in the very for
Of San Diego hay and wrecked ranc
| honse and dead animals. borne I
mics north in the bay by the currer
or the flood. brouglt first intimatior
here that a o had occurred. &c
many hours. after the disaster. n
word OF il had traversed the ridges ]
miles from otay creek to this city.
Only the scarcity of water. whic
prevented the irritation of consider
able agricultural AND is credited wit
keeping the loss of life MS low as
was. The i~rriwated portions i.eriy
their water largely from wells, a systel
! perhaps host known through the lit
landers colony in the reafby Tiajuan
valley. which was not s:.lrh by tn
flood, bur suffered several. ON rain