Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-02-06
RESERVOIRS WILL
Be INSPECTED BY
STATE ENGINEER
Precautions to Be Taken to
Prevent Disaster When
High Water Comes in the
Spring.

Every public and privately owned
reservoir used for the impounding OF
water in Idaho will be carefully M
vestigated and examined before the
spring floods set in by the state en-
gineer so that there will not be re-
peated In Idaho a similar disaster to
the one that visited southern Califor-
mia, IL 1t is within the power of the
state to prevent it. State Engineer
Smith will start soon on the trip OF
inspection and will have the assistance
of an able corps of engineers.
The state land board decided at
meeting yesterday to take action OF this
kind Idaho has numerous reservoirs,
especially in the arid section, many OF
which are made to impound water
through the construction of dams. This
is true with regard to irrigation prof.
ect reservoirs as well as of reservoirs
used for the impending of domestic
water for consumption in cities, towns
and villages.
The heavy SHOWS of the present win
ter are almost unprecedented in the
history of the state. There is more
snow on the water sheds of many of
the valleys and of many streams than
has fallen for years. There is also
heavy snow on the lower lands, in the
valleys and along the plains Spring
will soon be ushered in over Idaho and
the melting SHOWS will cause swollen
streams and fill many of the reservoirs
to overlooking. The thaw later in the
spring along the water sheds will set
adrift a great surplus of water, much
of which will be caught in the reser-
voirs. To be able to hold this surplus
the reservoirs will have to be in the
best possible condition. Should any
of them be weak and break. disaster
might follow, not only resulting in the
loss of life, but damage to great deal
Of valuable property.
The state land board discussed the
advisabiity of taking the necessary
precautions regarding the inspection of
all reservoirs and after looking at the
matter from all angles decided that
steps along this line should be taken.
The state engineer was considered the
proper person to make such an inspec-
ton on behalf of the state and de-
cision was reached to direct him to
proceed with it as soon as possible.
Governor lnstructs Engineer.
In connection with this subject Gov
ernor Alexander addressed the follow
ing letter to the state engineer:
February 5, 1916.
Hon. j. Fl. Smith,
State Engineer,
Boise. Idaho.
Dear Sir:
Owing to the extraordinary snowfall
throughout the state, and the probable
great increase in the flow of water on
account thereof. should circumstances
/ be favorable. there will in all probable
f ity be an immense amount of water i'm
| pounded or stored in the Jarious reser
voirs throughout the state.
II therefore suggest that you inves
tigate all reservoirs storing water re-
lative to their safety to withstand the
extra pressure as this is a precaution
we owe to the people living Hereunder
kindly ascertain IL the spillways are
sufficiently large to carry off the sur
plus of water, and examine each and
every Reservoir. public or private, in
regard to their ability to withstand eX-
ira pressure. If you find any repairs
are necessary, notify the parties In
charge thereof at once, and il your
order is not promptly complied with,
bring II to the attention Of the attorney
general and governor of the state.
Yours respectfully.
IN. ALEXAN DER,
Governor"