The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-05-28
RIVER DEFENSES.

EVERYONE agrees that something must be done for permanent
r. protection of this city and the valley lands from future Hood
menace and damage. There is considerable difference Of opin-
ron as 70 Just Jus, VIVA. should oe done. Ihere Is DC bound ~ s 20 . !, 0s c eorrS
it ont. That course, if i proves effective in flood protection, Is going
20 cost a lot Of money. II becomes a question OF getting the most
for the money,
The county records show that an average of $4,000 a year has
been spent by this county during the past ten years for flood pro
lection. Events OF the past few days demonstrate that tins Is the KIND
Of proection that does no protect. The county has never had enough
are that If the established policy is followed, it never will have any
more money than it has at present We have reached the limit Of Of
this county. We cannot increase those valuations much except by
providing. first, drainage Of the lands second, protection from floods
The two go together. Any system Of Drainage involves adequate
river defcnses. eianneling, etc. Adequate river defeuses, to be made
effective, must include a comprehensive drainage system
II would be nice to have a concrete highway across the top of
the Alameda dyke. 1t would make necessary the raising of the EN-.
bankmens and would add weight and stability to it. Also il would
cost a minimum Of $4,000 more than the appropriation for the high
would 81 have our old friend the Rio Grande breaking through at a
dozen other points, causing alarm to Albuquerque and damage direct
and indirect. Although no water came within four miles OF the city
limits and although there was no real danger o. flood water in our
streets. the recent flood alarm has dropped the value Of every dol
lars worth OF real estate m Albuquerque Inc alarm mas made prop
erty here worth less money. II any doubt exists al TO what II has
done to farm land values just go out and try to sell IA tract of land
on the lower valley, or river level
Albuquerque is interested in far more than a temporary solution
fufne depends upon a comprehensive plan Of river protection and
drainage combined, which win be a final solution Of this ever pres
emit menacc 10 properly and property values, TO growth and stability
If This is the psychological time for providing flood protection { is
equally the time to provide drainage. Put the reverse English ON that
and you have the situation as it exists here today. 1t seems to us
that the course is plain.
As for that minor but vigorously active menace, the mosquitoes,
there is only one solutions to get rid Of stagnant water permanently
River embaukments mean nothing in the young life Of the Rio Grande
viii not phase the mosquito. We can sprinkle oil about and grease
up the entire landscape and the mosquito will be with us still. The
oil remedy has been tried and has been found no more than an ex-
pensive irriant. The only care FOR the mosquito pest is 90 wipe out
be done only by draining the whole valley.
AGE Every tune Hood ''i''''' are mentioned to '''-''"' D'N'N
Every time a mosquito bites you on the ear-think DRAINAGE.
Next July l when you hustle over to pay the last half OF your
taxes and groan at the size Of the same-ihink DRAINAGE
DRAINAGE