The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1924-06-25
Power Shortage Threatens
FaIIon Business Section
City Council Considering Installation Of In
dependent Plant. Quick Action Neces-
sary To Save Situation.

shown by the several insurance
agents of this city that should the
city go back to kerosene lights that
it would increase the insurance rates
and II is possible that in some instan
ces that II would cancel contracts.
Several of the merchants of this
city have figured on installing inde.
pendent lighting and power plants.
Those who have contemplated this
move punched their estimates and 1t
was found that over $4,000 would
be necessary to light but portion of
the business districts. This Is half
of the cost of the proposed power
system.
Must Have Water
That an independent plant will
have To be provided at the city water
plant is admitted. This is az neces-
sary as daylight, and irrespective of
what else happens this plant will
have to be equipped for such an en-
ergency. This cost is estimated at
$1,000.
Without this plant in operation
practically all insurance is involved.
The city people have equipped for
modern conveniences in homes. a
sewer system has been installed and
this must be flushed and taken care
Of. without power none OF this can
be done, and II is not a question OF
sentiment or expense as Fallon mus.
maintain It's water system as mat
ter of safety to the people who have
their money invested.
Those who are figuring on an elec.
trio service plant point out that prac-
tically a sixth of the cost Is involved
in the power service that must be
installed at the water pump station.
Gambling with Nature
Engineers who have visited the
dam are OF the opinion that there
will be water enough TO finish the
crops but not enough to furnish
power. Every day the pressure gauge
at the dam Is dropping and II IL bur
a question of weeks when there will
be a shortage. A look at the reser-
voir and the new appearing islands is
convincing proof of the draw off for
irrigation and power. Estimates fur
nished last week show that July and
August will take approximately 100.-
900 acre feet of water from the dam.
Following the draw off there Is a
big gamble with nature ahead, as 1t
is going to take considerable time to
refill the reservoir. Should storms
be late there can be little run off, as
cold weather does not fill the rivers
and with the low pressure In both
the Truckee canal and the dam II is
doubtful IL there will be sufficient
water to keep the turbines turning
The gamble on water conditions is
for more than this fall. Unless there
is heavy winter II Is question as
to refilling the reservoir. There is
no guarantee that the normal
amount of moisture will fall In the
Sierras and should there be another
light winter the filling of Lahontan
Is problematical. All these conditions
are being considered by the city
council and 1t is realized that the
situation is critical.
Question OF Time Limit
In order to meet the situation time
is a factor. II is realized that legal
matters turn slowly and decision
must be had almost Immediately. In
order to carry on a bond issue 10
meet the emergency II is necessary
10 advertise for four weeks. then the
filing of objectors must be consid-
cred, which might delay this imper-
ative action.
Another source of revenue Is pos
sible through an emergency loan
from the state, which could later be
taken care of through a bond issue
All of this procedure would have TO
lave quick action or this city will
feel the want of power and lights. II
10 conceded that there is too much
property value involved within the
city that needs protection by light to
be allowed to pass into jeopardy
through lack of power.
The meeting last Tuesday evening
with the business men present with
members OF the council plainly dem
onstrated that they would insist on
relief. II the plant was but for few
weeks operation there is doubt as TO
the investment, but with the facts
that are shown by state wide water
conditions. and little or no prospect
for moisture relief, the consideration
of a permanent plant for this city
must have consideration.
Reservoir Short
AS has been stated In the Standard
on several occasions the Lahonta tar
reservoir is short of water and ha: