anaheim-gazette 1929-06-13

Wood Opposes Flood Bonds All Known Fullerton Orchardist Gives Reasons for Objecting to the Issue George W. Sherwood of Fullerton is known authority on irrigation, is largely opposed to the invasion of 500,000 of flood control lands by large county at the glacial call June 25. In the following article has an interesting detailed description of his connection with irrigation matters in this county, and an analysis of the geologic formation in the valley where the dam is proposed to erect. He will have another article in our issue dealing with economic concerns and pointing out why, in his opinion, voters should cast their ballots against the bonds. These articles commended to the careful perusal of our readers: The writer has been urged by a number of those interested to begin a discussion of this subject to the that the issues in the impending election may become clarified. We do not know who are to be called upon to vote have definite views on the matter or any but vague knowledge of the proposed plans. The writer was connected with the management of the Anaheim Union water company continuously for someenty years as director and engineer previous to his resignation in 1920. He was president of the Santa Ana River development company for many years. He has been for a long time secretary of the Tri-Counties Reforestation committee. This introduction is for the benefit of the newcomers in our communities, who have had no part in and knowledge of the controversies former years; which resulted in the development of a very adequate water supply for the Anaheim Union Water company, and the present satisfactory conditions in the district irrigated by at company, which it is not advisable to disturb without good reason. among the water officials of the three counties, wich has been of very great value in the development of harmonious action in irrigation matters. It is very desirable that any action relating to flood control or conservation should involve 'the river as a whole. If four differences of opinion are not to be ripened into expensive litigation. Enough money has been spent in lawsuits to have solved the whole problem in a reasonable way. Let us have peace, especially as Orange county occupies the least advantageous position. "Spreading" of Waters As an outgrowth of the Tri-Counties committee the Water Conservation Association was incorporated having for its object the "spreading" of the flood waters of the river on the enormous debris cone at the mouth of the upper Santa Ana canyon. This association has under its control several thousand acres of land, procured partly by purchase and partly by arrangement with the federal government. It has constructed contour dams and spreading grounds over a considerable area, and takes water from the river, when circumstances permit, for absorption into the thick gravel deposits of the d'ebris cone. This association has been supported chiefly by voluntary contributions from the water companies of the three counties. Mr. Cuttle is its efficient president, and the directors are officials of the water companies participating. The activities of the association have been limited by the lack of sufficient funds, but this conservation project is capable of indefinite expansion. During some favorable seasons a larger amount of water has been spread, but in others like the present, little can or need be done. By voluntary agreement no water is spread at this location until the water in the river is flowing on the surface at the Chapman street bridge in Orange county. The waters of Lytle creek, the largest tributary of the Santa Ana river, are being controlled in a similar manner by spreading in the wash so that none reaches the river in ordinary seasons. There are other projects also which When we think of "The vision granite or other land that has been exuded from hard and homogeneous 16-18 of the dam site and the pro-"Redrock" is shown as Sthe surface of the river described as "shales and silt quite an impressive sound section of the dam site well plotted from the eight only one of which was considerably depth. As s geologist's report, all this sedimentary origin the strata deposited under water have vated, twisted, contorted, filled again in places by nature in past geologic state the pressure exerted on the material cracks in the have resulted. When these cracks are elevated a "fault" is formed. Many structures have been in the canyon. When the wells were being plant No.1 just below location, we called this "the clay. The sandstone exposures along the river lie seamed and can usually be pick. It may be explained uninitiated in geologic view state is solidified mud, and stones solidified sand confines the forces of nature. When reservoir was under disuse years ago, the same "be found by the engineer," of us knew enough to call. The writer doubtful o bored through the "bedrock common two-inch carpent and found pure sand." was nothing but a hunk few hundred feet further than the dam site it disappeared. What is under the "sth proposed dam site has no constrasted, and until this sufficiency of the found dam cannot be considered doubtful. Geologic Formation The cross-section of the height of 155 feet, a base of 950 feet, a length at the river level and 4,750 The president of the Santa Ana River development company for many years has been for a long time secretary of the Tri-Counties Reforestation committee. This introduction is for the benefit of the newcomers in our communities, who have had no part in and knowledge of the controversies former years; which resulted in the development of a very adequate water supply for the Anaheim Union Water Company, and the present satisfactory conditions in the district irrigated by that company, which it is not advisable to disturb without good reason. Before entering upon a discussion of the merits of the flood control and conservation project, it is desirable at the irrigation rights and present conditions on the Santa Ana river be early understood. At the present time all disputes appear to have been settled by compromise or court decisions; and the companies supplying the various communities with water are dwelling together in peace and harmony. Clouds On Horizon But there are clouds on the horizon it is alleged that in view of the increased use of water, and the gradual decline of the ground water plane in most places during the dry seasons of the last few years, that the water resulting from floods, which occasionally flows down the river to the ocean must be "conserved" and used to refill the depleted water-strata. It is also alleged that these floods do considerable damage which is desirable and profitable to avert. During the past three years a survey has been in progress under the supervision of the state engineer to determine the best methods of obtaining these objectives. One-half of the cost was paid by the state, one-half by the three counties. A few months ago, the report of the survey was filed but it is not yet available for the general public and its findings are not generally known in detail. It is understood however, that the recommendations are for dams in the upper Santa Ana canyon; and the most intensive use of the debris cone for spreading purposes. The cost was estimated in excess of $30,000,000. A bill authorizing the organization of a district embracing the three counties was passed in 1919, but on account of certain features affecting its constitutionality was amended by the legislature of 1927, and it is now supposed to be in working order. In the meantime, Orange county has had authority conferred on it by the last legislature to organize a flood control district of its own. Following a preliminary report by J. B. Lippincott several years ago, new surveys and estimates have been authorized and completed for a flood control and conservation plan of its own without relation to the two upper counties. This report was filed with and accepted by the board of supervisors on May 7. An election has been called for June 25 for the issuance of $16,500,000 in bonds to prosecute the work during game favorable seasons a larger amount of water has been spread, but in others like the present, little can or need be done. By voluntary agreement no water is spread at this location until the water in the river is flowing on the surface at the Chapman street bridge in Orange county. The waters of Lytle creek, the largest tributary of the Santa Ana river, are being controlled in a similar manner by spreading in the wash so that none reaches the river in ordinary seasons. There are other projects also which tend to reduce or eliminate the flood waters. There is now no disposition to deprive Orange county of its share of the flood waters, but if Orange county elects to form a separate and independent district, and go it alone, this action will abrogate, the present purely voluntary agreement which has no legal status. The water shortage in the upper counties is quite as acute as it is said to be in Orange county, and they may be depended on to take care of their own interests, by retaining much of the water. The water conservation association has filed on flood waters to the extent of 250,000 miners' inches. If Orange county withdraws, and disrupts the present arrangements, the upper counties are in a position to adopt the plans for dams in the upper Santa Ana canyon suggested in the state report, and take all the water they can handle. The limits of this article preclude the extended discussion of this phase of the matter at the present time. Flood Waters The flood waters seem to be anybody's game, and if two districts are formed and rivalry for the water ensues there may be trouble ahead. It would seem plausible that any plans for flood control and conservation should include the river as a whole under one direction with rights fully defined, and if possible fortified by stipulated court decisions, as has been done in the case of the principal water companies as to the normal surface flow. On the lower river according to credible newspaper reports, the flood waters of Santiago creek are to be cared for by private interests. These waters have been the cause of much of the flood troubles in the lower sections. The whole subject of flood control is so complicated by riparian and vested rights that haste action by a portion of the interest involved will certainly lead to litigation. This is especially true with regard to the lower canyon, where cutting off the very considerable underflow would interfere with existing rights of long standing. This subject naturally divided into three heads: First the political. Is it best to consider the river as a whole continuing the present amicable arrangement, and the evident disposition of the leaders in the upper counties to be fair and considerate, or to invite rivalry and disruption of the common two-inch carpenter and found pure sand. Was nothing but a hunk few hundred feet further; dam site it disappeared. "What is under the "st proposed dam site has no obstruction, and until this sufficiency of the found dam cannot be considered doubtful." Geologic Formation The cross-section of the a height of 155 feet, a base of 950 feet, a length at the river level and 4,750 where the width will be 3 enormous structure is allowed a capacity equal to twiceume of the flood of 191 acre feet. As no more than a mile ever made of the volume flood, which was exception never occur again, it is designation of reservoir capacity far greater than used. It would seem sufficient a capacity based on that larger flood flows when tributed over a greater leniand provide a spillway pass any exceptional flood component once in a century. The portion of the flood will be withheld eventually upper counties will be large reduce the necessary capa In the meantime, Orange county has had authority conferred on it by the last legislature to organize a flood control district of its own. Following a preliminary report by J. B. Lippincott several years ago, new surveys and estimates have been authorized and completed for a flood control and conservation plan of its own without relation to the two upper counties. This report was filed with and accepted by the board of supervisors on May 7. An election has been called for June 25 for the issuance of $16,500,000 in bonds to prosecute the work. By a provision slipped into the law authorizing the district, a majority will carry the bonds, instead of two-thirds, as is usual and proper. Dam Main Feature The main feature of the scheme is a dam in the Santa Ana river, with other dams on the smaller streams. The flood waters are to be retained by the dam and released gradually. No attempt to permanently store any of the water is to be made, and no new lands will be irrigated. The main dam has been located, not at the Prado site as most people think, but at the head of the old Anaheim canal, where it will cover the present pumping plant No. 1 of the Anaheim Union Water company and drown several miles of the main canal. It will also put out of commission the pipe line to Yorba by which their right of 200 inches is served on the low level from this plant No. 1. About 1907 the Tri-Counties Reforestation committee was organized, consisting of twelve members from each of the three counties. It has since functioned without interruption with Francis Cuttle as chairman. Its purposes are: Co-operation with federal and state governments for regulation of flow of Santa Ana river and its tributaries; comprehensive plan of conservation; reclamation flood control for the entire watershed by reforestation, afforestation, check dam, sinking water on debris cones and bank protection. This committee, whose members are mostly connected with the various water companies, has been instrumental in creating a better understanding, and a spirit of co-operation vested rights that nasly action by a portion of the interest involved will certainly lead to litigation. This is especially true with regard to the lower canyon, where cutting off the very considerable underflow would interfere with existing rights of long standing. This subject naturally divided into three heads: First the political. Is it best to consider the river as a whole continuing the present amicable arrangement of the leaders in the upper counties to be fair and considerate, or to invite rivalry and disruption of the amble entente now prevailing. Second the economic. Is it desirable to rush into the expenditure of the huge sum of money proposed, involving the reconstruction of the railroad and high ways, the disruption of the means of communication with the interior counties for several years, the necessary interference with the flow of water in the canals of the two water companies during construction, the transfer of the control of the canals to a district board, etc. The location of the dam is at a point where it will cause the greatest destruction to property that could have been selected anywhere in the canyon. The estimates state that it will take over $6,000,000 to replace the railroad, canals, highways, etc., that will be destroyed, and require relocation and reconstruction. The enormous highway traffic will be disrupted and have an added elevation of 200 feet to surmount, the service of the canals supplying more than 25,000 acres of orchards will be endangered. The present large underflow of the river will be cut off from those who have acquired a right to its use, and the lives and property of a large population will be threatened by the construction of a dam on the alluvial soil of the river bottom. The safety of a dam depends primarily on its foundation, which must be of sufficient strength to sustain the weight of the dam. It must be impermeable to the water pressure in the reservoir and have ample and efficient spillways. To secure the necessary impermeability, the foundation must be carried down to and into bedrock. When we think of "bedrock" we vision granite or other igneous rock that has been exuded from below, and is hard and homogeneous. On pages 16-18 of the report are cross-sections of the dam site and the proposed dam. "Bedrock" is shown as 85 feet below the surface of the river bed. This is described as "shales and sandstones of the Lower Puente Series," which has quite an impressive sound. The cross-section of the dam site was apparently plotted from the eight holes shown only one of which was bored to any considerable depth. As shown by the geologist's report, all this region is of sedimentary origin, the strata of which deposited under water have been elevated, twisted, contorted, eroded and filled again in places by the forces of nature in past geologic ages. From the pressure exerted on the contracting material cracks in the earth's crust have resulted. When the sides of these cracks are elevated or depressed a "fault" is formed. Many such broken structures have been detected in the canyon. When the wells were bored at pumping plant No. 1 just below the dam location, we called this "bedrock" blue clay. The sandstone exposed at many places along the river is soft and seamed and can usually be dug with a pick. It may be explained to those uninitiated in geologic vocabulary that shale is solidified mud, and the sandstones solidified sand compressed by the forces of nature. When the Yorba reservoir was under discussion many years ago, the same "bedrock" was found by the engineer, though none of us knew enough to call it "shale." The writer, doubtful of the facts, bored through the "bedrock" with a common two-inch carpenter's augur and found pure sand. The bedrock was nothing but a hunk of mud. A few hundred feet further north from the dam site it disappeared altogether. What is under the "shale" at the proposed dam site has not been demonstrated, and until this is done, the sufficiency of the foundation of the dam cannot be considered other than doubtful. Geologic Formation The cross-section of the dam shows a height of 155 feet, a width at the base of 950 feet, a length of 1,700 feet at the river level and 4,750 feet on top reservoir. To build a reservoir before these factors are reasonably ascertained, and creating a great unissued capacity will not only be very costly, but will render us ridiculous. The reservoir as planned would submerge the canals of the water companies, the A.U.W.Co.'s at 60 feet, and the S.A.V.I.Co.at 15 feet of water in the reservoir at the dam. What would happen to the canals is dismissed with a single paragraph on Page 25 of the report. It is stated that the A.U.W.Co.would have to be covered within the reservoir. As this canal is of very light construction, lined in part with only three inches of cement, it is not difficult to imagine what the antics of a rising flood would do to it, or what effect the pressure of 50 feet of water on top of it would have. A break in it might interrupt service for weeks. Then there is the sand problem. Great quantities of sand pass the headgate even in summer. When the water strikes the low grade of the canal it drops its load and fills up, until the present method of pumping the sand out was installed it would sometimes fill the upper half mile section in a week. How this sand flow is to be controlled, were the canal covered, is not explained. It would be impossible. The Santa Ana canal would be in worse plight, submerged twice as deeply as the A.U.W.Co.'s. To build a closed conduit to the head of the A.U.W.Co.canal" as the report dismisses the matter in a sentence, is an utter impossibility in this river-sou turbulent in flood. There is no "appendix" reference to tell how this has been worked out, or how the sand problem has been solved. Space forbids discussion of this vital subject at this time, but these belief statements should show how utterly impossible these features of the plan are. Some features of the proposed dam construction may be noted. The cross section of the dam is shown on page 18 of the report, and shows some novelties in dam construction, to the writer at least. The dam is to be constructed by the hydraulic method, that is, the sand and gravel of the river bed is to be pumped into place as shown in the section, the water to be used, presumably, to be furnished by the water company with Dr. C.L.Marlatt, in general charge of all of the work, in an inspection trip of the whole area. The university's part in connection with this fruit fly menace which now threatens our fruit interests by the appearance of the fly in another state, according to Quyley, is an educational program that will acquaint every person with the appearance of the pest in order that it may be quickly detected should it ever enter the state, in addition to giving complete support to our quarantine service. Farm center meetings and special meetings are being held by the Orange County Farm Bureau and Extension Service, where growers are given an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the fly: "There is no need to become hysterical about the fly," says Farm Advisor Harold E. Wahlberg. "It is not the purpose of the university, or its extension service, to create undue worry about the menace, but simply to furnish facts upon which the grower or the industry may make provision for emergency." Business Men to Make Tour of County A Business Men's and Bankers' Tour has been arranged by the Associated Chambers of Commerce next Monday afternoon to give an opportunity of seeing the county's water and flood problems right on the ground. Two caravans will form at Placecia and Olive simultaneously at 1:30 p.m., and will be conducted to the lower Prado dam site in the Santa Ana canyon, where Paul Bailey will explain the flood control project. A stop will also be made along the Santa Ana river to show the flood hazards to thousands of acres of tax-paying orchard and residential properties. Other stops will show typical wells where the water table has materially lowered during last decade. Pumping costs for municipal and irrigation uses have been greatly increased. Daily Radio Program Beginning cache day at 12 p.m. and continuing ten minutes, talks of inter- Geologic Formation The cross-section of the dam shows a height of 155 feet, a width at the base of 950 feet, a length of 1,700 feet at the river level and 4,750 feet on top where the width will be 30 feet. This enormous structure is alleged to furnish a capacity equal to twice the volume of the flood of 1910 or 180,000 acre feet. As no more than a wild guess was ever made of the volume of the 1916 flood, which was exceptional, and will never occur again, it is evident that the design of the reservoir provides a capacity far greater than will ever be used. It would seem sufficient to plan a capacity based on the averages of the larger flood flows which are distributed over a greater length of time, and provide a spillway capacity to pass any exceptional flood that might comp once in a century. The portion of the flood waters that will be withheld eventually by the upper counties will be large; and still reduce the necessary capacity of the Santa Fe The California Limited is faster 61% bids discussion of this vital subject at this time, but these brief statements should show how utterly impossible these features of the plan are. Some features of the proposed dam construction may be noted. The cross section of the dam is shown on page 18 of the report, and shows some novelties in dam construction, to the writer at least. The dam is to be constructed by the hydraulic method, that is, the sand and gravel of the river bed is to be pumped into place as shown in the section, the water to be used, presumably, to be furnished by the water companies. On the upper side of this sand bank or stability section, a cement "core wall" will be laid 24 inches thick at the bottom and 12 inches at the top inclined at a slope of 1% to 1. The reclining position of this "core wall" instead of the usual perpendicular, is probably to save material, which is quite an item considering the dimensions of the dam. Let us hope the sand section will not settle and cause the cement to crack. On the cement core wall will be a layer of "selected impervious material," sprinkled and rolled." Then some more sand and gravel and finally "hard rock rip-rap facing" to prevent wave action. As the water goes through this sand and gravel like it goes through a sieve, it appears that all that will prevent the salt water from sliding through the dam is the thin corewall and its scant covering of "selected, impervious material." But the most amazing feature of the dam plarre is the "cut-off wall." Two rows of "interlocking steel sheet piling" are to be driven through the 85 feet of sand several feet in the "bedrock." These will be four or five feet apart and the space between will be "grouted" by pumping cement into the space between them to make it tight. The corewall will be hitched to the pilling, presumably in a manner to withstand the pressure of 140 feet of water for which the dam is designed. Shades of San Francisco!! I hope that the reader "gets" this clearly. I will describe it in another way: The main portion of the dam or "stability section" is to be pumped into place. It will rest directly on the 85 feet of sand below the bed of the river, which will be saturated with water at all times except when the level would be lowered by pumping down below in summer or drains out it will leave voids in the sand and induce settlement in this area and the dam, which will test the strength of the reclining "core wall" and its connection with the cut-off" piling. Bear in mind that all that prevents the water from running freely under the dam to its destruction is a cut-off wall consisting of two rows of steel sheet piling four or five feet apart with the sand between "grouted" imperfectly by pumping liquid cement into the mass 85 feet deep. I need not recite the difficulty of sinkling sheet piling through 85 feet of sand interspersed with boulders and keeping them tight 6 Reasons why grow higher by mass through Excl Continuous Supply. Because it represents even citrus producing area in the state, the California Fruit Growers Exchange is able to keep the trade continuously supplied throughout th Limited is faster 61¼ hours to Chicago The time formerly made by The CHIEF No extra fare Fred Harvey Dining, Lounge & Club Cars The Grand Canyon The Indian-Detour. Santa Fe Ticket Office and Travel Bureau C. A. WALKER, Agent Anaheim, California Phone 217 It will leave holds in the sand and induce settlement in this area and the dam, which will test the strength of the reclining "core wall" and its connection with the "out-off" piling. Bear in mind that all that prevents the water from running freely under the dam to its destruction is a cut-off wall consisting of two rows of steel sheet piling four or five feet apart with the sand between "grouted" imperfectly by pumping liquid cement into the mass 85 feet deep. I need not recite the difficulty of sinking sheet piling through 85 feet of sand interspersed with boulders and keeping them tight and in line. The 85-foot pilos are to be driven into the "bedrock" to seal the connection. I hope that they have developed some sort of x-ray apparatus by which they can tell whether they are on the bottom or roosting on a boulder. This 5-foot cut-off wall is to withstand a theoretical pressure of 220 feet, which would make a concrete dam of substantial cross-section grunt. Mr. Sherwood will continue his argument against the proposed bond issue, dealing with economic aspects of the problem in an article to be published in these columns in our next issue. Quayle Returns From Fruit Fly Study H. J. Quayle, entomologist, has just returned to the Citrus Experiment Station. Rivreside, from a month's study of the Mediterranean fly in Florida, where he was sent by the University of California in order to have first-hand information on the situation there and to be prepared for any emergency should the fly be found at any time within the borders of California. Quayle had previously studied fly conditions in the various countries bordering on the Mediterranean, and in Australia and Hawaii. His headquarters in Florida were at Orlando, where he worked in the government laboratory with Dr. A. C. Baker, who was in charge of the research work in connection with the fly. He also covered at different times the various areas of infestation and the last three days of his stay were spent in com- operating with radio station KFI. The farm advisor announces the following daily program: June 17—"Organic Fertilization in Citrus Orchards." M. B. Rounds, Los Angeles county farm advisor. June 18—"The Mediterranean Fruit Fly," R. S. Woglum, entomologist, California Fruit Growers Exchange. June 19—"Eradication vs. Control," A. E. Bottel, Horticultural CommisSIONer, Rivereide county. June 20—"A Message from the Forest Rangers," by one of the Forest Rangers from the U.S. Forest Service. June 21—"Citrus Soil Management," V. F. Blanchard, Farm Advisor Ventura county. June 22—"Care of Birds During the Summer Months," Captain Ray Delhauer, Chaffey Junior College, Ontario. Will your residence telephone be idle this summer? Please notify us so that we can give you the benefit of our vacation rates. You may have your service suspended for any period between one and eight months, with no delay for resuming service. For details please call our "Business Office." THE PACIFIC TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY Reasons why citrus growers get higher returns by marketing through the Exchange Because it represents every area in the state, the Cali-ars Exchange is able to keep usly supplied throughout the use and good-will of so valuable a trademark. 5 Complete Service. In addition to its marketing Exchange Because it represents every growing area in the state, the Californians Exchange is able to keep easily supplied throughout the city is headquarters for citrus per cent of California's crop. For marketing purposes has divided the country into each of these territories Ex-ives send daily, by telegraph data on sales conditions. Thus the best position to take in every market change for theapers. In these marketing centers maintains its own sales offices, an experienced salesmen for the presenting its shippers. For 22 years the Sunkist on continuously advertised. No emergency offers citrus growers the accumulated advantages of national advertising or the use and good-will of so valuable a trademark. Complete Service. In addition to its marketing service the Exchange operates a supply company, by-products plant research laboratory, pest-control bureau, traffic and claim department, dealer service department and other similar facilities in order to conserve and increase the grower's returns. Lower Cost. The enormous volume of fruit handled by the Exchange makes possible this complete service at a cost that is lower than the marketing expense alone of any other agricultural product. Every cent over the actual operating cost goes to the grower. All of these forces are operating for the benefit of Exchange members every day in the year. Learn what they might do for you by talking to the manager of your nearest District Exchange or Exchange Association. Or address Growers Service Bureau, California Fruit Growers Exchange, Box 530, Station "C," Los Angeles, California, for further information. Oranges Sunkist Lemons Grapefruit