The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-06-13
CEDAR CREEK STOPS
LIGHTS AND POWER
Bridges are Washed Out
and Dam is Near
Its Capacity

MACKAY, Idaho.-As a result ol
recent foods Mackay is without
lights and power. j. D. Carr, man.
ager Of the Mackay Light & Power
Co., announced Friday that the dam
age could not be repaired in less than
four or five days.
Cedar creek, which supplies water
for the plant, is running wild over
its banks, higher than 1t has ever
been, according to old-timers. The
pipe line Of the power company is
washed out and destroyed for a dis
tance Of several hundred feet, while
practically the entire line is under
mined and hanging on the few re-
naming pillars and supports.
New pipes and parts for temporary
repairs are being brought down from
the Sunbeam dam on Salmon river,
altho 1t will take several weeks to
permanently repair the damage.
Bridge Washed Out
Water in all parts Of the valley is
causing much concern, while the
river, according to Lynn Crandall,
water commissioner, is higher above
the dam than 1t has been for several
years. A bridge at Dickey was
washed out and the mail and express
stages are forced to make a detour
thru the west fields, being towed by
horses.
All heavy traffic is forbidden on
Salmon river by an order received
here from the county commissioner
The Idaho Commission & Transpor-
tati0n Co. is using nothing but light
trucks for mail and express above
Challis and heavy freight and pas
sengers are not being carried to up
per Salmon river points. The state
highway between Challis and Salmon
City is undermined and caving at
points along practically it's entire
course. All traffic is forbidden on
this road. go.
Houston bridge on Lost river, be-
low Mackay, is settling down rapidly
and Is expected to go out at any mo-
ment. It has torn partly loose from
its moorings, slipping down in the
river several inches and settling on
an incline Of twenty-five to thirty
degrees. Water is running nearly
level with the bridge at the smelter
in town and 1t is expected to go out
at any time.
Great Apprehension Felt
Many people are greatly alarmed
over the conditions and fear for the
safety of the dam is expressed. Utah
company men and LynE
however, are confident that
the dam is strong enough to hold
against much higher water than 1t at
present contains. According to Mr..
the reservoir now contains
nearly 10000 acre-feet, while its
Is $4,000 feet. The water
will be held at its present level un-
til the worst of the flood is over and
then the gates will be shut down and
the water allowed to go thru the
spillway, said Mr.. Crandall. The
valves are only about half open now,
It being feared that to open them
wide would flood the river out of its
banks and cause damage to the prop
critics lying along the banks. If any
danger seems apparent, however, the !,
gates will be opened wide, flooding
the lowlands and thus protecting the
Town and higher lands.
Despite the repeated assurances OF |
engineers and experts as to the
lam, hundreds of cars make the trip
% the reservoir daily carrying peo-
ole who wish to see the water level |
md dozen or more families have |
AIKEN tents and provisions and |
moved out on the foothills.
A large crew Of men is employed |
It the reservoir by the Utah Con-
Itruction company, and Is building
he subdam in the spillway higher,
With the intention Of holding the
water back q day or two until the
,eak of the flood is over.