anaheim-gazette 1935-09-26

Dangerous Failures Flood Control TO THE VOTERS AND TAX-PAYERS OF ORANGE COUNTY Security from water shortage, and safety from flood damage is a primary prosperity, and growth of Orange county and its thriving cities. Ultimate progress can be gained only when every feasible and practical power to develop dependable water supplies for the future, and to provide diasters for our homes, our families, our cities, and our farms. It is a duty of government to provide every possible protection for live taxpayers rightly insist that the maximum of protection be provided. Citizens freedom from the double menace of too much water at one time,—with lives—and too little at other times—with loss of crops and investment value. We are your elected public servants. We have sought to carry out your by making every possible investigation, hiring the best engineers, and working Water Conservation program which is presented for your approval at the meeting. We are grateful to the many private citizens and water users who have assisted in harmonizing the many details of the program over the past ten years. Preparation of this program, at a cost of approximately $300,000 is a performed. In addition, we have used our best efforts to secure an outright Federal government in order to reduce by nearly half, the cost to Orange allotment is expected to be approved most any day. Unless this grant be made not be sold and will cost us nothing. by making every possible investigation, hiring the best engineers, and working with Water Conservation program which is presented for your approval at the We are grateful to the many private citizens and water users who have assisted in harmonizing the many details of the program over the past ten Preperation of this program, at a cost of approximately $300,000 is also performed. In addition, we have used our best efforts to secure an outright Federal government in order to reduce by nearly half, the cost to Orange allotment is expected to be approved most any day. Unless this grant be made not be sold and will cost us nothing. We have secured the Government's approval of the plans, we have pressed proclaim at the October 4 election, we have made all facts of the situation available program is now in YOUR hands, to approve or disapprove. It is YOUR safety program, worked out over a ten-year period at a cost your tax money, in order to protect YOUR property investments in Orange floods or drought, and to protect YOU and YOUR loved ones from the damage January 1916, when four lives were lost and thousands of acres were undamaged of rain fell in one month. As your duly elected representatives, familiar with the present situation like to see unanimous approval of the October 4 bond issue for the future Orange county which we all love. But it is YOUR program and its fate is disapprove. The bond money, when voted, is turned over to the U. S. A. values of land to be purchased will be fixed by the courts, so that personal completed when we have prepared and submitted the plan and presented to This water and flood control program is a complicated one; and that since the 1916 flood to complete the present plan designed to protect even from flood damage for all time to come, and at the same time conserve an amount per year which is now wasted. The dangerous facts of the situation, which voters should consider thoroughly before going on. FACTS WHICH POINT NEED FOR FLOOD PROTECTION 1. Most of the cities and ranches of Orange county are subject to overflow stream bed elevations are HIGHER than surrounding cities and ranches. 2. The elevation of Anaheim and vicinity is 47 FEET LOWER than the borough miles east of the city limits. 3. The old river channel ran westward between Anaheim and Fullerton, emerald and may change its course again during a major flood. No home or rainy area has been 19 years since the last big flood in 1916, and 32 years prior to 1884. No one knows when the next flood year will come, how many millions of dollars damage it will do. 4. Ten inches of rain fell in January, 1916, and another such season may include: four lives lost; 50,000 acres of farm land and 1000 acres of city acres of flooded area damaged beyond economical reclamation; 7200 acres of river sand, reducing its productivity by one-third; soil erosion very severe through productive lands; 41,350 acres moderately damaged necessitating damage to agricultural lands conservatively estimated at $1,833,500; $81,500 (3400 feet of pavement washed out); nearly all county bridges 4. It has been 19 years since the last big flood in 1916, and 32 years prior of 1884. No one knows when the next flood year will come, how many millions of dollars damage it will do. 5. Ten inches of rain fell in January, 1916, and another such season may include: four lives lost; 50,000 acres of farm land and 1000 acres of city acres of flooded area damaged beyond economical reclamation; 7200 acres river sand, reducing its productivity by one-third; soil erosion very severe through productive lands; 41,350 acres moderately damaged necessitating damage to agricultural lands conservatively estimated at $1,833,500; $81,500 (3400 feet of pavement washed out); nearly all county bridges and more than 6 miles of track washed out; large losses by other utilities to growth and development since 1916, a repetition of that flood mitigation damage in excess of $8,000,000. FACTS WHICH POINT NEED FOR WATER CONSERVATION 1. The average underground water level in the main Santa Ana basin has twelve years, and in the fall of 1934 stood generally only about 20 feet below, bringing possible danger of salt water in rusion. Former artesian wells. 2. Water level in 100 square miles along coast stands near sea level, and replenishment of this storage of vital importance by saving storm water is necessary. 3. Overdraft on Santa Ana valley underground water basin averages 40,000 gallons per day. 4. Security of city and rural property values, even at present levels, require flood control dams, with incidental conservation, offer most feasible and cost-effective means. Consider these dangerous facts, then go to the polls October 4 and vote properly course to be pursued in YOUR behalf in the future. Sincerely yours, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ORANGE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT JOHN MITCHELL, Chairman W. C. JEROME LEROY LYON WILLIAM For further detailed information call at Flood Control Office in courthouse Annex, or at telephone Santa Ana 1016 S Facts Point Needed control and water D TAXCOUNTY: damage is a prime requisite for the happiness, living cities. feasible and practical means has been taken, within future, and to provide protection against flood farms. protection for lives and propetry. Citizens and tion be provided. City and country folk alike, want at one time,—with property losses and danger to and investment values. right to carry out your will, and perform our duty, engineers, and working out the Flood control and your approval at the election Friday, October 4. er users who have voluntarily, and without pay, am over the past ten years. mately $300,000 is an official duty which we have gets to secure an outright grant of $6,374,000 from half, the cost to Orange county taxpayers, and the less this grant be made, the October 4 bond issue will DETAILED COST ESTIMATE Project No. Name Estimate 1 PRADO DAM AND RESERVOIR ... $ 7,500 2 BREA DAM AND CHANNEL ... 3 SAN JUAN DAM ... 1,000 4 CARBON DAM ... 5 FULLERTON DAM & LOFTUS DIVERSION ... 6 TRABUCO DAM ... 7 ALISO DAM ... 8 SANTIAGO DAM AND CHANNEL ... 9 SANTA ANA RIVER CHANNEL AND SPREADING WORKS ... 10 CARBON CONDUIT ... 11 BREA PIPE LINE COYOTE CREEK COOPERATIVE WORK ... Costs Estimated by District Engineers $11,500 Additional amount required by Army Engineers to be added for possible contingencies and emergencies, and possible increased costs above estimates ... $ TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ... $12,500 WATER CONSERVATION. Santa Ana basin has dropped 100 feet in the past only about 20 feet above sea level. The near sea level, and in pumping season often goes erosion. Former artesian wells entirely gone. Basin averages 40,000 acre feet per year, making by saving storm waters now wasted. Present levels, requires adequate water supplies, and is most feasible and economical source of new water. October 4 and vote your convictions as to the future. Cancerely yours, OF ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT GROY LYON WILLARD SMITH N. E. WEST Fourthhouse Annex. or at 512 North Main Stret. Santa Ana Ana 1016 Costs Estimated by District Engineers $11, Additional amount required by Army Engineers to be added for possible contingencies and emergencies, and possible increased costs above estimates TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ...$12, To be provided by Orange county Grant from U. S. Public Works and THE ENTIRE PROGR FULL And when completed it will provide the following: Protection from all future destructive floods Orange county than the entire cost of this prot Conservation of 40,000 acre feet of water p by ranchers and cities of Orange county. Replenishment of diminished underground of salt water intrusion, and reduce pumping co Elimination of dangers of erosion and the w present in a major flood. Maintenance of present Santa Ana River ch before during a major flood disaster. Increase and stabilization of both city and ment of the ground-water supply. Participation in the Federal Public Works a reduction in relief costs. Necessity For Water Bonds Oct.4 MS TO RECEIVE PROTECTIVE DAMS—TO SAVE WATER, AND PREVENT OVERFLOW DAMAGE BELOW! FILED COST ESTIMATES FOR IMPROVEMENTS Estimated Cost RESERVOIR ... $ 7,215,397 CHANNEL ... 697,943 1,077,980 481,900 & LOFTUS 149,737 617,500 119,850 ND CHANNEL 498,560 R CHANNEL ING WORKS ... 375,000 141,382 86,643 COOPERATIVE 147,108 District Engineers $11,600,000 Army Army Engineers contingencies and increased costs above $1,394,000 EXPENDITURES RAM ... $12,994,000 Estimated Will Employ for Labor Payroll 1322 men 310 days $2,310,395 202 men 222 days 262,081 341 men 287 days 568,162 169 men 261 days 255,780 58 men 131 days 44,192 248 men 235 days 338,560 56 men 182 days 59,980 214 men 183 days 269,070 156 men 145 days 133,100 59 men 145 days 50,287 24 men 145 days 21,398 Direct Labor Expenditures $4,304,000 80 Pct. of engineering, materials, and supplies costs also go to labor. District Engineers $11,600,000 Army Army Engineers contingencies and increased costs above $1,394,000 EXPENDITURES GRAM $12,994,000 Orange county bond issue ... $6,620,000 Public Works and Job Fund ... $6,374,000 A right gift and does not have to be repaid by Orange County. Unless the grant is made, will not be sold or issued. TIRE PROGRAM WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN FULL—OR NONE OF IT, provide the following: ure destructive floods. One flood such as that of 1916 might do greater damage to tire cost of this protection. a acre feet of water per year by storage in underground basin, from which it is pumped orange county. finished underground water supply which will raise water levels and reduce the menace and reduce pumping costs. of erosion and the washing away of many acres of fertile lands, which are ever Santa Ana River channel, and preventing it from changing its course as it has done disaster. on of both city and rural property values by removal of the flood menace and improvesupply. federal Public Works and job program, with some 3000 jobs provided, and consequent