The Spectator., 1916-02-15
CREST OF FLOOD AT HELENA AT STAGE OF 53.3 FEET-TEM.
 PORARY RELIEF SECURED.
BREAK CAUSE LOWER STAGE
While Crest of Flood Has Reached Helena in Advance of Predicted Date, Engineers Did Not Think
 the Stand Was Temporary.
Little Rock

Little Rock | The gauge reading at Arkansas City | was 56.4 feet, while the reading at | Helena was 53.3 feet.
 The fact that the crest had reached Helena was but further instance If the vagary of the great river as ex- hibited throughout it's length during the present food
 | The showing of the Helena gauge | was explained, in part, by engineers l at Memphis as due to the fall in the White and Arkansas rivers. The less- ening of the volume of waters in those streams made its effect felt up the | river as far as Helena
 A further fall of two.tentl.s of a foot in the Mississippi River at Mem l phis was reported, the gauge standing | at 432 feet.
 The return of government engI- I neers from the lower end of the White River Levee District, which is the terminus of the jurisdiction of the To- cal engineer Once, brought no alarm ing reports of conditions there except that the engineers, as they have stated all along. regard the critical spot in the leyee system as in that locality.
 At many places the waters now are above the level of the low line of levee, no enlargement work having been done for practically a front of 30 miles since the l912-13 floods. The sacking of this long stretch of line is the sole reason the waters are not now pouring over.
 In many other places the water is at level with the top of the levee and the sacks only are above the water. Where dependence is placed entirely on sacks on the top of the line there consequently always is the possibility of danger.
 The remarkable strength of the low levees in withstanding the strain is source of qualification to the govern ment and state engineers
 With the crest at Helena and near Arkansas City the outlook cannot but be better for the low levee lines.
 The points on the far lower river still have their crisis to survive, but telegraphic reports indicate that the workers have been out in force and hopes are high of holding back the waters at all points.
 The reports from the upper valleys were favorable. The Ohio River was falling at all points. decline of two. tenths of a foot being reported from Paducah. where the river was at stand. Shawneetown also reported the same amount O. fall.
 The weather in the upper valleys was cool and the Skies were clear.
 Observers of the situation believe the crisis has passed unless unusual conditions prevail between now and the time the river gets back to it's banks.
 The fall at Memphis almost can be seen At least, by setting up mark on the wharf, a few hours will note the recession of the water therefrom
 Along the wharf for its full length a ragged line of the fiotsam and jet sam deposited by the river in its fall was to be seen. The distance be- tween the line of debris and the wa ter's edge was more than a man could span in a step. At this rate the hose lines will be brought into action by the wharfmaster to clear away the sediment which will be left exposed as the waters depart within the week
 Without break in the levee line from Cape Girardeau to the Head of record. Likewise the wisdom of at once bringing every levee line to the standard height set by government engineers has been demonstrated and there is no doubt but enlargement work will be brought about every where with this end in view.
 The present flood, coming as it has with the National Congress in session and the sending of survey party cf House members down the river next week. will be most decided impetus for loosening of the purse strings Tor river improvement work. Also the movement put on foot by the Missis. sippi River Levee Association to have the river placed under separate commission and 10 have an appropria- ton separate from the rivers and har- bors act, will be given a decided boost.