Yuba County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 9 Floods And Flood Control 1924
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Book Title: History Of Yuba And Sutter Counties

CHAPTER IX 
FLOODS AND FLOOD CONTROL 

NOTABLE FLOODS 

    The condition of the valley in the matter of floods, prior to its occupation
by the white race, is impossible to ascertain with any degree of certainty. The
Indians, however, have a tradition of a great flood sometime in the early part
of the century, probably in 1805, which inundated the whole valley and in which
a great many lives were lost and many native villages destroyed. This flood
marked an era in their calendar from which they dated events. Again, we hear of
a flood in the winter of 1825-1826, through Indian Peter. He used to say that
the trapping party he was with was compelled to camp in the Buttes on account of
high water, and that these hills were full of grizzlies, elk, antelope, and
smaller game that had taken refuge there. The early settlers speak of floods in
the winter of 1846-1847, which did but little damage simply because there was
not much to be injured. The season of 1849-1850 was also a wet one, and the
streets of Marysville were for a time muddy and almost impassable. The miners
along the river were compelled to work in the creeks and ravines in the hills
until the waters subsided. There was still but little property to be injured,
except mining dams, etc., and the loss was small in consequence. 

The Floods of 1852-1853 

    In the winter of 1852-1853, the city of Marysville was visited with four
floods and the surrounding country was more or less under water the whole
season. The rains commenced earh' in November, 1852, and towards the latter part
of the month the water was as high as it had reached the season before. Again, a
week or two later, water rose six and a half inches higher than at first. The
water then subsided; but the last week in December was one of continual rain,
and on the 31st water began to come into the city. The rivers were both very
high; and the water in Yuba River was hacked up by that in the Feather, and thus
found its way into the streets. The next day the water was twenty and one-half
inches higher than during the last flood, and was from six to ten inches deep on
the floors of the buildings about the Plaza. There had been a grand ball
projected at the Merchants' Hotel for New-year's eve, but when the hour arrived
the hotel was surrounded by water. Several young men, loath to lose their
anticipated pleasure, proceeded to the hotel in boats, and with a number of
ladies residing there danced until morning. All the low and bottom lands were
completely submerged by this flood, and as it was the first experience of the
kind the new ranchers had undergone up to this time, they lost very heavily in
stock, crops, etc. Communication of the city with the outside world, and between
the farmers, had to be maintained by boats. People were compelled to come to the
city in boats in order to obtain supplies, and trading to the mines was
effectually blockaded for some time. The continuous rains and almost impassable
muddy roads had been such a drawback upon freighting that a great stringency of
supplies was caused in the mines. At the earliest possible moment, a number of
energetic and enterprising men started out trains with supplies, hoping to reach
the destitute regions before the markets were supplied, and thus reap a
bountiful harvest of gold to reward them for their labor. Those who reached the
mines first were amply rewarded for their exertions, and were able to secure any
price their conscience would permit them to ask, such as a dollar per pound for
flour, and twenty-five cents per pound for hay. 

    The fourth and last flood of the season commenced to assert itself on
Saturday. March 25, 1853, and on Tuesday the water reached a point eight inches
higher than in January. Both the residents in the city and the farmers had
gained valuable and costly experience by the previous freshets; and though the
water was higher, and a week passed from the time it commenced to rise until it
finally subsided, yet there was not nearly so much damage done as would have
been the case had it been the first flood. The farmers protected their property
and removed stock, etc., to higher localities; and the merchants, at the first
warning, moved their goods up on the shelves, or into the second stories, so
that when the water came, there was less for it to destroy. About $100,000 worth
of damage was done, however, in various ways. The water covered First Street,
portions of A, B, C, and D Streets, Maiden Lane and the Plaza. Boats of various
sizes, many of nondescript character, bearing external evidences of hasty and
primitive construction, flitted along the watery streets. The imprisoned
citizens leaned out from the second-story windows and merrily hailed the passing
boatmen. A ferry line was established between the Merchants' Hotel and dry land,
over which the people who boarded there passed to reach their places of
employment. The country on all sides of Marysville was under water. Yuba City
was completely flooded; the only dry spot in town was the Indian rancheria on
the bank of the river. Sutter's Garden at Hock Farm was overflowed, and water
stood on the lower floor of his house. The steamer Governor Dana, coming up the
stream on Tuesday, could proceed no farther than Hock Farm on account of the
violence of the current, and was compelled to return to Sacramento. Considerable
damage was done to the crops that had been put in by the farmers, but beyond
this the loss was small. By Saturday the waters had subsided sufficiently to
permit the pack trains to leave the city. 

Other Early Floods 

    Although every few years the water rose pretty high and covered the
lowlands, there were no further disastrous floods until December, 1861. Long and
incessant rains ushered in the rainy season, and on Saturday, December 7, the
water commenced to rise rapidly in the river. All day Sunday the rain poured
down, and that night the city was nearly under water. Early Monday morning
several buildings, undermined by the water, fell crumbling to the ground,
creating great consternation. The floors of the Merchants' Hotel fell through to
the basement, carrying with them the sleeping occupants, several of whom were
severely injured by the fall, though no one was killed. Many people were rescued
from this and from other perilous situations by some of the heroic firemen, who
worked among the crumbling ruins at the extreme peril of their own lives. A
great many frame houses floated from their positions, and some were carried down
the stream. In one of these there was a woman, whose children had been rescued
by a boat. When the boat returned for the mother, the house had been carried
down the river. Only two cases of death are recorded, however, both by drowning.
The steamer Defiance made its way through the streets, giving assistance to
those who were rescuing the unfortunate. 

    A thick deposit of sand was left on the bottom lands by this flood, varying
in depth from one to six feet, and doing an immense amount of damage. This was
the first appearance in any quantity of the disastrous "alluvial soil" that
later worked ruin and devastation to much of the valley and forced litigation in
subsequent years between the hydraulic-mining section and the valley counties.
Farm produce such as pumpkins, squash, potatoes, hay, and corn, was destroyed in
great quantities, as was also stock of all kinds. It was reported that over 100
Chinamen were drowned at Long Bar, Ousley's Bar and Sand Flat. 

    Again, a month later, on January 11, 1862, the waters rose, reaching six
inches higher than before; but now the warning of the previous flood had caused
the merchants and farmers to move everything perishable beyond the reach of
danger. The loss of stock this winter and the next summer was very great, and in
Sutter County it was estimated at three-fourths the entire number. The loss was
great in Marysville also, where but few cattle escaped except those able to
reach the Buttes; and the cold weather nipped the grass, causing large numbers
of the cattle to die of starvation. 

    The next visitation occurred on December 19, 1866. Quite a severe storm
raged for several days, and all the low land and some of the streets of
Marysville were flooded. A great deal of the levee, which was small and of
comparatively recent construction, was washed away in various places. 

The Flood of 1875 

It was, however, reserved for the year 1875 to chronicle the greatest and most
destructive flood that the annals of the city of Marysville bear. The city had
surrounded itself with a vast levee seven miles long, to construct which a vast
sum of money had been expended. To this fact is due the unusual amount of damage
experienced in that year; for relying upon their huge and expensive guardian,
the people did not take those precautionary measures formerly adopted, and when
the flood came, it swept everything before it. Even goods that were placed upon
platforms supposed to be above the reach of the water, suffered, for the water
respected nothing in the shape of traditional "high-water mark," but moved up
higher, leaving a mark that tradition was not again called upon for some time to
verify. For a week, heavy and incessant rain and snow storms prevailed,
accompanied in some instances by thunder and lightning, an unusual phenomenon in
the valley. Tuesday morning, January 19, the waters rose so as to threaten a
flood, and an alarm was sounded on 'the fire bell. The citizens all turned out
to contest the advance of the invader. The Browns Valley grade was the first
point threatened, but by diligent labor two feet of dirt were thrown up in time
to make it secure. The next weak spot to be developed was the levee near the
cemetery, where the water, already three feet deep, began to pour over the banks
for a long distance. Heroic efforts were made to stop this with sand-bags; but
these were of no avail, and at dark the work was abandoned. Then there was a
wild rush of people to get to places of safety. Large houses, churches, the
courthouse, and other buildings were thronged with people whose residences were
too insecure to be trusted. At eight o'clock in the evening, a break was made
near the hospital, and a torrent of water came sweeping down the Slough, and
spread itself over the first ward. Many women and children who had delayed their
departure had to be carried away in boats, or on the backs of the men who came
to save them. Barns, sheds, and a few frame dwellings began floating about in an
erratic manner, some of them containing people. Boats were few, and these had
plenty to do in transporting people and goods to places of safety. Rafts were
called into requisition. The water steadily advanced until Wednesday noon, when
it stood from three to five feet deep in the streets, and in some places in the
first ward ten feet deep. In most of the houses the water was from two to five
feet in depth, in some much deeper. About twenty houses alone, in the whole
city, escaped this visitation, thanks to high basements. A strong current ran
down the F Street slough, now filled in; and the site of homes and schools, to
the Yuba River, together with the whole valley, including the city, was one vast
sheet of water on a level with the rivers. When Wednesday came, it was a serious
question where a breakfast was coming from. The waters, in their angry roar, had
said to the people: "Stand not on the order of your going, but go at once"; and
go they did, making no provision for the morrow. But food was provided in
various ways; so that, although some may have feasted a little less sumptuously
than usual, no one suffered long from hunger. Those who had been so hastily
driven from their homes had nothing to wear, however, but the wet clothing in
which they had escaped, and nothing on which to sleep or with which to protect
themselves from the cold. 

    Thursday night, however, saw relief. The steamer Flora, from Sacramento,
brought Christopher Green, the mayor of that city, and a relief committee with a
load of provisions, clothing, etc. The citizens now organized a relief committee
for the purpose of a judicious disposition of the supplies of money, clothing,
and other things that now began to pour in from neighboring cities, who deeply
sympathized with their stricken sister city. Sub-committees were named to canvas
the city and give orders upon the relief fund for needed supplies. In this
manner all were rapidly and amply provided for. The amount of contributions, so
generously made, was about $30,000 in money, 400 mattresses, and 1000 blankets,
besides clothing, provisions, and various other supplies. 

    Only one life was lost in the city, that of the little son of Mrs. John
Laughley, six years of age. The family had been taken from their home on a raft,
and the boy was accidentally knocked into the water and drowned. His body was
recovered in the morning. 

    The damage done to property in Marysville was enormous. Among the buildings
that suffered largely were the Episcopal Church, M. E. Church, courthouse, city
hall, woolen mills, Marysville Mills, Buckeye Mills, brewery, Marysville
Foundry, Swain & Hudson's factory, soap factory, Empire Foundry, gas works, two
lumber yards, a rag-carpet factory, broom factory, and the stores and residences
generally. It was a long time before the deposit of sand was removed from its
lodging places on the floors and in all the nooks and corners. The railroads
were badly damaged, and in the country there was great destruction of stock and
other farm property. The farmers of the valley, and the citizens of Marysville
especially, will long remember the great flood of 1875, which marks an era from
which they are still accustomed to date events. 

    The spring of 1879 had also its full share of high water, a great deal of
damage being done to the ranches on the lowlands; and great expense and trouble
were incurred in keeping the many levees in condition to resist the
encroachments of the water. The city happily escaped anything more serious than
wet streets and flooded cellars. 

    On account of the scouring of the river channels, and the part the
government. State and Federal, is taking in opening up the mouths of the Feather
and Sacramento Rivers, the thought of the people at the present time is that
disaster by flood is no longer a menace to be feared. 

FLOOD CONTROL 
The Levees 

    The several floods that occurred in the winters of 1861 and 1862 thoroughly
convinced the citizens of Marysville that they would in the future be compelled
to rely upon levees to protect the city from inundation, and preserve their
property from destruction. A subscription was accordingly raised among the
citizens for that purpose. This amounted to $4000, to which the City Council
added $1000. With this sum a levee from three to eight feet high was
constructed, extending from the foot of D Street along the river to F Street,
which was at that time supposed sufficient for the city's protection. The high
water of the season of 1866-1867, however, demonstrated the fact, that this
brief extent of embankment was entirely inadequate to effect the desired end. An
act was therefore passed by the legislature early in 1868, authorizing the city
to procure money for the construction of a complete line of levee surrounding it
on all sides. 

    The line was at once surveyed, contracts were let, and the whole was
completed prior to the 1st of December. The line of this embankment commenced at
the foot of E Street, and followed the present line to the corner of K and Ninth
Streets. From this point it ran west to M Street, north to Eleventh Street, west
to N Street on the bank of Feather River, north to Sixteenth Street, northeast
to the northeast corner of the Catholic Cemetery, including this, north to the
southwest corner of the City Cemetery, east to Covillaud Street, south to the
Browns Valley grade, down this grade to Yuba Street, down Yuba Street to Fourth
Street, on Fourth Street to Yuba Alley, now Walnut Street, down that alley to
First Street, on First Street to B Street, south to Front Street, and along the
river bank to the place of beginning. The total length was about the same as the
present line, nearly seven miles, and the cost was $18,279.97. 

    The following year it was found necessary to raise and improve the levee,
and also to extend it so as to include the City Cemetery, which had been left
out in the wet by the work ot the previous year. For this purpose $6000 was
appropriated by the city council, and the work commenced. The new line was 800
feet longer than the old one, and the change of line made the construction of
one mile of new levee necessary. The old line was raised from two and one-half
to three feet, as far as the southwest corner of the City Cemetery. From this
point the new levee ran to the northwest corner of the cemetery, on the cemetery
line to the city limits at the north end of A Street, east to Covillaud Street,
and south to the old levee. This work cost $8833.06, being an excess over the
appropriation, for which the council provided. 

    In 1870 the levee was extended from the north end of Covillaud Street due
east to the Browns Valley grade, the new line being over 4000 feet long and
costing $1947.74. In addition to this, the Browns Valley grade was repaired at
an expense of $1353.25. 

    Surrounded thus by an embankment raised above high-water mark, the citizens
rested in tranquil security. High-water mark, however, is an indefinite line,
and not always to be relied upon, as was discovered by the people on January 19,
1875, when the water came pouring over the levee north of the city, and brought
upon them the most disastrous flood known in their history. It was then resolved
to construct the levee anew. In 1876 an act was passed by the legislature
authorizing the city to borrow money for this purpose, and bids for contracts
were called for. There were several high bids entered, one of them at $115,000
not including the cost of the right of way. The contract was finally let for
$68,000 for the work; and the other expenses amounted to $30,000, making a total
expense of $98,000. The old levee, so far as used, was raised three feet above
high-water mark, the Browns Valley grade was raised three feet, and the
following new line was constructed: Commencing at the corner of K and Ninth
Streets, it abandoned the old bank and ran up K Street to Sixteenth Street, east
to E Street, north to Eighteenth Street, and northeast to the city limits at the
north end of Yuba Street, where it connected with the old levee. The embankment
and drain across the Slough, between the city and the cemeteries, cost $21,000
and was regarded as a fine and expensive piece of work. 

Levee District and Levee Commissioners 

    The legislature in 1876 passed an act creating a levee district, and placed
it under control of three commissioners, who were elected in March of the same
year. Prior to this, the work had been done under the supervision of a committee
from the city council. This act gave to the levee commission powers more
extensive and arbitrary than anyone else in the State possessed. 

    In pursuance of the act creating the levee commission of three, those first
elected as levee commissioners were: J. F. Flathman, John H. Bowman and William
Landis. At the first meeting, held April 3, 1876, for the purpose of organizing
this commission, Landis refused to qualify. In his stead Sanford Blodgett was
chosen. The first move of moment was, to recommend to the city council the
raising of $5000 for levee purposes. In August the board of supervisors were
asked for $5000 more to aid in constructing the portion of the levee now known
as the Browns Valley grade, on the east side of the city. This embankment was
tied up to the citizens' levee. Samuel Garber, who later became police judge,
was chosen foreman for conducting the work. 

    In the latter part of August, 1877, John H. Bowman resigned from the
commission, and the remaining members chose Justus Greely to fill the vacancy.
In December of 1878 Sanford Blodgett resigned the position, and Charles E. Sexey
was chosen in his place. Charles Cadwalder, an engineer of Red Bluff, laid the
lines for the Browns Valley grade, and recommended this route over one known as
the "Teegarden route." Parks & Binney secured the contract. 

    Between 1880 and 1884, C. E. Sexey, D. E. Knight, and I. Sheppard served as
levee commissioners. From 1884 the following filled the position: 1884 to 1888.
W. T. Ellis, D. E. Knight, and A. C. Bingham; 1888 to 1892, John C. White, D. E.
Knight, and W. T. Ellis. The next change came in 1900, when W. T. Ellis, Jr.,
was chosen to act with his father and John C. White. In 1912, W. T. Ellis, Jr.,
and his co-workers retired, giving way to John W. Steward, Samuel Ewell, and
Chester L. Bowen. On April 21, 1913, W. T. Ellis, Sr., whose faith in his
adopted city had never swerved, passed to his reward. In his memory the levee
commissioners set apart a page of their minute book, which has been
appropriately inscribed. John W. Steward, who was chosen president of the
commission in 1912, died on October 25, 1917. To his memory a page in the minute
book was also inscribed. C. F. Aaron succeeded Steward, filling the unexpired
term. Walter Bryant was made a member of the commission at the election of 1916,
and at present is serving with W. T. Ellis, Jr., and Samuel Ewell. 

    In 1910, the Western Pacific Railroad Company, on its entry into this
territory, took fully one-half of the levee system off the city's hands,
securing the embankment as a right of way, and extending the work from the
cemeteries on the north side of the city across to K Street and to the foot of B
Street. The saving to the city is enormous; and besides, the tracks on top of
the levee make for safety in a case of emergency, which now seems to be a thing
of the past. The company bound itself to exercise due diligence in keeping that
part of the levee system in as good condition and repair as may be required from
time to time by the commission, for the welfare and protection of the city. It
agreed to keep the embankment at all times at a height at least three feet above
the point of maximum high water. If the present point of maximum high water is
ever exceeded, the railroad company shall be allowed one year thereafter to
raise the levee or embankment. The franchise given the railroad will expire on
March 3, 1953. 

    The city clerk is ex-officio clerk of the Board of Levee Commissioners. It
is his duty to keep a full and complete record of all proceedings of the board.
Under the original city charter no person could act as a levee commissioner
until he took the constitutional oath of office and provided a bond in the sum
of $10,000, with at least two sureties, conditioned for the faithful performance
of his duties. No commissioner is to receive pa}- for his services as a member
of the board. 

Reclamation Districts 

    Reclamation work in Yuba County, coupled with irrigation, has meant much in
adding to its wealth. The most important of the several reclamation districts is
District No. 10, north of Marysville. Here, where grain was for years the chief
product raised for the market on vast tracts, there now abound vineyard after
vineyard and orchard after orchard, and new homes are springing up as shelter
for the new settlers. On the eastern side of the district, rice has been grown
very successfully, encouraged by water from the Cordua Irrigation District. 

    Reclamation District No. 784 has as brilliant a record. Here rice is grown
abundantly, and fruit is rapidly coming into its own. 


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF YUBA and SUTTER COUNTIES 
CALIFORNIA 
WITH 
Biographical Sketches OF 
The Leading Men and Women of the Counties Who Have Been Identified with Their
Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present 

HISTORY BY 
PETER J. DELAY 

ILLUSTRATED 
COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME 

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1924

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