Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-01
REGULATES HEIGHT OF
STREAM AT -12OJ
CHICAGO DATUM
CITY CAN PROTEST
PROVIDES THAT FORMAL OBJEc-
TONS CAN BE FILED IN CASE
SEWAGE SYSTEMS ARE I'M.
PAIRED BY EXCESS FLOW IN
RIVER.

That the Lowden waterway bin
throws ample protection around Otta
wa, as safeguards against floods. reg.
ula.ing the height of water and pre-
venting destructian of the city's vast
sewer system, is the Chamber Of Com
merce verdict after a close scrutiny
of the pending legislation which now
is before both branches of the Illinois
legislature.
Chairman Clarence Griggs of the
Chamber of Commerce waterway com
mittee has just completed very
careful study of the law, followinr
which he has reached the decision
that all the features embodied in the
Dunno No. 3 plan, which has been
modified to meet Governor Lowden's
requirements, are contained in the
bin which now seems CERTAIN Of pas
sage before the present legislature ad
journs, The bill was drawn by
Charles r. Woodward of the law firm
of Woodward e Hibbs of Ottawa
Mr.. Woodward is Governor Lowden's
personal counsel ON all importan
matters effecting state legislation IN
the Chamber OF Commerce report II is |
pointed out that the waterway starts |
at the end OF the sanitary district |
channel at Lockport and runs to Utica |
The general route is by way OF the |
Illinois and Despaines rivers. but II |
at any point ii is not practicable o.
feasible to use the river sections ci
the Illinois Canal may be used OF
channels constructed outside of the
rivers. The minimum depth in earth
sections is eight feet and in rock see
lions ten feet. The minimum widtl
of locks is ITO feet and the minimum
length 600 feet The department 0.
public works and buildings has large
powers in relation to the construction
and maintenance of the waterway. Al
land taken or damaged will be paid
for
Section II provides that Wharcve
in the construction maintenance. use
and operation of the waterway exist
ing drainage or sewer systems con.
structed or maintained in any city are
destroyed or materially interferad {
with the department Of public works I
and buildings, at its own expense | )
shall alter, rebuild or reconstruct
them, so as to restore the same to as
good efficiency as found when the |
work began. Section Is provides that
when the plans and specifications ahani
nave been perfected they shall first be
submitted to the city councils and VII
age boards OF the cities and villages
along the line of the waterway before
construction is commenced.
The city council may then, within q
thirty days, file objections. if the L
)lans do not provide adequate pro 5
ection against damage from overfor "
n food water, or do not provide ade f
luately for the altering. rebuilding or II
construction OF the drainage or sewer il
ystems, or public works and bridges r
which will be inteTfered with. or il e
hey do not provide for the proper 10 r.
'ation of public landing places The Il
ill provides that on the fling of such {;
objections the department viii en- Il
eavor to adjust any differences. Ii
ound necessary to review or check @
he plans, the Directing city may EN- a
10y an engineer at the expense of the
department.. If the two cannot agree
he circuit judge shall appoint a third. l.
nd the decision of a majority of the
oard is final.
Section 20 provides that in the con
tructiOn of the waterway through OF
ava the elevation of the water level Y
I normal stage at the Illinois River IT
ridge shall not exceed the elevation ia
I minus 1909 feet, Chicago city Il
alum. tit is stated that this repre- al
ents the water at Ottawa ten feet al
bove low water mark) This section "
specially provides that any dam con
Lructed shall be of such design that ia
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